Font Size: A A A

Dozens of youth from nine different churches and communities across Virginia and West Virginia recently took part in Bluefield College's extreme sport and worship weekend, Winter Blast, and as designed the youth had a blast on the ski slopes, rocked out with the bands Wavorly and Abandon, took part in spiritual discourse, learned more about life on the BC campus, and rededicated their life to Christ.

February 5, 2010

But, one teen in particular used the opportunity to do more than just grow spiritually and feed his passion for the outdoors. Chaz Dinkle, a youth minister's son from Oak Grove Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, got engaged -- yes, engaged! -- and he used the visiting band, Wavorly, and BC's Winter Blast staff to pull off the surprise proposal during a concert in front of hundreds of witnesses.

"How cool was that!" said Kris Hardy, BC's Winter Blast organizer. "He and his girlfriend love Wavorly, and their special song is Wavorly's 'Summer Song.' Chaz told me he was thinking about proposing on the slopes, but I told him, if he wanted, I could try to work something out with the band and the worship service. I got it all on video. It was great!"

To get Dinkle and his girlfriend, Erin Elizabeth Adams, on stage for the big moment, BC staffers organized a fake door prize presentation during a break in the concert.

"I was really nervous about doing it on stage," said Dinkle, who set an October 2011 wedding date with his fiancÄ, "but after talking with the band that's what we decided to do. We both had a great time. The speakers and bands were great. It was a truly memorable trip."

In addition to the engagement, the two-day ski adventure worship weekend on the BC campus and on the slopes of nearby Winterplace Ski Resort featured motivational discussions with Christian Chapman, a passionate speaker, full of energy, enthusiasm and an engaging personality, who challenged the youth to "be a bolder witness for Christ."

The contemporary Christian bands Wavorly and Abandon offered concerts and led praise and worship sessions during both days of the event. As a result of the music and the motivation, 47 teens rededicated their lives to Christ.

"When I saw all those hands go up almost immediately during the alter call I realized just how big an event this really was," said Hardy. "It was more than just a ski retreat or a recruiting event; it was a life-changing event for 47 of the students in attendance. I can't wait to see what God has in store for next year."

Winter Blast also included inflatable games, a dodgeball tournament, a pizza party and, of course, eight hours on the slopes for skiing and snowboarding.

"This year, we really focused on creating a quality event, making the weekend as fun and as memorable as possible," added Hardy, "in the hope that churches would return again next year and spread the word about Winter Blast."

Bluefield College's Winter Blast takes place each year on the Saturday and Sunday prior to Martin Luther King Day in January. For more information, visit bluefield.edu/winterblast or e-mail .

Comments: