by John Biggerstaff

It was an encouraging time to be on the retreat. It was amazing getting to catch up with people and build new friendships with new disciples. I loved seeing the hearts of everyone there and just the love that we have for one another and our campuses. It was awesome hearing the message from Colin who came all the way from Michigan! All the way, just to encourage us and to help remember why we are doing what we are doing and why we are on campus.

Retreats are well needed indeed. They are crucial to our relationship with God and one another. It was even more encouraging seeing people that I haven't seen since the last retreat and seeing the growing that they have done! It encourages my soul to see that there are people who are continually in the fight and aren't willing to give up.

The lessons fired me up so much on how we are MADE to be like Jesus. Looking at what he struggled with, how he dealt with it, and even what we can do to strive for that. The questions that left us in deep thought: What have I been focusing on? Are we praying for guidance and living a life of urgency? All these questions and it's only the first lesson!

Just the time that I spent with my group on the second lesson really showed how fired up we were there and just how passionate we are for God. Really being open with each other about our idols and what we think we are being called to lead in and trying to find solutions to help one another out. The praying with each other for each other really made it seem that we are fired up and ready for help and repentance.
The fellowship after that was awesome! Getting all muddy and breaking legs (Phil) and just having blast. The games and just deep conversation on how God is working in each one of our lives.

Made to Sacrifice really hit me. Chris did an amazing job on illustrating the sacrifices that he and others have made more God. AND GOD WAS WITH HIM THE WHOLE TIME!! God has not let him down. It was so inspiring and got me thinking. What am I sacrificing daily? What are areas that I can be sacrificing in that will please God? I thank Chris for that lesson.

Retreats are needed. Why? Well, we need to get back in touch with God. We need to get back in touch with the fellowship. It is to build our faith and great to just leave our worries behind us. I know some people struggled up there, but I know that God was helping you during your time of need, like he does in all our times of need. We lose our connection a lot because we fall into the world's standards, but I believe that we can overcome this. Connecting with one another and going on retreats help so much. We reflect on our relationship with God and see what we can do to get back in touch with him. Along the way, we build amazing relationships that last. Its amazing and something well worth while.

This note is to show what God did for me on this retreat and what he does daily for me. I am challenged everyday and love every bit of it. God has worked in my life in so many ways and has brought me a family that I know loves me and would die for me. I thank God all the time for everything that he has given me even though I don't deserve a single bit of it. I pray that God has done the same for all of you and hope that you are living your life for him daily. I really believe in the scripture above that it is what we are. We are men and women of prayer and devote our lives to God, one another, and the lost. Never forget the Hope that we have and love one another.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...    1 Thessalonians 5:11

Several disciples from the Spokane Christian Church traveled to Missoula to spend time together to encourage the brothers and sisters of the Missoula Christian Church.  We broke bread with one another, prayed for one another and enjoyed each other's company.  The hospitality of the church was tremendous, all of the 17 disciples that traveled from Spokane were housed by the Christian brothers and sisters of the Missoula Church.  It was truly a mutually encouraging time for all.  Some visited the University of Montana, some went out for Starbucks and some even got a chance to play some basketball and some table hockey.

On Sunday, there was a buzz in the atmosphere as we all worshiped together.  The Missoula Christian Church's evangelist Jake Jensen asked Jermaine to preach the Word and have Stefanie shared her testimony before communion.  It was truly awesome, after services many went out to lunch before traveling back home, Jermaine and Stefanie had some time with Jake and Nancy Jensen for fellowship, prayer, encouragement and some good ol' apple pie and ice cream.  Its so encouraging to be unified at the heart level because of Christ our Lord.  May God keep our Churches bonded through Jesus Christ.  

We are excited to host the 2008 Northwest Youth Camp at Pinelow Campground and Retreat Center in Loon Lake, WA!  Everyone going into the 6th Grade through High School graduates are encouraged to come for a great week of fun, friendship, and inspiration! We hope this camp will kick off a summer of decisions to follow Jesus all over the Northwest!  www.nwyouthcamp.org  

              June 29th - July 4th 

Many youth today spend time creating personalized facebook pages and walls to reflect who we are, our likes, dislikes, opinions, dreams and talents.   Our hope is that all who attend the NW Youth Camp will have an opportunity to meet God face to face and reflect against the Book that can truly bring life.

Activities this year include kayaking, a beachfront lake for swimming, a high and low ropes course, fields for softball, kickball, soccer and flag football, basketball court, volleyball, hiking, Frisbee golf, horseshoes, ping pong, foosball, fishing and a pool table.

Sign up today!  www.nwyouthcamp.org

Jermaine Peacock, Spokane Christian Church, Evangelist