More photos and videos will be coming soon, but there is an additional lag time as we move out of our offices and journey home. So keep checking back in the weeks and months ahead.
Etc.
Signing Off
It has been such a blessing for me to be able to keep you all updated on everything that has happened at CHIC. Being able to write and reflect on focus groups and main stage services also allowed me to begin becoming undone. This week has truly been an amazing one!
It is my hope that through our posts, families and parents have been able to feel a part of this week, future CHIC students have become pumped for their experience in three years and that current CHIC students can have something to help them remember this phenomenal week.
As Pastor Judy Peterson closed the service last night she said, “this week, you have been undone so that you can undo the undone work in the world.” It is my prayer that as we all return to our everyday lives we be ready to tackle this undone world together!!!
God Bless,
Gerron
Signing Off
It has truly been an honor to serve as one of your CHIC writers this week. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to witness God’s amazing work at CHIC and through His strength give all of you at home a mere glimpse of what was what He was up to.
Matt Lundgren, leader of the CHIC worship band, shared this verse with us at the end of Main Stage last night, and I would like to leave you with these final words.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
For His Glory,
Becca
Block Party and The Gathering Wednesday Night
As thunderous rain clouds and torrential rain delayed and threatened the success of the two evening options last night, both events continued and without a single flaw. The third and final Battle of the Bands contestant, Kingdom, performed on the CHIC side-stage at the Block Party. Their set included all original songs that required a lot of crowd participation, which they graciously received. “It’s amazing. It’s the coolest thing ever” said band member Jon Arthur of Rhode Island. “We are all really good friends and we’re always at each others’ houses, so it’s just fun to be on stage together having a great time.” Following Kingdom’s performance set, the Christian rock duo, Lost and Found, took the stage.
On a different part of campus, Native Alaskan heritage was celebrated at The Gathering in an event entitled, Agaayutim Inui which translates into ‘God’s People’. Refreshments were served as CHIC participants from churches in Alaska shared with us cultural games, and educated us on the different roles that men and women play in the Alaskan culture. Students from the Alaskan youth group demonstrated the Alaskan Olympic sports of ‘seal hopping’ and ‘high kicking’. The two students were state contenders in both of these sports.
CHIC Able to Pre-Screen The Film “To Save A Life”
This year CHIC participants have been given an awesome opportunity to pre-screen, FOR FREE, the movie, To Save A Life, scheduled to open in select theaters all over the country in January 2010. To Save A Life is an indie movie about the real-life challenges teens face and the consequences of their choices. After a childhood friend makes a tragic move, Jake Taylor, an all-star athlete must change his life and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others. Director Jim Britts said that once the movie is released, he hopes that thousands of churches see the movie and that youth are moved to change their lives so that they reflect God more. He hopes that through this, more people will come to Christ.
Keith Hamilton Presents Focus Group on “Radical Discipleship”
Who are you when nobody is watching? Who OWNS your faith? If you were questioned in a court of law, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a RADICAL FOLLOWER of Christ? These are some of the questions and issues that are being discussed in the Focus Group, Don’t get voted off the Island! Radical Discipleship to Reach Others, led by Keith Hamilton.
Keith currently serves as the President of Alaska Christian College(ACC) located in Soldonta, AK., and during this Focus Group he speaks of what it means to be a radical follower of Christ. Keith defines Radical Discipleship as becoming a FULLY committed follower of Jesus Christ. He goes on to tell, through a witty personal story where his response to someone was, “If going to church makes you a Christian, then going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger”, that being fully committed to Christ means more than being confirmed as a pre-teen, or attending CHIC as a teenager.
Keith emphasizes that before we reach out to others and are able to love them appropriately, we have to become radically committed to Christ for ourselves. So what does being radically committed to Christ look like? Using Acts 20:7-11, the story of Eutychus and Paul, Keith illustrates how we have to be prepared to do radical things in ourselves. In doing this, we can in return, be radical for others just as Paul was radical for Eutychus as he went down to the ground, fell upon and embraced Eutychus.
Most importantly, Keith informs us that we need to OWN our faith and be solid and strong in it. It is our responsibility to carry our faith and to have continuity in our actions. It is our responsibility to be RADICAL for Christ.
Monday Morning Photos
Take a look at pictures from Monday morning.
Update Digest
If heading out on excursions, get your lunches early (opens for you at 11:45am) at either of the lunch spots.
Feed My Starving Children: All remaining spots have been filled. Thanks!
If you would like to pray or be prayed for at any time during the week, come to the prayer room located in University Center Alumni Room. Members of the prayer team, who have been praying for CHIC for many months already, will be available to pray with you and for you.
PSW Conference is gathering the Youth Workers and Youth Pastors at the HUB from 3:00 – 4:30 Come and join them for some refreshments and fellowship time.
Tonight’s “Gathering” at the Black Cultural Center from 6:30-8
La Fiesta de la Alegría (Joyfest) Hispanic celebration with Mexican appetizers.
ALL are welcome to join the celebration, regardless of your own ethnic background. Another “Gathering” on Wednesday, too.
The Skate Park is happening! You NEED a helmet to skate there….they are available for rent at the park….$2.00!
We have a special leaders area located at The Hub. We’ve added a special element for you: Appreciation Cards! Yep, we know you love to write to your students and leaders that have come to CHIC…we have a TON of leader appreciation cards just for you to write up. Enjoy! The leader appreciation area is located in the main level of the Aquatic Area.
North Park Professor Ginny Olson Presents Focus Group on Friendships
North Park University professor, Ginny Olson is conducting the focus group, Friendships: How to build strong ones, deal with needy ones, and how to avoid toxic ones, every morning from 11-12 for participants to take advantage of during their Basecamp morning options.
In this seminar, Ginny discusses how easily the term ‘friend’ has been redefined with the help of modern social networking sites such as Bebo, Twitter and of course Facebook. With sites like these, there is a new dynamic to communication that allows a person who you know nothing about to instantly, with the click of a mouse, become your ‘friend’ and how likewise, people you truly consider friends can ‘un-friend’ you.
Ginny breaks friendship down into four levels that can help in analyzing the types of relationships that we have. Acquaintances-people we see regularly, Buddies-people we hang out with, Mentor/Advisor-someone we trust, and Soul Friend-a person who knows and can tell us the truths about ourselves.
In closing, Ginny advises us of the importance of having a Soul Friend; a friend that we can have to hold us accountable for our actions and to be able to tell us when we are off track. When we can’t face the reality of messing up on our own, it is vital to have that person there for us and vice versa. This Soul Friend is described perfectly in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful or proud. They are not rude or self-seeking. They are not easily angered nor do they keep a record of your wrong doings. All in all, this friend shows a type of unconditional love like no other.
Miss America 2008 Presents Focus Group on Body Image
Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, encouraged students in her Focus Group titled “Love Your Body, Rock the World,” to cherish the body God has given them. Haglund attended CHIC in 2003 as a student and is back for the week presenting this workshop each morning during Basecamps. Body image is the perception you have of your body, she told students, and much of self worth is based on that. Haglund shared with students her battle with anorexia nervosa and how God was a major part in her recovery. She soon became a beauty pageant titleholder, starting at the local level and God used this position as an avenue for her to share her faith. Time and again the media exhibits lies, causing many to think negatively about themselves when they do not resemble those airbrushed images. Haglund referred to Genesis 1:27, affirming students that they are a reflection of our amazingly beautiful and strong God. He is the eternal God of the universe and His opinion is truly the only one that matters. She promised students that thinness does not lead to happiness as she has witnessed on a personal and Hollywood level. God has created our bodies as sacred temples of His Holy Spirit, looking for to find purpose in anything else will only leave you empty.
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