Amanda Hunter

The team training EOI is a companion session to work with the team building session. The latter focused on finding common ground regarding terminology and how our teams are organized, as well as how team meetings are run. This session built on the work done at first EOI to discuss the importance and purpose of team training. Why do we do what we do? The purpose of team training is to help us understand and...

As the Team Building exchange of ideas (EOI) session opened, it rapidly became apparent that there are probably as many different ways to organize weekend teams and names for team member positions as there are Secretariats in Via de Cristo. The meeting started with a comparison of the various position names used across Via de Cristo, to help compare how each Secretariat develops their teams. The EOI featured a robust discussion of how teams were...

A great spirited discussion was led by President Brian Comeno.  The group discussed asking people to join the weekend and ideas for getting younger people.  There was a great amount of discussion regarding whether or not pilgrims should have their phones.  There was a lot of emphasis put on how music helps the movement!  Concerns were brought forward about changing and adapting with fill in the blank forms, the length of the rollos, and the...

Pastor Ed Thomas, Pastor Conda Lashley, Pastor Jacob Roberts, Vicar Josh Eicholtz, Christian Sharpe, Luke Roberts Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church (SOJ) in NC has been involved with Via de Cristo for over 30 years. Pastor Ed or PE, senior pastor, led the discussion by asking, “What do we want kids to look like?”  Answer: “We want them to be conformed to the WORD, not to the world.” But how do we do this?  Pastor...

Pastor Conda Lashley, Jen Creech Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) has about 30 different fellowships around the nation. North Carolina has a TEC program called Hand in Hand TEC (HIHTEC). TEC is very similar to Via de Cristo. There are the same teams, but for TEC each team is led by a youth with an adult to help as an encourager, safety net, mentor. Where VdC focuses on God’s Grace, TEC focuses on God’s love.  TEC...

Thursday evening the NLS Executive Board members held a Townhall meeting to discuss the state of the movement, and engage in open dialogue with attendees about sustaining and growing the community. Secretariat Representation and Support The representation of secretariats was discussed, noting that out of 37 secretariats, 28 were present at the gathering, with nine absent. Four secretariats are confirmed not to hold weekends in the coming year, and seven more are uncertain. The executive...

Scott Elliott and Sophia Nelson TEC or Teens Encounter Christ is similar to Via de Christo but for youth 13-18. You will learn more about TEC throughout the weekend. Pastor Scott Elliott reminded us that “the gospel is always telling our story.” We just have to study and be open to what it is saying. We have to share the gospel with all. Especially with the young people. They are not the church of the...

Piety Our reunion groups are a place to be comfortable talking about our relationship with Christ. Alexa said, “It’s a place to take off your shoes and be comfortable.” Alexa had a difficult time doing this with God. In her late 20s after making Via de Christo in Western North Carolina, she was diagnosed with endometrial and then thyroid cancer. She had also just ended a relationship. Via de Cristo gave Alexa a new sense...