This past weekend, we had a Student Venture conference in NYC called the Subway Marathon! On Friday evening, our group of 14 (mostly our Action Team students) plus 3 guys who flew up from Orlando, FL the previous day, drove up to Brooklyn NYC for the conference. We got there late Friday night, and just got to know the group there by hanging out and playing games. Then we headed to bed and got up the next day when the conference would really take off. We stayed at a church in Brooklyn, where we were blessed to have two large rooms full of bunk beds that we used as girls and guys dormitories. Free housing is always nice in NYC! When we got up the next morning our main speaker from Orlando, Marcus Looper spoke to us about the importance of reaching others. He asked the question, what if no one ever told you about Jesus? Where would you be? He was challenging the students to reach out to others and to fulfill Jesus' commandment from the Great Commission in Matt 28:19-20.
Marcus Looper speaking to us
Several students we brought from Philly and a couple of Brooklyn kids
Students from Brooklyn plus Scott from Philly
The Orlando guys plus Boots from Brooklyn on the left
After lunch was when the "marathon" actually took place. Basically, we divided into several groups. We then took the subway to different areas of Brooklyn. Once in our spots, we had a list of schools, churches, and parks that we were to find and pray for. The catch was, we didn't have any directions... Therefore, we were suppose to ask people for directions to find the places on our list. Once a person pointed us in the right direction, we were suppose to tell them what we were doing, and ask them if we could pray for them about anything. What an awesome way to show God's love to people! We had a lot of good conversations! We also had Subway Marathon t-shirts and race numbers pinned to our shirts, so a lot of times we didn't even have to initiate with people before they asked us what we were doing which led to us getting to pray for them too. It was really an eye opener for me to see the need in Brooklyn for the Gospel. Please be praying for the churches in that area to really be light houses for the lost in the communities there.
On the streets in Brooklyn
Praying for Grand Street High School, where there is an active Student Venture ministry.
Talking to some guys at a park, asking them if there was anything we could pray for them about
Once we got back, Marcus talked again that evening, which led into an awesome time of praise and worship. We spent time praying for one another, confessing struggles, singing songs, and having true fellowship with one another. It was great! Then, the next morning, the students led the service at the church, and Marcus preached about how no one knows when Jesus will return and how we need to continue to be out there reaching people, and that Subway Marathon needs to be an all year thing as we seek to reach out to others. After the service we spent the rest of the day sight seeing in Manhattan, and headed home late that night. It was truly and awesome and uplifting event, and I am thankful to have been part of it!
Hanging out before church Sunday Morning
Brad and Katie from my staff team navigating the Subway
Some Action Team students on the Subway to Manhattan
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