Living a Christian lifestyle, especially as a college student, isn't always easy, but I have found a group through my military friends that helps a great deal—the Navigators.

The Navigators are dedicated to teaching people about the importance of prayer, Bible study and scripture memory and application. They have ministries for college students, church families, and military members here in the United States and internationally.

I joined a weekly Bible study at Hickam Air Force Base. Through my group I attended Spirit West Coast, an annual Christian music festival held this summer in Monterey, Calif. It was one of the best weeks of my life.

Ron and Nancy Mahler are missionaries for the Navigators and lead our Tuesday night study. They first started going to the festival in 1997 because their children wanted to attend the concerts.

"It exposes you to other Christians who love God," Nancy told me. "It challenges your comfort level and stimulates your heart and mind to see a bigger picture of who God is and what he can do. It's a blast!"

I told them to sign me up.

Then I had second thoughts. I didn't know anyone going except the Mahlers. I'd miss work and classes. But when I arrived, I knew I was in the right place.

People came from all over: Mississippi, California, Hawai'i, Colorado, Washington state and Washington, D.C. The week was spent doing Bible studies, team time, listening to speakers and putting a festival together. We were busy from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day.

Each team had four to five people, and we worked for four to six hours a day. My team was diverse: our leader, Vivianne Jean-Pierre from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.; Jeni Barnes from Roseville, Calif., a 20-year-old trying to find her way in life; and Kara Moore, a 15-year-old girl (going on 25) from Yuba City, Calif. Each taught me something that will stick with me forever.

Vivianne sometimes needed help leading, so I helped. I had to learn when to hold off, though. I learned from Jeni to take the time to really get to know a person. It's always interesting to see what's behind the mask people show to the world. Kara showed me that you don't have to have gray hair to be wise.

Nancy was right. It was great to be surrounded by real Christians with real problems and struggles. I try daily to become a better person while glorifying God. It was refreshing to be around other people struggling to do the same.

I learned so much about myself. I used to be really scared of telling people about my faith in Jesus. I learned that my life should speak about Jesus even if I never open my mouth. And when I share my faith, I don't have to know all the answers. I just have to know where to tell people to look for them.

I also got to pray with a girl who was contemplating suicide. That touched my heart so deeply. God used me in a way he hasn't before. He put me in the right place, at the right time, and she's alive today.

Spirit West Coast was an experience unlike any other. I was able to grow and help others. The friendships and the memories I made are priceless. The knowledge and understanding I gained will carry me far, and I can't wait for next year.

Brandi Taylor-Eubank attends Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor in Waipahu.