JON ALLEN

The church staff has spent the last couple days "retreating" to Fort Caswell which has been very refreshing. We have had fun together and had a chance to unwind as friends. Tonight Ray had the idea to spend about 30 minutes singing together, and then 30 minutes praying together. It was a great plan, but God had something else in mind...

3 songs turned into 4, 4 songs turned into 6, and before we knew it we were all on our feet clapping and singing. It got to the point where (even though the room was full of pastors, worship leaders, and all around musical people) it wasn't even pretty anymore, it was just shouting. We opened all the windows, all the doors, and let the music flow out to the rest of the camp. Before we knew it, people were coming in to worship with us... students, counselors, staff, you name it. Some of them played guitar so we handed them an extra and let the play along. In fact, the last group that came in said they came because they heard it on the other side of the Island! Our 30 minutes quickly turned into 3 hours and a chance to worship with and pray for complete strangers.

It is incredible how authentic worship is contagious, and authentic worshipers will take any opportunity to lift praise to God even if it means walking into a room full of crazy High Rockers!