This morning, our Chapel Leaders led the pledges, The Lord’s Prayer, O Canada and the Land Acknowledgement. The first song we sang was “Trading My Sorrows” by Darrell Evans.
Next, the audience watched an upbeat Wesley production video about perseverance. The Chapel Leaders then read Romans 5:3-4 and led the students in reciting together some expectations of leaders with perseverance.
The second song was “One Thing Remains” by Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford and Jeremy Riddle.
Our guest speake was Pastor Jake Wilson (aka “Captain”) from Willow Springs Camp. He shared a personal story that took place in 2012, during his “gap year”, when he went to England for a year-long leadership and training program. He captivated the students with his recount. However, he ended the story saying he felt like a failure after a particular situation did not materialize the way that he wanted. Captain asked the students whether any of them also experienced failure. Many hands, including some belonging to teachers, went up. He shared that God did not create us to fail. However, we are a work in progress. He used a piece of applewood from Willow Springs to emphasize that we are like the piece of wood, waiting to be carved into something amazing. Some pieces of that log will need to be stripped away and chunks may need to be cut to make something beautiful. Captain shared that God allows suffering, trials, and gives us opportunities to take risks so that Jesus can be revealed in us. Some of those experiences may be painful and difficult, but if we persevere, put Christ first so that He becomes greater than our own selves, and trust in the plans God has for us, God will mold us into being more like Jesus. Before he concluded his message, Captain went back to the story that he told at the beginning. He shared that after some time, perseverance, and God’s grace, his “failure” turned into a wonderful blessing. He ended in prayer, thanking God for His faithfulness and asking Him to embrace and refine us so that when others look at us, they will see only Jesus.
The Chapel Leaders ended the service leading the students to recite an aspirational passage, which is the hope of being a CRISP leader.
