by John Cook
Phoenix — Day 1: College students gather from across the country to join the Qwest West, an experiential, outdoor ministry affiliated with Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and UKirk SC. On the 14-day spiritual pilgrimage in the American West, young adults experience God, grow in faith, and journey, worship and “re-create” in Christian community, reaching new summits in self-awareness about their own place and mission in the world.
The Qwest West Christian education classroom is plopped down in the middle of the amazing complexity and beauty of God’s creation. This setting of “screen-time in real-time” juxtaposes the sometimes faux, virtual relationships and communities of today’s college experience. Qwest West students are reminded their self-worth and identity comes not from Facebook or Yik Yak posts, but from God, a God who created them to be. Each student matters and is a gifted, “fearfully and wonderfully made,” beloved part of creation.
Grand Canyon National Park — Day 4: On the rim, the precipitous edge a mere 6 feet away, a desert foot-washing has new meaning for students. After hiking the dusty, dry, hot canyon the day before, washing in cold water the tired feet of a fellow traveler you’ve really just met while looking out over the unbelievable majesty, the calling to “go and serve” like Jesus resonates deeper than ever before.
Lake Powell — Day 5: Our student “chaplains” lead daily prayers, table graces, teachable moments and devotions. Gathered around the picnic table, Mary’s devotion just may be the most powerful I have ever heard on the Qwest West. And it had nothing to do with the indescribable beauty of rock formations and water upon water that is Lake Powell. It had everything to do with Mary and her voice. Just days ago, yesterday even, she was quiet, held back by the occasional stutter. Today, though, she has found her God-given voice — her delivery marked with a newfound confidence and grace.
Pacific Coast Highway — Day 9: In an alcove of trees on the high cliff’s edge overlooking the pounding Pacific, there’s just enough room for the worshipping community to gather around the Communion table. Eucharist, community and relationships are seen in a new light at the Qwest’s westernmost point after traveling, worshipping and re-creating with these now-close friends who were strangers just days ago.
Columbia — Day 28: Back home, a student’s handwritten note testifies powerfully:
Two weeks since the Qwest West, and I still find myself taken by the irresistible beauty of God’s creation. I realize every place we visited, every assigned task, every teachable moment, every silent ride helped cultivate mental, physical and spiritual selves. The learning and growth continues even after the journey. It revealed to me love, beauty, peace, uniqueness and the interconnectedness of ALL God’s creation. In those two awesome weeks I fell in LOVE with God all over again.
JOHN COOK has served for over 15 years as the associate pastor for campus ministry at Shandon Presbyterian Church, working with UKirk SC. Phoenix — Day 1: The Qwest West begins again May 2016. Join us!
