When planning this year’s fall retreat with the Ignite staff, one thing we were confident in was that God would be faithful. Looking back, it’s clear to me that He was.
Our annual Fall Retreat with our college ministry was held at Deerfield Beach, FL and while the views were great, the work God did that weekend was far greater.
Our college pastor, Adam Alexander, taught from Philippians, focusing in on chapter 1 verse 21, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
This is a verse that many shy away from, but during the retreat we had the chance to look at the state of hearts and whether or not we could actually believe the words being said. Being in college, it’s hard for many to say that dying is truly a gain. But, as we dove deeper into the word, learned more about what heaven will be like, and rediscovered the great gift we have in Christ, God spoke. By the end of the weekend, five students were baptized and many more made a decision to set their eyes on things above, and not on things of this earth. Many came to believe– to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Now that we are back in school and getting in the swing of things, my hope is that what was learned over Fall Retreat is not left to be forgotten. As life picks up pace again, my prayer is that all of us would continue seeking the Lord and His plans for us. We cannot tuck this Good News away, but must set our direction towards Christ, proclaiming the good news that is Christ and the gift of eternal life.
- Christie Marks