This special night of the last evening of Campion Academy's student week of prayer started off powerfully. Six students decided to give their life to Jesus by being either baptized for the first time or recommitting their life by getting re-baptized. Junior Cassie Carr then spoke a powerful message about heaven--a topic she's passionate about. She answered many questions such as "What will we look like in heaven?" and "Is there room for us all?" She told us about how she had been on a few mission trips and would always present this subject. Cassie told us, "Telling people about heaven is my favorite thing to do. I can't wait to see the  people I told about heaven actually be there." This was a great topic to end the week of meetings.  

Wildfire 2016 was a huge success. We had 15 students over the course of the week either be baptized or plan on being baptized in the very near future. Senior Ruth Garcia commented, "It was such a blessing seeing my very own classmates give their lives to Christ. Wildfire has definitely opened my eyes to seeing Jesus in a way that I never thought I would." I would completely agree with this. As a four-year senior, I have enjoyed this week of prayer the most out of all my years. It was incredible to see how just high school kids could make such a difference and be so passionate about their faith and what they believe in. Another aspect that made this week of prayer special was it wasn't only for students. It was open to the church and community. It was really cool to see how the crowd grew through the week to where on Friday night we needed to set up chairs outside the entrance of the tent just so everybody could have a seat. 

Pastor Nestor Soriano pointed out another way that we could see God working--the weather. Earlier in the week it would rain in the afternoon but clear up by evening. The rain never interrupted our outdoor tent meetings. It just showed us how God is in control and takes care of us if we are doing His will. 

Kyle Rushold is a senior at Campion Academy.
Photos: Bryant Oei

Wednesday evening the message entitled “Judgement—Is God on your side?” was presented by junior Rolando Herrera.  Judgement is often considered a scary topic, but Rolando showed us that it doesn't have to be if we accept Jesus and His sacrifice for us.  As we stand before God, our Judge, there is no need to fear because Jesus, our Lawyer, is representing us and has never lost a case.  Rolando read 1 John 2:1, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  Everyone sins; it's a part of our nature, and as Rolando said, “Christ died for us knowing we can't crawl out of sin by ourselves.” 
 
Rolando illustrated what happens to us and our sins when we accept Jesus’ gift of His life so that we can spend eternity with Him.  Hunter Odenthal helped Rolando hold up 3 flasks of liquid.  The first, labeled “me,” was clear liquid.  The second, labeled “sin,” was bright red liquid.  Finally, the last flask, labeled “Jesus,” was also clear liquid.  Rolando explained that as we are affected by sin, we become dirty and sinful beings.  He demonstrated this by pouring some of the red liquid into the flask labeled “me.” But as Rolando said, when we accept Jesus and His forgiveness, He cleanses us and erases our sins.  This was shown by pouring the liquid labeled “Jesus” into both “sin” and “me.”  When he did this, all red liquid turned pure and clear. 
 
As Rolando exclaimed, “The time to choose Jesus is now!”  Jesus is waiting, knocking at the door of your heart.  The best Lawyer in all the universe wants to represent you in the judgement, all you have to do is accept Jesus.

 Rachel Hammond is a senior at Campion Academy

Campion Academy has brought Loveland’s community a third night of worship underneath the white tent. Campion student speakers have blessed listeners with well-prepared messages, and God has brought His presence into each meeting. Last night, May 8, the Wildfire meeting was so full that the tent walls were shed and more chairs assembled for our crowd.

With uncontainable enthusiasm, senior Xander Assa shared with us that we cannot be a living soul without the “Breath of Life.” We are nothing without God. His sermon reflected on “What happens when we die?” Xander’s illustration revealed that dust + God’s breath = a living soul.

Xander brought us back to the inauguration prayer of Obama’s first election. In the prayer, Rick Warren said that Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others are celebrating in heaven over Obama’s election. Xander showed us through multiple Biblical references that Martin Luther King, Jr. is in fact not in heaven, and we will not live in heaven until Jesus comes back to save us. The Bible says that the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then all of the followers of Christ will fly to Jesus. Xander shared how his childhood dream of flying will be fulfilled, and he’ll get to see his friends that have passed away including Moses Arevalo, Pat Loing, and Adolf Simangungsong.

Xander told us that death was never God’s intention. That is why God sent His only Son, so that we may be with God forever if we choose Him. God sent His only Son to die the death that was ours, so we could have eternal life that was His.

Xander closed his sermon by offering his listeners a moment to choose baptism or re-baptism. Nothing but silence. After a few long seconds, Xander reiterated his appeal by passionately sharing that this was the time to dedicate yourself to your Creator if you felt the need to reconnect with Him. One member stood and made her way to the stage, a second walked down the aisle, a third made his way through the chairs. Xander's smile was so great that tears began to fall down his face. “Praise God! Praise Jesus,” Xander shouted with nothing but pure love and excitement for God’s kingdom. Another, wait, another? And another? A total of seven people made their way to the stage.

Senior Madeline Uhrik shares, “Xander’s reaction to those who chose to be baptized was the reaction of Jesus. Xander’s rejoicing was not that of himself, but one of Jesus.” The meeting closed as seven students, pastors, and Xander formed a circle and praised God as heaven rejoiced and threw a party for each of these souls of “Living breath.”
 
Madison Kamarad is a senior at Campion Academy
photos: Bryant Oei and ​Jennifer Sigler