STRETCH Full Circle

Oh, yea, it's STRETCH time, friends. I actually don't know WHAT is inspiring me to be able to write a blog at this hour of the night on STRETCH Day #2. Must be the energy from all those teens! Either that or engry from all the sugar we gave them...

Regardless, it's difficult to fall asleep when you experience God working "Full Circle."

As briefly mentioned before, today was Day #2 of Christ Church of the Valley's middle school coference, STRETCH. This year's theme, Full Circle, inspired staff and volunteers to transform the auditorium seating to include a lighted runway surrounded by circular seating, painted panels, and circular light shows. Just outside, a circular trussing greeted guests, plastered with the letters "Full Circle" in neon green so as to glow in the lobby's black-lights. An upstairs "Game Zone" also featured black lights shining off dozens of video game stations; a gamer's dream. Outside, the church's lower parking-lot is packed with 2 inflatable rides, a "tumbler ride," side-show guests, a skateboarding area, lazer tag, and of course, a giant food tent.

The scene was unbelievable.

On STRETCH DAY 1, 200 students were tallied; the largest amount of students EVER known to attend STRETCH. Tonight, the student count was at 224.

In-between the craziness of featured dancers, professional entertainers, band members, an outstanding speaker, over-the-top "Bubba Brothers" (our wrap-up announcers), my co-worker April and I enjoyed "pumping up" the students and taking them through the night as their hosts. It's an incredible feeling to be able to walk off that stage and know that kids enjoy you for being well, yourself.

Finally getting the chance to reflect on the event a bit "full circle," I've come to realize that God is doing some incredible things full circle in the student ministries department at CCV:

1. Full Circle Staff: Even though this week has been the craziest, tiring, and frantic week-I believe we've all worked enough hours to fill three pay-checks-I couldn't ask for a greater team of Christ's warriors to partner with. It is absolutely unbelievable to see the power of five hard-working young adults who feel the call of ministry in their hearts. (Of course, none of our efforts would be possible without the mentorship of Frank Chiapperino and the rest of the CCV Staff!) I am so grateful to be growing under the wisdom that these new friends have to offer us.

2. Full Circle Volunteers: I have never before seen the power of leadership so strong within our volunteers. On the first day of STRETCH, we reported having over 70 volunteers! It is so encouraging to watch other individuals sharing God’s love with this age group. It has been especially heart-warming to watch the high school students serve; not only during the hours of STRETCH, but before and afterwards. We wouldn’t have been able to bring this event to such excellence without their help.

3. Full Circle Students: Some of my most baffling moments while hanging out with the students during free time has been finding out the roots of how they heard about STRETCH and why they decided to come. I have been surprised to discover that a handful of students remember me from my YMCA counseling days and recall me frequently inviting them to the church. I’ve run into students who have come because of a friends’ invitation or because of a sibling’s experience with the camp years before. Even more, I was able to meet a few students who came because of the door hanger invitations that were distributed on Monday. In fact, two students whom I personally spoke to at Rocco’s and whom some teenager girls and I invited to come have been attending each night and plan on sticking around.


STRETCH Full Circle: now that’s what I’m talking about!