Row Host and Testimonies - More Ideas to Steal

Tonight rocked for two reasons...

1. Row Hosts. Once a month we do something called "row hosts" where a couple of assigned adult or student leaders bring treats for their students in their 02 Group (Eagle's Nest). It can be something as simple as candy canes/Nerd's Ropes/miniture candy bars or as extravagant as fried rice/hot chocolate/baked goods. It doesn't stop there. Often times, the plain old chairs are covered in cloth and Christmas lights are hung. The students love it. The only potential problem I see is if one group is more creative than another. However, the hospitality giftings seem to be pretty evenly spread, plus there is some heatlhy competition that comes with it. I discovered in Atlanta that Jeanne and the team have redefine the words "going all out."

2. Testimonies. Since the retreat was the weekend before Thanksgiving, we postponed doing the testimonies the Wednesday after retreat (i.e. the day before Thanksgiving) until this Wednesday. When it comes to who gets to speak, they don't let just anyone come up. They have leaders and students jot down at the retreat three people who seemed impacted most from their group. Then from those nominated, the staff chooses one from each of the 02 Groups (Eagle's Nest) to represent (of course, giving them a call first to make sure they are interested). 02 pride comes through when their representative gives their testimony... creating, once again, momentum. The words coming out out of these students mouths were powerful ... three for sure were preachers in the making. They closed the time by recreating the last scene of the drama.

The whole night was a beautiful thing. I loved how it was programmed. The only thing I would change are the words "row host" and "testimonies," but then again what do I know. I'd probably call the testimony time, "tell your story" or something like it. I have no idea what I'd rename "row host." Whatever their names, they both are a really, really, really good thing.