Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

High schoolers catch the vision

Florida trip kicks off summer

By Robby Higginbottom

Published August 1, 2009 in Witness

For years, hundreds of area students have known that the end of the school year means studying, finals, yearbooks—and the PCPC Florida trip! This year a group of over 200 high school students, volunteers, and staff traveled to Panama City Beach to kick off the summer. From the famous volleyball tournament to hours in the sun, from the leisurely schedule to the powerful teaching, this trip is one of our favorites.

In the evenings, students heard messages from Jean Larroux, pastor at Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Jean unfolded the parable of the prodigal sons in Luke 15. Students saw themselves in God’s Word in many ways as they learned about the two sons and the father. The younger son was separated from the father by his disobedience and flight to the far country, while the older son was separated from the father by his obedience and self-righteousness. One was lost far from home; one was lost at home without knowing it.

We learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ is something altogether different from the younger son’s pursuit of self-discovery and the older son’s pursuit of strict moralism. Like the father in His parable, Jesus experienced the ultimate humiliation as He pursued a lost people, loved us, and gave Himself for us. At the heart of our Christian faith is the Father who lavishes His love on sinners and throws a party for prodigals.

In the mornings, students spent time alone with the Lord and attended different seminars with their peers. Jean provided the students with morning devotional material that prepared students for his evening messages. The morning seminars covered important topics for the students to engage and consider as they seek to walk with Christ in high school. Students heard a warning about the dangers of pornography, a message about Christ and culture, an exhortation to do hard things, a testimony from college students about walking with Christ in high school, a word for guys about authentic manhood, and a word for girls about sex and dating.

We were swimming in so much rich content that leaders had a world of things to talk about with students during evening cabin times. These were some of the sweetest moments of our trip as students got to speak honestly with one another about who they are and how the Lord is working in their lives. We witnessed students brought to tears as they confessed struggles or pain or sin and incredible joy as they unpacked the glorious truths of the gospel. And we had the best seat in the house as we saw the Lord’s power in each and every story of rescue.

A group of seniors caught a vision for serving and reaching out to younger students. Their example set a winsome precedent and helped break down walls between grades and schools. We were so encouraged to see older students mixing with younger students in the dining hall and wondering what the Lord might do if students continue to live for something bigger than themselves.

The trip is a massive undertaking, and we’re so grateful for all the prayers and support of the PCPC congregation. And dozens of staff, volunteers, and parents make this trip work every year. Our hope is to know, love, and shepherd the students God brings into our ministry, an impossible task without the many people who invest in this next generation of believers. What an incredible privilege it is to get to share, not just the gospel, but our very lives with these students (1 Thessalonians 2:8).