UTURN YOUTH RETREAT
On Friday, September 2, 2011, the youth of Rhema Christian Ministries set off to Stayner Bible Conference Grounds for their annual Summer Retreat, with a desire to encounter, experience, and spend quality time with God over the weekend. This year’s theme was REHAB. The word REHAB is an acronym representing the five principles a young believer must take into account when deciding to serve the Lord. REHAB derives from the word “rehabilitation”, which means to be restored to a good condition. With this theme, the leaders of UTURN considered three things: The weekend was for young people who did not know Christ, and who wanted to be rehabilitated by God; It was a weekend for young people once committed to Christ, and who had gone astray but desired to be rehabilitated by Christ; It was also a weekend for young people who continue to obey the Lord, who have a passion for Him, and who also realize that they are in a continual life-long process of rehabilitation to a good condition by Christ. In summary, the weekend was for everyone, no matter the state of their walk with the Lord.
The acronym, REHAB, stands for these principles: Rehab, Empty, Holiness, Anointing, and Battle. Throughout the weekend, the youth were taught these principles in order to be rehabilitated to a good standing in Christ. These principles are important tools for individual renewal, and not just a step-by-step pattern.
The youths enjoyed a surprise visit from Pastor Meikle on the first night of the retreat. He remained with us during our first clinic / session of the weekend. The first meeting was powerful with intense prayer for the first hour and fifteen minutes. It was a sign of the great things God would do over the weekend.
The weekend was filled with life-changing clinics and fun activities. One of the most powerful moments of the retreat was during the DNA clinic, a special session led by Sheldon Neil, which focused on identity and God’s ability to restore individuals back to Him. Three members of Rhema Christian Ministries set aside time to join the youths and share powerful testimonies. We give God all the glory for the lives that were saved during this weekend.
We came back on fire for the Lord and anticipate that in this upcoming year, we will mature into young men and women who stand for righteousness and love the Lord. The goal of UTURN Ministries is to monitor and encourage our youth to sustain their level of anointing and desire for the Lord through daily Bible reading, prayer, and Wednesday night Bible studies.
We request that you keep the youth in your prayers. Pray for their continual growth in the Spirit, and also pray for young people in this city that they will come to know the Lord as well. Also, keep the leaders of UTURN Ministries in your prayers as they continue to encourage the young people through their fellowship and labour.
We send a special thank you to all the individuals whose sponsorship made it possible for many young people to attend the retreat. We thank you for you generosity and we encourage other members to support UTURN Ministries in our upcoming events. Also, a special thank you goes out to Prophetess Marlene Wogu for staying overnight with the youths. She was with us last year and we consider her to be a special friend and a strong support to the youth ministry.
As we continue to move forward, remember to pray for the Salvation of young people across the globe. Pray that they will be led to the truth, and that the truth will set them free, in Jesus Christ’s Name, amen.
By Brian Dinnall
