Theme & Vision: What are we hoping to accomplish this year? Our focus for our youth ministry this year was "missions." We have been teaching that missions isn't something we do once a year and it's not just feeding poor people...missions, according to Acts 17 (and mandated in Matt. 28) is wherever we go. Our hearts are changed because of the Gospel and therefore we herald the Good News to all that might not know him.
We wanted our Winter Retreat this year to continue to push this idea. We wanted our students to leave with two very big things:
- Understanding the Biblical intent of missions and how it applies to each believer.
- For our students to leave with a practical plan and implementation of missions when they go home.
We want their understandings to shift from inward focused consumerism to outward focused love and service. Your job, leaders, is to teach them what that looks like...challenge them to live and own it. So maybe some of you need to start researching Houston a bit more and see what is available. Start coming up with practical plans of implementing missions in their community and sphere of influence. At ACCESS (our weekly fellowship) we practiced talking with people and one friday we went out and did it.
How Do I Get Ready to Counsel? First thing is to read through our document called "Core Values (leaders)" that is attached in your email. Second thing is look over your small group (emailed) and perhaps do some research on them. Most of our students have mentors that you might want to ask to get some help. Third, be sure that you know the schedule and where things are - if you're prepared, it helps the student feel more confident in your leadership as well as keeping you organized. Lastly, prepare yourself physical, spiritually, and emotionally.
What Do I Do As a Counselor?
- Counsel: Your big responsibilities are:
- Small Groups: Leading discussions in your small groups about the relevant topic of the night given to you by the speaker. Your small group material will be based off of the nights session. Part of this is helping the students think through what really happened that day. Your job is to coach and to challenge all at once. Get them to engage in discussion and teach them how to ask questions.
- Participating: Your role as a leader is to be fully bought in to - the vision, the goals, and the mission of CBC's Winter Retreat. So we're asking you to sacrifice a bit more in addition to what you've given already to being fully engaged with each student. Play, talk, and minister to the students.
- Talk: Each of you have a unique perspective when it comes to your spiritual growth (esp. as it relates to missions). Be constantly teaching the students about how you grow in your walk. Be honest with them about your struggles as an older christian and how you are currently/or have fought it. Help them see how you are doing missions and what are your efforts like. Other times, talk with the students about "deeper" issues - family, relationships, self-esteem, etc. Always remember, though, if you feel like you cannot answer the question, please refer them to Justin or Adam.
Difference of 2011: If you've been to CBC's winter retreat before this one is a bit different. If you haven't...well, you won't know any better. Anyways...we just ask you to be extremely flexible. The worst thing you can do is have a negative attitude about how things are turning out or whatever. Trust me, this one will challenge you as counselors...but we believe the book of James when it says that those things are for your good.
- Organization: We wanted to let our youth leadership take the lead on planning and organizing this retreat. I wanted to let them learn how to work together, think through things, and vision cast. They are doing a great job with it but there are things they still need to work through. This year, Adam Lee will be the winter retreat director. Which means he'll be behind the scenes instructing and organizing everything. He'll be leading the counselor meetings and he'll be the main one you report to at this retreat. We want to give him the leadership development that God has called him to and we trust that this will be another great moment for him to lead us.
- Speaker & Band: Last year we went without a speaker because it fit our vision best. This year we're bringing it back. And we're bringing in one of my personal friends Mark Heavener who is an expert in local and global missions. He works with the BGCT in helping second generation asian churches get together and organized. I've asked him to speak on some of his experiences and especially what specific needs there are in Houston so that our youth can go home and start meeting those needs. We've also invited a band with us this year (from Baylor) and they'll be ministering to us via music.
- Visitors: This year we have an exceptionally large group of visitors with us. Some of them are from other various churches in the area that we've made connections with but the bulk are Bhutanese refugees. We're extremely excited to invite a group of them to come and play with us during this retreat. A lot of our church members made a huge effort in providing so that they're able to come. So they'll all be integrated into your small group. Do your research.
Everything Else:
- Serving: As an act of service, we provide the cafeteria additional hands to clean up. A list of names will be posted on the wall with a meal time in which you are responsible for cleaning.
- Pine Cove: We'll be going to Pine Cove again for the 4th year and we love it. We've already built a great relationship with the staff and admin. If you want to see it please visit: http://www.pinecove.com/retreats/outback
- What to bring: bring what you'll typically wear to a 4 day retreat in hill country Texas in late December. There are beds and mattresses...no linens, no towels, or blankets. Must bring bible. Additional points if you provide your group with resources. Oh yeah, bring western attire for Thursday night. Giddy up!
