Top 10 Retreat Moments
This years East Coast G.A.N.G(God's anointed now generation) was awesome we experience the power of God, enjoyed great scenery and had an overall great time.
Here are my top 10 retreat moments
1) Pastor Cesar sermon and altar call- Great way to start the retreat (lucky me.. I had on good pair of socks LOL)
2) To visit all the Friday morning sessions and to see all the east coast leaders involved w/ preaching and running the service (we had 5 homegrown preachers....can't tell me God is not raising up leaders)
3) The basketball game of Old School featuring Pastor Chuck 'you better duck when you come down the middle' Turner, Jermaine 'excuse me..thats my rebound' Sheppherd, Bobby 'Chief run you over' Arviso, Dave ' never get tired..I got dad strength' Prado, Pastor Ed 'Then call foul then..' Castro and Pete 'Puma' Pinela defeated a mix of youngster 3 straight games in Jeans mind you..God is good 'cause they were better than us
4) Pastor Miller Sermon and Altar call- when he said what did you do today at 3 pm? ..ouch! and God moved in that altar call...Pastor Miller has a heart for this generation
5) The Text Challenge- Now we must have a battle between Natalie and Betzaida...hmm we can do it pay per view and then we can pay our pledge LOL thanks Raylene for the idea
6) Pastor Titus Sharing about David Prado, Jermain Sheppherd, Lou Vega and Mike Castelucci taking their Ministers credential exam....once again you can't tell me God is not raising up a new generation of leaders in the east coast V.O. region
7) Hearing brother Eric (representing Phili)speak Saturday morning- This young man has the vision and he is global minded in regards to the cause of Christ....another young Lion God is raising up!
8) The Talent Show- Homeboy w/ the Mohawk Got heart and Victor and MOMO's 'Everyday I'm Praising Him' Song, Junita's song (in 'acupolco'as Pete would say) was awesome and all the contestants special shout out to Justin for showcasing his gift of poetry
9) The talent show judges- Raylene smiled the whole time, Pete discerning 'funny', 'confused', 'sweet' and anoited' spirits, Sister Kisha was the most on point judge and pastor Cesar honest Simon-like 'real talk' opinions.
10) Worship was awesome thanks to the whole worship team and especially Natalie and Robbie for their leadership
10.5) When the old school youth leaders joined in the Talent Show- Sister Ana rappin' in spanish, Bobby , john from RHOW rappin (a lil old scholl but still great),myself rapping (VONB youth was shocked..as was I) and Jermain Rappin'(Jermain was only one that was good) and featuring Pete dancing (if that was what thats called haha)
Retreat was great.
PS Look out for my sermon points ....all 12 of them (who can preach a 12 point sermon in less than 40 minutes..only a ninja can do that LOL)
psps check out the comments and if you went leave a comment
I loved It!!! Lets see... my top ten are:
1. Getting there 1st!!! Whoo Hoo!! Bridgeport killed a giant with that one!
2. Pator Ed's message. I couldn't hold back tears even though I was in the balcony.
3. The text challenge. Natalie, its so on!! I would love a picture challenge.. cuz rumor has it I'm the Camera Phone Ninja (but shhh that's my secret identity)
4. Eating coco puffs at breakfast. That was a throw back. I went home and bought a box.
5. Getting scared by Pastor Tony. He played the girls that were doing security... Rolling up on us like that.
6. Worship. The team is anointed...and really maturing.
7. The talent show.... minus that one part with that one song... ummm..never mind...j/k
8. Jermaine's rap at the high school service. "The Rebuke"... yes he went there.
9. Pastor Miller. The message was great, but also how he stuck around and went to the talent show and services. Hope he enjoyed his first East Coast experience.
10. And finally.... the SWINGS...lol... what can I say it was fun?...
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i love you blog and would like to have pastor raymond incorpate a similar style.
when can we get together.
thanks,
in jesus name-bill salzman
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Retreat was amazing! Here are my top 10:
1. Getting there early- what a burden lifter that is!
2. The worship- it was a blessing to be apart of such a talented, willing team. Love you guys!
3. Pastor Cesar keepin it real- the alter call was intimate and humbling. God's presence was there!
4. The food! French toast, burgers, chicken stuffed w/brocolli, icecream...yummy!
5. The games- texting champ in the house baby! Betzaida- it's on!
6. Pastor Miller's message- what was I doing at 3pm Good Friday? That one hurt.
7. The talent show- every day I'm praisin Him!
8. Pastor Ed's message- will you be saving him a seat? That was a heart toucher.
9. Playing spades in the Snack Shack. I lost (I know, hugh shocker) but I kept it holy. LOL
and last but def not least:
10. Seeing the VONB GANG testify and desire to get closer to God. That's what it's all about.
Until next entry...
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My top 10 are:
1. BPT was the first ones there; Man that's a miracle! BPT you know what i'm talking about lol, remember the 9 hour tour...
2. God is raising up some POWERFUL GG Leaders (Nisi taking it to another level,The Bronx team uh oh watch out,Jen from Philly, sis vanessa from DC taking on the challenge...the Huddle was great lets continue to work together..
3. Pastor Miller's Message was impacting; the altar call was powerful.
4. Pastor Ed's Message he's always keepin it real, heart to heart talk..
5. Worship-I remember when we struggled to get musicians now look we're blessed, robbie and nat great job!!
6. I gotta say it "The Rebuke",Jermaine dropped it the High School Session...
7. DC was representin,the boogie down bronx won the rolling deep award,NJ the Last minute miracle...everyone pulled through...
8. We had a bomb Talent Show, I love to see new talent..
9. I gotta agree w/ Betzaida Pastor Tony scaring us was a definite Highlight..LOL
10.Overall we had and awesome retreat, Pastor Ed and Sis Ana THANK YOU, East Coast Gang really appreciates you!!!
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Im so sad I missed it! Im feeling left out. AAAHHHHH!
My top 10 'make me feel like i was there' questions
1. how many attended, and describe the first night, in detail puuuleeeze remeber im female.
2. whats that text challenge all about
3. were there married couples
4.what was that 'im glad i had good socks' all about
5. what were the messages about
6.did my church really get there early
7. what happened at 3pm, what was everybody doing?
8.what was the age bracket with the biggest numbers(young adults, high school, or junior high)
9.so did pastor miller enjoy his first east coast experience
10 describe each altar call
as for missing retreat for the first time............God knew....On Saturday morning our furnace backed up. FYI clean your chimneys,........if we were not home we could of had a fire. I found the emergency switch as i ran out of the basement..did i say ran...i meant walked to the phone to dial 911.
I know you'all feel the same way I do..."IM PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS REGION"
peace out.........uhhhhhhh I meant bye.
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We did miss you this year. You would always come even without pastor, thanks for all of your support though.
1. 166 People to be exact, the first night felt different to me since were are all growing up and stuff. But seeing the groups arrive was great and there was an expectancy for God to move in the lives of the young people, and older ones too. LOL Pastor Cesar impacted everyone with his sermon The Power of Music and even lil kids in my church didn't want to touch their ipods afterwards.
2. The text challenge was a game that was played as an icebreaker during service and what better tool...our cell's to use during a service. I guess for once it was valuable to have our cell on during a service. But people had to text a difficult phrase that was posted on the screen to one of the youth leaders and whoever did it first got a prize. You never saw so many young people not fall asleep during servie either!!!! There were quite a few that were knocked out here and there like viejitos that couldn't hang, but they woke up just in time to eat
3. There were a few sprinkled here and there...the married couples
4. The whole socks thing had to do with Pastor Cesars message at the end.
5. The messages were about...buy the cd's at the vision outlet when they are made available sista!
6.Yes your church got there early Kisha and I applauded them as they entered registration. Be very proud sista, your church is the bomb. I love you guys.
7.At 3PM on Good Friday was said to be the time that Our Lord and Savior was crucified and P. Miller shouted US ALL OUT on that one. You got us Pastor...Thx.
8. The high schools dominated by a little in the numbers but other than that it was pretty even.
9.Yes...the rumors are all lies...he wash schocked by the quality of our G.A.N.G. worship and the behavior of our young people...all of them...he was probably more shocked that they would be a part of the talent show for little or no prize! It is the best kept secret...East Coast baby.
10. I can't...I was working but Tom vidoed every service and for a low price of 59.95 you too can be a part of retreat...JK.
11. Thank you Sista Naomi and Pasta Joey for all ya'll support wit da g.a.n.g.! I misspelled on purpose though. Love Ya. Sista Ana Castro-V.O.N.B. P.S. This was my last retreat Kisha good luck to all ya'll
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oops , forgot to sign out
Naomi (since I heard 'friends' identity has been discoverd)
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