Recently our 9th graders took an all-day trip to Bethel University for a time of team-building and connection.

For over 150 years, Bethel has continued their mission to “develop broadly educated, critically thinking men and women who change the world through service and leadership in Christ's name” (bethel.edu). Bethel prides themselves on being a campus that’s centered around one thing: Christ.

With Christ at the center of everything, students connected with one another through fun games like Hot Seat and Trivia Showdown, as well as messages of unity given by Bethel students. “Are we actively working to bring God’s love and unity in our lives?” the first Bethel speaker challenged.

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Are you a positive force in your community? [...] Imagine the difference you can make if you choose to be a unifier.

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Heading up the retreat, our College and Career Center staff made sure students weren’t just sitting around listening to speakers all day—students broke into small groups throughout the day between games to give time to dig deep in conversation.

Unity, change, and identity were at the core of these discussions. Overall, this trip gave students not just a chance to connect with one another, but it gave time to be inspired with what life beyond high school might look like as they mulled over God’s next steps.