Madi, 14
I must admit - before I went on our youth group retreat I was not close to God. I went to church every Sunday because my parents wanted me to and I wouldn’t really tell anyone about my faith. I was worried about what people would think of me and I was worried I would get bombarded with stereotypical statements. Then all my youth group was invited on a youth retreat, by another youth group. I was slow to agree to the idea because I was worried I would end up hanging out on my own, because I didn’t know anyone and found it hard to meet new people. I finally agreed and my perspective completely changed. When we first arrived we went upstairs and I still felt nervous, but there wasn’t any need. Everyone was welcoming and kind, and I felt like I was free of judgement from anyone. I felt comfortable and relaxed, and got along with the people there so well.
One of the youth leaders came over to me and told me God had given them a vision about me, then went on to describe the exact vision I had seen. It felt like a hidden part of my heart had just opened
Even though I had made friends, my connection with God was still small. But on the final night, it all changed. A group of Christians from a university came down and shared their stories with us. Each one was inspiring and made me wonder if maybe there was something I wasn’t seeing - something I need to see. So after they shared their stories, they put on some worship songs and asked us to pray to God, for him to show us how much he loved us. I sat down and started to pray and then everything went black. I was scared, but then I saw a man with a baby in his arms, and I started to cry uncontrollably. I tried to carry on praying but all I could see was how much that man loved the baby, and I just couldn’t carry on. I suddenly felt an arm around me but I looked up and no one was there. I prayed again but then felt an arm around my shoulder again, but again when I looked up no one was there. One of the youth leaders came over to me and told me God had given them a vision about me, then they described the exact vision I had seen. It felt like a hidden part of my heart had just opened. It felt like it had been there all along, I just had never seen it that clearly before. God loved me and now I believed it.
After the retreat I felt like I was coming back with something a lot of people don’t have - the feeling that no matter what happens, someone is looking after you and is there for you. After this I managed to tell one of my school friends I was a Christian. I’d never ever told anyone at school that before, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I became more involved in church activities and came to youth group more willingly.
Victoria, 17
I have been very lucky that I’ve gotten to go on quite a few weekends away with my church over the past few years. I have attended weekends away at Abernethy Barcaple and Lendrick Muir with my own church’s youth group who have joined together with young people from other churches, so it’s always been a great opportunity to make new friends. The staff at these places have always been fantastic and even though you’re not with them for long you get very close to them, and you know you can talk to them about any problems or ask any questions.
One night at one of these camps we were having evening worship. When we walked into the room where we usually had worship and seminars, the first thing we all noticed was the big wooden cross in the corner which hadn’t been there earlier. Our leader explained that it was there so that if we had anything we wanted to say to God – anything we needed to confess, or if we simply wanted to thank him for something – we could bring it to the cross. One by one everyone knelt down in front of this cross and we all prayed. It was overwhelming, amazing, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried. I don’t think I’ve ever felt God’s presence as strongly as I did then, and I know from talking to others who were there I wasn’t the only one who could feel it.
Another time during a seminar at a weekend away the subject of how God reacts to sin was brought up. One of the leaders explained that while God does get angry when we sin, he is actually more sad than angry. The way she put it was that it breaks God’s heart. I had never thought about sin in that way before. Sure, I knew it was a bad thing but I never realised that when I swore or lied I was breaking God’s heart. That has stuck with me ever since. To me, it was worse that I was making God sad than that I was making him angry. That revelation has definitely made me think twice before I speak instead of just blurting out what pops into my head. I now find it easier to run my thoughts past God first before they find their way out.
Going away to these places can sometimes make it easier to talk to God or to hear what it is that he has to say to you. You’re away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and even when you’re doing the activities or just messing about in your room with your friends, you’re still aware that you and everyone else at the end of the day are there for the same reason: God. You know that everyone there has at least that one thing in common, and there’s no fear of being laughed at about your beliefs.
Rob, 17
As a minister’s son, I have been on far more than my fair share of youth residentials and weekends away - yet every time another is planned I am filled with a new excitement for a time spent away with friends, and a time spent focusing on God.
Youth residentials usually begin with a cramped journey in a minibus, and you’ll probably get half as much sleep as normal, but the fellowship created between young people, and the shared experiences of God’s power can impact you for the rest of your life. Indeed many of my friends have grown hugely in their faith following experiences on residentials.
A very specific memory of a residential for me was about four years ago, when I convinced one of my best friends from school to come along with my local church group. He had some previous background in Church, but no real faith. Over the week that we spent away, he came to know Jesus in a whole new way in his life and the change in him was inspiring for me to see. He still regularly attends church and youth group and is growing into a great man of God.
Personally, residentials bring to mind late night chats, outdoor activities and loud, extravagant worship - but the times when I have really received from God have been in the silence, sometimes after worship, at other points during specifically designated periods of reflection but also during times where I have stepped away from the activity just to spend time in silence with God. The ability that youth residentials give for young people to get away from whatever issues they may have at school or at home, and just spend time in the presence of God is, I would say, the most valuable feature of a youth retreat. During times of silence I have experienced God’s presence through a range of emotions from tears of joy to an overwhelming peace.
Going away to these places can sometimes make it easier to talk to God and to hear what it is he wants to say to you
For me, the greatest significance of a youth residential is that it is an extended time, not just an hour on a Sunday morning or a Friday night that I have specifically set aside from homework, sports fixtures and social engagements. They are times when I can draw near to and focus on God, growing in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For others, whether they are regular church go-ers, or have been dragged along at the last minute by their friends, there is always something to be gained from attending a youth residential, even if it’s just spending time with other Christians. But it’s the potential for an extended period of time set aside for God to change lives on a youth retreat that is very hard to match.
Lorna, 18
She first time I went on a youth residential trip was in 2011. I had just finished my GCSEs, my relationship with God was definitely evident, and I regularly went to cell group and church on Sunday evenings. An invitation to go on a retreat away, camping for five days, and to spend time with God seemed a good idea!
Out of the whole residential, the main meetings which took place in the mornings and evenings changed my relationship with God completely. I remember standing with thousands of other teenagers in this huge tent, with everyone incredibly engaged in worship. I learnt that worship wasn’t something that you would just stand and do on a Sunday at church, or at cell group, but a full invitation to meet with God. There’s something about lots of Christians coming together to worship. During one of the first sessions I remember feeling this sense of community with the people I was with, but also being filled with God’s spirit and standing in awe and amazement at how wonderful God was. My heart was overwhelmed with love, a precious heaviness and ache that couldn’t be stopped... completely on fire for Jesus, and very different to what I was used to experiencing at my own church. It was the first time that this had happened to me, and during this, I had a picture that suddenly fell into my mind – it wasn’t something I had to make up or try to get. It was of an American style yellow school bus by the side of a road
I remember feeling this sense of community with the people I was with
with a clock next to it reading half past ten. I was confused by this; I wondered why this visual image, which I’d never had before, had been brought to mind so vividly. It was then that I started learning about spiritual gifts, and also about the gift of prophecy. Having no idea what this picture meant, the week after I decided to ask one of the pastors at my church. He explained that pictures of transport usually meant moving people in faith, and the fact that it was a ‘school’ bus was interesting. He thought that God was really using that time when I was attentive to him to speak to me, and that God wants me to help move younger people on in faith by helping at the children’s groups at the 10.30 service on Sunday mornings (hence the picture of the clock reading half past ten). I was so amazed that God could speak like that!
Overall I learnt from that trip away to really listen to God. It was the first time I had been aware that listening was part of the two-way relationship we have with God, and the first time I’d experienced any form of spiritual gifts. My faith was increased, as I was sure in the fact that God knows the plans that he has for me, even though I wasn’t aware of them myself. From that point on to until I finished college, I helped in the kids groups because of that one picture, I was blessed and rewarded through it, and it was a constant reminder of that beautiful time I had on that residential.
I’ve often wondered why this kind of thing hadn’t happened in normal youth group. I realised that when away on a residential, it’s easy to be thinking about God a lot. By being so God-focused for days in a row; we’re more aware of him speaking and moving in us. It helps to be away from distractions, so that we can really listen and seek God more. I’ve learnt that God is just as much in our youth group as he is in trips away, but more noticeable when you come back!
Nathaneal, 16
A friend from church already attended Rydal CPAS Venture and invited me to go along. In the end three of us from our youth group went on the Venture. I liked the sound of the activities but thought it would be a bit like a school residential - but it wasn’t! The activities were really varied and fun and it was stunning scenery too in the Lake District, but the activities were more of a backdrop to everything. I made such a close bond with people and made a lot more friends.
The one activity that I enjoyed most was ghyll scrambling where you walk and climb up a river and waterfalls. We reached a point where there was a huge waterfall and a few people thought we wouldn’t be able to do it. It was such an inspiration when we got in a circle and cheered each other on to help people who had doubts. So there was such a good feeling when everybody actually got to the top – and it was through these experiences that strong bonds were developed. It seemed much more natural to pray for each other, trust each other and share more openly with each other after this experience.
Going on the Venture taught me a lot about how different Christians live out their faith. There were quite a few people on my Venture who were from different denominations. I became friends with a much wider range of people than I knew before. It was really helpful to see how other people live out their faith and how the Christian faith works for adults and young people. Being on a residential also means that you don’t just see people at their best - you get to see them when they are fed-up and when they are tired, so you can see who they really are.
Since my Venture I’ve been much more adventurous in my Christian faith. I’ve done things which aren’t in my comfort zone like playing the drums in the worship band and helping to lead at the kid’s club. And of course I’m much closer to the three people I went with from my church. Sometimes it is difficult to live the Christian faith, especially when you feel you are on your own. But now I’ve got people around me and behind me who support me. Because of the depth of friendship I created, we can support each other with no sense of awkwardness.
