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Academy 2008 - Review |
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SCOTLAND RETREAT |
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“A brilliant week
spent with 14 people we hardly knew, yet by the end very
close friendships were forming already.”
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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich
in mercy made us alive with Christ... For we are God’s
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2 v 4-10
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“Our first
taste of what the teaching would be like for the next 6
months, I loved getting stuck into the bible as we grappled
with Ephesians, learnt so much – as I understood for the
first time the real magnitude of what God has done for me.”
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ONE DAY SPORTS PLUS
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“Some of the best days of the academy, what a privilege to
be used by God to achieve his work in the lives of so many
young people. Magnificent!" |
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“I
am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God
for the salvation of everyone who believes...” Romans 1 v 16
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“1 Day Sports
Plus was an amazing day – It was a privilege to lead a small
group in a bible study, which lead to some really good
conversations” |
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LANZAROTE
MISSION WEEK
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“For the Son of Man came
to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19 v 10
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“An incredible week playing sport in the amazing facilities
of Club la Santa with our non-Christian mates. Quality
scenes as we shared the gospel with them and saw them ask
the ‘hard questions’ of life in a completely relaxed
atmosphere.”
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“The biggest highlight for me during the
whole academy was taking my non-Christian mate to Lanzarote.
Seeing her with the academy group and the way they showed
her Christ through the way they lived really touched me. Off
the back of it she then went back home having not only had
the best holiday of her life, but having also been massively
challenged to think about why she was alive and finally
realising she could no longer run from a God she knew deep
in her heart existed" |
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“How beautiful are the
feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10 v 15
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Do
not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do
what it says.” James 1 v 22 |
“The
teaching and studies were brilliant – loved every Friday! I
now have firm foundations to build on the rest of my life!
I’ve learnt it takes great courage and understanding to live
differently.” |
"Worship is more than 10 minutes quiet time in the morning
or an hour on Sunday but instead involves the whole of life,
every breath, every decision, everything."
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“Happiness is the
privilege of being enabled by God’s grace to enjoy making
much of him forever”
'One Thing' Sam Storms |
“Words cannot describe these days together. This aspect of
the academy was awesome. It has given me a great foundation
on God’s word and has taught me so much and given me
knowledge that is invaluable and will last forever.
Learning about many different areas of the Christian faith –
the bible, discipleship, evangelising etc... Often very hard
work – but without a doubt, a life-changing
experience.”
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LIVING IN THE HOUSE
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“Living
with the girls was such an encouraging experience,
they were there during the madness and giggles but
they were also there through the hard and tough
times pulling you through them time and time again
and helping you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus
through every situation." |
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“There are not many places you can walk up the
stairs and ask someone to pray with you right there
and then...”
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope
we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And
let us consider how we may spur one another on
towards love and good deeds... Let us encourage one
another - and all the more as you see the Day
approaching." Hebrews 10 v 23-25 |
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Despite being so nervous at the beginning and not
wanting to leave my room, the experience of living
in the house with the other lads was amazing -
having most evening meals together as well as great
chats, Fifa sessions, Wii sessions and just amazing
laughs and memories! It wasn’t always easy, but
looking back now I have some of the deepest
friendships ever. Really an experience not to miss
out on! |
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CHURCH PLACEMENT/MISSION WEEK |
 “Church
Placement gave me a good balance of learning from
others and trying things for myself and it really
helped me to develop my leadership skills.”
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“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes” Romans 1v16
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“The academy helped us
establish relationships and trust between
individuals and gave a breath of fresh air and
newness to the group which helped set it apart from
previous years” Youth Leader |
School mission was a week where I was really pushed
out of my comfort zone but saw God working massively
in so many young people’s lives as a result. Mission
week was definitely one of my favourite weeks of the
academy.” |
| LOOKING
BACK |
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“It’s so amazing to look back and to see how much
God has changed me over the academy. I am now a lot
more confident in handling the Bible and working
with young people. The academy has been life
changing; it has taught me so much about God, myself
and others.” |
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“God used the academy to take a quiet, shy and
nervous guy to teach him (sometimes the hard way)
that by having complete trust in God and by faith
stepping out into vulnerable positions to do his
work, anything is possible. He gave me the privilege
of being able to go back to my home church after the
6 months a totally changed man. Praise God!”
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 “The
academy has changed my life in every way possible
way. I’ve had to examine my life and my relationship
with God in a way that I’ve never done before”
We are gradually becoming aware of
the tons of memories
this opportunity has provided for
him, and are convinced
that this experience will prepare him
brilliantly for
university and beyond”
Parent
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“It has been really
thrilling for us to see how he has matured in so
many ways during his time with the Academy, and
especially becoming so much more deeply rooted in
God during this time”
Parent
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“The academy
really helped me understand God more and the more I
understood the more I wanted to live for him. It was
such a privilege to share that with 13 others who
were all so passionate about the same things.”
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 “Just
feel as if I have changed so much – absolute
testament to God’s work in my heart. He has changed
my heart in ways and areas I honestly never thought
possible”
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