By Jescenia Brown, SBS 11th grade
Video by SBS Parent Teresa Hudson
Every year StoneBridge School is blessed with the opportunity to take the entire Upper School, including teachers and parents on a growth-filled adventure at Rockbridge Alum Springs – A Young Life Camp. Here we are able to develop relationships, grow in our faith, and truly see the Spirit working through our Upper School. As we spend three days in the beautiful mountains, the importance of fostering relationships with both God and our fellow peers is made immensely clear and the purpose for why we are there is presented to us.
Our goal every year is to not only have fun and get to know each other, but also to learn from the speakers, guide each other on ways to grow in the faith, and come together as one body of believers and as a school. As for the importance of it to the students, I can say with confidence that it is a crucial part of developing how the year will play out and is a highlight for all students who get to meet new friends and get to know the teachers on a more personal level.
This year’s speaker was pastor Marc Neppl from Restore Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. The theme of his message was “Real Faith Produces Real Fruit.” This built upon our theme for the year and what we as the Upper School have been learning in chapel. His teachings were filled with wisdom. The questions he asked caused us to think more about where we are going and what we will be doing with the life God has given us. Listening to God and being a part of His Church can truly transform your life and set you on a path that makes life worth living.
One SBS student shared what retreat was like for her this year and what were some highlights she remembered.
“Retreat is something that I always look forward to at the start of the year. I enjoy the fellowship I gain with other classmates and am so thankful for the opportunity to be at retreat with other believers. Spiritually, the worship is a great opportunity to build my faith in the Lord and gain wisdom from the speaker. I was able to spend time with my mentoring group and it personally impacted my relationship with my fellow mentorees,” Lauren Howard, 11th grade, said.
“My favorite thing about retreat is probably the fellowship you get to have with your friends and stuff and the relationships that you grow as you’re there playing games and stuff,” 11th grader Dominic Morisi also said before going on retreat.
To conclude, this year’s retreat set the stage for a continuation of amazing worship, the development of discipleship groups, and memories that will last a lifetime.
