This Life Teen Retreat resource is designed to help you, your Core and your teens experience, firsthand, an outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hope is that you would first experience this retreat as a Core Team, before “putting it on” for the teens. You cannot give what you don’t have. The Core Retreat would obviously not have all the “bells and whistles” like skits and characters, but the essence of the retreat should be experienced by the Core before they attempt to bring this retreat to life with the teens.
Both the power/gifts of the Holy Spirit and the word “charismatic” can scare people at first. This retreat is designed to put to rest certain misconceptions about the Holy Spirit and offer practical insight and ways to become more open to the power of the Holy Spirit in your lives and youth ministry program. Do not allow yourself or others to get intimidated or to fall into the “trap” of thinking “if it says Holy Spirit, it must be charismatic…and we don’t do that”. The Holy Spirit is the inspiration of our Scriptures and the guide of our Church. We need to tap into this power if we want to truly live as modern followers of the Gospel. We strongly encourage you to prayerfully discern this resource and implement it within your program. The gifts and fruits of the Spirit are tangible and long-lasting. May the Spirit guide your hearts as you prepare to introduce your teens to the Father’s love in an even bolder way!