Maranatha High School Retreats Up to the Mountain

Recently, over 290 students, faculty, and staff of Maranatha High School ventured up the mountain for their annual Spiritual Life Retreat.

Joel Murphy ’97, the Director of Spiritual Life, along with the Student Ministry Team put a great deal of planning, effort, and prayer into the weekend. Their objectives range from community bonding to corporate worship, individual connection with God, small group discussion, and Biblical teaching. Several games and activities are planned to help students foster community. Probably the most memorable corporate game this year was when a group of 8 female students were selected to give makeovers to four unsuspecting guys with everyone available to cheer them on. Students were also able to play sports, throw snowballs, and hike during free time. The annual talent show was a hit with lots of singing, dancing, lip syncing, and even some poetry and humor.

Throughout the weekend, students met in small groups to process teachings and discuss how the lessons could be applied back down the mountain. The corporate worship sessions were led by “Like-Minded”, who truly prepared hearts before each message and helped students respond to God after the teaching. For the early risers, there was optional early morning worship led by MHS guidance counselor, Teby Wammack, as well as a “Prayer Room” designed by the Ministry Team and available all weekend.

The theme of the retreat was “The Game of Life” and the speaker was Dr. Kneeland Brown, the Dean of the DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University. Dr. Brown hit on the purpose of our lives, which is to love God. Throughout the weekend, he talked further about where we get our identity, and if we are building our house on something that will withstand the storms. He took the opportunity to seek God and wove in some very deep family situations, as well as plenty of humor. MHS faculty Mr. David Martinez noted, “Dr. Brown brought a Scripturally-driven message in a highly relatable way.” Headmaster Dr. Gyertson added, “Dr. Brown’s ministry was anointed with seeds falling on good ground. I anticipate we will see that evidence sprouting throughout the semester.”

Mr. Murphy, shared the purpose of the annual retreat by saying, “We believe Scripture invites us to set aside a safe and quiet place to pray, contemplate, and respond to the Word of God. For that reason, each year we create a retreat where students are guided into a space of intentional spiritual reflection, direction, and development in the context of community. “This year was no different,” he continued, “I loved watching students explore the reality of their faith in a challenging, yet safe environment.”

Maranatha High School, 169 S. St. John Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 817-4000 or visit www.maranatha-hs.org.