Journey to the Heart
The Journey that Lasts a Lifetime
“I arrived at the Journey expecting it to be a repeat of things I had already heard. Looking back, it was a fresh and deep comprehension of Biblical concepts.” —Anna Larson, ’09 Verity student
For the week of the class of 2009’s orientation to Verity, the entire body of students and staff traveled to Watersmeet, Michigan to attend a Journey to the Heart. In Matthew 18:20 God promises us that, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Many students arrived unknowingly hiding pride, murmuring, or an unforgiving spirit in their hearts. However, by the end of the week, God sent revival among the student body. We were united like never before as student after student lined up to give testimony of how God has changed their lives.
The peaceful setting of the Northwoods Conference Center greeted Verity the first morning of the Journey. Mr. Norvell was the first of many powerful speakers. Mr. Norvell gave many a new paradigm regarding honoring the parents God has given, and he illustrated the importance of surrendering our whole heart to God. That evening we heard a message by Pastor Ken Pierpont that gave us not only a theoretical view of glory, but also practical application on following II Corinthians 3:18 and obtaining “glory to glory” in Christ. Throughout the week Dr. Gothard presented several messages including sessions on his vision for Verity, tithing, and being in one accord.
Many students said their favorite times during the week were those of simply being quiet and asking God to speak to them. During the Journey, many of the students asked God to take back ground given to the enemy and remove wrong attitudes and beliefs that would hinder a pure relationship with Him. After times of personal devotion, students gathered into assigned groups of ten or eleven to share and discuss what they had learned. It was during this time that people began to seek prayer support, comfort, and fellowship. As the week progressed, God continued to work as students called their parents to make right incidents in their past.
Towards the end of the week, the students were given the opportunity to share a testimony to the group if they so wished. “The testimonies confirmed to me that God is still working and is not finished with His people” (Rebecca Frahm, ’09 Verity Student). There was power in the way God had spoken to the students, they shared their testimonies with confidence, and rejoicing at what God had done.
For the last day, Dr. Gothard announced a day of enjoying the outdoors. Students spent a full day, biking, boating, going on nature walks, kayaking, and various group sports. To many the trip was a calm before the whirlwind of academics began, where the focus was to “be still and know that [He] is God” (Psalm 46:10).