Liz Henderson--Program Team Asst.

Today marks the last day of staff training for the GPAs (Graduate Program Assistants.)  After today, many of our staff members will head home for Christmas vacation and won't see each other again until December 27th when our first Winter retreat guests arrive.  They have spent the past 3 weeks getting to know each other, becoming familiar with HoneyRock, learning winter activity areas, and preparing for a season of ministry.

During devotions this morning Rick Masters shared with us the importance of service and of being a living example of Jesus' love.   He talked about the way that Jesus sent the disciples out to serve others and he exhorted the HoneyRock staff to do the same.  He charged the GPAs and seasonal staff to be willing to serve the guests that come to HoneyRock throughout the winter because in doing so, they are preaching Christ as Lord.  They will be on the front lines of ministry this winter working closely with youth pastors, youth groups, family groups, school groups, and college students.  

2 Corinthians 4:1-5:  Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather,
we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception,
nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth
the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the
sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The
god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they
cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

At the end of our time together, the permanent staff spent some time praying for the seasonal staff and GPAs and commissioned them to begin a winter of ministry.

Pictured below are the GPAs.