Thousand Pines in Crestline, California is a significant stepping-stone in my journey of faith. One, I met and accepted the Lord as my Savior there when I was just a senior in high school. Two, that childlike awe and overwhelming passion to commit to Him were experienced all over again at that same location just last week at the Crave retreat. To start off, jokes were made that the Crave would be just another “meat market,” where if you are unfamiliar with the term, means that it would be the live version of eHarmony.com. I would like to confess that yes, there was desire and there was the longing to connect. There was the craving like the theme of the retreat proclaimed, but all these were not for humanly love and romance. They were all for Christ, and just the fact that so many went to that retreat for this purpose, friendships were made and communities were built, completely overshadowing the premature fears that this would be “just one of those retreats.”

            To witness the pleasing collide of people from Newsong Irvine, LA, and NOC for one young adult retreat was a blessing. Sessions provided by Alex Gee were thought-provoking and in his last encouraging words to us, he warned that the craving for Christ, that hunger to know Him, is a “dangerous” thing. But is it not all worth it when we are able to be molded, loved completely and utterly, and given the most precious gift of salvation? Alex’s words were answered prayers to the weary and uncertain Christian. In addition, there were great seminars that Michelle Jones, Brian Kim and Dave Gibbons contributed wonderfully to. Michelle’s vulnerability and delight in the Lord were so apparent that it was contagious and inspirational particularly to the female attendees. Dave encouraged us to become involved with our own communities of churches, to be open (Psalm 81) and bold (Psalm 91) in our pursuits. To be surrounded by such an all-star staff of God-fearing people was definitely the quesa of the quesadilla. Cheesy, I know… Please hold your applause.

            All in all, memories of human bodies crashing into each other during game time or midnight acoustic worship by candlelight or broken souls kneeling before the cross or even playing Mafia and Taboo until 2AM will all stick for some time. But Alex asked during his first session with us if we were desperate. Whatever your answer may be, the truth is that God is waiting, and the challenge of nurturing and changing in this relationship is undoubtedly, forever.