The 2010 “Emerge” Open house weekend attracted 61 Youth from Western Canada to pack out our campus for a great time of interaction, fun, and spiritual challenge.

“Emerge 2010 was designed around having our High School guests interact with current College students, so the place was really packed out” summarizes Brad Olorenshaw, whose student team oversaw the event.

“Interaction took place during games, icebreakers, theatre sports, and small group times.  Many large youth conferences are a ‘show to watch’… but we did a great job of being one that was ‘a community to be involved with’ and ‘people to meet’.  It was great to see what a social experience this was.”

The weekend was ultra-high energy as the most prominent band from Canada’s 2nd largest church led the times of worship.  The Brad McGillvrey band from Centre Street Church engaged the kids in powerful and top-rate youth concert worship all weekend long.  McGillvrey has a total knack for relating to kids and drawing them in.

Erik Riddick was our incredible speaker who was able to keep the young people involved as he challenged them to become the leader that God made them to be… right where they are already at.   Eric was a CFL football player who realized there is a more substantial victory in serving Jesus than pursuing a metal trophy.  “It is truly a more substantial thing to be doing.  All my team-mates when we won the Grey Cup, were celebrating, and I knew their family troubles, and knew their struggles… and realized that having those things in order before God was way more important”.  Riddick left the CFL to work with Teens as a Calgary Area Director with Young Life, and is truly amazing at what he does.  It was powerfully encouraging as many students responded when he called them forth to becoming leaders for Christ.  There was definitely a buzz of students wanting to come to the college.

Many volunteers provided meals, technical support, led games and small groups.  An incredible THANK-YOU goes out to all who came together to make this community event as good as it was.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

Emerge 2011 will definitely be an event to attend.  To make sure that you get sent information for it, request information for it by email to Brad Olorenshaw and include your name, Groups name, email address, phone number, and full mailing address.

Until next time!

Brad Olorenshaw