2009 BLACKSTONE YOUTH RETREAT LIFTS SPIRITS HIGH

I will remember the 2009 Blackstone Youth Retreat for a very long time. This one really touched me and raised the bar for future youth retreats. Mark Price, this year's keynote speaker, was wonderfully entertaining and connected so well with our youth. I heard only superlative comments about him throughout the weekend. Stand Still once again rocked the house and provided exceptional musical entertainment for everyone in attendance. Both Mark and Stand Still shared with our young people the powerful influence Christ has had on their lives and were actively involved with the events throughout the weekend. The plannng and execution of the entire retreat was superb.
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The attention to detail that went into putting on this year's talent show was very apparent. The audio-visual support and the lighting effects were great and really helped showcase the performances. The 17 youth performances this year, from beginning to end, highlighted how amazingly creative and gifted our kids are and how blessed we are as youth leaders to be able to serve them. I could go on and on about the talent show.
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I loved the 'rules' video that was shown Friday evening. It was really clever and funny, and must have taking a lot of time to prepare.
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Sunday's worship service was really surprising. A lot of creative effort went into putting it all together. The stapling to the cross of pictures and everybody's name at the end of the service provided a moving way to end this year's retreat and everyone departed Blackstone with the feeling that they had witnessed something special.
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Well done to Courthouse Community's Doug and Debi Nichols and everyone involved with the Norfolk District Youth Council for orchestrating such a beautiful weekend.