by Ian Wang, Features Contributer
For the first time, forty freshmen and sophomores traveled down to Panama City, Florida, for Asbury University’s pilot retreat at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center. The students were accompanied by Jeanie Banter, the director of the Christian Life Project, University pastor Greg Hasseloff, Dr. Jared Hull, Chapel coordinator Madeline Black and Dr. John Morley. The retreat lasted four days, from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27.
Former Asbury professor, pastor and theologian Rev. Dr. Chris Bounds acted as the main speaker for the event. His sessions centered around the journey of being in relationship with God, which should eventually reach what he called “our spiritual consummation with Him.” Bounds tackled questions such as, “Who is God?” “What is our identity in Christ?” and “How do we apply our faith?”
Dr. Bounds’s sessions seemed to affect the students with a hope and a new eagerness to bring what they learned back to campus, Senior Gabe Ernst noticed. “I believe this retreat is the start of a culture shift at Asbury that will challenge incoming freshmen and sophomores to grow closer socially and spiritually,” Ernst said. It was such a fun and memorable experience for me as a senior to make new friends and see the next generation of Asburians rise to impact the world.”
Along with the morning and evening services, the retreat also incorporated workshops run by Morley and Hull. Morley utilized his spiritual journey “autobiography” The Journey of Fools and Little Children: A Life of Walking with Jesus as a basis to navigate the question, “What Does God Think of Me?” Hull took students through a lecture on prayer, especially the postures of prayer.
Worship was a complement, led by several upperclassmen such as Max Borden, Samantha Hill, Ashlynn King and Ernst. Participant Ella Hornak also agreed having the retreat center along the beach made a difference in her and the other students’ attitudes. A shift of scenery allowed students to comfortably enjoy the “summer vibes” by walking along the shore, stepping out to the balcony or simply staring out the window.
“I think the most memorable part was worship during sunset,” Hornak said. “I felt the presence of God in the rays of sunshine in the clouds.”
Asbury hopes to continue retreats such as this one in the future.