Last weekend 101 students and 17 adults  traveled to Cross Oak Camp in St. Mary’s OH for the The Movement’s 7th annual Refuel Retreat.  Parents, thank you for praying for us and for trusting us with your precious people! We hope you have heard at least one specific truth your students are taking away from this great weekend! They may have returned home short on sleep, but the weekend was filled with opportunities to soak up solid biblical truth, Christian community and plenty of fun!  

The Grace College worship band spent the weekend with us leading us in Christ-centered worship and Pastors Randy Murphy and Mike Dunford were the speakers and shared teaching from their CTONextGen360 curriculum entitled “G4- God Is.”   

Focus verses for the weekend were Psalm 145:1-10, and through teaching sessions and small group exercises, students were encouraged to grab hold and live in these “G4” aspects of God’s character:

God is Glorious-We don’t have to fear anyone or anything.

God is Great-We don’t have to be in control.

God is Good-We don’t have to find satisfaction anywhere else.

God is Gracious-I don’t have to prove myself.

The speakers talked about anxiety, anger, idols and insecurities being warning signs on the dashboard of our lives.  When the warning signs are on, they signal a struggle to embrace and live in truth about God. Throughout the weekend students were encouraged to write the specific fears, situations that bring anger, areas of insecurity, and idols that have captured their hearts on large journaling banners. Family situations, school and friendship anxieties, feelings of loneliness, the desire to fit in, and the idols of accomplishment were all repeated themes.  Small group and partner discussion and prayer times were designed to help students talk through struggles and apply the truth about God’s character to their lives.

Students shared hard things and celebrated the ways they see God working in their lives. Our leaders played hard and pointed students to the truth being focused on.

What a privilege to see the next generation worship, share their hearts and spend time seeking God and having fun together!  

Here’s a clip from Sunday morning’s teaching.  God is Gracious