Last weekend, our middle schoolers headed up to Phantom Ranch Bible Camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, for a time of retreat. During the trip they focussed on Paul’s letter to the Colossians and living into the sense of identity that comes from having “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Youth Pastor Will shares some highlights from the trip below.
The middle school retreat last weekend was a wonderful time of fun, fellowship, learning, and worship! A great group of 46 students participated. Our speaker, Zach, delivered powerful sermons reminding us of our identity in Christ and the hope of glory that awaits us in Jesus. I was particularly moved by his statement: “You are most true to who you are when you are in Christ.” Our young people are bombarded with voices telling them who or what they should be, and routinely tagged with labels that can be helpful or harmful. What a good reminder that the best descriptor of our identity is that we are “In Him,” and that, regardless of our circumstances, our destiny is glory because of what Christ has done on our behalf!
My favorite moment of the retreat was our time of worship on Saturday evening. I saw students with hands lifted in worship and others seeking prayer from leaders on their own initiative. One student remarked, “I don’t always feel comfortable lifting my hands on Sunday because I wonder who’s watching. But this was different because I was surrounded by other middle schoolers and I didn’t feel self-conscious around them.” Another student remarked, “I feel comfortable sharing about my spiritual life with friends at RezYouth because I don’t worry about what they’ll think about me.” We ended that time of worship singing and dancing to the song “Oh Happy Day” like it was Easter morning at Resurrection and then closed in prayer with arms around one another’s shoulders.