BY MELISSA BOWEN, HIGHLAND VIEW ACADEMY STUDENT

t’s funny how after four years in academy a lot of things get old. Really old. There comes a time when the cafeteria food starts to taste like mortar, calling your grandmother again and again for another fund-raiser of some sort becomes habitual, and Week of Prayer seems more like a “week of lectures.”

So when Monday night rolled around and Week of Prayer started, I was not looking forward to it. In fact, I loathed the idea. I could think of a million and one other things that I would rather be doing instead of participating. Even my calculus homework seemed more inviting than listening to a sermon for an hour.

I walked into the church with a negative attitude. Although I had heard amazing things about the eXtreme team, I didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt. I was thinking in my head, I’m just going to hear the same stuff I’ve had preached to me for the past four years.

When I peeked into the sanctuary I did a double take. I wasn’t expecting a metamorphosis. The platform was arranged in a homey atmosphere—with rugs and guitars. Special lighting emphasized the words of a Bible verse written on the huge white screen behind the setup. I let my eyes gaze around the room until they rested upon a small group of five people praying. I was surprised—they weren’t decked out in their going-to-church best. They looked down-to-earth, and didn’t seem to be much older than I was. That picture left an impression, and my mind opened to what they were going to share.

I’m so glad I got past my initial opinion. This ministry group whirled onto my campus and fit in as though they’d always been there. I speak for the entire school when I say we quickly came to love [Bryan] Fowler’s crazy, spontaneous antics and [Brian] Yeager’s humorous talks. Elia [King]’s music floated through our heads all day, and at night we ate chocolate with Kindell [Frakes] and Melissa [Barclay].

ALL FOR ONE: YNE invites members of the audience on stage to join them in praising the Lord with the group during a song service at Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Let me tell you—this was not your ordinary Week of Prayer! The eXtreme team kept us entertained, but also involved. They told jokes and Bible stories. Although their ministry was packed with powerful drama, speaking, and music, I think it was the “realness” and the true heart-to-heart stories that really brought the message home. I noticed in the team members a drive—not an emphasis on self or baby-sitting kids with entertainment—to share their stories. Each person had a special facet of life they could relate to, whether it be split up and abusive families, peer pressure, or dating relationships. They understood the complexities of dorm life, and know how hard it is to stay on top of the classwork.

As they ministered to my school, I watched my friends change—hearts that could not have been reached any other way. Including mine. During the week something stirred inside me. I was surprised. I hadn’t expected a metamorphosis.