Fall Retreat 2013 - Danielle's Story

Fall retreat is one of my most cherished events Chi Alpha throws because I was never able to go to them while playing soccer because we were always traveling. Something incredible happens when a group of people hungry for more of God take a weekend to get away and worship, seek and enjoy Him! 

 Students in passionate worship, I am in awe of the work He is doing here! 

My first fall retreat was last year and I still get excited sharing all the amazing testimonies of people being set free from their sin struggles and being empowered! I had the honor of praying over a very dear friend of mine to get baptized in the Holy Spirit. We received the gift and we ended up sitting at the altar praying, crying and laughing about how amazing God was. The best part was after fall retreat when she went back to her college and brought the joy and excitement of the Holy Spirit there. It’s humbling to see God produce so much fruit from one experience.

However this year was different…

I’ve always had a heart for the amazing young ladies on my old soccer team, as it’s only my second year of being a Bison soccer alumnus. Even though I still miss playing, the current of season of life I’m in has continued to prove to me that living a life with Jesus in control is so much better than I’ve ever imagined! Luckily God knows my heart and He opened a door for me to play in the alumni game this year and do His will at the same time!
 

Victoria, Gabi, Tristyn & I simply excited about Jesus!

This year the alumni game was during fall retreat BUT there were no games after it. So the soccer girls would be free the rest of the weekend. HOW PERFECT IS THAT?! So I not only got to play but I also got to drive three beautiful ladies on the team to fall retreat! We had SO much joy in that car as we talked about how we see God and what we wanted to get out of the retreat. The whole drive there I couldn’t stop thanking Jesus for allowing these girls the opportunity to take a break from the crazy schedule of being a student-athlete just to retreat to His presence and leave refreshed!

The three girls were:

Tristyn who was in my small group my senior year, we roomed together in Hawaii when we went and I’ve been so blessed to watch her leave her past behind and grow into a powerful warrior for Jesus!

Victoria who I met on her recruiting trip, she has an incredibly intimate and beautiful relationship with Yahweh (God) I am so challenged by her boldness as she proudly proclaims herself as a daughter of the King.

And Gabi who reminds me a lot of myself when I first came to college, she went to Chi Alpha last year and this year has truly grown in her relationship with Jesus, I am so excited to see what mighty things are in store for her! She’s also #17 on the soccer team, which was in fact my old number. The legacy continues… 

                                         The alter time is one of my favorites, I just get to watch God do His thing :)

Anyway God is so amazing and when we arrived there I was told that people could literally see and feel the joy that radiated out of them! They were so excited!! A highlight for me was being able to pray for people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the alter call at the end. Gabi (wearing #17 on her shirt) came up to me for prayer. It was an honor seeing God empowering her and all the other women who came up.

Mark and I praying for students at the alter. My faith grew as theirs did.

 

Please pray for boldness in these three ladies as they witness on the team! Also for the rest of the people who attended fall retreat, pray that that fire wouldn’t leave when they return back to their campuses. I know that God has incredible things in store! 

Curious about what the baptism of the Holy Spirit is? Read the book of Acts and email us at mark.erickson.2@gmail.com for more information we would love to answer your questions!