"She looks at me and goes, 'hey virgin Mary, no room at the inn, here at the table, you're going to have to go over there.'"
Bethany Barr Phillips explained to the girls that sometimes they will be put in a situation where they have to decide to stand up for their faith, even if they are being mocked and made fun of for it. This was just one of several instances that Phillips shared with the girls from her own personal experiences in high school where putting her faith first and valuing her commitments to God to remain pure in her relationships, was put to the test.
This past weekend, Camp Siloam welcomed over 100 young ladies, grades seventh through twelfth, to its grounds for an all-girl's retreat, Radiant. The young women arrived on Friday night and left Sunday morning.
"God's presence was definitely felt at Saturday evening worship," said Jama Godbee, first time attendee and group leader from Friendship Baptist Church of Sherwoord, Ark. "Bethany did a fantastic job engaging and relating to the girls."
The featured speaker for Radiant was Bethany Barr Phillips. She also led the worship, accompanied by two of her band members. Phillips has opened for other artists including, Audio Adrenaline and Toby Mac, and has also served as the worship leader alongside speakers such as Scott Dawson, David Nasser and Dr. Jay Strack.
"I think what it means to be Radiant for the Lord is to live a life that we profess to be full of joy and to be full of peace and be full of freedom in Christ because that's what Jesus is offering," said Phillips. "And the only way that we're going to live radiant in the world, is to show people just by the way we live that [Jesus] really is who He says He is."
The girls kicked off Friday night with gaga ball, a heartfelt worship service, group time and ended it with a bonfire and Camp Siloam's traditional "Pizookies," a melt in your mouth cookie bowl, topped with delicious vanilla ice cream.
"This was my first time coming here and I just loved the overall atmosphere of this camp," said Carrissa Metcalf, Pickles Gap Baptist Church of Conway, Ark. "This weekend I felt God calling me to ministry. I realized how much I love teaching others and sharing with them."
Saturday consisted of a morning and evening worship service led by Phillips who was both worship leader and speaker.
"When I started to think about wanting more of God in my life, I wanted to live more like God wants us to," said Destiny Bearden, Grace Baptist Church of Hampton, Ark. "I had the best time ever!"
Throughout the afternoon, the girls had the opportunity to choose two of four different breakout sessions to attend.
From paintball to gaga ball, or simply just enjoying the scenery in the beautiful weather, the girls enjoyed the day with endless activities.
"Over Saturday night dinner, one of my girls was just soaking up all the special treatment," said Lindsey Brewer, Grace Christian Fellowship Church of Crossett, Ark. "With wide eyes she said, 'this is so special! We always sit by the TV at home to eat.' She felt valued simply by being served a nice meal by smiling faces."
The night ended with a classic pajama party, where the girls dressed in their favorite jammies and cut loose at a dance party held in the Hub, belting out their favorite Disney songs.
"This has been an incredible experience. Leading up to Radiant, my girls kept questioning what it would be like, and all I could say is it will be great!" said Emily Lewis, Pickle's Gap Baptist Church of Conway, Ark. "However, it far exceeded my expectations. Our ladies were loved and encouraged for who they are. They were made special all weekend long. From the notes to the place settings, they knew that we, you and God cares."
Sunday morning brought a delicious waffle bar and a worship service where lives were changed.
"God opened my eyes to the fact that I need to have a constant relationship with Him," said Emma Wittenburg, Friendship Baptist Church of Sherwood, Ark. "I was also reminded that I shouldn't forget that He is with me through all the fires life brings."
After gathering for their last worship service that morning, the ladies packed up and headed home, ready to put to practice what they learned about living a radiant life and excited for the next year's retreat.
"I think the takeaway from the weekend is just to be able to go out and live as God's called us, and that's nothing more than to be followers of Him and who He is, and in that we study; we continue that relationship; we pray; and we go out and we live -- we live full of joy, because we're connected with Him..." said Phillips. "...Because a few crisis' in our lives -- and while it's never easy -- it's possible, and it's possible to drive off this property and go, 'you know what, I can do this even if some days I'm by myself' because of who God is; because He's always with us, always for us and He loves us in spite of anything we could ever do. I think that is the hope that we have in Him and that's how we're Radiant."
General News on 10/30/2016