Recently, Asbury University students were taken on the Set Apart Retreat to Panama City. The students engaged in worship, sermons from guest speakers, fellowship, and some much-needed relaxation on the beach.
“The Set Apart retreat impacted the way I was able to worship,” said Junior, Noah Clark. “As the head photographer for the retreat, I got to enjoy photographing everything of our time there, and I realized that worship is found in more ways than just singing. We can worship the Lord by even taking pictures of His creation, and of the people enjoying it.”
Noah was able to photograph the retreat to keep all the memories alive and use the photos for a video presentation that will be released at the three-week reunion.
“My favorite moment was probably when we did a worship session on the beach, and right when we finished, there was a couple getting married on the beachside, and they asked us if we could all sing them a worship song for their wedding,” said Clark.
The spirit was moving, and Jesus showed up so much during the three days of the retreat.
“It helped my relationship with Jesus and how I communicate with him. Wouldn’t have traded the trip for anything because of it,” said Freshman, Israel Carr.
The retreat was motivated so much more when it came to the worship team every evening. The spirit of God was moving and so many students rededicated their lives to Christ following the impact the retreat made on them.
“I definitely liked worship; I didn’t expect to,” said Carr. “But it really made my bond with Jesus so much greater and gave me the reassurance and answers I needed.”
So many mountains were moved throughout the days of the retreat, and students felt that they could kneel and talk to God for reassurance on issues that they may be facing.
“The set apart retreat really increased my relationship with God,” said Freshman, Gabe Allen. “I really felt his presence stronger than ever before. The Holy Spirit came upon me in some incredible, new ways.”
The retreat focused on spending time in the word, and resting within God’s presence, and showing God intimacy.
“It shifted how I approach the rest of my semester, spending more intention in resting, especially with God,” said freshman Ellie Haseloff. “Set Apart gave me an open space to truly unpack my identity in God and ask intense questions with very trusted and wise Asbury faculty.”
Set Apart retreat gave the students lots of free time to get to know each other a little better, but to also meditate and worship in God’s word.
“My favorite part of the retreat was worshiping together on the beach at sunset and also playing mermaids in the pool,” said Haseloff.
Not only did the retreat impact the students, but also the faculty, volunteers, and guest speakers that joined alongside them. The retreat was a time for watching students grow and spiral out their love for Jesus.
“There is absolutely nothing better than seeing students encounter and say “yes” to the love, grace, truth, and freedom that is in Christ Jesus,” said Director, Jeannie Banter. “Watching students come alive in Christ and walk in the Spirit is what we pray for each of our students at Asbury and getting a front row seat to that happening on retreat is a little slice of heaven!”
The trip was full fellowship and the sharing of the gospel. The last evening of the trip, the students worshiped God and got to experience and take part in some amazing events.
“The whole week was full of beautiful moments from worshiping alongside students through song, prayer, and testimony, to getting to participate in an affirmation of baptism, and then singing at a wedding (yes, this really did happen),” said Banter.
“The whole week felt like an Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) moment where God did “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” in and through us on the retreat.
