More than 200 seventh and eighth graders from across the Michigan Conference gathered at Camp Au Sable on October 4–7, 2026, for LIFT.
LIFT is an interactive retreat designed to inspire young people to make positive choices that benefit their lives and the lives of others—spiritually, socially, and physically. This year’s theme was “Heroes on the Run.”
For young people, the middle school years are a time of big questions about identity, friendship, and faith. Over four days of worship, hands-on learning, and time outdoors, LIFT gave them space to ask those questions together and to hear clearly that God knows them, loves them, and never stops pursuing them.
Heroes Who Ran, and the God Who Found Them
Pastor Jermaine Gayle and Pastor Garhett Morgan led six worship services, morning and evening, throughout the retreat. Every message followed a Bible hero who, at some point, ran—from God, from danger, from family, or from home.
The first night began with Jonah, who ran from God’s call. The series continued with Elijah, Moses, Jacob, the Prodigal Son, and Joseph. Through each story, students saw that the heroes of the Bible were not perfect people. They were ordinary people who ran, and a faithful God met them where they were and brought them back.
That message was carried by the retreat’s theme song, “Run to the Father,” and its theme verse: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14, NIV).
Choosing Their Path
On Monday and Tuesday, students attended three breakout sessions each day, choosing from 18 options led by pastors, teachers, and volunteers. The sessions were grouped to match LIFT’s mission of growing the whole person.
- Spiritual: Students sketched Scripture, explored adventures in the Bible, heard from missionaries, and learned the secrets of Michigan’s Petoskey stones with Mr. Craig Morgan.
- Social: Sessions covered mental health, relationships, seeing yourself through God’s eyes, art, music, and cooking.
- Physical: Students tried wilderness survival, kayaking, car care, team building on the climbing wall, forest management, and building maintenance.
Afternoons were open for recreation, including canoeing, go-karts, horseback riding, and walks around the lake. Evenings began with recreation at the Athletic Shed, followed by worship.
Decisions for Christ
When the call was made, the response was moving. Fifty-seven young people made decisions for baptism, and 73 asked to study the Bible with a pastor.
Each of those numbers represents a name, a face, and a story. Pastors and youth leaders will follow up with every student who responded so that these decisions can grow into lasting faith.
Keeping the Fire Burning
The work does not end when the event does. Parents, church members, and local congregations can help by welcoming these young people, praying for them by name, and walking with them as they prepare for baptism.
Like the heroes they studied all week, these students are learning what it means to stop running and turn toward the God who has been pursuing them all along.
Please keep the 57 students preparing for baptism and the 73 who will be studying with a pastor in your prayers as they take their next steps with Jesus.
Girlie Zunega-Aguilar, serves as the Associate Superintendent of the Education for the Michigan Conference.
