CHRISTpower still promoting service to neighbor and commitment to Christ

By George Bockwinkel

What would cause high-school teens to give up a week in the middle of their summer, perhaps missing out on a week's pay for a summer job, summer sports, watching TV, going to movies or just hanging out? And why would they pay $150 for something that requires them to work in the summer heat, doing service for others? The answer: CHRISTpower!

CHRISTpower is a weeklong service retreat for Catholic high school teens. It is held each year in July. The purpose is to provide teens an opportunity to grow spiritually by developing a deeper understanding of their faith, applying that faith in service to others, and discerning what God is calling them to do with their lives. This is not a weeklong hunting expedition for candidates for Priesthood or religious life. It is a vocation-friendly environment for teens to reflect truly on God's calling for them, away from all of life's worldly distractions.

Matt Reinkemeyer attended one CHRISTpower as a teen and is returning for a third year as a volunteer. "When discernment led me to Conception Seminary, the lessons of prayer, service and vocational discernment gleaned from CHRISTpower went with me," he said. "When I returned to CHRISTpower as a mentor the next year, I came to give the teens support. But I also received support and discovered a love for working with young people. "Now," he stated, "with continued prayer and support of my CHRISTpower family, I've discerned that the seminary is not where God wants me at this time, but rather, He desires I serve in youth ministry." Mr. Reinkemeyer now attends Franciscan University of Steubenville.

The Jefferson City CHRISTpower began in 2004 and is patterned after the one in St. Louis, which began in the early 1990s. The CHRISTpower in this diocese has grown from 17 teens in 2004 to 48 teens four years later. In 2008, the teens represented 17 parishes - five for the first time. Over the years, 27 parishes have been represented from all over the diocese. Each year, many teens eligible to return do so. On average, 55 percent return.

Marianne Cline has attended twice as a teen and is returning for a second year as a volunteer. "Participants are surrounded by others who are open to vocations," she said, "but you don't feel singled out or pressured. The whole environment fosters an open, honest look at all vocations."CHRISTpower helps teens realize that following God's will is the most important thing they can do with their life," she said. "CHRISTpower challenges teens to trust in God. Each year gets better. And with each passing year, it gets easier to say 'yes' to going."

St. Michael parish in Russellville has always hosted CHRISTpower. With a beautiful new church nestled among 100-year-old oak trees in a small rural community not far from Jefferson City, St. Michael provides an ideal setting. For the first two years, teens slept in the parish center - first on bedrolls, then on borrowed cots. The past three years, overnight accommodations have been at Russellville High School. Breakfast and dinner, which garner high praise from the teens, are served at St. Michael.

Each year, CHRISTpower has a theme that carries through the week's Life Night fun activities. These activities provide transitions from the day's service into the evening's particular faith emphasis. Evenings typically include: the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Family Night, vocations (including married and single, as well as Priesthood and religious), and Adoration. This year the theme will be "BE GOD's." Each year has its own unique T-shirt as well as a CD of pictures of the weeks' activities given to the teens. Amazingly, many of these teens stay in contact after CHRISTpower via Facebook or cell phones.

"It's nice to make friends who are Catholic and who are really into their faith," two-time attendee Nathan Trammel said. "And it's a really big help in discerning what God wants you to do in life."
Just think what Christ could have accomplished had He had today's technology available when he walked the earth!

Each teen is assigned to a team (smaller than the 12 Christ assembled for His team) for the week. Each team goes to a different service site each day in order to experience a full range of Christian service. What they see and experience frequently alters minds and hearts - one might even say miraculously.

"I never attended a CHRISTpower as a teen," said John Rockwell, who was a volunteer in 2008. "I have never been open to God's actual call for me. I always wanted to be a youth minister, and I thought that was what God wanted me to do. "At Mass on Wednesday of CHRISTpower God and I wrestled - short but intense," he said. "Yes, everyone needs to wrestle with God about their vocation, because if you do not, you will never learn that you will always lose. Christ is King. I am proud to say I lost the fight." Mr. Rockwell now attends Conception Seminary College in Conception.

Each year, many volunteers, generally 100 or more, step forward to assist with CHRISTpower, giving of their time, talents or treasure. The teens' fees do not cover all of the week's expenses, but many generous benefactors each year have donated cash or supplied meals.

Each year, CHRISTpower has been blessed with a special group of teens who are exemplary Christians, who go forth into the community to serve others as Christ teaches everyone to do. It is almost a certainty that each teen will leave the week having received more than they have given. They will have experienced a deeper understanding of their faith. They will have made friendships with people with similar values that will last beyond the week.

For information, e-mail: christpower2009@yahoo.com.