Keystone Heights :: Spring Retreat

Submitted by David Hidalgo on April 5, 2009 - 4:20pm
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KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FLA. – (February 22nd, 2009) Who knew it could get down to below freezing in Florida? Well, the brothers of Kappa Chi did not let that be a deterrant to a weekend focused on spiritual growth through discipleship. The men braved the wooded lands of Keystone Heights in a weekend bathed in prayer and worship.

Keystone Heights State Park is northeast of Gainesville, about half-way to Jacksonville. Chaplain Chad Mizelle coined the term “From the Inside Out” for the weekend's theme. A brother and graduating senior headed to Dental School at the University of Florida, Drew Byrnes, recounted his spiritual testimony, emphasizing the life lesson of obeying God in the littlest of things and turning your heart toward Him. Even being in our early twenties it is vital to give every aspect of our lives over to God and seek to do nothing less than our best as he prepares us for bigger plans in the future. We will only be eternally satisfied in this life when we give our lives over to God and allow the Holy Spirit to consume our very beings and shape our desires and values. Drew reflected on the moving of his spirit through expressing his testimony with his brothers in Christ. Several conversations with brothers stemmed from his talk.

Fraternity Chaplain Chad Mizelle challenged brothers to go deeper in the Word and be rooted in the truth of the Word which has stood the test of time. We must not sway to the winds of this culture, but must be leaders of this culture by discerning God's will in the Word and Prayer and then living out our lives as servants to His calling.

Joseph Thompson, a brother in his pledge semester reflected that retreat was a very moving and trying experience spiritually. The tasks assigned to us were challenging, but rooted in Biblical purpose and I came away a stronger man of God because of the experience.

The brothers spent time playing a friendly game of football, igniting much too large fires (something about the Faith lures us to Fire), choosing of Big Brothers for spiritual discipleship and counseling.

Another brother in his pledge semester Shawn Crews coined the phrase "Go Left!" during a leadership-building exercise which through random, should be noted.