Renewal Stories
Over the past several weeks during Faith Night, we have been walking our high school students through a series on the Bible—what it is, how to read it, and the overarching story of Scripture. Throughout this series, I have been deeply encouraged by the students’ curiosity and the thoughtful questions they’ve been asking.
One evening, two students asked an unrelated but significant question: “How do you know if something is coming from God and if He is speaking?” Due to time constraints, I let them know we couldn’t fully explore it that night, but that we would intentionally return to it the following week.
The following week, I chose to pause our regularly scheduled lesson so we could thoroughly address that question. That night was noticeably different—there were no distractions or side conversations. The students were fully present, soaking in everything like sponges. You could truly sense that the Lord was speaking and at work in the room. Students were taking notes, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, and staying completely engaged throughout the discussion.
What was especially encouraging was that even students who had not originally asked the question shared that this was a topic they themselves had been wrestling with. After the study, one student thanked me for taking the time to answer the question in depth and shared that it directly helped them process a situation they are currently walking through.
Moments like this make it clear that God is actively working in the lives of our students, cultivating a genuine hunger to know Him and discern His voice. I am deeply thankful to be a part of this ministry and to witness the spiritual growth happening through our weekly equipping time. Faith Night has truly become a bright spot for me, and I am grateful to see how the Lord is moving among our students.
We had the opportunity to take 20 students to a professional hockey game in Reading on a holiday when they were out of school. The group included elementary, middle, and high school students, and none of them had ever been to a professional hockey game—or even seen a hockey game played before.
From the moment we loaded into the vans, there was a growing sense of curiosity and anticipation. When we arrived at the arena, it quickly became clear that this experience was going to be a hit. Watching the students’ eyes light up as they found their seats and took in the sights, sounds, and energy of the arena was incredibly special. Once the game started, they were completely locked in—unwilling to miss even a second of the action.
During the game, I sat next to a middle school student who had expressed some hesitation about attending the trip. He is often reserved and very aware of his image, frequently concerned with being “cool.” But as soon as the puck dropped, something changed. His guard came down, and he allowed himself to simply be a kid. He cheered with every play, reacted to every hit and goal, and was fully present in the moment. At one point, he even called his grandpa to excitedly give him a play-by-play of the game—his joy completely uncontained.
On the van ride home, I asked the students how they would rate their first hockey game, and the response was a unanimous 10/10. It was an amazing afternoon filled with exploration, new experiences, and shared excitement. More than anything, it was a gift to see our students relax, feel safe, and experience pure joy—reminding us how God uses moments like these to bring freedom, connection, and delight into their lives.
Staff were able to connect with students who were experiencing a challenging situation with other peers. The student was hurt, angry with another student. As a staff member I was able to connect with and offer support through emotions and provide care although they are not in my assigned age group. It was nice just to be able to connect with a student that I don’t normally see and have such a big impact. I later saw this student and was met with excitement. It was great to see that my small sacrifice was able to show the love and care of Christ and help someone get through hard moments.
Our students are continually provided with opportunities to learn, grow, and discover their potential through a wide range of meaningful life-skills activities. These experiences are designed not only to support academic success but also to prepare students for real-world independence. One skill that has proven to be both impactful and empowering is learning the basics of cooking.
From 1st grade through 12th grade, students are invited into the kitchen to explore the process of preparing simple meals using equipment they are likely to find in their own homes. Guided by encouragement and hands-on practice, students learn to create dishes such as tacos, pancakes and eggs, hamburgers, and even chicken alfredo. Each recipe becomes more than just a meal—its an opportunity to build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accomplishment.
For our young chefs, stepping into the kitchen can feel intimidating at first. First graders may approach cooking with hesitation and uncertainty, but when given a safe space to try, learn, and make mistakes, they have exceeded expectations. Watching students discover their abilities reminds us that growth happens best when they are trusted with responsibility and supported along the way. We are super proud of our Teen Haven Chefs!