BLOWING ROCK, North Carolina--The Mid-Atlantic District was host for a winter youth retreat in Blowing Rock for 90 teens, 25 young adults and 25 parents Dec. 21 to 23.
Paul David Kurts, pastor of the Hickory and Boone, North Carolina, churches, was host.
The teens showed a noticeable desire to deepen their relationship with Jesus and to be more active in serving him. As a consequence, seminar presentations were given on the topics of Christianity makes sense, improving your love life with God through prayer, and practical ways of building the local church. Seminar presenters were ministry leaders ages 19 to 22.
Since the young adults ministered to the teens, the parents were free to attend a seminar designed for them. Greg Williams, district youth coordinator, presented a three-part series titled Turning the Hearts of the Parents to the Children. Parents shared stories of triumph and struggle.
We laughed, cried and prayed together, but most of all we allowed the Holy Spirit to move in us to share in ways that we haven't been able to before.
Activities included swing dancing and snowboarding.
The climax of the retreat came in the final service. P.D. and his brother Michael Shane shared a story of how their lives reflected the parable of the prodigal son and his older brother. Michael Shane spoke of his decade-long struggle with drug addiction, and P.D. shared his struggle of loving and forgiving his brother.
The entire camp came forward for prayer. Some came forward out of their need to be reconciled to loved ones, eight young people came forward for the first time to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, and some came forward out of supportive love for a friend.
We are going into our fourth year of Discovery Weekends in the Mid-Atlantic District, and I must testify to how God has used these events to reach our young people. Greg Williams.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001