youth retreat 2013: “when i don`t desire god”

YOUTH RETREAT 2013:
“WHEN I DON’T DESIRE GOD”
PARENT INFORMATION PACKET Theme Verse: He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-­‐31 DEAR PARENTS AND FAMILIES, FEBRUARY 2013 It is with great pleasure that I inform you that in just a few weeks we will be having our annual student ministry retreat. This year we will be hosting our retreat at Rancho Ybarra, a small and quaint retreat site nestled at the base of the mountains in Tunjuna, CA. The price per student is a lot cheaper this year compared to year’s passed and that’s because we were able to find a more affordable venue! The cost for students this year is set at $65 / person. If you need help finding a sponsor or if you are interested in sponsoring a student, please email me at [email protected]. Also, if you need more information about the retreat, do not forget to check out our newly decorated student ministry website at www.cornerstonestudentministry.org (note the “.org” address as opposed to “.com”) Student ministry retreat is one of those events that I highly anticipate every year because it sets us (leaders) up for making deep connections in the lives of one another, the youth, and you, our parents! Retreat season is the time in which we evangelize, disciple, and empower our youth to be effective ministers and lights of God’s Word. This year, our retreat theme is entitled “DESIRING GOD”. Basically, what the Lord put on my heart this year is that there are so many students who have grown up in the church and have spent countless years going through the motions of Christianity… the question that came to my mind… is any of this real for them though? Are the words that we sing on Sunday, an outpouring of worship from our heart and gratitude towards our savior? Or are they simply put before… just motions… habits… traditions that we are taught to do because that’s just what Christians are suppose to do? So this year, my hope and my prayer is that for an entire weekend we just expose our students to several key realities of the Christian faith: 1) That God loves them immensely 2) That a Christian lifestyle is not an easy one to pursue 3) Though it’s not easy, there is fulfillment to be found in obedience with God 4) Lastly, that this relationship with God isn’t going to be one where we are on a 24/7 spiritual high for the rest of our lives… and because of this, we must fight for the joy that we have tasted and seen in following Him throughout the years. Our guest speaker for the retreat is Terry Coon (learn more about him on the next page!), he is a good friend to one of our leaders and I have had the privilege of hearing him speak. I believe that God will use Terry and his passion for the word to remind our kids just how much God desires fellowship with them! We encourage you to continue praying on our behalf that our leaders will lead those without faith, to faith, and those with faith to be lit with passion to follow hard after god. God bless you, PASTOR JASON RICAFRANCA GET TO KNOW THIS YEAR’S GUEST SPEAKER! Name: Terry Lynn Coon, Jr.
Age: 28
Educational Background:
Gahr High School (Cerritos)
Biola University – B.S. Business Administration – Accounting (Spring 2010)
Enrolled at Talbot Theological Seminary and Liberty University –
M. Div (Pastoral Care & Counseling)
What do you do for a living?:
Worship and Teaching Pastor – Citylights Church (Long Beach),
Senior Audit Associate – CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (Irvine)
Gospel Choir Director, Biola University (La Mirada)
Please share a brief testimony of how you became a Christian:
I grew up in the church and was very active at a young age in many activities including the
children’s choir and usher board. My father is a pastor and my mother has been a long time
church administrator, choir member and was recently ordained as a deaconess. Suffice to say,
my roots run deep. However, although I knew about the Bible, God, and said the “sinner’s
prayer” at age nine, I had no real relationship or authentic Christian fruit. Throughout my Jr. High
and High School years I found myself doing whatever was necessary and possible to build a
reputation that was anti-“church boy” all the while still participating in the life of the church. I lived
the typical double life even until my first few years of college. I knew there was a better way, but I
wasn’t willing to submit to God’s way because I felt I would miss out on too much fun and lose
friends. As I came into my early 20s, there was an increasing internal struggle between who I
was and who I knew God was calling me to be. I began to sense the call to preach, but even
stronger was the call to submit to Jesus. I had experienced some failed relationships during that
period as well that caused me to re-evaluate my life. In a nutshell, I grew tired (mentally,
physically and spiritually); tired of living a double life and putting up a front at church, tired of
trying to impress men and women, tired of trying to find fulfillment in “relationships.” It was then,
around 22 years old I surrendered to Jesus and his invitation to rest. There were no bright lights
or Damascus experience, but a gradual realization that as began to submit to Jesus, things within
me and around began to change and I could honestly and sincerely sing with new meaning, “I’m
saved by His power divine, saved to new life sublime! Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
for I’m saved, saved, saved!”
How can we be praying for you as your prepare to serve our students?:
Please pray that I will hear God’s voice above all else throughout my preparation time and
studies.
Please pray that God will give me the grace to preach with power and conviction, and that the
word He will have me share with the students will impact me first.
Please pray that God’s love and peace would overcome any doubt or fears leading up to the
retreat.
Please pray that God would be preparing the hearts of the students even now.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM: NAME JASON RICAFRANCA BETH BERINGUEL GRACE RICAFRANCA HANNAH CARDENAS HANNAH DIZON IVAN BERNADINO ROICE REYES RJ GANADEN TORI OLIVER TELEPHONE NUMBER 626-­‐665-­‐8280 626-­‐476-­‐1178 626-­‐374-­‐9600 562-­‐706-­‐0858 909-­‐438-­‐8467 626-­‐636-­‐6069 626-­‐384-­‐1395 626-­‐482-­‐1505 626-­‐329-­‐3279 MINISTRY POSITION PASTOR JR. HIGH MINISTRY WORSHIP MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY WORSHIP MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY JR. HIGH MINISTRY OUTREACH MINISTRY SMALL GROUP MINISTRY RETREAT SITE INFORMATION: RANCHO YBARRA Contact: Rocky RANCHO YBARRA ADDRESS (626) 353-2423
3150 Big Tujunga Canyon Rd Tujunga, CA
91042
RETREAT NURSE: BETH BERINGUEL CHURCH INFORMATION: CHURCH OFFICE CHURCH ADDRESS 626-­‐476-­‐1178 626-­‐918-­‐1941 1130 CALIFORNIA AVENUE, LA PUENTE, CA 91744 THINGS TO BRING TO RETREAT! 1. PERMISSION SLIP / REGISTRATION MONEY 2. SOAP/SHAMPOO 3. TOWEL FOR SHOWER 4. SNACKS (IN CASE YOU GET HUNGRY) 5. TOOTHPASTE 6. TOOTHBRUSH 7. FLASHLIGHT 8. BIBLES 9. NOTEBOOKS 10. PENS/PENCILS 11. EXTRA SOCKS 12. SLEEPING BAG 13. PILLOW (IF NEEDED) 14. THERMALS (IT JUST MAY GET COLD!) RULES AND GUIDELINES 1.
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NO BEING ALONE WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX NO SMOKING/DRINKING ALCOHOL NO WEAPONS NO NEGATIVITY (OR UNWHOLESOME TALK) NO GUYS IN GIRL’S CABINS OR GIRLS IN GUY’S CABINS RESPECT THE 10:00 P.M. NO NOISE RULE (RANCHO YBARRA POLICY) RESPECT YOUR BUNK MATES AS THEY SLEEP ALWAYS FLUSH THE TOILET CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF DURING MEAL TIME NO FLIRTING WITH THE LUNCH LADY “ITINERARY” WHEN I DON’T DESIRE GOD Youth Winter Retreat 2013 _ _Friday 03:00 p.m. – Arrive at church/Registration 05:00 p.m. – Leave church 06:15 p.m. – Arrive at Rancho Ybarra / Settle in 07:00 p.m. – Retreat Orientation 07:30 p.m. – Welcoming / Worship Service 10:00 p.m. – Snack Time Midnight – Lights out! _ _ Saturday 07:00 a.m. – Wake up & Individual Journaling Exercise 08:00 a.m. – Breakfast 09:00 a.m. – Group games 10:00 a.m. – Devotional time 11:00 a.m. – Worship service 12:30 p.m. – Lunch time 01:30 p.m. – Free time 02:30 p.m. – Group presentation prep 04:00 p.m. – Devotional time 05:30 p.m. – Dinner 06:30 p.m. – Group presentations 07:15 p.m. – Worship service 08:45 p.m. – Prayer time 09:30 p.m. – Snacks!!! Midnight – Light out! _ _ Sunday 07:00a.m. – Group and Core meeting to discuss follow-­‐ups and happenings 08:00 a.m. – Breakfast 09:00 a.m. – Group games 10:00 a.m. – Worship service 11:00 a.m. – Pack up 11:30 a.m. – Group pictures Noon – Leave for church