Faith on Fire This Winter
High school students board the bus for their trip to Orlando.
Students worshipped, enjoyed friendship, life-changing experiences while on retreats
Rock N Serve – High School Trip to Orlando
Our high school students traveled to Orlando for their annual Rock the Universe weekend at Universal Studios, for the second year in a row, the trip also included meaningful service opportunities.
Partnering with Serve Orlando, our group served in several ways throughout the weekend. At Clean the World, students helped sort and pack an incredible 50,600 bars of soap that will be distributed to communities in Africa. The group also served locally by helping clean and support the House of Hope, making a tangible impact on people in need.
After serving, students joined thousands of other Christians for Rock the Universe, a large Christian concert series held inside the theme parks at Universal Studios. It was a powerful experience to worship alongside believers from all over the country while enjoying the parks together.
With 40 students attending this year, the trip once again filled quickly and continues to be one our youth look forward to each year—a weekend that blends service, worship, and unforgettable memories.
Blue Lake Children’s Winter Retreat (4th & 5th Grade)
Our 4th and 5th graders traveled to Blue Lake Camp for the Children’s Winter Retreat at the end of January, joining 351 other students from across the conference for a weekend of faith, learning, and fun.
The theme of the retreat challenged students to become “Echoes of Christ” in the world—reflecting Jesus in the way they live, speak, and care for others. Through worship, teaching, and hands-on activities, students explored how scripture applies to their everyday lives and learned how small acts of service can make a big difference. One activity even demonstrated how water filters can help save the lives of families without access to clean water.
Of course, camp wouldn’t be complete without plenty of fun. Students enjoyed creative projects, time outdoors, and lots of laughter together—though the cold temperatures reminded everyone quickly that wet blankets freeze when left outside! The bus ride home was filled with singing and stories from a memorable weekend growing in faith and friendship.
8th Grade Retreat – Laguna Beach
Our 8th graders headed to Laguna Beach in Panama City Beach at the end of February for a weekend focused on faith, fellowship, and preparing for the next stage of their spiritual journey.
Throughout the retreat, students explored what it means to live out their faith in everyday life by studying the book of James. Through worship sessions and small group discussions, they talked about how faith shows up in the direction of our choices, the way we treat others, the words we speak, and how we trust God even when life is challenging.
In between these meaningful conversations, there was plenty of time for fun and connection. Students played games, walked along the beach, worked together to solve escape rooms, and even became pirates for a themed dinner night.
It was a special weekend for our 8th graders to grow closer to one another, deepen their faith, and spend time reflecting on how God is at work in their lives.