Going on retreats is part of the DNA of BridgePointe’s Student Ministry. When we go away to worship, laugh and play, God works in unexpected and amazing ways. This year, nineteen middle and high school students and seven leaders went to Camp Berea for our annual Fall Retreat. For eight students, it was their first time going to camp.

Fall retreat is always a ton of fun - we share meals, play capture the flag, go hiking and stay up late in our cabins. In our group sessions, we talked about how to live as students of Jesus. Not students in the homework and class sense of the word, but in a way which reorients our entire lives around being with Jesus, being like Jesus and living like he did. Students looked at how Jesus lived his life, and began to practice some of his foundational habits - scripture reading, talking with God, and being alone with God.

Here are a few things students had to say about this year’s Fall Retreat:

“I feel closer to God than I ever have before. I knew about Jesus before, but now I feel like I really know him. I never thought following Jesus could be this enjoyable.”

“Student group feels like family to me. We love each other, care for each other and point each other in the right direction - aka Jesus.”

“Before coming to BridgePointe, I wasn’t sure how to talk to God. I thought I had to say the Our Father every time I prayed. I never did because I couldn’t remember it. Now I realize God is my Father who loves me, and I can talk with him like I do a friend.”

“I realized the Bible isn’t a bunch of mumbo jumbo fairy tales. It’s a unified story that leads to Jesus and is all about God’s story of love. God wants to speak to me through His word.”

“We dominated in Steal the Bacon!”

Students left Fall Retreat excited to be students of Jesus in their everyday life. They feel equipped to love, serve and pray for One more person to share God’s love with. Join us in praying that students continue to own their faith and practice the way of Jesus for themselves.

Jacob Vangen
Student & Groups Pastor

BridgePointe’s student ministry is a place where students can have fun, know they belong and follow Jesus. If you have a middle school or high school student, or want to learn more about what we do, check out our Student Page.