Midwinter events to empower faith of young people

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
Southwest Texas young people can re-energize their faith at Midwinter retreats this month and next.
“The Midwinter camps are one of the most exciting opportunities for young people to meet new people,” said the Rev. Rusty Freeman, youth ministries director, “and to be with other youths excited about God. It’s a great opportunity to take the next step with God.”
Midwinter retreats serve multiple purposes, Freeman said.
The first, he said, is evangelism, “reaching young people who have never had the opportunity for a relationship with Christ.”
The second, he said, is discipleship.
“For those who are already on that path,” Freeman said, “here they can take the next step, get a spiritual boost to keep growing with Christ.”
The third, Freeman said, is leadership development “and the invitation for young people to respond to God’s call.”
At Midwinter retreats leaders ask participants if God is calling them into some form of full-time ministry.
“It plants the seed for young people to listen for the call,” Freeman said.
Midwinter retreats are particularly important for young people looking at first-career ministry, Freeman said.
“We need to raise up the first-career clergy,” he said. “The fact is we have a lot of mid-career pastors. We want to catch them before they go into something else for 20 years.
“God is calling young people. This is harvest.”
Three camps are scheduled for junior high students. Three others are for senior high students. Speakers and music are geared toward each age group.
Retreat dates and places are:
> Midwinter 1, for junior high, Jan. 20-22, Mount Wesley Conference Center, Kerrville.
> Midwinter 2, for senior high, Jan. 27-29, HEB/Echo Valley, Leakey.
> Midwinter 3, for senior high, Feb. 3-5, Mount Wesley Conference Center, Kerrville.
> Midwinter 4, for junior high, Feb. 10-12, Mount Wesley Conference Center, Kerrville.
> Midwinter 5, for senior high, Feb. 17-19, HEB/Singing Hills, Leakey.
> Midwinter 6, for junior high, Feb. 24-26, Mount Wesley Conference Center, Kerrville.