Save Jonah

All of us tend to resist and run from God’s leadership; the Bible calls this sin. God tends to chase after us and intercept our self-destructive behavior; the Bible calls this grace. Around those things — sin and grace, running and chasing — is the heartbeat of our Bible. That’s the theme of the book of Jonah. At the Southwest District Winter Youth Retreat December 27-30, 2007, we broke this book in four parts: running and chasing, grace, obedience, and love. 

Nearly 300 students and their youth workers attended winter retreat from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Canada, Oregon, and California. Through small groups, workshops, general sessions, dramas, and amazing worship sessions, students were challenged to learn from Jonah and live a life pleasing to God. It’s difficult to write about all the wonderful things that happened over the course of the weekend. 

What is sealed in our memory is watching students nail their struggles to the cross Friday evening; youth workers dedicating time to their students and just hanging out; the gorgeous sunsets; watching small group leaders laugh and teach their groups; students eating Oreos and opening their mouth to show it was gone (gross . . . but funny); Matt Sanders & LT; the worship dance from the girls from Corpus-Casa del Mesias; the games (even the circle inside the circle inside the circle); the big white bus; students meeting new friends and connecting with old friends; Pirate Night and all those crazy pirates; listening to the prayers of youth workers; students playing basketball and pool; encouraging one another in song; the testimony of a strong sister in Christ, Suzy Cortez; the dramas by The Uprising students from the Open Door from Houston, Texas. The skits were hilarious, and their last skit was moving, watching students worship with their whole hearts and energy! 

Our hope and prayer is that lives were changed for eternity at winter retreat! We would like to thank every youth worker and pastor who attended and brought his or her students to the retreat. And to every student who attended, God will come to your rescue. Never forget you are never too far from His grace, love, and mercy. We love you!

When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord (Jonah 2:7-9, NIV).

Thank you Elroy (Nugget) and Sue Gold for your dedication and hard work.

General session speakers were Rafi Paez, Houston; Jody McCoy, Austin; Douglas Klopfenstein - Corpus Christi; and Jason Overman - Jasper, Arkansas. Each general session focused on one of the chapters of Jonah. Worship was led by the Heart of Worship church from San Antonio. Workshop leaders were Alan Grey, Grand Prairie; Sonya Lopez and Aaron Orr, Houston; the Open Door Church - The Uprising Students, Houston. Small group leaders: Sue Gold, Woodlands; Emmanuel Chavez, San Antonio); Dathan Cummings, Jael Hamilton, Josh Cummings, Sonya Lopez, Adrian Colchado, Houston); Doug and Idalia Klopfenstein, Corpus Christi; Erin Fulks, Ft. Smith, Arkansas); Rene Tijerina and Jerry Ogren, Austin.