Are you ready to be a hero who changes the world or will you let the world change you?
Last weekend 89 teenagers, plus adults, drove up to Sebring, Florida for a spiritual retreat. The theme for the weekend was Heroes. The teenagers were inspired to consider both that Jesus is the ultimate hero and that they can be heroes who change the world.
The message was brought home by Christian and Luz Amestoy (leaders of the Santiago, Chile Church). They encouraged and challenged the teens with a sermon entitled “Heroes Who Change the World”. Christian, preaching for the first time in English, opened the eyes of the young audience with ways the teens can meet needs at home and abroad.
Certainly this is the furthest any guest speaker has ever traveled to a youth retreat we have hosted; it was a great honor to have them. We are so grateful to have relationships with such amazing men and women in South America. We are also encouraged to see the next generation begin to have a heart for the people in those countries.
Other lessons during weekend included: How to Choose a Hero, How to be a Hero, Godly Heroes Versus Worldly Heroes, and The Ultimate Hero – Jesus is Better.
There were several other highlights of the weekend that reinforced the heroes theme. Each team of about twenty was assigned a color and super-power: super-human strength, healing, ability to control the weather, mind reading, and super-intellect. Amazingly, Jesus, the ultimate hero, has each of the super-power abilities usually only found in fictional characters. How great to know that the Lord we serve and the man who has rescued us is greater than any fictional hero!
At the campfire, the teens performed entertaining skits that demonstrated Jesus using his super-powers. Every year the skits are a time of laughter and making memories. Ask a teen that attended the retreat what “since birth” is all about. I am sure they will be happy to share.
To hear audio lessons from this retreat, please click here.
