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Get Set 2015 –
University Christian Outreach Retreat
in Auckland, New Zealand
Towards the end of August, University
Christian Outreach in
Auckland, New Zealand was proud to host
for the very first time
Get Set 2015 – a retreat for
young people ranging from tertiary students
to working
professionals. The whole retreat
was blessed from the get-go
with almost 50 attendees
from various
churches all over New Zealand
coming together to Karanga
Camp in the remote Waitakere, eager to
spend time in prayer, fellowship and learning
more about Christ’s call for us to live
as his disciples.
The name of the retreat ‘Get Set’
captures this call – by reminding us
that we need to prepare
ourselves (as one would for a race) to
live out our mission as Christians, whether
it be at our workplace or places of
study. This year’s
specific theme ‘Set Apart’ reminded
us that when we do accept Christ’s call
we are indeed set apart, marked for him
and the work of his Kingdom. Being young
adults, many of us have already chosen
Christ in our past teenage years.
However our actions cannot end there as
we are then further called to
be ‘Christ’s light on a Hill’, proclaim
his Good News to others.
The material at Get Set in turn
reflected this and was well received,
primarily as it was tailored
for young adults currently learning to
live out the Christian faith that they
have spent their last
few years building. Three main talks
(presented by a range of speakers such
as a well-respected Pastor and members
of other Christian communities),
together addressed the
importance of understanding who God is
to us, the importance of being active
within our church and community as young
people and the vitality of changing our lives
for Christ – as we were reminded from
Matthew 22:14 that ‘many are called but
few are chosen’.
 By holding in-depth
sharing and discussion sessions after
each talk, the retreatants
were able to reflect on what they had heard,
whilst further learning from the lives
and sharing of others
in their group. Looking back, many of
us now realize the importance of opening
up and being accountable
to our brothers and sisters, as we all
walk this spiritual journey together and
need the support of
one another.
Some of the many highlights of the camp
include powerful sessions
such as ministry time and group prayer.
But there were also several lighter
moments that allowed us
to bond with each other and showcase
to our guests the positive and
up-building environment that
we instill at UCO. For instance, the sports,
ice-breakers, bonfire and Amazing Race (credit
to the fantastic team that organized
this event) was a hit. On the other hand
Dom Schryvers’ games
night and renowned ‘Cardboard-box Bull
rush’ consisted of several literal
hits (one which he can personally
testify for).
We ended on a late Sunday afternoon –
not tired but very much refreshed and invigorated
to live out all that we learnt. Upon
returning to our daily routines and
lives, together we look
forward to outreaching and spreading the
joy that Christ in his mercy and
grace has blessed us with.
Our utmost gratitude to all those who
served at the retreat: guest speakers,
those who assisted with
transport, the many helping hands in the
kitchen and of course to the various
branches of the Lamb of God who have
kept us in prayer and supported in many ways.
May God bless you mightily!
The UCO Team
> See
related Kairos articles and
reflections in this issue:
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