If you ever get a text asking if you want to snag a last-minute opening to attend Elevation Church’s bi-annual leadership conference, you should definitely call out of work for two days, email your professors, throw clothes in a suitcase, and board that bus as fast as you can.
I’ve watched a little of Steven Furtick’s preaching online, but I had never visited the main Elevation campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, the college ministry leadership team at my church was attending the conference, and I had the chance to join the fun. Our college ministry is called “Ascent,” and if you’re around me for any length of time you’ll quickly realize that I love my church family, especially my life group. To have the chance to go learn how to improve our college ministry? Life changing.
The whole weekend was an absolute blast; what could be better than nine 20-somethings riding around Charlotte in a mini-bus, talking about how to be more effective in ministry? We toured the campuses, picked a random Italian restaurant for dinner, attended breakout sessions and main worship services, and spent hours discussing our takeaways from the event, not to mention the fun things we did in our free time.
On our first night in Charlotte we all looked out the windows as our bus pulled into Top Golf, completely shocked and ridiculously excited. I haven’t played golf since sixth grade, but swinging clubs and attempting to ring the various circles out on the green made for a great evening. I think I’ll stick to putt-putt though 🙂
Visiting the Billy Graham Library has been on my bucket list for awhile, so I loved the guided museum tour and walk through the grounds. It was beautiful!
