Seeds of Honor Sown at CCA Sophomore Retreat

By: Alyssa Mendez
What does it look like to honor God and others? Tenth grade students from CCA’s Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale campuses recently unpacked this question together at their class retreat. Read about the various activities that took place, including one that resonated in a CCA alumna’s heart many years after the fact. Grab your tissues!

This past month, nearly 200 CCA sophomores from Calvary Christian Academy’s Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale campuses participated in the school’s annual retreat centered around the theme of honor — gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to honor the Lord, their parents and siblings, friends, and the opposite gender in the context of romantic relationships.
hon·or (noun) – to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect
During this three-day retreat, which took place in the meeting rooms of the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton, these students grew closer as a class as they engaged in activities such as:

 
  • Focused teachings led by CCA faculty/staff:

    • Know Yourself and Know Others

    • Girls: Honoring Your Future | Guys: Identity

    • Cultural Captivity

    • What Does Honor Look Like

    • Practicing and Restoring Relationships

  • Student-led worship and times set aside for verbal/written reflection

  • Dinner and conversation – students practiced honor and respect with the opposite gender, which included preparing a special gift for their assigned “Honor Partner”

  • An “Honor Mission” — students blessed people they encountered on Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach

  • Team building exercises at the beach

Making Memories and Memory Boxes

During one part of the retreat, the boys and girls split into separate groups and the girls get to hear from Katy Mills – a CCA mom of three and Executive Director of Communications at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Katy shared how her husband Aaron, CCA’s Head of Upper Schools, made a commitment to honor the Lord in their dating relationship.

Following Katy’s talk, the girls created boxes that reflected their individuality as a place to store meaningful keepsakes for the years ahead. One thing they were encouraged to store in their box was an “honor letter” written to their future selves and/or their future spouse.

CCA’s faculty and staff pray that seeds are planted in students’ hearts
When character-building activities like this take place, CCA’s faculty and staff pray that seeds are planted in students’ hearts and have faith that God will yield fruit according to His perfect will and timing.

“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” –1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT)

A Vow Exchange Like No Other

Earlier this school year, a CCA staff member whose daughter Faith graduated from CCA informed school administrators that something very special and surprising took place at Faith’s wedding. Before the ceremony, she and her husband did a “Blind Vow Reading.” Here is what her mother had to say about this experience:

 
“Little did we know, Faith saved her letter from the 10th grade retreat to read as part of her vow reading for when she was to be married. We had no idea Faith had this in mind.
it makes our hearts happy to see that the moments and memories [at CCA] have touched our children in ways we didn't even know.
As parents of three children attending CCA all the way through, it makes our hearts happy to see that the moments and memories here have touched our children in ways we didn't even know. We are thankful for God's faithfulness in their lives, and what more does a parent want than their children to love and follow Jesus. Thank you CCA!”

This story is a beautiful testament of God’s faithfulness and example of how His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). This is why CCA’s discipleship team is passionate about programming thought-provoking and relational experiences for students during their critical teenage years, knowing that God uses them to leave lasting imprints on their hearts.
CCA’s discipleship team is passionate about programming thought-provoking and relational experiences for students
May this story also serve as an encouragement to parents who have raised their children to love and follow Jesus Christ. You may not know everything that’s going on in your child’s mind and heart, but trust that the Lord does, and that He’s always at work. Don’t lose heart!

 
Looking for a school that will support your Christian parenting journey?
If you are interested in learning more about the full breadth of spiritual growth opportunities that are available to students in Pre-K3 through 12th grade at Calvary Christian Academy, we invite you to schedule a campus visit!

  • Fort Lauderdale Campus – Inquire today to schedule a group tour by clicking here.
  • Hollywood Campus – RSVP for our Open House on March 29 by clicking here.

 
Alyssa Mendez has served as the Content Specialist on CCA’s Communications team since 2019. She holds an M.S. in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Alyssa attends Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale with her husband Mike and served as a trip leader on CCA’s 10th grade retreat in 2020.

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