When I first came to the Refuge I was atheist, I came because I was invited and thought it would be a fun night to get away from my personal problems. After that night I found Jesus and instant relief from what I was going through. Through my years at the Refuge I have found my calling to spread the Gospel and found a true love for God.

– Michael, Student

The Refuge has shaped my relationship with God more than anything else in my high school career. My relationship with Christ has grown in ways I never expected these past four years. The opportunities that I have had have encouraged me to seek truth and pursue my relationship with the Lord. I have learned how to center my life around Christ and live in the freedom that He gives me.

– Amy, Student

…Even though it is difficult for these kids to grasp God’s crazy love for them, I see how they genuinely love each other. They care for each other, pray for each other, cheer each other on and share in the struggles and sadness. My heart is so happy when a student says they need prayer, or they have a prayer request. That is God working in them because they know where their help comes from. Planted seeds have taken hold.

– Deb, Student Mentor

After a one year break, I found I missed the interactions and Christian life-experience discussions I had with Refuge students. Christian youth are looking for that counter balance to the world’s ways… God is using the Refuge to make, build and grow relationships amongst the students and the mentors. From these interactions, and lessons, His Word and ways are marinating the lives of us all, for His service and glory.

– Paul, Refuge Mentor

As a senior I often find myself looking back at opportunities that have encouraged me to grow, not only personality wise, but through my faith as well. When I was invited to the Refuge, I had not been well connected with God and my faith, however, throughout the past 3 years, the Refuge has helped me learn the importance of connecting with Christ and finding a community to pursue my beliefs within… I am extremely thankful to have been immersed in this youth group for as long as I have been!

– Jenna, Student

I first joined Refuge when I was a 6th grader in middle school, and I just graduated as a senior in high school. As I kept going to Refuge every school year, the connections I made grew stronger and so did my relationship and understanding of Christianity. One of the most important things I have learned from going to Refuge is how to keep God in every part of my life, and how to bring God into my daily and weekly routines. The messages we hear are always relatable to real life situations as a high schooler or middle schooler. It was really amazing to reflect and see how much I have grown and learned through the Refuge, and I plan on looking for a similar experience in college because I can’t live without it!

– Claire, Student