PowerLife News

To review which service your student has been assigned to please see the schedule!

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect on Faith Statement Night:  

Please make sure your student knows which time you have been assigned to (6:00 or 7:30 pm). Also, please plan to arrive 10 minutes early! Family and friends are highly encouraged to attend!

• Everyone will start in the Worship Center (no assigned seats!)
• Welcome & Worship
• Prayer & Bible Reading
• Overview & Logistics
• Go to Breakout Rooms
• Each student will read their Faith Statement aloud.
• Closing Prayer (families circle around and lay hands on their students)
• Dismissal
  • 6:00 pm groups, please reset the room for the group arriving after you. 
• EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION PHOTO TAKEN BEFORE YOU LEAVE! (stop by the photo backdrop near Café Hope to see the photographer!)

Wondering what to wear? Remember, Jesus is all about faith, not fashion! With that in mind, please encourage students to wear something appropriate. They should feel comfortable and confident in front of others. Also, pictures will be taken so plan accordingly!

Here’s a quick overview of Confirmation Sunday:

Please make sure your student knows which service their group has been assigned to.
(8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 am.) Also, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early!

We will have seats reserved for students and leaders to sit together in the front sections of the Worship Center! Families and friends are welcome to sit anywhere they would like, just not in the reserved sections.

• Worship & Hope 360
• Welcome & Bible Reading
• Rite of Confirmation (students stand at their assigned seats)
• Special Video (leaders will get into place at the lectern)
• Recognition of Confirmands (students on stage)
• Sermon
• Lord’s Prayer & Communion
• Dismissal

Immediately following the service, we will have a reception for families! Breakfast and donut holes (8:00 & 9:30 am) or cake, coffee & lemonade (11:00 am) will be available in The Bridge. There is no limit to how many guests a student can bring. All are welcome to join and celebrate!

Also, groups are welcome to take pictures in the Worship Center afterward! Feel free to stick around and celebrate! However, please be mindful of the quick turnaround time for those entering after you!

We hope this helps! If you have any questions, please email Justin Stoffa!     

Once written, students should upload their Faith Statement to complete the process. 

As part of confirmation, each student will be given the opportunity to write (and then read) their very own faith statement during PowerLife. Many students have questions about what they’re supposed to write, and who will hear (or read) what they say. 

So, to help everyone prepare for the celebration ahead, we wanted to share a few important details! 

Q: When is Faith Statement Night?
A: Students will read their faith statements on Wednesday, May 1 and celebrate confirmation on Sunday, May 5. Due to our large confirmation class, we have split students into multiple services. Each student only needs to attend the service their group is assigned. If you don’t know which group your student is in, ask them! If they don’t know, please reach out and we can help.

Q: Who is invited to attend?
A: Family and friends of all ages are welcome to join us! 

Q: Why do students have to write faith statements in the first place? 
A: There is nothing in the Bible that specifically says an 8th grader must write a faith statement. Trust me, we’ve looked! However, there is Scripture (Romans 10:9-10) that encourages all believers to declare their faith in Jesus openly. So, as a church, we believe confirmation is a great opportunity for students to openly declare their faith! We have discovered year after year that having students share their faith is a blessing to them, and to all those who hear their story!

Q: Do students just take a blank sheet of paper and start writing? 
A: They can if they want to, but we also provide each student with a workbook to help. The booklet includes Scripture verses to read, and thoughtful questions to help them begin putting their faith journey into words.  

Q: Where can I find this booklet? 
A: Each student should have already received a printed copy of the booklet. If you need another copy, you can drop by the church to pick up a printed copy in the front office! 

Q: Do you have any examples of what students have written in the past? 
A: Yes. We’ve put together a collection of actual faith statements from former PowerLife students. This might be helpful for your family to read through together so students can get a better sense of what their faith statement might look and sound like. If you’d like to see these sample faith statements, please email Justin Stoffa to request a copy.

Q: What if a student doesn’t want to write a faith statement? Can they still be confirmed? 
A: There are many reasons a student might not feel comfortable writing or sharing their faith statement. If the reason is simply due to being nervous, or feeling anxious about the process, we can work together to make alternate arrangements if needed. If a student doesn’t want to write a faith statement because they do not believe in God and feel they would be lying if they were forced to write and read their words, that’s something altogether different. If your student is hesitant, please let us know. We are happy to talk with them before they make a final decision. 

Q: What if a student has not been baptized? Can they still be confirmed?
A: Confirmation is the affirmation of baptism. So, if a student has not been baptized, please consider this their official invitation to do so! There is absolutely no pressure to be baptized, it’s simply an invitation (Matthew 28:19-20). If a student does not want to be baptized, but would still like to be confirmed, please let us know and we can follow up to address any questions they might have. 

Q: Are leaders or parents supposed to read faith statements before they get submitted? 
A: Leaders and parents are encouraged to be engaged in the process. If a student is comfortable with someone else reading their faith statement, that’s great! Students feeling supported and encouraged is our goal. If you do read a student’s faith statement, the best thing you can do is ask follow-up questions to help further clarify what they believe. Remember, this is their story; not yours. You would likely have written something different.

Q: What if I read something concerning in a faith statement?
A: Please reach out to us! Our team has been involved in many conversations with students and families over the years about what they have written in their faith statements. Sometimes these can be challenging conversations. However, if we seek understanding and speak truth with love, we can talk about anything! 

Q: Do students read their faith statements out loud in front of everyone at PowerLife?
A: No, faith statements will only be read aloud to their small group along with any family, friends or relatives who join them on Faith Statement Night.

Q: Will other people (outside of their group) see what students wrote? 
A: A few members of our staff will see them, and most students will only read them for their small groups. There may be a few students who are invited to read their faith statements on Confirmation Sunday.  

If you have any other questions, please email Justin Stoffa for assistance.

Q: When should students arrive?
A: Students need to arrive at Hope WDM by 7:15 am! Find your group in The Bridge!

Q: Do I need to register my student?
A: No, all students who registered for PowerLife are already signed up!

Q: Do I need to complete any forms?
A: Yes, all students attending the retreat will need to complete the Health Form!

Q: Will leaders be going?
A: Yes, all leaders are invited to attend (and can ride the buses, too!)

Q: How will students get to camp?
A: Buses will be leaving from Hope WDM.

Q: Does my student need to bring anything?
A: Yes, their Bible and appropriate clothing (and shoes) for being outdoors! They will also need a sleeping bag and pillow!

Q: Where is the retreat located?
A: Hidden Acres Christian Camp (Dayton, IA)  

Q: Will boys and girls be experiencing this retreat all together?
A: No. Even though we will all be at the same camp, the boys and girls will each have their own separate chapel services, retreat activities, and separate cabins for sleeping! We will share mealtimes together.

Q: Can my student bring a friend?
A: Absolutely! Just email us with the name of the friend who would like to join us!

Q: When will students return to Hope?
A: Buses return to Hope WDM in time for the Sunday 11:00 am service. We will all sit together in the Worship Center. Students will be dismissed after the service at 12:15 pm.

Q: What is the purpose of this retreat?
A: Students will focus on developing a stronger relationship with God while also doing fun camp activities with the students in their group. 

Q: How will the students spend their time?
A: Students will have a morning snack, attend chapel services, have small group discussions and prayer time, eat lunch together, have free time to play fun games or go exploring with their group! Students will also eat dinner together and can purchase an afternoon snack if they’d like to bring some cash! Breakfast will be served on Sunday morning before heading back to Hope!

Q: What if my student has an allergy?
A: Please fill out this form to notify the Hidden Acres kitchen staff! 

NOTE: We will have a nurse joining us to help anyone who might bring along medication or need medical assistance while up at camp. If your student plans to bring medication, please fill out the medication information form and plan to bring the original container with you and connect with the nurse when you arrive at Hope!

Q: What if our family has a conflict?
A: We know students have multiple (and important) commitments outside of PowerLife. So please pray about your decision! Ultimately, we will support whatever your family decides.

Q: Can we drop off late or pick up early?
A: Please email Emma Graen to see what arrangements might be possible for your family.

Q: What if my student is unable to attend?
A: Please let us know if your student is unable to attend! We are planning on your student attending this retreat unless we hear otherwise.  

If you have any questions, please email Justin Stoffa!