Christians can have fun too

For the end of term activity, most of the ISCF groups decided to have individual closing-off parties. This worked better than trying to co-ordinate a national event since each of the schools were running different schedules in terms of exams and closing off activities.

Happy Hill’s party was the first on the agenda. There was a highly competitive Sword Drill game, followed by a treasure hunt for sweets which left the room in disarray by the time they were finished. After a game of Basket Turnover, we discussed topics and questions they would like answered in the upcoming term.

I found it first!

Musical chairs

Must find every single sweetie!

The next day students from Anglican High School came together for their lime. The girls bought eats and drinks and we they had great fun playing Bible charades. We reflected on the term which passed, and brainstormed topics to be addressed in the coming year.

Guess the Bible character

Basket Turnover

If you love me, please smile :)

The group at Boca Secondary decided to pool their resources and go on an island tour as their end of term activity. The students had a great time exploring Annandale Waterfall, learning about Grenada’s history at the Rome museum, petting animals in Cabier, and having a treasure hunt in Camerhogne Park.

Exploring the nature trail at Annandale Waterfall

Listening attentively to how life was like in Grenada 'back in the day'

Brave enough to hold a live snake

The ISCF Board was not left out of the excitement, as the last Board meeting for the year took the format of a social where food was shared, games were played, and gifts were exchanged. We also spent time sharing projections for ISCF Grenada in 2015.

Musical questions

Something was really funny!

Food time!

The last lime was with students and the sponsor from the T.A. Marryshow Community College. We shared a pizza at Rick's Cafe, and they expressed their appreciation for the support from the ISCF staffworker over the past year. They were challenged to continue searching for Year 1 students who they could hand over the leadership of the group to when they leave in June 2015.

One important truth that was evident in these activities is that, contrary to popular belief, especially among youths, Christianity is not boring. It is possible to have fun without indulging in drugs, alcohol and sex. This lesson is crucial especially for those young people who feel like they are ‘missing out’ when they commit their lives to serving Christ.

Giving God thanks

As I reflect on the school term that has passed, I recognise that there is much to give God thanks for. One year ago, ISCF Grenada had recently been relaunched, volunteers were being sourced, and there was only one functioning ISCF group. At present, we have groups in the community college and six secondary schools. We have over 40 persons who are committed to the ministry in various ways - serving as Board members, sponsors, prayer and financial supporters, camp counsellors and volunteers.

Cheryl Jessemy and Arlene Marcell have been of great help in the school ministry, building  relationships with students and facilitating sessions. They have also served as volunteers at our national student rallies and ISCF Camps.

Cheryl with Happy Hill students

 Cheryl has a great love for ministry to young people, and is very excited about serving the Grenadian students through this avenue. Whenever she is unable to come to a school visit, the students ask, "Where is de next teacher?" One even said, "I think I like her better than you!" :)

Arlene has adopted the group at Westerhall Secondary as her 'baby'. In October, she conducted a session entitled "Is there really a God?" looking at looking at how creation, the Bible and Jesus all pointed to the existence of God. Arlene also shared about the reality of heaven and hell. There were many questions, such as “Why didn’t God just make all of us go to heaven instead of giving us a choice?” The discussion extended beyond the allocated time into the next period, since they did not have a teacher. By the end of the meeting, eleven students indicated that they wanted to surrender their lives to Christ!

Talking with students who committed their lives
to Christ about plans for follow up

One of the mottos of ISCF is "Students reaching students". This is a distinctive which sets ISCF apart from other youth organisations, with a focus on developing the leadership potential of students while they are in school, and have the opportunity to reach their fellow students. At Boca Secondary, under the guidance of sponsor Don-Rae Wilkinson, members of the Executive have started sharing the message at ISCF meetings. They meet on Mondays to discuss the topic for Wednesday, and take turns in presenting truths from God's word about issues which are relevant to their peers.

Boca students listening attentively as Hope shares about purpose.

Beacon High School is a private Christian school, but many of the students there are not believers. As members of the Executive have found out, the majority of their peers have no interest in learning more about God. This term the Executive decided to focus their energies on reaching out to the Form 1 students, and were able to conduct sessions on Bullying and Self Respect.

Ariel and Danielle leading ISCF meeting at Beacon High School

At the T.A. Marryshow Community College, sponsor Mae Patterson has also been encouraging members of the Community College Christian Fellowship (CCCF) to share their faith with their classmates. The preparation for these sessions are evident as the students deliver the message in a way that is engaging and appreciated by those who attend. There is much interaction as students feel free to share their view points when the meetings are conducted by one of their own.

Shanika sharing on the topic "Taking a stand for righteousness"

 I am also encouraged by the "little things", like last week Monday on the way to Happy Hill, I noticed there were many students on the road, indicating that school had been dismissed early. I wondered if the ISCF students had gone home, thereby making my journey a 'waste'. When I arrived, I was plesantly surprised to see that the students had not only been waiting for me since 1pm, but they had also encouraged two new persons to stay back for the meeting as well! We had a vibrant discussion on Jesus' teachings about forgiveness, and addressed concerns about how to forgive when you had been deeply hurt. Blessings like these are evidence to me that God is clearly at work through this student ministry.

Playing a game before the session on Forgivenss

Special thanks to all who have partnered with us in this journey to re-start the work of ISCF in Grenada. We give God all the glory and honor for the growth seen in this ministry over the past year.