Statewide Wesley Retreat Fruitful

By Allyson Willis, Mississippi Conference Campus Ministry Consultant
 
Photo right: College students from across Mississippi gathered for the annual Statewide Wesley Retreat on Feb. 19-21, 2016.
 
We had a beautiful weekend at Timber Creek Camp in Pulaski, Miss., for our annual Statewide Wesley Retreat.  We gathered as 265 students, campus ministers, and volunteers. The Spirit of God was moving in a mighty way through many avenues.  The speaker, Trey Skaggs of First UMC in Columbus, Miss. brought a beautiful message of discipleship and servanthood to our students.  We ended our time Saturday night with washing each other's feet.  What started out as a team of 16 people manning the foot washing stations turned into about 30 who stepped up to help serve to make things flow smoothly.  No doubt they embodied the message they had just heard so naturally. 

Our worship band, The Rose Factor, was definitely not there to perform.  They were there to serve us.  Their hearts and attitudes were towards seeing the students come to know Christ in a deeper way.  They hung around and had conversations and fellowship with our students and directors all weekend.

The campus ministers seemed to really enjoy being with their students and each other.  The weekend provided a great opportunity for them to worship and converse together.  Our lunch and training session brought fruitful conversations and deeper connections with each other.

We had more than seven students who came to know Christ for the first time and many who had revelations of the need to alter some things in their lives. They seemed to gain love and support as they wrestled with God's Spirit moving and challenging them.
Thank you to the many churches and volunteers who helped support this weekend.

No doubt this weekend planted many seeds in the hearts of college students in Mississippi.  We look forward as campus ministries to nurturing them in the days to come.