Fall Getaway 2012

Four years ago I was a freshman at Clemson and an attendee at Crosspoint. Shortly after arriving in Clemson I heard about Fall Getaway. I did not know too many people yet, so I hesitantly signed up. I remember being nervous climbing into my assigned car with girls I barely knew, not really sure if I was ready to embark on what was to come in the next couple of days.

By Sunday, however, I was not ready to leave.

Every year since then Fall Getaway has been a priority. I have not missed one since that fateful day in 2008!

It is a weekend no one should miss. The retreat at Camp McCall provides many great benefits to the students including a great time of refreshment through solid teaching of God’s Word and guarded time with the Lord; abundant opportunities to meet and spend quality time with friends; and a setting among the newly changing leaves of fall in the mountains.

This year Fall Getaway was held September 21-23. The second day we were there was the first day of fall!

Crosspoint Church is apart of the NACPF network and we were glad to have Zach Nelson, the Director of Public Relations and a Church Planting Mobilizer of the NACPF (North American Church Planting Foundation) lead us. “Zach graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2001 with a degree in Communication Studies, and later received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is in the process of completing his Doctor of Ministry degree in Counseling from SEBTS. Zach did outside sales for a period in time before he served on staff with two separate churches since 2001. Zach's passion for church planting grew as he served on staff at Open Door Baptist Church as the Minister to Students and their Families from 2006-2011.”

Zach Nelson guided us through Acts 1 and 2. The themes of the sessions were: the restoring power of the Gospel, the transforming power of the Gospel, and the saving power of the Gospel. Many of the students I talked to after the weekend said what struck them the most was when Zach read the hymn “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” aloud. He wanted to emphasize the point that our God brings salvation to lawless people who recognize they have crucified Jesus.

I have included Stuart Townend’s hymn below. Read it for your soul’s understanding and delight. May our boasting be in Christ alone.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Dustin Raley led the students in worship, something he has done at Fall Getaway for the past few years. He was a member of Crosspoint Church until recently when he moved to Myrtle Beach, SC where he is now the Minister of Worship at Cornerstone Church. He married Avery Latham two weeks before Fall Getaway.  We are so grateful that they were able to travel to Camp McCall and play a big role in the weekend.

Fall Getaway is a truly unique weekend. The students and leaders are surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and are among many brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a sweet time together with new and old friends.

Posted by Anna-Grace Watkins