This time of year can be dreary. We are all ready for spring, but while many of us experience the doldrums of March, our youth continue to inspire us by pursuing Jesus and one another, full of youthful energy.
At the end of February, our middle school students traveled to a “Winter Blast'“ retreat in Olympia, Wa. The students all had a fantastic time! 9 middle school guys, 6 middle school girls, and 5 leaders loaded into church vans with road trip snacks and sleeping bags to head to Black Lake Bible Camp. They joined with seven other church youth groups at camp for some really fun large group games.
When the students weren't having a blast bonding with one another through games and activities, they had four worship and teaching sessions, followed by four small group discussions times. The theme of the event was being known in Christ. The students focused on finding their identity in him. They worshipped Jesus, grew in their faith, and grew deeper together. With a combined 250 participants, the students made lots of new friends and were able to see the way the bond of Christ spans across our region and beyond.
Then, in mid-March several of our high school students and leaders traveled to Ravensdale, WA and joined 3 other local youth groups for an overnight event called “Advance.” Everyone had a great time playing games and making new friends, but one of the leaders reported that the most meaningful memories were made during small groups. The small groups were a great opportunity for the students to open up and really share about what’s going on in their lives.
These older students exhibited such maturity in Christ, listening attentively to one another, offering encouraging words and reminders of scripture, and even offering to pray for each other! It was such a great demonstration that wisdom from God is not limited by age and that God’s desire for believers is that they be brothers and sisters, united in Christ, celebrating one another’s joys, and carrying one another’s burdens.
The theme for the weekend was around the life of the Apostle Peter and the transformation that we see in him (including both triumphs and failures) as he lived out the mission to which Jesus called him. The music times were filled with opportunities for students to worship wholeheartedly and our teens were especially impacted by seeing peers from other churches responding to God in heartfelt worship through lifting hands, kneeling at the altar and praying with one another. It was a great reminder of the shared life we have in Christ and how we as believers are able to sharpen and encourage one another through Holy Spirit in us.
Both youth events were wonderful, and we are so immensely grateful for our students setting an example for all of us as they seek to deepen their walks with the Lord.