Here are pictures of Refuge at the Camden Diocesan Charismatic Conference - Youth Track in Wildwood, New Jersey (October 1998).
Read the personal reflections on the conference by a member of Refuge.
(Waiting for the pictures to load should provide you with a small opportunity to practice the virtue of patience.)

Lion of Judah Youth Ministry joins Refuge to sing "Light the Fire".  In blue shirts are Lee, Stephanie, Chris and Judy

Lennie looking at Pete as he says "You have got to be kidding if you want me to dance the calypso".

The Lion of Judah Youth Ministry team saying to the Camden Diocese Youth to keep their faith alive as the weekend conference comes to a close.

Future members of Refuge (Joe, Elizabeth, Amy and Joy)

Reflections on a weekend of ministry in Wildwood, NJ, Oct 9-11, 1998

This was our second year supporting the Youth Track at the 10th Annual Camden Diocesan Charismatic Conference held in Wildwood, NJ.  The Lord connected us with the Lion of Judah Youth Group at the Pilgrims of Faith Marian Conference several years ago.  This youth group has a real heart for God and His young people.  They use skits to speak God's word.  The skits often blend a powerful message, youthful acting, sound effects and contemporary Christian music (CCM).  This combination is deadly to the evil one.  The Holy Spirit moves when this ministry performs skits.  Eyes are glued, minds are focused and hearts turn to the Lord.  The opening skit was a real thriller!  White gloves, black lights, music filled the Wildwood Recreation Center as a Mission 3:16 slide show was blasted on the screen.  This skit set the mood for the weekend.  This youth group was on a mission, a 3:16 mission (get it? John 3:16) and they were serious about communicating this message before Sunday was over!  PRAISE GOD!

The Wildwood Recreation Center is nothing but a local gym declared "holy ground" 3 days out of each year.  Acoustics are terrible.  Joe our sound man has nightmares before the conference and really struggles with the mix.  We had feedback all weekend long.  Never really know if this is the evil one trying to put us down.  Next time we will pray as much as we think about how to stop it.

Mike our drummer was not able to make it Friday night due to work commitments. Another bummer.  This was a surprise but did not affect the youths response to our music.  Participation and worship was high Friday night, something we did not experience last year in Wildwood.  THE FLAME OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BEING FANNED!

For me the highpoint on Saturday was being able to sit with hundreds of teenagers in the bleachers when we joined the main conference at Convention Hall for afternoon Mass.  Kids all ages are there and you see everything from teasing to peace, pushing to hugs, playing around to serious worship.  My own daughter, niece and nephew joined me and that made the day!

Sundays closing was a serious call to all the young people to make a decision "NOW" because the time is "NOW".  Lion of Judah youth leaders poured their hearts out to the young and begged them to come to Jesus and join the mission which has only just begun.  It was an emotional ending and everyone joined in to sing "Light the Fire".  This was clearly the theme song for the weekend.  Refuge has now added this conference as a regular to it's list and is bringing it up north.  Thanks be to God!  Looking forward to next year.  This event is growing and has God's annointing! - by Pete Maszczak