This past weekend, I was able to lead a D-now weekend in
Port Aransas. I love working with FBC Port A. The congregation is kind, the
students are genuine, the environment is chill, and the scenery is beautiful
and peaceful. I worked with FBC Port A about 2 years ago when I also led these
high school girls for the first time. That weekend was my first time leading a
D-now with students that I didn’t know so I feel like I have a special bond
with these girls. Last year, I wasn’t able to help out because it ended up
being the same weekend that my uncle passed away. So this year, I got to lead
my girls again. I had 9 girls and 3 of them were from my original group from 2
years before. I don’t know if it’s possible to put into words how awesome and
refreshing this weekend was for me, but I’m going to try!
Our weekend was titled “Project Serve.” It focused on being
a servant to Christ and how to serve, who to serve, and when to serve. It was
so encouraging to hear my group of girls talk about how they can serve Christ
and serve others. As a teenager, it isn’t always easy to serve those around
you. I saw my girls take in what we were talking about in scripture and then
put it to use just in the two days that I was with them. All 9 of them have so
much to give and it was encouraging to see them use that to show other people
Christ.
Another big component to the weekend was the worship
sessions that took place. Phillip, the youth minister, brought in 2 guys from
his hometown that were phenomenal. Cody, the worship leader, is only a senior
in high school and did an amazing job leading worship. Granted, by the end of
the weekend, about half of my girls were in love with him, but nevertheless, he
was great. It was very evident that he was worshipping, not performing, and
his goal was to worship Christ and not just show off his talents. Our speaker
for the weekend, Zakk, was also really great. He’s a young adult, so he
connected to the students really well and made scripture real for them. It was
very clear that God was speaking through Zakk the whole weekend. Granted, my
girls were convinced that it was God’s will for me to marry him, but oh well.
Our small group sessions were heavily influenced by these two guys and it
wouldn’t have been the great weekend that it was without them.
On Sunday morning, Zakk called the leaders together and told
us that his last message would be on the passage about Jesus washing feet. He
told us that as leaders, we would be washing our student’s feet. I’m not gonna
lie, my first thought was that I was thankful that I had high school girls and
not a group of boys. However, the time spent washing the feet of my 9 girls
with my co-leader was such a sweet time of service and worship. We washed their
feet and prayed over them before sending them back into the real world where
they could then go and serve their peers.
Every time I lead a weekend retreat, I end up feeling the
same emotions.
Encouraged.
Refreshed.
Humbled.
Honored.
Joyful.
So often, I hear people ragging on teenagers in today’s
society. I hear people call them selfish, rebellious, and focused only on
popularity. However, this weekend showed me the complete opposite. I saw
students with hearts ready to serve others and serve Christ and it was so
rewarding. I’ve seen some of these girls
grow a lot over the last 2 years and I’m so excited to see how they continue to
grow in Christ. I love each of those girls with my whole heart and it’s so
humbling that I get to be a small part of their spiritual journey. Despite the
massive amounts of coffee I had to drink this weekend, I left feeling refreshed,
overjoyed, and excited to see God continue to move in their lives.
