The Sophomore Experience 2008-2009
In October, 2002 a new ministry was born at Oak Grove when 32 Grovers embarked on a journey to Reynosa, Mexico with the motto, “Pray hard, work hard and play hard”. This ministry has evolved into The Sophomore Experience, an annual mission awareness program that is open to all Oak Grove Sophomores.
There is a beautiful passage in 1 Kings when God tells Elijah to go and stand on a mountain because the Lord is about to pass by. A great and powerful wind tears apart the mountains, then an earthquake comes and then a fire, but the scripture says that God was not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire. Rather, He came in a gentle whisper which followed the fire.
The Sophomore Experience is an opportunity for students to stand on the mountain and wait for the whisper. The program has a variety of components, all of which are intended to nurture our students on their faith journeys.
The 2008-2009 Oak Grove Sophomore Experience will be traveling to the Sonora, Mexico region during the dates of November 12 – 19, 2008.
Individual Prayer
The Sophomore Experience provides each participant with an opportunity to re-connect with God, away from busy and active schedules and routines.
Community
Much time is spent in prayer, worship, discussion and devotion. Team-building and community building is a primary focus of this time together.
Service Project
The bulk of our mission will be spent at an orphanage in Imuris, Mexico called “Casa de Elizabeth”. We will be involved in the continued construction of their church, school and dormitories. Casa de Elizabeth is an amazing ministry that provides refuge to over 100 children. Here is a description from the Casa de Elizabeth website.
For more than 20 years, Casa de Elizabeth, located south of Nogales, Sonora in the town of Imuris, has been refuge for up to 112 Mexican children previously deprived the warmth of a loving, caring family. Many are true orphans who have lost both their parents and have no other relatives. Others are victims of violence or sexual abuse, or who have been abandoned by parents. Some have been saved from a life of hunger and abuse as street children often surviving by stealing, dealing drugs or prostitution. Others have literally been rescued from garbage dumps and cardboard shelters.
Our goal is to raise at least $2,000 dollars to help pay for materials we will be working with at the Casa.
Mission in Reverse
Students are encouraged to keep an open mind and an open heart, allowing God to plant His seeds. The goal is to encourage a “mission lifestyle” that will not only change the hearts of the students, but allow the students to be ambassadors for Christ as they return home.
For more information, contact:
Bob Noel
Missions Coordinator
Oak Grove Lutheran School
701.365.4127
robert.noel@sendit.nodak.edu
