Much of our time in March was focused on Soul Surf, a spring break project in Panama City Beach. Mike co-directed this project. He spent a lot of time before the trip putting together a teaching manual and finalizing all the details with his co-director. He has seen how Soul Surf can transform people – InterVarsity students, people on the beach, and even himself – so he was grateful for the opportunity to be more involved..
Nine Purdue IV students decided to take on the challenge of the beach for spring break. While Mike was planning and leading the entire project, Annie was able to connect with and lead the Purdue students. Each of the students grew and saw God working in significant ways.
The last day we spent on the beach, Susan [senior], Austin [sophomore], and Terryn [freshman] went on a walk to find people to talk to. They saw a guy laying in the sand who called out to them, “Are you here to talk about Jesus? We don’t need him.” They ended up getting into a spiritual conversation with him. It was a great opportunity for Susan to model how to have a spiritual conversation for the younger students. And just three years ago she was one of the students on the beach in need of Jesus. She was able to share her story with many of the people she talked to.
We throw two pool parties at our motel during Soul Surf. During our second pool party, Justin and another student got into a conversation with Brad. He mentioned that he had been walking on a broken ankle for about 2 weeks. He wasn’t able to go to a doctor. Justin said he felt the Holy Spirit prompting him to pray for healing. He asked if they could lay hands on him and Brad said yes. As they were praying, Justin said he felt Brad’s ankle get really tense and then release. “[Brad] shot up and was like, ‘dude I’m good!’ I’m not shocked that it happened but I’m shocked that we got to participate in it.”
Nine Purdue IV students decided to take on the challenge of the beach for spring break. While Mike was planning and leading the entire project, Annie was able to connect with and lead the Purdue students. Each of the students grew and saw God working in significant ways.
The last day we spent on the beach, Susan [senior], Austin [sophomore], and Terryn [freshman] went on a walk to find people to talk to. They saw a guy laying in the sand who called out to them, “Are you here to talk about Jesus? We don’t need him.” They ended up getting into a spiritual conversation with him. It was a great opportunity for Susan to model how to have a spiritual conversation for the younger students. And just three years ago she was one of the students on the beach in need of Jesus. She was able to share her story with many of the people she talked to.
We throw two pool parties at our motel during Soul Surf. During our second pool party, Justin and another student got into a conversation with Brad. He mentioned that he had been walking on a broken ankle for about 2 weeks. He wasn’t able to go to a doctor. Justin said he felt the Holy Spirit prompting him to pray for healing. He asked if they could lay hands on him and Brad said yes. As they were praying, Justin said he felt Brad’s ankle get really tense and then release. “[Brad] shot up and was like, ‘dude I’m good!’ I’m not shocked that it happened but I’m shocked that we got to participate in it.”