This past weekend we took students to Cedarmore Camp and Conference Center for our annual Fall Retreat weekend. As usual, it was a fantastic experience - the Fall Retreat is my favorite event of the year, maybe due to the fact that we put together the entire trip in-house, and because of that it tends to have our ministry's DNA or fingerprints all over it. Here are four things I LOVED about this year's retreat!
1. THE THEME. The theme this year was "Enthroned", and we spent the first half of the retreat talking about the literal throne that God sits on in Heaven, ruling and reigning over all creation. We spent the second half of the weekend talking about the figurative throne inside us all, the "throne of our hearts", and how Christ wants and deserves to sit on that ruling and reigning in our lives. It was powerful, visual, and memorable for our students (and adults)!
2. THE PARTNERSHIP. This year two other youth groups joined us for the retreat. The dynamic of having multiple groups there with us really gave it a camp-like feel. Also, one of the other youth ministers and I shared teaching/speaking duties, which is great for both groups as they don't have to hear just one of us the entire weekend.
3. THE CAMP. I seriously love Crossings Ministries and the two camps they run in the state of Kentucky, Cedarmore and Johnathan Creek. You should DEFINITELY check out their website and see what they have to offer in the way of camps, retreats, and more!
4. THE RESULTS. As always, the biggest props of the weekend go to God for doing what He always does - showing up! We had at least one student from our group give His life to Christ for the first time, and many others recommit to let Jesus reign on their "thrones"! Awesome!
That's it! I'm almost fully recovered from the weekend, and still thanking God for all that He did! If you prayed for or supported us in any way this year, THANK YOU so much!
1. THE THEME. The theme this year was "Enthroned", and we spent the first half of the retreat talking about the literal throne that God sits on in Heaven, ruling and reigning over all creation. We spent the second half of the weekend talking about the figurative throne inside us all, the "throne of our hearts", and how Christ wants and deserves to sit on that ruling and reigning in our lives. It was powerful, visual, and memorable for our students (and adults)!
2. THE PARTNERSHIP. This year two other youth groups joined us for the retreat. The dynamic of having multiple groups there with us really gave it a camp-like feel. Also, one of the other youth ministers and I shared teaching/speaking duties, which is great for both groups as they don't have to hear just one of us the entire weekend.
3. THE CAMP. I seriously love Crossings Ministries and the two camps they run in the state of Kentucky, Cedarmore and Johnathan Creek. You should DEFINITELY check out their website and see what they have to offer in the way of camps, retreats, and more!
4. THE RESULTS. As always, the biggest props of the weekend go to God for doing what He always does - showing up! We had at least one student from our group give His life to Christ for the first time, and many others recommit to let Jesus reign on their "thrones"! Awesome!
That's it! I'm almost fully recovered from the weekend, and still thanking God for all that He did! If you prayed for or supported us in any way this year, THANK YOU so much!