April 24, 2012
For Immediate Release
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| A group of Acteens worship at Exalt, a conference for teen girls sponsored by Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union held at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Matthew Schmuck) |
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant, and Matthew Schmuck, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University recently converged with the Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) to host Exalt 2012, a Christian weekend retreat for teenage girls. Exalt is a described in the program as, “…a fun filled weekend that will challenge you to grow as a Christian.”
Exalt is sponsored by WMU and made possible by Kentucky Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions.
“I hope that through holding events at our Baptist colleges, that Kentucky WMU can affirm the importance of our Kentucky Baptist colleges and universities,” Joy Bolton, executive director of Kentucky WMU, said. “We appreciate the Christian education that our schools provide and recognize the important role of our schools in training the leaders of the future, both for our communities and for our churches, including WMU.
“I also hope that by holding events on the campuses, that students who help us will see the work of WMU,” Bolton said.
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| Kristen Large, a sophomore of Lewisburg, Ky., talks in a session about her mission trip to Haiti. Large will also travel to Africa for a mission trip with Campbellsville University students in May. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern) |
The theme “Blank Canvas” was chosen for Exalt 2012 because when a person comes to know Jesus, they become blank, clean and new in Him, according to WMU.
“Young women and their leaders from all across our state come together for a celebration, to make friends, renew acquaintances, study God’s word, sing praises to His name and hear a gifted and challenging speaker,” said WMU President Linda Cooper. “It was a great weekend and our prayer is that young girls’ lives were truly changed.”
The featured speaker over the weekend was Kristi McCartney, a native of Louisville. She used the scripture to show Exalt 2012 attendees how God gives Christians a new Heart, a new Identity and a new Mission (HIM).
Exalt 2012 worship over the weekend was led by Bo Warren, of Lexington. Warren travels all over the country leading worship and sharing the message of Jesus Christ. This was his third year leading worship at Exalt.
A total of 13 seminars focusing on missions and spreading the Gospel were offered at Exalt 2012 on the campus of Campbellsville University.
Exalt is held each year, rotating in different parts of the state. Bolton said, “For events for youth, we feel that it is an advantage for the college or university to host us as we are bringing potential students to the campus. It is our hope that some who attend the event will decide to attend college at the school.”
Exalt 2012 was held in conjunction with a similar weekend event for teenage boys, “4-Go” at Campbellsville Baptist Church. The young men did construction work building a handicapped ramp for a home in the local Campbellsville community, and served at the local food pantry.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.