CrossWalk 2022: The Fab Four, God’s revival, and beginning again
Bible study groups at recreation during CrossWalk 2022
A CrossWalk 2022 snapshot: 242 students (including 33 graduated seniors and 37 juniors) with 26 congregations participating, with 80 chaperones and 20 staff leaders. Attendance was about 350 total. This year there were revelations of firsts: about half of the attendees were first-time campers, CrossWalk took place on a different campus, and we welcomed a new camp pastor. Even I, as a CrossWalk alumna, came to camp with a first: I was a first-time Bible study leader. I attended my last CrossWalk as a graduated senior five years ago and I came back this year to join CrossWalk staff.
A worship gathering during CrossWalk 2022
As a first-time Bible study leader, I asked my students if this was anyone’s first CrossWalk and, to my surprise, only one person raised their hand. I asked if this was anyone’s first in-person CrossWalk and a few hands shot up from students who’ve only attended the virtual camp for the past two years.
I realized early on in the week how curious and excited the students were for camp. Every morning celebration and evening worship consisted of dancing and loud praise. Bible study included equal parts prayer and laughter. Even chaperones eagerly participated in the singing and games throughout the week. Students and leaders alike were hungry for fellowship, spiritual togetherness, and communal joy experienced at CrossWalk that was in deficit for more than two years. Diving into the four gospels was the best way for all of us to be reminded of God’s providence and the fulfillment of His promises for His Kingdom.
The four gospels– or the Fab Four, as we lovingly called them during camp– offered portraits of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and were written to show that Jesus was not only Israel’s Messiah, but the Lord of the world as well. Through Him, everyone is given eternal life with God the Father, whether they be Jew or Gentile.
Through the Fab Four’s accounts, we learned how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. We read stories and parables that reflect Jesus’s identity and nature as fully God and fully man. We learned about Jesus’s crucifixion and what the cross means for us. Whether an attendee was a seasoned follower, new believer, or someone just testing the waters, CrossWalk was a good place to witness and take part in the plans God has for His children.
A student Bible study group at CrossWalk 2022
Throughout the week, everyone I met reminded me of the very people we were learning about. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were most likely young men when they had dropped everything and followed Jesus. The Fab Four would have only been a few years older than me when they had written the gospels. They were believers who followed Jesus, despite being full of questions and uncertainty. Yet, the Fab Four were also full of joy, curiosity, and excitement and the same can be said of the 350 students, chaperones, and staff who entered the campus of Nichols College for CrossWalk 2022.
God made CrossWalk 2022 a year of rebirth and revelation. My hope and prayer, which I offer to be yours as well, is for our students to continually and deliberately seek God in all areas of their lives. For the seeds that God planted in their hearts to grow deeper and wider, with roots planted firmly in the Word and held tightly by the Spirit. Much like the Fab Four were eager to see more people follow Christ as they shared the Good News, I am thankful, delighted, and eager to witness what God will do through this generation.
Mikaela Mari is a worship and youth leader at Word of God Christian Fellowship in Framingham Massachusetts. She has participated as a student and as staff at CrossWalk youth camp, YEC conferences, and Quest program through the Baptist Churches of New England.
