On Thursday, September 28, the ACS high school students and teachers piled into buses and cars to make the hour-long trek to America’s Keswick for the 2023 High School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat. The retreat was a time for students to step away and “retreat” from the normal demands of technology and education in order to draw closer to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Zack Caracostantakis delivered a message in four parts over the course of the two-day retreat, challenging students to not just be the light but to remember the light-giver. Caracostantakis challenged the students to hold their thoughts captive, to guard their eyes, ears, and hearts against the things of this world that would try to pull them away from God’s love. Following the message, students stepped forward, making a declaration that they desired to make God the top priority in their lives. Students then spent time with small group Compass leaders who helped to guide them through their thoughts and reflections on the messages. Nic Brooks led the students in worship at each session, encouraging students to bring praise and worship to God with their full hearts.
Students also got to bond over meals and activities such as canoeing, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball. The students even did some team building in a scavenger hunt, though pouring rain sent many groups running for cover in the gym while a few brave teams forged ahead and completed the hunt.
Students and staff returned to school on Friday, September 29 physically weary but spiritually refreshed. We look forward to seeing how our students will carry out Caracostantakis’s challenge to be a strong burning light for Christ on campus and in the world!
