by Josh Liu

Lighthouse Bible Church’s college ministry, College Life, had its annual retreat in February 12-14. The theme was “Knowing Our Position and Putting It into Practice.” Pastor Scott Ardavanis of Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg, California, delivered five theologically rich and practical sessions: (1) The Great Exchange, (2) The Relationship between Justification and Sanctification, (3) The Nature of Progressive Sanctification, (4) Ministering to Each Other in the Body of Christ, and (5) What Will Heaven Be Like.

Pastor Scott expounded upon the doctrines of Justification, Sanctification (positional and progressive), Ecclesiology (i.e. responsibility of the members of the body of Christ – 1 Thess. 5:14), and Glorification (i.e. the permanence of love in heaven – 1 Cor. 13). You can find recordings of the sermons here.

It was a great time of studying God’s Word, fellowship, games, and laughter. As the reputation goes, the college retreat games were intense and dirty, yet entertaining! I was also personally really encouraged by everyone present–their enthusiastic participation, great attitudes, profound discussions, and intentional investment. However, rather than hearing from me about retreat, I think it would be great to hear from the students themselves!

Each student was asked to introduce themselves and answer the following questions:

1. What was one significant thing you learned?
2. What was your most memorable/joyful/thankful moment/experience?
3. What was one thing you were really encouraged by from someone else?
4. What’s one thing you want to change as a result of what you experienced or learned at retreat?

Abraham Cheung

My name is Abraham Cheung. I’m a 1st year at UCSD studying Sociology. This is my first college life retreat ever. Looking forward to many more to come!

1. One important thing I learned was that we have a responsibility to pursue holiness because we have already been made holy when Jesus gave us his righteousness, trading the punishment for our sins.
2. My favorite moment was the games, especially steal the bacon (which was a squid inside a nasty kiddy pool).
3. I was really encouraged by the upper classmen reaching out to me. We had good conversations about what we learned and how to apply it into our lives.
4. My mentality of progressive sanctification has changed the most. Before I did not really know why I should pursue holiness, but now I know that I should because my new position in Christ ought to lead to a holy lifestyle.

Alyssa Chin

My name Alyssa Chin and I’m a sophomore at San Diego State University and studying Child and Family Development. This was my second College Life retreat (but third retreat with the church).

1. One thing that really stuck out to me was when Pastor Scott taught on the 3 responses we should give to those with different spiritual conditions (the idle, the fainthearted, and the weak). We learned we are to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak. I think for me, it’s easy to be blunt (which can come off as harsh) and not recognize that my brothers and sisters have different needs and are going through situations that require different responses rather than just rebuking. I guess I would only stick to just admonishing the idle but it was helpful to learn what it means to be idle, fainthearted, and weak and how we should rightly respond to each person in a given situation.
2. The games were without a doubt some of most memorable moments of retreat… or well the smell of the pool of death will not be forgotten..
3. It was encouraging to see that the captains really encouraged the encouragement buddies by supplying their teams with paper and goody bags. Also, in my cabin, there was a door that connected the two rooms and so it was encouraging to see that the door was left open (for the most part) and people would go in and talk to others, even if they weren’t in the same cabin numbers. It was super encouraging to see the freshmen go out and know the upper classmen. I know that I was really scared of meeting the upper classmen when I was a freshmen and so I would (for the most part) stick with people who I was comfortable with like those in my grade.
4. As a result of retreat, I hope to be more intentional in my conversations and continue to grow the friendships that were started at retreat by setting aside some time to meet up with new and old friends. Hopefully I can put to practice what I’ve learned, especially the part about being more empathetic for my brothers and sisters in Christ and learning how to be fast to listen but slow to speak.

Jaron Seid

Hi everyone! My name is Jaron Seid, I’m a second year at UCSD, studying Political Science and Accounting. This was my second College-Life Retreat and it was definitely a great one!

1. Something that I’ve been struggling with recently as far as my own walk with God goes is simply the motivation to endure and run the race. Pastor Scott said something at the end of his third message that really hit me, “There is no greater motivation for holiness than the love of God.” Though that’s a broad statement, it made a lot of sense to me; understanding God’s sacrificial love to undeserving me should motivate me to live a life in constant thanksgiving.
2. I really appreciated and enjoyed the time of morning worship that Humphrey led, being able to sing hymns of old with nothing but our gross-morning voices really set the tone for the rest of the retreat and was such a sweet time of fellowship!
3. I was very encouraged by seeing so many collegians meeting new people especially during meal times and building on relationships through those times!
4. For me, I felt the most applicable and practical thing I could work on is being discerning of what people’s needs are and doing my best through God’s grace to build up brothers and sisters in the specific areas where God could use me.

Noah Seto

Hello! My name is Noah Seto and I am a second year at UCSD studying general biology. This is my second college life retreat and the 3rd retreat I have been to overall while at LBCSD.

1. I think one of the biggest things that I learned from the retreat was the two parts of sanctification. The first idea of positional sanctification and how we can find comfort knowing that “God has already looked at us in the perfectness of Christ.” Secondly the encouragement for progressive sanctification and being reaffirmed about the fact that “God works in us and we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to make us more holy.”
2. One of the best things about retreat was being able to sit down with any group of people during the day and have conversations about what they learned or about just how they were doing in general. It was also very nice to get away from the distractions of everyday life in San Diego and spend intentional time with other brothers getting to know one another even better. One of the most memorable moments was the dinosaur rap at the end of a skit and the craziness that ensured after it.
3. One of the greatest things to see at retreat was how close it seems our college group has gotten and how encouraging everyone has been. It was also awesome to see people introducing and talking to the new people who came out so they would not feel left out.
4. During my time at retreat I was really challenged to care for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I think being more sensitive about situations so that I can better encourage those who are faint hearted or weak with loving patience is something I want to grow in.

Andy Yeung

I’m Andy Yeung, I’m a 3rd year at UCSD studying Human Development. I’ve gone to two College Retreats, the one last year (2015) and this one!

1. One significant thing I learned this weekend was the biblical distinction in the ways we should seek to minister to others (admonish vs. encourage vs. help).
2. My most memorable experience of the weekend was when we turned to face the other half of the college body and sang “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. Singing such a hope, prayer, and encouragement to the other half of the college body was such a blessing in itself to me, helping me to realize that such a goal was my truest wish for each and every one of them.
3. One thing I was really encouraged by someone else was seeing how many members of the college body reached out to the many of the newer individuals, and some of those who weren’t as well known in the fellowship (of course, there was more potential to be had here, but there was quite a bit of this internal encouragement and welcoming, and for that I rejoice).
4. One thing I want to change as a result of retreat is how I go about in my conversations and interactions with others. In light of recognizing that my foremost wish for any individual is to see them turn their eyes upon Jesus and hope in Him and Him alone, I want to frame each and every one of my interactions such that they could see Christ more fully and seek Him in all they do.

Erica Truong

My name is Erica Truong and I’m a 3rd year attending UCSD, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Law and Society. This was my 3rd college life retreat.

1. One significant thing I learned during retreat is that in heaven there will be perfect unity. There will be no disappointments, no tension, and no hindrance to love. We will be able to love perfectly in heaven because we will be filled with His perfect love–thus we would be able to love like Him too because we will be perfectly satisfied in our great God. What an anticipating day to look forward to!
2. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my brothers and sisters at retreat (especially those that I don’t get to see quite often)! I am thankful for them and really got to get a taste of the future glory that is to come! It was a really sweet time getting to catch up with them and seeing God’s faithfulness being displayed in their lives.
3. I was really encouraged by the hard work that the staffers and student staff put together to make retreat happen. I know it probably took time out of busy schedules, and I really am grateful for their service!
4. One thing I want to work on is being more sensitive and patient towards others who are idle, fainthearted, and/or weak.

Humphrey Lin

My name is Humphrey Lin. I’m a 4th year at UCSD studying biochemistry and cell biology, and I will be graduating this upcoming June of 2016. This was my fourth (and possibly last) College Life retreat.

1. One significant lesson I learned is that our practice of holiness should be the result of our justified position before God. That we are called to live out our lives the way God sees us–perfect and pure because of the blood of Christ.
2. One of the highlights of my retreat was when I lost my nametag and had to participate in the punishment that I devised…and ended up eating a whole habanero. The experience was intense, but I was encouraged by how many people seemed to genuinely care for my physical well-being. It was also just an ironic turn of events.
3. I was really encouraged to see people whom I know to be more introverted step out of their comfort zones to greet newcomers, talk to the speaker, and participate in the events. It really showed me that they are being controlled by the love of Christ, and not by their personalities or fears.
4. I know you said one thing, but I can’t settle on just one…I want to strive harder to live more holy, to find discipleship, to have more intentional conversations and relationships with my brothers, and to set my mind on the things of heaven.

Lorraine Yeung

Hello, my name is Lorraine Yeung and I am currently a senior studying Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UCSD. This was my last college life retreat and indeed a memorable one.

1. Through the preaching of Pastor Scott, I learned that justification must be distinguished from sanctification, but never separated. Justification being the roots and sanctification being the fruits.
2. One highlight from retreat were the skits. The skit preparation allowed us to reflect on the sermons/discuss them and to execute these ideas. It was amazing and a joy to see all the creativity, humor, and participation from the skit performances.
3. Though we were divided among different teams (red and blue), members from each opposing team continued to find ways to serve one another. Even through the games, though quite competitive, we cheered and encouraged each other with God-glorifying attitudes.
4. One thing I learned is that “sanctification is not a one size fits all” and when serving brothers and sisters-in-Christ, I must discern the people in the body of Christ, their needs, and how to come alongside them (rebuke the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak). Most importantly, it must be done from a heart of patience.