#MCArden2016

As the days got closer, I was really excited for the MARKcentral CSR Arden (#MCArden2016) week. This would be a week at new location (one David and I had never been to), with a new staff team configuration and new programming, and even though that could mean lots of unforeseen issues arising, the notion of newness was really exciting for me. David and I drove up before the staff and bus arrived, got a tour of the camp and the rooms we’d be using and started helping get the spaces set up. The first day went by super quick, as the bus arrived on time, filled with loud and excited students.

“How can you say you love Jesus and not have a heart for justice?” – “the Preacher”

This MARKcentral week was significant for OCF, as it had almost all first-time participants in MARKcentral and most of the new student leaders for the upcoming year. I was especially excited as they all took the bus together and had some time to start bonding with each other and other students from across Ontario. It wasn’t long until my fun-loving OCF students were known as the “cool kids” at camp and also the “ruckus-causing” ones. But, to their credit, they were super welcoming to anyone who wanted to join them. One of my students, whom I’ll call “the Preacher”, was deeply impacted by the second half of Mark. She spent some time in lament about how her church and the global church have not done all they could to be about justice for the most vulnerable. Her heart was grieved as she read the passage of the widow in the Temple and saw how this woman trusted a system that was not out for her good, and it resonated with the Preacher as she saw aspects of her own story reflected. This is the same student who at last year’s conference never made a heart connection with the passages. She studied the texts academically and never let the meaning root deep in her heart. But this year, the passages resonated and this same girl who never saw justice as deeply connected with Jesus, now calls all who will listen to be about justice for the most vulnerable amongst us.

Most afternoons this week were free, but mine quickly filled with long one-on-one walks with my OCF students. I got to hear more stories of their year, the joys and hardships and the things they were hopeful for in the upcoming summer and year ahead. Throughout the week, I felt blessed to be able to be with these students, and to see how much had happened for each of them in a year.

Our attempt at making the OCF logo. I love these people so much!

I also felt blessed to co-direct this week, and come alongside the staff as many served in certain roles for the first time, or were new to some of the changes we were implementing. I was so happy to work with Leah and Allyson, who were interceding for the conference and had set up a prayer room with themed activities for each day. I had the Operations Manager at CSR Arden make me some whiteboard sandwich boards and each day I would ask a Question of the Day that would relate to themes in the scripture studies and with the prayer room activites. I was greatly blessed by Dave and Jared and their leading the worship team with 2 UTSC students and the Preacher. God used the 5 of them to lead us in a diversity of worship experiences that helped many people connect with God deeply. I sat in Allison and Melissa’s Mark 1 study, and was encouraged by the diverse group of students as they wrestled with the text and their wonder as they made connections.

By the end of the week, we grew deeply as a community together and were sad to part ways. For me, this was one of the best experiences at MARKcentral that I’ve ever had. I left the week, tired, but eager to see what God would do at OPC.

The #MCArden2016 group. Such a great week with these lovely people!