I had never participated in a SLAM week before this summer, but SLAM 2024 was an unforgettably Spirit-filled and transformative experience that blessed me in numerous ways. My week was characterized by a deep immersion in the Word of God, which effectively formulated my focus on our mission. Starting each day with worship and Bible study helped me to realign my priorities and strengthened my confidence, knowing that we were working in partnership with God. As the week progressed, Bible study was something that I saw students hunger for. 

        The theme for this year was "Rekn’ize," which emphasized the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and recognizing the work that lies ahead. As we dived into Colossians 3:1-3, God’s Word revealed to students not only their identity as His children but also how to apply Scripture to our specific context. This deep dive was more than just intellectual; it became a practical guide for living out our faith in substantial ways.

        Worship was an equally powerful component of our experience. By beginning and ending each day with worship, I developed a heart posture that was essential for effective service. Worship sessions were filled with the Spirit, which allowed me to connect with God on a deeper level each day. Sharing this time with other students also fostered a sense of communal worship and Spiritual connection. The Spirit’s presence in these moments led to transformative prayer experiences and deepened our collective engagement with God. Students had the opportunity to engage in worship together, developing a deeper connectedness with one another and acquiring shared experiences that led to fruitful conversations about God’s involvement in their worship. 

        Equally important were our times of fellowship. Each evening, we gathered for dinner, which included reflection-style discussion questions that created a venue for meaningful conversations. These moments provided opportunities for us to share testimonies about our service experiences and reflect on what God was teaching us. The conversations that emerged were rich with stories of God’s faithfulness and the impact of our service. Breakfasts and lunches were also needed, offering time to connect and share prayer requests as we prepared for the day’s activities or during our service projects. Reflecting on our moment, as well as our days, allowed us to become engaged in the week in a greater capacity. I am so thankful that we had these times together. 

        Finally, an important highlight of the week was our Focus Groups, which were small gatherings of 6-8 students from various churches that attended SLAM. These intentional sessions provided a space to discuss sermon highlights and discuss how God’s Word applies to our daily lives and the service that we were immersed in within that week. Our conversations in these groups were instrumental in helping us critically think through how to implement Scripture in our lives effectively. SLAM 2024’s focus on identity in Christ invoked discussions about what it means to live out this identity, and our group held each other accountable to these commitments. This accountability deepened our bonds and facilitated a greater connection with one another throughout the week.

        In summary, the entire week of SLAM 2024 stood out by an extraordinary and obvious awareness of God’s involvement. This week was a powerful reminder of the way God moves through and alongside people who choose to surrender themselves to Him. SLAM’s unwavering focus on God’s Word and worship set it apart from any other youth program I have encountered or experienced. The result was a week where hearts were transformed, and I can testify to the powerful work God accomplished through our collective service and surrender.