Guests Charles
Taylor, pastor of the Miami, Florida, North church, and his wife, Keysha, led praise and
worship and discussion sessions throughout the weekend.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana--Fifty-five teens from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida gathered for a Summer Educational Program (SEP) regional teen weekend Dec. 10-12 at Fontainebleu State Park.
Guests Charles
Taylor, pastor of the Miami, Florida, North church, and his wife, Keysha, led praise and
worship and discussion sessions throughout the weekend.
Friday night began with a praise service followed by a get-acquainted activity and fellowship time.
On Saturday Pastor Charles gave a message in which he described a teenage girl who ran away from home and became a prostitute. After realizing her mistake, she decided to return home, not sure if her parents would forgive her. She left a message on their answering machine to tell them she was on her way home and to her surprise, when she arrived, there was a banner displayed saying: "Welcome Home! We Love You!"
Pastor Charles reminded everyone that God is never too far from us that we can't reach out to him even when we've messed up and made mistakes. He still loves us.
Vocal solos were performed by Janine Jackson and Luciendo Camblard. Jennifer Moore did a reading titled "Oliver's Story," illustrating a reluctant teen's visit to a nursing home. The teen was so moved by an elderly patient there that he forgot his own discomfort and let Jesus work through him to make a difference in the life of that patient just before his death.
Later, teens broke into groups for intercessory prayer and discussion time and were asked to write and perform skits on issues they face in their daily lives and the Christian approach to handling them.
Adult leader Nathan Mitchell covered the topic of drug use with his group. Later he gave a testimony about his own drug-related experiences and their consequences. He shared how addiction led to a terrifying downward spiral that almost cost him his life.
Nathan encouraged the youths to stay close to God and not try to solve problems on their own.
A formal banquet and dance took place Saturday evening during which the teens gave honor to Anthony Rice, pastor of the Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria, Louisiana, churches, for his years of service to the youths.
Sunday's events included a visit to a nursing home, where the teens, led by Pastor Charles and Keysha, sang praise songs to an appreciative audience who did not want them to stop. Afterward the youths visited with many of the patients. The day ended with miniature golf and laser tag.
Several teens gave their impressions of the weekend. "It was really great to have that many kids my age at praise and worship and giving so much respect for God," said Bethany Winfield.
"Having Nathan there was awesome because real life experiences help us to connect," related Kyle Fontaine.
"When I was at the SEP camp, I experienced what many teens hope to find from drugs and alcohol, that is peace of mind," said Mandy Pfister. Joy Cryer.
SAN JOSE, California--More than 90 teens and 15 adults gathered for a weekend of praise and worship Dec. 18 to 20 at Mount Cross Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Participants from California and as far away as Washington, Colorado and Texas joined in the San Jose-organized get-together. A praise and worship band from Azusa Pacific University provided music. Activities included Bible studies, singing, skits, a banquet, a dance and outdoor activities among the redwood trees.
The guest speaker
was Barbara Egbert, assistant SEP director. She shared with teens her call to conversion
and emphasized three main points: 1) God is awesome; 2) God loves me; and 3) God's way
works.
Bill and Joy Funsten, youth directors in San Jose, coordinated the event.
SAN JOSE, California--A reunion of youths, their spouses, children, parents, advisers, coaches and all who supported them from 1977 to 1981, will take place Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, at 4250 Kirk Rd. in San Jose.
The dress will be nice casual and the day will feature a buffet lunch, photographs and a remembrances session.
Costs are $15 for those 12 and older, $10 for those ages 4 to 11, and free for those 3 and younger. Please send payment as soon as possible made payable to Linda Smith and mailed to her at 3942 Paladin Dr., San Jose, California, 95124.
For more information contact Elva (Alvarez) Stainthorp at LesMiz1@aol.com or phone 1-408-723-0737, Linda Smith at SmithLinda @aol.com, or John Jester at JohnJester@aol.com John Jester.
BLOWING ROCK, North Carolina--A new type of regional weekend is emerging in the Mid-Atlantic region. They are called Discovery Youth Retreats.
For the past two years, Greg Williams, pastor of the Fayetteville and Dillon, North Carolina, churches, has spearheaded these retreats for the youths. Geared toward sixth to 12th graders, the Discovery Youth Retreats include a whole lot of fun, but the main purpose for the event is to discover Jesus Christ.
From Dec. 21 to 23, "God, a Baby?--Discovery Retreat" was conducted in Blowing Rock. Sixty- four youths from 10 WCG congregations attended. These included half a dozen teens who were invited by friends.
Thirty adults served as drivers, counselors, guest speakers, worship leaders and on the food staff. Paul David Kurts, pastor of the Boone and Hickory, North Carolina, congregations, led the three praise and worship services; and Tim Brassell, pastor of the Norfolk, Virginia, congregation, provided the motivational sermons.
The Christian Assembly Grounds, where the camp was conducted, has facilities for volleyball, basketball, table tennis, billiards and indoor swimming. One night, half of the campers chose to go skiing or snowboarding, while the other half played in the gym and then watched a movie.
During one praise and worship service, the campers were divided into four groups and assigned to produce skits based on different aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christian Valencia from Gastonia, North Carolina, said, "The skits were fun, even though we were all kind of nervous at first." His cousin, William Valencia, thought that basketball and the praise and worship were the best parts of camp.
The next Discovery Weekend is planned for March 24 to 26 in White Lake, North Carolina, which will include skiing, basketball and a dance. A canoe trip on the New River in North Carolina is scheduled for Aug. 11 to 13.
For more information, contact Greg Williams by e-mail at Greg_Williams@wcg.org or call him at 1-910- 433-3060. Shane Bazer.
By Shane Bazer
BLOWING ROCK, North Carolina--When we arrived at the youth retreat in Blowing Rock, I noticed three Latino kids who didn't quite fit in.
I asked the retreat director about those boys, and he said they were invited by someone who attends the Hickory, North Carolina, congregation.
William and Oscar are brothers, and Christian is their cousin. Christian's mother has expressed interest in going to church, and the boys thought the retreat sounded like fun even though they don't go to church.
They weren't mingling with the other kids, so I decided to spend some time with them. I called them My Three Amigos. They still didn't talk with the other campers as far as I could see. I was afraid they might not be enjoying themselves even though they were at every activity including the sermons.
The focus of the retreat was God as a baby. The messages focused on God becoming a baby in Jesus so he could live in us. The final message by pastor Tim Brassell centered on how God has used youths throughout the Bible. In many cases youths were chosen because the adults would not give their lives over to God.
At the end of the message, Pastor Tim asked if anyone wanted Christ to be more than just a friend. Did anyone want Christ to be his or her Lord and Master? He invited any to come forward to make a public confession of their willingness to give their life over to God.
I was smiling when I saw the first girl walk forward. Then a boy followed and then another girl. I was getting a little misty eyed when the sixth camper decided to make it known that God was more important than anything else. Then one of the youths from my church area walked forward. I was moved to tears to see her walk forward.
Then my three amigos stood up, and with tears streaming down their cheeks they walked forward and made the commitment. The only one who was shedding more tears was I. In all, 14 youths committed or recommitted their lives to God that day.
Shane Bazer volunteers as the youth minister in Raleigh, North Carolina.
TOLEDO, Ohio--A Christian music festival will take place at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds in Hillsdale, Michigan, June 24. The concert will begin at noon and end at 11 p.m.
WCG youths are invited to attend.
The concert, "Rockin' With the Rock," will feature national Christian recording artists Bleach and Shaded Red, accompanied by five local and regional Christian artists.
Volleyball and plenty of food will be available. The concert is produced by Triple J Ministries, an organization dedicated to bringing opportunities for youths to know Jesus.
The concert admission is $5 per person, or $20 per family of four or more. Ticket information, directions, hotel accommodations and volunteer opportunities can be obtained by calling Triple J Ministries at 1-419-345-5533 anytime.
Triple J Ministries is not affiliated with the WCG, but its founders are WCG members.
Triple J Ministries spoke to youths at New Hope Christian School in Hillsdale Dec. 1. Jeff Miller gave a sermon on having a personal relationship with Jesus--total surrender. Six girls came to the altar and surrendered to Jesus Christ.
OLYMPIA, Washington--Marni Zorn, 17, participated in a mission to Lima, Peru, July 11 to Aug. 9.
The purpose was to tell the people they encountered of God's love for them, to teach them God's word, and his plans for them.
Marni said: "My church, family and friends worked hard to put me on the mission field, whether it was through time, money or prayer, and I greatly appreciated it."
The trip started in Garden Valley, Texas, where group members went through intense drama training and sessions to learn their parts, God's plan and his word.
In Peru, they performed a play three to five times a day, about a man who knows there is something more to life, and seeks to fulfill that emptiness inside of him. In the end he finds Christ.
"We saw miracles happen right before our eyes," Marni said. "Of course the greatest miracle is God's love, and his sacrifice for us, but so is salvation and miraculous healing.
"I saw the eyes of a blind woman open, which had been sealed since birth; a girl who couldn't walk without a limp, strut out of the marketplace; and a man deaf since 17, now 64, sing songs to the Lord with his eyes shut, in unison with the church. God is truly great. He is wonderful."
CINCINNATI, Ohio--You are invited to attend the Christian Teen Retreat 2000 (TR2K) Feb. 11-13 at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Amelia, Ohio (about 20 minutes from Cincinnati).
This retreat is for youths 12 to 19 years of age. This year is Y2KJ--Year to Know Jesus.
We ask that you bring two nonperishable food items. These will be collected and donated to a charity or food bank.
The cost is $75 per person. Check-in is at 7:30 p.m., Friday. No dinner will be served that evening. Dismissal on Sunday will be at 1:30 p.m. Youth coordinators are welcome at the same price.
Please send your name, address, age, youth coordinator's name and phone number and $75 (check payable to LCAF--Retreat 2000) to Teen Retreat 2000, 8263 White Hill Lane, West Chester, Ohio, 45069.
The price includes two nights dormitory-style lodging along with meals. George Hart.
The Summer Educational Program (SEP) Office announced that applications are available for the two sessions of camp scheduled for the summer.
The first session, June 25 to July 10, will be the traditional SEP program, and will be offered to those ages 12 to 15. The emphasis will be on developing a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The second session, July 12 to July 28, is called Higher Ground and will be offered to those who have been to at least two sessions of SEP, or who are ages 16 through 20. The Higher Ground session will have less structure than the traditional program, and will have a more spiritual emphasis with a focus on discipleship.
Tuition for first-time campers is $625.
Staff applications (high school volunteers and college and adult staff) are also available, with positions filled as applications are received and approved.
For more information call the SEP Office at 1-972-712-5737 or visit the SEP website at www.sepcamp.com Jeb Egbert.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000