It's not that we're all DANCED-OUT or anything....we just wanted something NEW for NEW Year's! So, a brilliant brainstorm by Christina & Jill produced what became one of the coolest celebrations into a new year in a long time. The Central, Inland Empire, East and North Region Campus Ministries came together in San Marino, ready to play.
Geo Garces hosted the public's fave' PRICE IS RIGHT. Household items like toilet paper and air freshener were bid on by audience members. Only the best qualified for money games like PLINKO. Big winners Brian Tan (Spiritual Showcase) and Jake Rock (Entertainment Showcase) sported big grins as they walked off the stage with over $50 in prizes EACH.
Josh Peterson hosted a resurrected & spiritual version of the DATING GAME. Each region offered their most spiritual & eligible brothers & sisters for a chance to win a double date to the Cheesecake Factory ($100 value). Frank Mariduena chose Sister #2, Amelia Velasquez and Lindsay Scott chose Bro #1, Arturo Rosales.
John Markowski hosted Family Feud, the finale of the night. Teams of 5 from each region featured unique "Feud" poses and fearless competition, particularly in the head-to-head survey questions. Ultimately, the scores were tallied from the top 2 teams (IE & CENTRAL) and the home team came out on top, (prizes included gift certificates & a DVD home edition of the Family Feud).
After a meal that seemed to multiply (pounds of carne asada & pollo left over) we bowed our heads. We prayed in the New Year, giving God the glory for the victories of 2007 and relying on Him to bring even more in 2008. After the Amen, WE DANCED!
Turning Point ministry disciples led a time of worship for over 1000 singles and campus students at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. Participants sang out to God, took in the scriptures and were stirred to be near the Lord in this 2 hour time consecrated to worship. Many are asking to do this again soon!
CONGRATS to Vivek Thomas, a grad student at USC getting his Masters in Electrical Engineering. Cy was inviting students to USControversial (the campus ministry's bible talk series last semester) when he met Vivek right outside of the religious center on campus. Vivek was on his way to a study group in the library and said he couldn't come. The bible talk began and minutes later Vivek came in to join the discussion. His study group cancelled because a student said he decided to go to the movies instead! Vivek remembered the invitation and the free food and made a decision that altered the very core of his life. Sharing before his baptism, he said "I may have known who Jesus was, but he didn't know who I was." He quested to correct that truth over the months of fall semester and was baptized on Sunday, January 20. Welcome!
We'd all like to figure out what Paul discovered when he said he knew the secret of being content in any and every situation, (Phil.4:12). Join us on Sundays in Glendale at 10am to find out more.
