Tyler Brown, JR, Men's Basketball shares his SALT 2008 experience.
SALT was an amazing week for me personally. I grew so much deeper in love with Christ through all of the activities that were planned. I expected to see God move during the week but it surpassed anything that I could have imagined. I was a little apprehensive when the week started because I didn't have a deep relationship with many people there, but as the week went on people started opening up and letting their true colors show.
The most meaningful thing for me was to see the entire group be vulnerable and share the struggles that we all have to deal with. It was so good to be there for people and have others be there for me. The solo alone time with God was unreal! I never thought that I would be able to spend 4 hours alone with God, but when I was finished I had a such a peace with God. It was indescribable. That was the most special thing for me. Every athlete there was affected in some way, everyone was changed.
The trust that was on display all week was so refreshing, it allowed people to feel like they could share anything. It was good to compete in the team games all week and get to know the athletes better in that element. This week changed my heart towards people. I learned that I need to get to know people before I just assume what they are like, I made some great friends during the week and can't wait to get even closer to them in the future.
SALT also let me see the benefits of just listening to God and waiting for Him to move instead of just talking to Him. This week gave me the time to just wait for Him. This week just reaffirmed that when I allow God to be the center of my life, I can overcome any temptation that is thrown my way.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
My SALT Experience
We are back from an amazing week in West Virginia. The week was characterized by a great deal of challenging teaching, vulnerability, brokenness, learning, fellowship, and amazing new friendships. On the bus ride back, Kory Lantz lead the group through an extensive debriefing process. One of the products of this process was a single sentence describing their SALT 2008 experience:
Tyler Brown, Men’s Basketball…”SALT 2008 was about vulnerability, healing, fellowship, and growth. Hoorah!!!”
Shanna Page, Women’s Golf…”SALT was about great conversation, fun, and growing.”
Kara Ballinger, Women’s Golf…”SALT showed me that God is in control of all of the details of my life.”
Tara Blair, Softball…"SALT 2008 helped me grow, bond with others, and changed my life.”
Ashley Wray, Women’s Cross Country…”SALT 2008 was very eye-opening; I am going home changed and challenged.”
Carly Dunbar, Women’s Basketball…”God taught me so much about openness, change, and growth and SALT 2008.”
Carrie Edison, Women’s Tennis…”SALT deepened by view on life spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.”
Brad Wilson, Men’s Track…”My SALT experience challenged, built, and grew me from within.”
Jessie Spearman, Women’s Track…”My SALT experience was full of excitement and conviction.”
Abby Husch, Women’s Soccer…”My week at SALT was awesome because God revealed Himself to me in several ways. I had an awesome experience in worship, and I got to real fellowship with my fellow peers.”
Serena Fry, Women’s Tennis…”My week at SALT is summed up in 3 words: Relationships, Spiritual, and Trust.”
Arron Patrick, Men’s Soccer…"SALT should stand for Spectacular, Amazing, Laughing, and Team because those are the feelings you experience everyday at SALT, BOOYAH!!!”
Heather Casteel, Cheerleading…"SALT was great for me to look at myself and reexamine my desires and the sins in my life, but also what God can do through other people and my time alone with Him.”
Mandy Cripe, Softball…"My week at SALT was molding, meaningful, and memorable!”
Ali Brunner, Women’s Soccer…”My SALT experience has broken misconceptions that I had by showing me how God is moving in others lives and this has in turn shown me the extreme need that I have to let God work in my life again.”
Candice Obregon, Volleyball…”My SALT experience has been full of joy, happiness, and God’s amazing love.”
Michelle Werner, Volleyball…”My week at SALT has been full of love, laughter, and life.”
Scott Terry (Woody), Men’s Soccer…”My SALT experience has been challenging, emotional, and influential.”
Vincent Reel, Men’s Track…”My SALT experience was full of learning, serving, and excitement.”
Ryan Waybright, Men’s Cross Country…”My SALT experience can be explained in three words: Growth, friendship, and experiences.”
Josh Kiefer, Men’s Tennis…”My experience at SALT was good because God showed Himself to me through different ways like worship, prayer, and fun.”
Ryne Lightfoot, Men’s Basketball…”SALT 2008 meant to me: Purpose, pursuit, a bonding. Purpose, for what I mean to the team, pursuit for the constant journey I am on with Christ, and bonding for the amazing friendships that I have made.”
Kelsy McKee, Women’s Basketball…”My SALT experience was great getting to know other athletes, while spending time in prayer and worship with God!”
Laura Winningham, Women’s Cross Country…”My SALT experience gave me a chance to connect with God in a very real way and the tools to go home to continue to develop the disciplines in my own life and encourage my team.”
Kory Lantz, Men’s Basketball…”My SALT experience can be summed up in three words: Brokenness, Bonding, and Building.”
Eric Carnacchi, Men’s Golf…”SALT helped me become vulnerable, develop accountability, and realize the necessity of humility in my life in order to bring praise, honor, and glory to God.”
Tyler Brown, Men’s Basketball…”SALT 2008 was about vulnerability, healing, fellowship, and growth. Hoorah!!!”
Shanna Page, Women’s Golf…”SALT was about great conversation, fun, and growing.”
Kara Ballinger, Women’s Golf…”SALT showed me that God is in control of all of the details of my life.”
Tara Blair, Softball…"SALT 2008 helped me grow, bond with others, and changed my life.”
Ashley Wray, Women’s Cross Country…”SALT 2008 was very eye-opening; I am going home changed and challenged.”
Carly Dunbar, Women’s Basketball…”God taught me so much about openness, change, and growth and SALT 2008.”
Carrie Edison, Women’s Tennis…”SALT deepened by view on life spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.”
Brad Wilson, Men’s Track…”My SALT experience challenged, built, and grew me from within.”
Jessie Spearman, Women’s Track…”My SALT experience was full of excitement and conviction.”
Abby Husch, Women’s Soccer…”My week at SALT was awesome because God revealed Himself to me in several ways. I had an awesome experience in worship, and I got to real fellowship with my fellow peers.”
Serena Fry, Women’s Tennis…”My week at SALT is summed up in 3 words: Relationships, Spiritual, and Trust.”
Arron Patrick, Men’s Soccer…"SALT should stand for Spectacular, Amazing, Laughing, and Team because those are the feelings you experience everyday at SALT, BOOYAH!!!”
Heather Casteel, Cheerleading…"SALT was great for me to look at myself and reexamine my desires and the sins in my life, but also what God can do through other people and my time alone with Him.”
Mandy Cripe, Softball…"My week at SALT was molding, meaningful, and memorable!”
Ali Brunner, Women’s Soccer…”My SALT experience has broken misconceptions that I had by showing me how God is moving in others lives and this has in turn shown me the extreme need that I have to let God work in my life again.”
Candice Obregon, Volleyball…”My SALT experience has been full of joy, happiness, and God’s amazing love.”
Michelle Werner, Volleyball…”My week at SALT has been full of love, laughter, and life.”
Scott Terry (Woody), Men’s Soccer…”My SALT experience has been challenging, emotional, and influential.”
Vincent Reel, Men’s Track…”My SALT experience was full of learning, serving, and excitement.”
Ryan Waybright, Men’s Cross Country…”My SALT experience can be explained in three words: Growth, friendship, and experiences.”
Josh Kiefer, Men’s Tennis…”My experience at SALT was good because God showed Himself to me through different ways like worship, prayer, and fun.”
Ryne Lightfoot, Men’s Basketball…”SALT 2008 meant to me: Purpose, pursuit, a bonding. Purpose, for what I mean to the team, pursuit for the constant journey I am on with Christ, and bonding for the amazing friendships that I have made.”
Kelsy McKee, Women’s Basketball…”My SALT experience was great getting to know other athletes, while spending time in prayer and worship with God!”
Laura Winningham, Women’s Cross Country…”My SALT experience gave me a chance to connect with God in a very real way and the tools to go home to continue to develop the disciplines in my own life and encourage my team.”
Kory Lantz, Men’s Basketball…”My SALT experience can be summed up in three words: Brokenness, Bonding, and Building.”
Eric Carnacchi, Men’s Golf…”SALT helped me become vulnerable, develop accountability, and realize the necessity of humility in my life in order to bring praise, honor, and glory to God.”
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Broken down Walls
This post was made by Heather Casteel, SR, Cheerleading.
Before I ever got here, my prayer for this group was openness and obedience. The first morning we were here, I already saw God answering that prayer. After our morning devotional time, we had the opportunity to share what we learned, thought, or felt during that hour. I was blown away with the vulnerability and honesty of those who shared; that laid the foundation for the rest of the week.
Everyone has either shared in a large or small group about what God has placed on their hearts and how He’s been moving. Tuesday night we as leaders felt that it would be beneficial to offer time for the athletes to wash someone’s feet. We were unsure on how receptive the idea would be, but it went so well. That night I saw walls crumbling down and masks taken off; people were revealing their raw selves. There were very honest and real conversations occurring between teammates, athletes and leaders, and even athletes from different teams. I could see the Holy Spirit at work that night around the bonfire.
It has been very encouraging for me to see how this group has welcomed each other’s differences and embraced them. They recognize the diversity but understand that there can be great unity within that challenge. I have witnessed friendships begin and some strengthened, each encouraging and supporting the other in his/her walk with Christ. I am excited to see how they all continue these relationships after returning home.
My prayer for the team now is to continue in the growth they’ve made here and then be obedient to what God is calling them to. I want them to continue practicing the spiritual disciplines that they have all seemed to thoroughly engage in this week. And as a leader, I want to be there with them, taking the same steps, and motivating them to keep walking forward, seeking God’s face; not losing focus, but centering their lives around Christ. And the walls and masks that were broken here, they would remain desolated. God is doing a great work in these athletes, may they not be afraid to share it with those they encounter at home and Bethel.
Before I ever got here, my prayer for this group was openness and obedience. The first morning we were here, I already saw God answering that prayer. After our morning devotional time, we had the opportunity to share what we learned, thought, or felt during that hour. I was blown away with the vulnerability and honesty of those who shared; that laid the foundation for the rest of the week.
Everyone has either shared in a large or small group about what God has placed on their hearts and how He’s been moving. Tuesday night we as leaders felt that it would be beneficial to offer time for the athletes to wash someone’s feet. We were unsure on how receptive the idea would be, but it went so well. That night I saw walls crumbling down and masks taken off; people were revealing their raw selves. There were very honest and real conversations occurring between teammates, athletes and leaders, and even athletes from different teams. I could see the Holy Spirit at work that night around the bonfire.
It has been very encouraging for me to see how this group has welcomed each other’s differences and embraced them. They recognize the diversity but understand that there can be great unity within that challenge. I have witnessed friendships begin and some strengthened, each encouraging and supporting the other in his/her walk with Christ. I am excited to see how they all continue these relationships after returning home.
My prayer for the team now is to continue in the growth they’ve made here and then be obedient to what God is calling them to. I want them to continue practicing the spiritual disciplines that they have all seemed to thoroughly engage in this week. And as a leader, I want to be there with them, taking the same steps, and motivating them to keep walking forward, seeking God’s face; not losing focus, but centering their lives around Christ. And the walls and masks that were broken here, they would remain desolated. God is doing a great work in these athletes, may they not be afraid to share it with those they encounter at home and Bethel.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
God is working among us
This post was written by Josh Kiefer, SR, Men's Tennis
SALT 2008 is underway in West Virginia and Jesus didn’t waste any time showing us His face. Just listening to all our stories it is evident Christ has His finger on each of us and this whole event. It is such a blessing for me to get the chance to come back for my second year and be a student leader. All these athletes are starting to realize their gifts are unique and special. All of us, myself included, now understand what we can bring to our teams, families, and fellow students. With three days to go, the group is looking forward to a lot of fun, (white water rafting, and a day at the beach) but we are also anticipating our ‘solo experience’ where we will spend several hours alone with our thoughts and with the Lord. Finally, we are looking forward to more fellowship together and applying what we have learned about leadership once the upcoming school year starts.
------------Josh Kiefer
SALT 2008 is underway in West Virginia and Jesus didn’t waste any time showing us His face. Just listening to all our stories it is evident Christ has His finger on each of us and this whole event. It is such a blessing for me to get the chance to come back for my second year and be a student leader. All these athletes are starting to realize their gifts are unique and special. All of us, myself included, now understand what we can bring to our teams, families, and fellow students. With three days to go, the group is looking forward to a lot of fun, (white water rafting, and a day at the beach) but we are also anticipating our ‘solo experience’ where we will spend several hours alone with our thoughts and with the Lord. Finally, we are looking forward to more fellowship together and applying what we have learned about leadership once the upcoming school year starts.
------------Josh Kiefer
Sunday, August 3, 2008
It begins . . .
Since coming to Bethel one of the best compliments I've heard about the college is the desire for spiritual development of its students. The purpose of this retreat is to foster such growth. We arrived less than 24 hrs ago and I am already impressed with the character of this group. They seem prepared and focused. Many understand the sacrifices athletes make, which was evident by many getting up early to get in workouts . . . and doing them with such joy! Then after some encouraging words and points to ponder they headed out for TAWG (time alone with God). What a sight to see young people scattered around the grounds eagerly soaking in the Word of God. During the following worship time together many shared thoughts, insights, and words of encouragement. The depth of their comments was awesome. The group seems willing to be vulnerable and moldable, which is critical for the week. At this rate we will return and witness a dynamic influence on teams and the entire campus. Wow, what a beginning! I leave you with a paraphrased nugget of wisdom shared this morning by one of the student leaders: "Don't look for a big spiritual experience this week. Rather be real/be yourself and it will find you."
Saturday, August 2, 2008
We are here....
We are all safely at the Opposum Creek Retreat Center. After some pizza and a crazy game of "Capture the Flag" we will sit down and talk about why we are taking six days to discuss our roles as spiritual leaders at our athletic venues and on the campus of Bethel College.
On the bus ride today this group was the liveliest most interactive group we have had attend a SALT Retreat. They were more like groups are at the end of the week. What does that mean for this group?
We are praying that God would move in a very real way amongst these student-athletes. My prayer is that they could each gain a more accurate picture of the awesome God we serve and in turn take that view to their dorm, their team, and their campus. I am asking God for vulnerability and brokeness among these athletes.
On the bus ride today this group was the liveliest most interactive group we have had attend a SALT Retreat. They were more like groups are at the end of the week. What does that mean for this group?
We are praying that God would move in a very real way amongst these student-athletes. My prayer is that they could each gain a more accurate picture of the awesome God we serve and in turn take that view to their dorm, their team, and their campus. I am asking God for vulnerability and brokeness among these athletes.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Are you ready?
This is a new Blog that was created just for SALT attendees past present and future. Each of you will have the opportunity to post your thoughts while we are on our retreat.
Keep reading your books and we are anxiously awaiting Saturday, August 2.
More to come...
Keep reading your books and we are anxiously awaiting Saturday, August 2.
More to come...
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