Hundreds of teens had their say about drugs, sex and hip hop at New Life Community Baptist Church's annual Teen Conference last week.

The teens from New Life and other metro Atlanta congregations spent two days at discussing issues of concern to their age group and hearing stirring sermons from Marlin Harris, New Life's founder and pastor.

Harris told the youngsters not to embrace music that denigrates women.

"Don't let hip hop music control your minds," he told them Thursday. "Don't listen to music that calls you 'Bs' and hoes."

The Teenfest 2008 "Passion With Purpose" is part of New Life Community Impact Week. It included a concert on Friday night.

Kris Spears, the church's teen minister, said they invited youth groups from other churches to join the conference and expected at least 500 to show up for July 25 concert.

The teens also discussed STD's, HIV/AIDS and abstinence with counselors. One session explored how to dress to impress and discussed clothes that are inappropriate for a child of God to wear.

Spears said that the teens usually get the message.

"We do see a small change in some of the teens," he said. "One girl said she decided not to date anymore because of the pressure of sex in her previous relationship."

Briteny Gibson, a 17-year-old senior at Cedar Grove High School, said she liked the conference and learned a lot from it.

"It taught me that I should dress more appropriately," she said. "I will try to change the way I dress now."