The POA Fall Retreat was held on December 5-7 at Life Ministries, or “the castle”. 135 youth from 7th to 12th grade came together to fellowship, learn, and worship. Almost 20 RP congregations were represented from across Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Canada.
Our speaker was Jason Thoman, and the topic was Learning to Walk with Christ Daily. Pastor and Mrs. Stivason also shared their testimonies during Friday night snack time. The talks were incredibly convicting and practical. We benefited greatly from his honesty and straightforwardness. Pastor Thoman went “back to the basics” with us, reminding us of the crucial importance of daily Bible reading, prayer, thanksgiving, and cross-bearing. Pastor Thoman gave us concrete advice on how to improve our lives in each of those areas. Every person I talked to was individually challenged and motivated, and left the retreat reinvigorated for spiritual warfare.
In addition to learning about our glorious God, we enjoyed sweet times of fellowship and fun. Both mornings began with a time of prayer and praise. Saturday afternoon was packed with tournaments, gym time, bible trivia, and a psalm sing. New foosball champions were crowned, and old spikeball champions were reinstated. We played chess, volleyball, soccer, pool, dodgeball, handball, ping pong, basketball, board games, card games, box hockey and even ultimate frisbee! I probably forgot about other activities from Saturday afternoon, but it was a blast.
Before worship on Sunday morning, Herb and Patty McCracken came and taught us. Patty took the girls and spoke to us about our envy and pride and how that affects us as women, and how to take control of our thought life. It was very practical, honest, and applicable! Herb spoke to the guys about how adolescence is a modern term and how to cultivate and practice godly masculinity as teenagers.
It’s hard to pick what my favorite part of the retreat was, but it would most likely be either reconnecting with people from my TFY group or our little psalm sings.
We thank God for Pastor Thoman, all of the kitchen staff and counselors, and for the churches represented at the retreat. Please pray that the talks would continue to bear fruit in each of our lives.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
– Luke 9:23-25
Thanks to Annika Spear for the article. Annika is a senior in high school and is a member of North Hills RP. Lord willing, she will go to Geneva next year and study Communication Disorders
