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Hotels for REFUGE

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Many of you are making your travel arrangements for REFUGE next month and are asking about hotel accommodations.
We have a Student Life group rate available at several local hotels in both Dallas and Birmingham. Those group rates are coming to a close soon, as the hotels will be opening up our room block to other guests. Please make your arrangements as soon as possible to get the best deal!

There are a few hotels that are already filled, so please make note of the following:
In Dallas, the Holiday Inn Express and Hyatt Place are both at capacity. (And you might want to bring along toll money for the roads near Prestonwood.)
In Birmingham, the Holiday Inn Express and Wingate are both full at this time. (Please make note that Highway 280 is typically a parking lot during the evening rush hour time frame – and this is the main road near The Church at Brook Hills.)

We are anxious for our time together in just a few weeks and look forward to worshipping with all of you!  You are in our prayers!

Schedules for Dallas and Birmingham

Monday, August 9th, 2010

REFUGE is just a few short weeks away and we know you all are making plans for the time we will spend together!  We are very excited as we have been in contact with many of you, confirming your registration and finding out how we at Student Life can be in prayer for you, personally and professionally.  Just a reminder, if you have not confirmed your registration, give us a call at 800.718.2267.

DALLAS SCHEDULE
Monday, September 13th
6pm – Doors Open at Prestonwood Baptist Church
7pm – Session #1 – Gregg Matte (speaker); Aaron Keyes (worship); Mark Hall and Juan DeVevo of Casting Crowns (special guests)

Tuesday, September 14th
9am - Doors Open
10am – Session #2 – Matt Carter (speaker); Kristian Stanfill (worship); Mandi Mapes (special guest)

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6pm – Doors Open
7pm - Session #3 – David Platt (speaker); Kristian Stanfill (worship); Mandi Mapes (special guest)

BIRMINGHAM SCHEDULE
Monday, September 20th
6pm – Doors Open at The Church at Brook Hills
7pm - Session #1 – Louie Giglio (speaker); Chris Tomlin (worship)

Tuesday, September 21st
9am - Doors Open
10am - Session #2 -Tony Merida (speaker); Kristian Stanfill (worship); Mandi Mapes (special guest)

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6pm – Doors Open
7pm – Session #3 – David Platt (speaker); Kristian Stanfill (worship); Mandi Mapes (special guest)

As a reminder, if you are looking for lodging in either location, click on the Birmingham or Dallas tabs for a map of local hotels and special Student Life group rates.  Continue to follow the blog for more updates as we draw closer to our time together.  We are praying for you!

Another leader for Dallas!

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

We are pleased to announce that Aaron Keyes will be helping to lead worship at REFUGE in Dallas this coming September!  Aaron has been a friend of Student Life for many years and we are grateful for his participation in this experience for those leading students.  Read his bio and find out more about him!

As a reminder, if you are looking for local hotel information for Dallas or Birmingham, click on the tabs for these cities and you will find a map of local accommodations and Student Life pricing.

Praying for you and your students this summer.

Birmingham is at capacity – join us in Dallas!

Friday, April 9th, 2010

We have currently filled our allotted seating in Birmingham for REFUGE this coming September.  We still have plenty of space left in Dallas though (September 13-14) and would love to have you join us there!

Additionally, if you are looking for local hotels, click on the Birmingham or Dallas tab for a list of hotel blocks we have set aside just for you!

Win a free hotel room and dinner for 2 at Refuge!

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Would you like to be entered in a contest to win a free hotel room and dinner for 2 while you are attending REFUGE this coming September?  All you have to do is become a fan of Student Life on facebook (facebook.com/StudentLifeOnline) and then recommend another youth minister to do the same.  When your recommended friend becomes of fan of Student Life, they just need to write YOUR NAME on the Student Life facebook wall.  Then you will BOTH be entered in the contest.  Student Life will be choosing one new fan and one old fan as our winners.  This contest will continue until April 30th.

We are so excited that almost 4000 youth ministers are planning to attend REFUGE this coming fall!  It’s going to be a sweet time together in Dallas and Birmingham.  Looking forward to what God has in store!

More leaders, more participants!

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

As we continue to work through the planning and details of REFUGE 2010, we are blown away by the number of you that have responded and have told us that you will be coming!  What a privilege to serve beside you in ministry to the next generation.  Seeing your excitement for this time of renewal gives us more fuel for the fire God has placed in our hearts for this occasion.

Once again, we are happy to announce additional leadership for REFUGE.  Mark Hall, of Casting Crowns, will be joining us at the Dallas location!  Not only a worship leader, Mark Hall is also a youth minister, serving in the trenches just like you. What an encouragement it will be to have him share the talents and heart God has given him with all of us.

Additionally, Mandi Mapes, will be joining us to lead worship at both the Dallas and Birmingham locations for REFUGE 2010.  Mandi is part of the worship team at The Church of Brook Hills on a regular basis and has a powerful voice that God is using to minister to His people.

Many have asked about the schedule for REFUGE.  In both the Dallas and Birmingham locations, Monday and Tuesday night worship will begin at 7pm and Tuesday morning will start at 10am.  A detailed schedule of speakers and worship leaders will be made available in the coming weeks.

We continue to pray for you as you lead and serve on a daily basis.  Be reminded that God is our refuge and shield and He desires that we find our hearts at home in Him.

Building the Team…

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

The team of leaders who will be guiding us in the Word at REFUGE 2010 continues to grow!  We are pleased to let you know that Matt Carter and Tony Merida will be joining us this coming September to share an encouraging word from Scripture with all of us.

Matt Carter, pastor of Austin Stone Community Church, in Austin, TX, will be sharing at the Dallas location.  In Birmingham, we will be hearing from Tony Merida, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, in Hattiesburg, MS.  Both of these men are passionate about teaching from God’s Word, and are excited to share a message for youth ministers and leaders, just like you!

Continue to check back for additional leaders and further information that will be revealed as the planning continues.  And remember, this is a FREE GIFT to you – all you have to do is let us know you plan to come.  Click on “Sign Us Up” so we know you are attending!

Announcing Additional Leaders!

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

We have a few additional leaders for REFUGE 2010 that we want to announce to you.

We are excited to share that Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin will be joining us in Birmingham, AL as they did in 2008!  It was such a wonderful time of worship in the Word and singing together with this team and we anticipate what God has in store this coming September as well.

Additionally, our friend, Gregg Matte, from Houston’s First Baptist Church, will be joining the team of leaders for REFUGE 2010 in Dallas, TX!  With a pastor’s heart, we know that Gregg will be a huge encouragement to the youth ministers and leaders that will be coming.

Continue to check back for additional leaders that will complete our team for REFUGE 2010.  Registration continues to grow daily and we are excited for the many individuals who will be gathering with us in September!  As a reminder, this experience is our FREE GIFT to you.  All you have to do is sign up and let us know you plan to attend.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Introducing REFUGE 2010

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Welcome to REFUGE 2010!  This blog serves as a communication hub for the upcoming REFUGE experiences in Dallas and Birmingham in September 2010.

REFUGE is a worship gathering and “listening to God experience” for Youth Pastors, Youth Workers and spouses. There will be no seminars, no “How To” or idea sessions, and no exhibit hall. REFUGE is more about WHO you’re teaching your students about rather than HOW you’re teaching your students.

David Platt will be challenging us from the Word in both locations and Kristian Stanfill will lead us in worship in both cities as well.  Additional leaders will be announced soon!

This is our FREE GIFT to you!  If you can cover the expenses of travel, lodging and meals, we will cover the cost of the experience.

This year, we will offer REFUGE in 2 different locations for your convenience.  Mark your calendar:

DALLAS: September 13-14, 2010

BIRMINGHAM: September 20-21, 2010

Come and join us this fall for a time of renewal and listening to God speak into your lives.  Bring your spouse; bring your youth workers and those on your team who are helping to serve your students.  Click on the “Sign Us Up” link to secure your space and watch for more specific information as we draw closer to this gathering!  We look forward to having you with us!