We've heard from a few friends over the past couple of years. This is what they had to say...
Jeremy Wilson. Ricco Rainey.
For me Breakaway allowed me to literally break away from my life and allowed God to minister to my heart. He let me experience him and lead me to try and become a pastor one day. Breakaway changed my life, strengthen my faith, and I am forever grateful.
Well, I can start off saying it was more of an answered prayer.
Right before Breakaway, I had contemplated just backing down from doing worship because I didn't know if God wanted me to keep doing that going into college. I remember praying and asking God to show me clearly if he wants me to continue to do this, and within that next week, Tylor Ritz randomly called me and asked me to sing with him at this youth retreat!
While at Breakaway, God confirmed to me that he had a place for me in worship as far as singing. I remember the whole time there feeling God say, ``I want you here.. This is your home.``
Also, God gave me this huge love and heart for the group of kids I went with to Breakaway, Ascent Youth Ministry in Conway (Katie and Patrick Spencer), and I've been helping out and attending every Wednesday since Breakaway!
Cheyenne Gibson. Amanda Dean.
To me breakaway isn't just a place you go to get away. Yeah you meet friends but the connection between God and me is more real than ever. The night when the four people told their stories I no longer felt like I was alone through my struggles. God was by my side and was and is never leaving. When I was at breakaway I knew I needed to rededicate my life. November 20, 2015 is the night when I gave it all to God. I knew I couldn't do it alone anymore. Without one person with one idea I probably would still be the same as I was then. I can't wait to see what breakaway 2016 will do in my life.
Pretty simply put... Breakaway is a safe place. Last year during small groups especially, I felt like I could just completely let go of all my fears relating to people judging me for my past. I seriously opened up and let everything out. Breakaway took a weight off of my shoulders that had been there for a long time. And it's the starting line of pure thinking for me.
Lyra Gibson. Andrew McGuire.
``When failure starts creeping into my heart and tearing my thoughts and ambition to shreds is when I think back to the words and love that were spoken into my life at Breakaway. I found that life isn’t about finding your limits. It’s about realizing you have none.``
``Breakaway allows students to live out the 2 greatest commandments that Jesus gave - Love God and love others.``
