We kicked off our SummerHigh 2010 Retreat by gathering at Gracepoint to register. We had lunch and a time of icebreakers to get to know about 80 InterHigh students who came to the retreat.. After lunch, we packed into our twelve-van caravan for Sierra Lodge. The first couple of days were jam-packed with games for a fun time of bonding with the students and staff. We divided into four teams—“team Xtreme,” “insideOut,” “solid,” and “we’re on fire” to play some rousing sports ultimate frisbee, soccer, and basketball, as well other team games, such as King Kong Shower, Capture the Flag, and relay races. We were also able to forge many new, fond memories through our kayaking splash wars, our “lovely hike” that became a snowy adventure (who knew how well snow could hold up in 80 degree weather?), and large group bonfires where we got to sing some of our most nostalgic and personally meaningful praise songs.

These rallying times together built up our anticipation and excitement for our praise and worship time and for the messages. Pastor Will and James Kim gave a total of six messages: “Dare to be Different,” “Dare to be Disciplined,” “Dare to Discover,” “Dare to Disclose”, “Dare to be a Disciple,” and “Dare to be a Witness.” Through various object lessons with Play-Doh, soda cans, and paper cups and clips of real-life teen challenges, Pastor Will and James helped the students to identify different peer pressures to succumb to sin and challenged them to be on the “offense” in terms of battling these pressures through confession, spiritual disciplines, and rallying behind Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to compel us to be His witnesses. Following the messages, we had times of prayer and reflection, as well as times of sharing by small groups by the eleven bonfire pits around Sierra Lodge. These post-message sharing times and prayer led to the salvation of 7 students, including one student from our small church visits, as well as many more rededication from the students to commit their lives to following Jesus.

The retreat, overall, was a very blessed and memorable time, which all of the students and staff enjoyed very much. We really hope and pray our students can see the many loving hands that have went into their lives and the messages would have prepared them to “Dare to be a Disciple” for Christ before the upcoming school year.

What was the most memorable time for you at the summer retreat?