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 Presented by LCU faculty and staff, The Vine
Conference is a weekend retreat designed to engage and challenge
high school students (grades 9-12) to own their faith and draw
deeper into God’s Word.
Beginning late afternoon on Friday, April 10, and concluding late
afternoon on Saturday, April 11, The Vine Conference will feature
speaker, Drew Peterson, and music led by Derek High. Peterson serves
as the High School Minister and High as the Student Worship Resident
at West Side Christian Church in Springfield.
The Vine Conference theme this year is “Storyline: Every character
has a story, and every story matters to God.”
"The Vine Conference is worth attending because not only will it be
a weekend full of fun, but it will help students grow in their
relationship with God and grow in community with one another,” said
Sarah Lawson, LCU Enrollment Counselor and event organizer.
 Attendees will stay overnight in LCU’s dormitories and experience a
firsthand glimpse of life on campus. The weekend includes scheduled
games and activities, as well as interactive free time.
“Students can expect to leave on Saturday feeling challenged,
encouraged, and spurred-on in their faith,” Lawson said. “It's also
a great opportunity to get a taste of college life through staying
in the dorms and interacting with current LCU students who will be
on campus that weekend."
One of this year’s breakout sessions will aim at fostering
intellectual Christian conversation and be presented by Dr. Rich
Knop, long-time Professor of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics at
LCU. Dr. Knopp hopes the students who choose his session will garner
a better understanding of big faith questions, and feel more secure
asking their own.
“I’d like the students to gain a sense from someone who has
experienced sincere doubt, that it’s ok…that this is normal and
there are answers,” Dr. Knopp said. “I’d like to teach through this
workshop how Christians can help friends with doubts how to best
address those questions in a genuine manner. There is reason for
hope, even through the intellectual and emotional challenges of
faith.”
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 Knopp said his session will have an additional goal as well.
“We will also focus on teaching youth leaders how to be more
effective in helping others through their doubt, especially in
their mentoring roles with young people” he said. “From past
conferences and my own experience, students have shown a very
high interest in these issues. It’s important to them, and so it
should be a focus for us too.”
There is still time to register to attend The Vine Conference
for a weekend of exploring God’s Word through engaging main
sessions, dynamic worship, breakout classroom periods, group
discussions, and much more! For information and details on The
Vine Conference 2015, please visit www.LincolnChristian.edu/thevine
or call 217-732-3168 or toll-free 888-522-5228.
Established in 1944, Lincoln Christian University’s mission is
to equip Christians to serve and lead in the church, the
workplace, and the world. Today, LCU offers a variety of degree
programs for undergraduate, graduate and seminary students.
Classes are offered on campus, at extension sites and online. To
learn more visit
www.lincoln christian.edu.
[Chris Thomas, Lincoln Christian
University]
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