November 7-9, 2008 / H.E. Butt Foundation Camp - Windsong
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$40.00 Registration Fee - Student Leadership Retreat. Friday @ 6 PM thru Sunday @ noon.
DiveNDeeper is a leadership retreat for students ages 16 to 21. It is designed to be a time for deeper spiritual growth, intentional worship experiences, clergy-led small groups, and in-depth Bible study. DiveNDeeper is co-sponsored by the Conference Youth Council and the Young Adult Council of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The Registrar
To register for this event, please complete the one page registration form (in pdf format) and mail to:
DND08 REGISTRATION FORM
SWTC Registrar, c/o Dive N Deeper, 16400 Huebner Rd, San Antonio TX 78248
For registration information please contact: Patty Chebultz,Youth Ministry Assistant, 210.408.4538, 888.349.4191 x538 or Rusty Freeman, SWTC Director of Youth Ministries 210.408.4510, rhf143@aol.com.
The Beginning
During a Southwest Texas Conference Youth Council meeting in the Spring of 2006, a couple of student leaders dreamed up having a dedicated retreat for those serious about growing in Christ. After much discussion and planning, the entire group agreed and Dive N Deeper (DND) began to take shape.
The Purpose
DND is for those students who have been identified by their pastor and youth director as leaders in their church, youth group, and conference events. DND is intended to build up the student leader in faith, hope, and love.
The Design
DND beings at 6 PM Friday, and concludes at noon on Sunday. The event is limited to 40 people, and will include intense Bible study, clergy-led small groups, powerful worship, as well as time for reflection, solitude and renewal.
The Target
DND is for students ages 16 to 21 who want to grow more in their relationship with God and in becoming a Christian leader in the world.
The Cost
DND costs $40 per participant. Scholarship assistance is available through contacting the Office of Youth Ministry 210.408.4510. Refunds are for emergencies only and exclude a $10 processing fee. Registration. Deadline is 10 working days prior to start of camp.
The Packing List
Please bring bedding, several changes of clothes, personal toiletries, a Bible, notebook, pencil, sun screen, flash light, shoes for hiking, $5 for camp shirt, bug repellent and a hat.
Emergency Contacts. HEB Foundation 830.232.6671 or Rusty Freeman 210.382.4581 (cell phone’s do not always work in this area).
Speaker: Scot Pollok
Scot is a husband, father, seminary student, speaker, and former youth pastor at the Woodlands United Methodist Church near Houston. His passion is teaching the wonders of the Scriptures to anybody who will listen. He loves playing trains with his son, painting the toenails of his daughter, and watching movies with his wife. He is close to completing his Master of Theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary and hopes in the future to be a Biblical Studies professor and traveling missionary/speaker.
Worship: Cambridge
Cambridge, led by Andrew Threlkeld and Maggie Amini, is a new and young worship band who for the past several years have helped lead youth worship at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. They are currently attending Texas A&M University in College Station.
This past year, Cabridge has led worship for several Southwest Texas Conference youth events as well as a number of assorted youth rallys and retreats. Grace Comes Home, their debut album is now available on iTunes or on their website.
Andrew and Maggie have incredible talent and a heart for worship. They are up-and-coming worship leaders who love God deeply and convey that in every aspect of their lives.
DND Location HEB Butt Foundation Camp "Windsong"
Map and Directions
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The Church of Today
by Rusty Freeman
Too often I think to myself, “I wish others could see what I see! I wish adults could experience what I do with the youth of our conference!”
I thought this most recently at Dive N Deeper, a first annual student leadership retreat on Nov 17-19, at the H.E.B Foundation Camp Windsong. As I sat with 30 other youth and adults around a campfire during our Saturday night worship, singing songs, and listening to the stories of students, I was struck with just how blessed we are in the Southwest Texas Conference.
I was touched by students like Walt, Wes and Taylor who are deeply considering God’s call upon their lives as full-time ministers. I was encouraged by Kellie, Amy, Conner and Mitch who are striving to be all that Christ has called them to be. I was touched by the testimonies of those senior high youth who at the age of 12 attended their first Midwinter at Mt. Wesley and continue to pursue a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
And then I thought, I wish our adult conference leaders could witness this. I was just one of a handful of adults listening to the “church of today,” as these youth like to be called, talk and share and conduct Christian conferencing the old fashioned way. They gave testimonies, confessed struggles, and talked about their dreams to be in ministry for Christ and the Church. And needless to say, my heart warmed.
As we closed our retreat on Sunday morning, I called on two of the “church of today” members to come and serve communion under my direction. I called on two of these student leaders who will be the future leaders, pastors, and laity of our conference. I called on them and as I did, I was again touched by their devotion, love for the Lord, and commitment to the cause of Christ.
I wish you could have been there. This young generation, with all their struggles, battles, and fears, demonstrating a faithfulness and enthusiasm often missed by most of our church. I wish you could have been their as our newest leaders took a stand and joined in offering the sacraments to others.
I wish you could have been there because they would have made you proud. Proud to be a United Methodist in the Southwest Texas Conference and proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It would have made you proud to know that when the rest of us move onward and upward, we have a generation waiting in the wings to lead “the church of today.
