Summer Spectacular 2009: iWonder
Many kid's lives were tranformed at Saddleback's
Annual Summer Spectacular!
On the week of July 27-31 we welcomed over 2,700 children to our campus for a week of excitement, learning, and growth. As these kids spent the week learning to trust and rely on God, God exceeded our expectations in changing these kids’ lives in only one short week.
This year's theme was “iWonder…a place where imagination meets truth.” The “iW” clubhouse was a place for the kids to set their fears aside and put their trust in Jesus. TRUST was the focus for the week.
Each day the kids learned about a new letter for the word TRUST, a related Bible story, and they were challenged with a question correlating with the theme:
Monday: “T” for “Trust” – Bible story about Esther and the King
iWonder...What will happen if I stand up for what is right?
Tuesday: “R” for “Rely” – Bible story about Gideon
iWonder...Why doesn’t God just make everything better?
Wednesday: “U” for “Uncover” – Bible story about Josiah
iWonder... What will happen if I discover and obey God’s will?
Thursday: “S” for “Show” – Bible story about Joshua and the Walls of Jericho
iWonder... How will God show me the right way to go?
Friday: “T” for “Trust” – Bible story about the fiery furnace
iWonder... What might happen if I trust God to protect me?
Throughout the week, the kids focused on Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Growing, learning, and engaging
To help generate excitement, The Lads Band, a guys Christian pop/rock group from New Zealand, opened and closed with worship every day, teaching the kids new songs. Throughout the day, the kids enjoyed rotations to theater, snacks, crafts, and games. Theater gave the kids a chance to perform and learn as Pastor Steve taught Bible lessons and shared stories of people from the Bible.
“I love teaching the kids about God and meeting new people,” said Kaitlyn Hoyt, 4th grade student leader and freshman at Dana Hills High School.
Summer Spectacular isn’t Summer Spectacular without an incredible mission project that teaches the children how easy it is to make a difference. This year, the children were challenged to raise money to be used to purchase cows that will feed and nourish families throughout the community of Kibuye in Rwanda. The kids were taught that the cows will also provide much-needed fertilizer, job opportunities, and community development. Many children raised money by organizing their own fundraisers, such as lemonade stands.
“I was amazed that little hands could make a big difference,” said Krista Tiffin, a second grade student. “We pulled together enough change to buy 30 cows for families in Rwanda."
Lives forever changed
Summer Spectacular opened the door to many children who've never been to church before and by the end of the week, 94 kids accepted Christ as their Savior! This incredible, life-changing experience could have never happened without the 1,300 volunteers who dedicated their talents and their time.
"It's so difficult to pick just one moment to highlight this amazing week because there were so many," said an All STARS staff member. "God blessed our children and volunteers tremendously; the whole week was indescribable."