~ From Retreat to Advance ~

So, I thought I'd do a post about Advance, because it was so different this year.

Undeniably, Advance 2012 was the greatest Advance I’ve ever experienced. It started out just like any other Advance: we were just a youth group going to the mountains for fun, and maybe some learning along the way. Little did we know, God was going to work a miracle in each and every one of our hearts over the course of this weekend. As we started going through the motions of meals, messages, and many, many games, I started to desire something more. The games were super fun and exciting, but it felt just like the things Relay always does. It felt empty. One of my friends in particular agreed with me, and wanted to have conversations with other people about God, and what He’s doing in our lives, not just playing games and talking about silly, pointless things. Obviously, God had those plans exactly, and put it on other’s hearts as well. Suddenly, on the second day of the retreat (or at least I think it was the second day), one of my other friends started a prayer group, just out of the blue, and as I and lots of others joined, it hit every single one of us that this is what we want to do every time we see each other. After the message on the third night, three of the girls in my cabin were greatly filled with the Holy Spirit, and were beaming with joy when we got back from the impromptu prayer-groups, which continued through the rest of the trip. Heading home on the last day, my brother and I thanked God for everything that He’d done on this trip. I believe that God turned this trip from a Retreat, to an Advance for His Gospel.

When we got back and went to church that same day, God worked amazingly again. My brother was moved and went to be prayed for after the sermon, and was saved! He prayed the Sinner's prayer and asked forgiveness for his sins!! Immediately when we got home I began to see a stark difference in his life, and for the first time I got to see first-hand the change that happens. I get so happy every time I think about it! Praise God.


~ Kendall