BLUEFIELD, Va. — Dozens of youth from nine different churches and communities across Virginia and West Virginia made spiritual decisions during Bluefield College’s recent ‘Winter Blast,’ an extreme sport and worship weekend that included skiing, concerts by Christian bands and deepening of Christian faith.
The annual two-day ski adventure and worship weekend on the BC campus and on the slopes of nearby Winterplace Ski Resort featured motivational discussions led by Christian Chapman, a passionate speaker who challenged the youth to “be a bolder witness for Christ.”
The contemporary Christian bands Wavorly and Abandon presented concerts and led praise and worship sessions during both days of the event. As a result, 47 teens rededicated their lives to Christ.
“When I saw all those hands go up almost immediately during the alter call I realized just how big an event this really was,” said Kris Hardy, Winter Blast organizer. “It was more than just a ski retreat or a recruiting event; it was a life-changing event for 47 of the students in attendance. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for next year.”
One teen took the opportunity to do more than grow spiritually and feed his passion for the outdoors. Chaz Dinkle, a youth minister's son from Oak Grove Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Va., got engaged — and used the visiting band, Wavorly, and BC’s Winter Blast staff to pull off the surprise proposal during a concert in front of hundreds of witnesses.
“How cool was that!” said Hardy. “He and his girlfriend love Wavorly, and their special song is Wavorly’s ‘Summer Song.’ Chaz told me he was thinking about proposing on the slopes, but I told him, if he wanted, I could try to work something out with the band and the worship service. I got it all on video. It was great!”
To get Dinkle and his girlfriend, Erin Elizabeth Adams, on stage for the big moment, BC staffers organized a fake door prize presentation during a break in the concert.
“I was really nervous about doing it on stage,” said Dinkle, who set an October 2011 wedding date with his fiancé, “but after talking with the band that’s what we decided to do. We both had a great time. The speakers and bands were great. It was a truly memorable trip.”
Winter Blast also included inflatable games, a dodgeball tournament, a pizza party and eight hours on the slopes for skiing and snowboarding.
“This year, we really focused on creating a quality event, making the weekend as fun and as memorable as possible,” said Hardy, “in the hope that churches would return again next year and spread the word about Winter Blast.”
Winter Blast takes place each year on the Saturday and Sunday prior to Martin Luther King Day in January. For more information, visit www.bluefield.edu/winterblast or e-mail ski@bluefield.edu.