Michigan—Colorful T-shirts were handed to 140 teenagers from across Mich. and other Lake Union states upon their arrival for a Mar. 24–26, 2006, spiritual retreat at Andrews University. It wasn’t hard to match the color of their T-shirts with the theme for the weekend: STANDOUT.

“The main point … was to help public high school students learn how to stand out for God, whether it be in their public school setting, with their friends, or with their local church,” said Maria Long, Andrews enrollment coordinator (public high school ministries), the main organizer for the weekend.

Impromptu skits, breakout sessions, two concerts, and an interactive prayer room each took their place in an impressive lineup of events for the retreat. Teens were encouraged in their faith and in their attempts to witness to their peers.

One of the most important parts of the weekend was the opportunity teens had to make friends with other people their age who share their beliefs. “I loved the fact that there were kids from all over the Midwest, and that they were all like me—in public high school—there to meet others and worship God,” said 17-year-old Jon Groda from Berrien Springs, Mich. The friendships that formed showed up both in group discussions and events like the dodge ball tournament where new friends joined together to form teams.

“I would totally recommend this kind of weekend to everyone, even to people who haven't accepted Christ—especially those people. If a person like that were to go to one of these weekends, I think that they would realize that accepting Christ is something great,” said 16-year-old Daric Elmer from Janesville, Wis.

Lauren Brooks, 16, from Normal, Ill., commented on what it was like to be an Adventist in public school, “It’s hard, and I think that this weekend really helped to show each of us what we could do in our school to stand out. I would recommend this kind of weekend to other public school students.”

In a special “penny ceremony” on Saturday night, every participant was handed a penny, spray painted with a bright “S” on it, in memory of the STANDOUT weekend. Each student then gave the penny to someone they wanted to see in Heaven. “I loved it. … My sister keeps her special penny and a mustard seed from the prayer room in her wallet. She says, “I have my reminder to stand out and a little bit of faith … tucked away in my purse,” said 17-year-old Berrien Springs resident, Kemily Morrison, showing that STANDOUT was about more than just a fun weekend.

Since the retreat, teens have decided to act on what they learned. Laura Ritter, 17, from Muskegon, Mich., said, “After STANDOUT, I realized how necessary a youth ministry was in my church because so many of the people my age are leaving. I really felt a burden to help bring those teens back into the church. I’m currently in the process of working with my church’s board to start a weekly youth group.” Laura is one of a number of teens who have met the challenge of STANDOUT and are determined to witness for God in their communities.

For more information about the 2007 Lake Union/Andrews University Public High School Spiritual Retreat weekend, e-mail Ron Whitehead at pastorron@andrews.edu, or Stephen Payne at gumguy@andrews.edu.

Ron Whitehead, assistant to the president for spiritual life at Andrews University and Center for Youth Evangelism executive director