To wrap up the summer for students, Peoples Church (PC) Student Ministries hosted their second annual Summer SoCal trip, July 28-Aug. 2, with this year’s theme of “The Foundry.” Over one hundred high school students packed their bags and got ready for some fun in the sun in Southern California, as well as daily life-impacting worship and prayer services.

After spending a night at the church, the group loaded up the bus and headed down to Vanguard University (VUSC) in Costa Mesa, which would be base camp for the next few nights. In addition to the advertised trips to Disneyland and Newport and Huntington Beaches, the group also attended morning and evening chapels, with worship led by GV Christian Center’s Pastor Kevin Doyle and messages given by former high school Pastor Chad Johnson.

Before coming to PC, Pastor Mike Whitford took his youth group on the trip every year at Northeast Assembly Church of Fresno. Now he has brought the tradition to Peoples when he became their youth pastor. As last year was a hit, the staff decided to make it an annual Student Ministries event, and it met with even more success this time.

Whitford loves the trip because of the dual purpose it serves for students. FIrst, it helps them escape the normal routine of life and get back in tune in their relationships with God through prayer, worship and Biblical teaching. Also, it allows them to get to know each other and establish new friendships through fun activities like going to Disneyland and the beach.

“It’s important to me for two reasons: one, that the students connect with Jesus in powerful, Biblical and awesome ways through worship and the Word,” Whitford said. “Second, the fun aspect of SoCal enables students to connect through friendship with each other.”

Senior Dustin Swain does not normally attend PC, but, having heard about life-changing experiences at Summer SoCal from some of his friends, he decided to give it a try.

“I decided to go because I felt like it’s what I needed,” Swain said. “I don’t originally go to Peoples Church, and my other church does an annual church camp, but it’s not as intense and powerful as this one. I knew I needed something powerful and inspiring because I could feel myself slipping down the wrong path.”

When the group arrived on Monday night, they headed straight for Newport Beach, where they had a bonfire worship service complete with pizza and s’mores. Many students, including Kathryn Damschen, ’15, enjoyed the time immensely, as they were able to worship God together right in the middle of his creation.

“I absolutely loved the bonfire on the beach,” Damschen said. “I could hear the ocean in the background and see the stars above me. It was cool to know that God created all of that and brought us together that week to build each other up through Christ.”

The chapels on Tues. and Wed. nights proved to be a favorite part of the trip for most of Summer SoCal’s attendees. What started as normal chapel services turned into life-changing nights of prayer, worship, and spiritual awakening, so much so that the students decided to discard Tuesday’s free time and extend the service.

“It really taught me a lot about who I am in God, my identity in Jesus Christ, and who He called me to be,” Damschen said. “The prayer nights were amazing, and I really became more comfortable praying to God. I walked away with God as my best friend, and knowing that he is the only thing I need to be sure about in my life. With that, I will be absolutely fine.”

Swain’s expectations of the week were met in full, and he feels that everything about the event was just what he needed to be able to grow in his walk with Christ. Coming home from the event, he knows now that if he follows the Holy Spirit’s guidance, he will be just where God wants him to be, whatever God’s plan is for his life.

“I walked away with single-handedly the most spiritual growth i have every experienced in my life,” Swain said. “Everything they talked about was life-changing and extremely applicable to me and what I was dealing with. I feel like the trip opened my eyes and heart to what God’s will is for me and made me realize that all I have to do is let the Holy Spirit work in me and lead me.”

Like most of the students at SoCal, Swain’s favorite part was the Tuesday night extended service, simply because he knows that he and everyone else felt the presence of God there as they worshipped and prayed together. This part of the trip is the one that impacted him most, and he liked it even better than the fun activities the group did together.

“What started out as a normal night turned into a crazy intense worship session,” Swain said. “It was crazy you could just feel the presence of God fill the room and everyone was just in tears. The entire thing seemed like an hour but we were really in there for 5 or 6 hours. It was hands down the best night better than Disneyland by far!”

Sophomore Alexis Kalugin attended the event last year as well, and decided to go again this year based on her previous experience. She, like all the other returning students, was excited to go and have a good time and went, expecting God to show up, but returned with her expectations surpassed.

“My favorite parts were the worship bonfire on the beach, the worship and prayer times after the sermons and Disneyland,” Kalugin said. “I really enjoyed just getting to know other students and leaders, and I loved having the old high school pastor, Chad, speak. God showed me that I have to give up certain things in my life so I can seek him wholeheartedly, like Jeremiah 29:13 says.”

Whitford does enjoy the activities the group gets to do together, but what he really loves and looks forward to is the time during the week where the light switches on in each student’s heart and they realize the power and nearness of God.

“The whole trip is good, and going to Huntington and Newport and Disneyland is fun,” Whitford said.”My favorite part, though, is when the light goes on in students and they’re awakened to the goodness and glory of God and his manifest presence, especially in the Tuesday and Wednesday services. I’m really hoping that they walk away with a greater faith that nothing’s impossible with God and that they’ve been created to represent him to their friends and family and to live a missional life to bring his truth and love to others.”

If all goes according to plan, the event will continue to be a PC tradition, and Whitford encourages high school students to try it out next summer.

“If I could make a summer camp, this is how I would want it to be,” Whitford said. “Lord willing, we’ll do it again, so start saving now. It’s a bit pricy, but it’s a great change from winter camp in the mountains, and one of many great summer camp options.”

This writer can be reached on Twitter at @JennaWeimer42.

For more information on Summer SoCal, email Whitford or see PC’s online flyer.

For more features, see the August 14 article, Students sacrifice summer hours for advanced classes.