NATCHEZ — The voice of praise was unified in Natchez last week, even though the singers came from miles away.

Natchez and Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church played host to the annual South Mississippi Conference for the Eighth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Monday through Sunday, bringing more than 100 visitors to town and filling the Natchez Convention Center and Natchez City Auditorium.

AME churches from Meridian to the gulf coast convened for the event.

“We met during the days and ended with worship services every night,” Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry said. “During the meetings we delegated reports from last year and simulated the new reports for the next year.”

Pastors from all of the churches received an assignment for their service in the next year.

“Some will go back to the same place,” she said. “Even if they do, they are still going to be doing new work.”

Youth were given the opportunity to lead the service Saturday night.

“The young people are in involved in every aspect of the church,” she said. “The choir that sang on Saturday night was put together in a day.”

Fourteen-year-old Jakayla Miller said performing five songs at the conference was a fun experience.

“Letting the youth lead the service is helping us learn about AME,” she said. “It is helping us learn what we need to do better.”

Jalen Lindsey was also a part of the service and said it was important for the youth to go out and lead.

“It’s good for the youth to have attention,” he said. “It was fun. Everybody was out there singing of one accord.”

Lindsey also said he enjoyed being able to spend time with his family while attending the conference.

“I have been so happy to be here learning from my new experiences.”

Seventeen-year-old Stacy McGilberry said this wasn’t the first conference she had attended, and it definitely won’t be the last.

“I love singing and worshipping and glorifying God,” she said. “The choir is always a unique experience.”

While leading the services was something she loved, McGilberry said the highlight of the conference for her was something else.

“I came to the conference so that I could watch my step dad be ordained,” she said.

Youth member Trey Mitchell said that while the week was busy, it was an overall good experience.

“All of the services went really well,” he said. “It was a fun week, and being a part of it was a great experience.”