Impact Retreat Serves as a Meaningful Weekend

Impact 2009 went down as another weekend of meaningful ministry by those attending the weekend retreat. For the first time in Impact history, it lasted 2 nights and 3 days. Response to the retreat was so great that the online registration was closed two weeks prior to the event taking place. Overall attendance at Impact saw a total of 119 people consisting of 91 senior high school students and 28 youth leaders. This provided a high level of excitement and anticipation for the weekend.  

The retreaters came and were greeted by friendly staff and students alike, and jumped right into the weekend with the first session starting Friday night. Kent Martens delivered a powerful message on Christ’s unfailing love and challenged the youth to look at the things in their lives that prevent them from finding that love. Free Servant and New Creation provided music and drama for worship and entertainment with a message. Friday night in the dorms provided great opportunity for the dorm students to connect with the retreaters and form relationships.

Saturday was a full day for the retreaters.  After breakfast and a mini workshop, retreaters were led through the reading of Scripture as a reminder that in Christ we are totally secure, deeply significant and completely accepted.  SBC’s Praise and Worship choir, Ignite, provided uplifting music during the session.  Retreaters were challenged with what they experienced on their service whether that was serving food at Siloam Mission, painting at Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg, or playing a game of Crokinole with local seniors in Steinbach.  With their youth gone, the leaders had time to take a break and encourage each other in their ministry.

The evening consisted of a gym riot where the retreaters participated in a variety of different team games, led by SBC students. This was followed by another impacting session with Kent Martens, Free Servant and New Creation. Retreaters were challenged to leave their identity in Christ and to take the next step towards that challenge and to tell someone about that next step. Saturday wrapped up with a concert of prayer in the gym where retreaters had a chance to pray individually, in small groups and with their youth groups; for themselves, each other and their different communities. It was a moving time to bring this back into focus and to realize that nothing is accomplished without Christ.

Sunday morning was one final worship session in the gym with Kent and Free Servant. It was one final time to connect and to be challenged to keep seeking God in all that we do.

The halls and excitement levels are back to normal on campus, but the lasting impressions of Impact are still there.  As a college, we trust that the retreaters will remember their weekend here and the lessons they learned.  Remember to check out our “Impact 2009” event link on Facebook for pictures, forum and videos from the weekend.