LISA BROOKS
Staff Writer
Roughly 150 students packed up and made the trip to Lake Hughes for the Spring Campus Ministry Retreat Friday. The retreat, which began Friday night and ended Sunday afternoon, was one of two that Pepperdine’s Campus Ministry puts on each year.
Freshman Nu’uve’a Eshelman said the retreat was “a time for reflection.” Students participated in group an individual prayer time, singing and small groups discussions, as well as recreational activities.
The retreat was held at The Oaks, a Christian camp and retreat center 65 miles north of Los Angeles. Students stayed in cabins in groups of 12.
Troy Hodgson, minister of the Calgary Church of Christ, was the speaker for the weekend. He delivered four messages on God’s love and bringing others to Christ through prayer. After each message, students met in small groups for discussion.
“[Hodgson] had so much insight, but he presented it in a way that was really entertaining,” said Eshelman. “The focus was discipleship and being honest with yourself and others.”
The retreat kicked off with a time of games Friday night, but the focus of the weekend was on growing closer to God through prayer. On Saturday, different stations were set up where students could go and pray individually. One station encouraged participants to pray for their families. Another instructed students to write down a sin on a piece of paper, pray about it, apologize to God, and then throw it away.
“People were just crying and praying for each other. It was really beautiful,” Eshelman said. “That was the most memorable part for me.”
Katie Dolton, a freshman, said the weekend helped her to realize she needed to live her life as an example, and to pray for those not tied to God.
“[Hodgson] talked a lot about prayer,” Dolton said. “It was inspirational to see how it changes people’s lives.”
Campus Ministry interns began planning the event before the end of the Fall semester, along with Linda Truschke, the campus minister.
Jen Lowe, a leader of Campus Ministry’s activities team, said the retreat really represented Campus Ministry’s theme for this year, “A Love Worth Living.”
“People were bringing friends to the retreat who had never been to church before,” Lowe said. “We saw a love worth living put into practice.”
On Saturday morning, participants were invited to attend one of six discussion groups on topics such as sexual purity and broken families. These groups were lead by Campus Ministry interns and graduate students.
Eshelman described the discussion groups as “a place where you could really say what you mean instead of what you think people want to hear”.
“People don’t realize how fun Campus Ministry is,” Eshelman said. “Yes, it’s about praising God. But people think they are going to be judged when they get there… but it’s just so fulfilling. You walk away with a lighter heart.”
Dolton says the weekend was inspirational, from the speaker’s messages to the times in the cabin with the girls.
“It was very memorable. The one-on-one conversations, staying up until four just taking to the girls in the cabin. Just a lot of bonding time.”
Eshelman said the strengthening of relationships with God and with others impacted her.
“It’s so fulfilling to have people there for you unconditionally, you know,” she said.
Campus Ministry provides events for fellowship throughout the year. Recently, the group had a Broomball night and will have an Outreach Campout Feb. 10 and 11. Campus Ministry also has Sunday services, at 8:30 a.m. in Stauffer’s Chapel and 11 a.m. in Elkins Auditorium. A Bible class is held in AC 205 at 9:50 a.m. There is also a chapel Sunday nights at 8 p.m. in Stauffer Chapel. A women’s Bible study meets on Sunday evenings and a men’s Bible study Monday nights.
Campus Ministry also hosts Ocean Devotion on Thursday nights, where students sing worship songs on the beach.
01-26-2006