Winter Retreat 2019

February is a busy ministry month for Jon and I.  We hit the ground running on Friday with Maranatha Bible Camp’s annual youth winter retreat.  Last year, Jon took five Catalyst students to this retreat and set a goal to take eight students this year.  God surprised us and sent us off with fifteen!  We took seven girls and eight boys ranging from sixth graders up to juniors in high school.  Three of our youth leaders also came to help as cabin leaders: Barry (our family life pastor and a former full-time youth pastor of over twenty-eight years), Tanya (Barry’s wife), and Ellie (our youth and worship intern).  I travelled back and forth from Gothenburg so that I could take care of our dogs over the weekend, but I was still able to be there for the majority of the time.

The theme for the retreat was “Stories.”  Students heard the stories of several youth pastors and leaders as well as the stories of some people in the Bible.  They were encouraged to think about their own stories (with the help of a brainstorm and timeline activity during small group time), to seek out how their stories fit in with God’s story, to learn to give God control of their stories through daily surrender, and to learn to share their stories with others.  We all learned much more about each other and about our relationships with God as we examined our stories together.  For me, the timeline exercise was a really good reminder of all the ways God has worked (and is continuing to work) in my life, even in the times when it didn’t seem like He was doing anything at all. 

One highlight for me at these retreats is getting to see my husband do one of the things that God clearly made Him to do.  He is skilled at interacting with students in a way that puts them at ease and meets them where they are at.  Relating to them comes so naturally to him.  From his joking, teasing, and willingness to throw himself wholeheartedly into games to his ability to clearly communicate his expectations and to challenge students in areas they need to grow, it is obvious to me how truly gifted he is at building relationships with youth.  I love getting to be his partner in ministry. 

Another highlight for me this year was observing the students during the music time.  Without a doubt, some of the 150-plus students who attended have already experienced more pain, rejection, and injustice in their short lives than many of us will face in a lifetime.  To see them praising and worshiping Jesus encourages and challenges me more than I can express. 

I’m thankful for the opportunity I had this weekend to help students sort through their stories and to get to know them better.  Retreats and camps are a relationship accelerant.  There is something bonding about being tired together, laughing together, getting rid of distractions together, stinking together, and learning together in a safe place and in a concentrated, continuous block of time.  Please pray for these students as they return to their everyday lives, and pray for the leaders as we strive to show them that the joy and security that comes from a relationship with Christ doesn’t only have to be found at camp.              

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