ShawneeCOG7

Now is the right time to be all that we can be... ...We are torn apart by things that do not matter and time is running out for us to see We've got to turn this life around ... - Paul Coleman Trio

We are not youth anymore...we're different. SWORD (Sharing the Word and Offering a Real Difference) had an awesome time on May 27-30, 2004 in Jasper, Arkansas for the SW District Retreat. Now this was not your average retreat filled with the usual fun, recreation, mosquitos and mildly spiritual tickle. God really did come and turn all of our lives around. We had a total of 38+ campers and counting cooking staff and church members who participated, we had over 48. Jason Overman, Lay Pastor of the Jasper congregation invited the retreat to be held in their facilities. The local church were such wonderful people! We were blessed some life changing workshops by Bertha Upchurch (Galena Park COG7, Houston, TX), one of the very few certified and licenced counselors in the COG7. The titles of Birdie's workshops were "The Power of God" and "The Power of God Within You". Sister Birdie spoke on the spiritual battle all of us face everyday, and that we have to always be ready to fight against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We learned useful biblical tactics to use against satan. Allen Gray (Grand Prairie COG7, Dallas, TX) presented us with a sermon Friday evening and Saturday morning on the passion we as young adults should show, the burning passion we should have for God. His excitement and zealousness for the work of the Lord were a picture of what we all should strive to be everyday.

Saturday evening, we ended everything with an 1980's Theme Night. Since us SWORD aged adults (18-34) grew up in the middle of the 80's, there was a lot of memories to be reminisced on. (Like Transformers and Saved By The Bell). Echo One, San Antonio, TX's up-and-coming Christian modern rock band played a really awesome show for us all featuring the debut opening of their very first CD. It was funny to see lots of people come dressed in their old 80's outfits i.e. head bands, hot pink, spandex pants, etc.

In years past, it was typical for us 18-34 year old adults to go into hiding. Out of the FYC, now we're out of the church. Out of the ministry - and now we're into college, marriage, kids and careers, usually pushing God into 2nd or 3rd place. But God has something great in store for us. We are being called into a ministry and a greater love for God. We're not maturing out of the faith, we will go deeper.

Now is the right time to be all that we can be.