All Campus Retreat: Community, Creation, Challenge

Something has gone terribly wrong in Southern California.  It’s the beginning of October and it’s… snowing?  Am I dreaming?  Is this for real?  Sure enough a few flakes started falling from the sky upon our arrival at Laurel Pines in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake.  Unfortunately Old Man Winter was only teasing us because the snow stopped after a few minutes and we were left with a cold night that was below 30º, but who can complain when you’re surrounded by nature?  “There's something unique about being on the mountain and seeing God's creation all around us.  It makes you stop to think about how big God is and how small you are.” (Julia Vander Pol, Junior, Liberal Arts major)

This was the third annual All Campus Retreat, part of the Providence 4-W program (Weekends of Work and Worship in the World).  The design of the retreat is to help the students grow closer to God and each other.  “The retreat serves four primary purposes… community building, student involvement, spiritual development, and faculty/student interaction.” (Steve Kortenhoeven, Dean of Student Life)  The remote location “creates an unusual environment in which [the students] get to know one another.  Also without the distractions of technology and schoolwork there’s more time to get to know one another.” (Julia Vander Pol)
The retreat schedule was packed with games and activities such as ping pong, charades, scavenger hunt, archery, and hiking.  “The students were all placed in teams based on their CARE groups.  By having students get to know others in their CARE groups on a deeper level, they are now more willing to share with each other, lift each other up in prayer, and encourage each other when they get back on campus.  Powerful bonds are also created when students work together on projects and as teammates.” (Steve Kortenhoeven) In addition, the faculty participated in all of the activities so the students were able to “see them outside the classroom and interact with them on a friendship level.” (Annika Hargreaves, Sophmore, Liberal Studies major)  “It was nice to get to know the faculty outside of the classroom, experiences like this where we get to know the faculty on a different level is one of the blessings of attending Providence.” (Ruby Snieder, Junior, History major)

More importantly was the topic of “Walking in Line with the Gospel” with guest speaker Bryce Hales (Christ Church of Pasadena, PCA).  The messages echoed the teachings of Calvin and reminded us that “man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1:108)  His exposition of Galatians 2:11-14 pointed out that idols are not just carved images but can take on any form.  The six idols listed by Hales were approval, image, achievement, respect, comfort, and relationships.  In short, an idol is anything that is between us and Christ.  So how do we overcome our idols?  As always we look to the cross and the gospel.  As the apostle Paul expressed in Galatians 5:1-6, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  The work of Christ is much more superior than the idols that we have.  The gospel gives us the full approval and perfect image in Christ.  We can take complete comfort in the work that Christ as accomplished.  Hales encouraged the students to take these thoughts and apply it to their life and their community.  “[Pastor Hales] challenged us to build community at a deeper level.  He showed us that our community at PCC hasn’t reached the ‘goal,’ but that we still have a lot of work to do.” (Caryn Vanden Berg, Junior, Biology major)

Again we are reminded of the majesty of God through His creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)