We all desire to experience freedom- whether it is freedom from something in our past or freedom from a hurtful relationship.  At this year’s Fall Retreat we’ll be exploring the freedom that Christ offers us and how it propels us to live joyous lives.  Register here if you are an upperclassmen or register here if you are a freshmen.

Dates – Friday, October 29th – Sunday, October 31.

Location – Army Lake Camp, East Troy, Wisconsin.

Arrival and Departure – Check-in and registration will be from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M on Friday and you’ll be free to leave by noon on Sunday.

Transportation – The camp is about 40 miles from the Antioch stop on the North Central Metra Line.  We will have vehicles pick people up from the 107, which leaves at 3:00 P.M. and the 113, which leaves at 5:00 P.M. Vehicles will also return you to the Metra on Sunday after the retreat.

Drivers should note that the camp is around 100 miles outside of Chicago and should plan on about a three hour drive in Friday traffic.  The drive back on Sunday should only take two hours.  You can go here for driving directions.

Price – The cost of the retreat is $70.  However, there is a $15 discount for freshmen as well as a $10 early registration discount if you register and pay your $25 deposit by October 20th.

Main Speaker – Kevin Butcher, Senior Pastor at Hope Community Church in Detroit, will passionately be teaching us God’s Word.  He’s a graduate of Taylor University and Dallas Theological Seminary.  He’s a frequent conference and retreat speaker including last year’s Chicago Metro Fall Retreat.  You can listen to the talks from that retreat here.

Worship Leader – Andy McKay will join us from Huntington Beach California where he works as an architect and leads worship for his church.  Andy grew up 45 minutes south of Chicago and is always excited to return to the land of his youth.  He has led worship at many CCC conferences and retreats including Indycc and the last two Chicago Metro Fall Retreats.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) If I can’t come to the entire retreat can I come to part of it?  What is the cost if I do that?

Yes, you can come to part of the retreat.  The broken down cost for the retreat is $5 per meeting, $20 per night, and $5 per meal.  If you are not attending the entire retreat the freshmen discount is $10 and the early registration discount is $5.  Your base cost must exceed $45 for discounts to apply.

2) What should I bring to the retreat?

You should bring a sleeping (or equivalent bedding), a pillow,causal clothing, a jacket, any toiletries you need, a towel, a notebook, a pen, a Bible, sports equipment, games, and homework (if you have to).

3) I have children, can they come to the retreat?  Is childcare provided?  At what cost?

We can look into this if there is need.  If this is your situation please email Andy.

4) What is covered in my registration costs?

Your registration covers the entire program, two nights lodging at the camp, all three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.  It does not cover any travel costs (if you are riding with someone you should pitch in for gas).  In the past most students who drove stopped for dinner on the way there and lunch on the way back.

5) I’d love to go on the retreat, but I just don’t have the money to go, is there anything that can be done?

We don’t want finances to be what keeps someone from coming on the retreat.  There is a limited amount of scholarship money available so please talk to your staff person about your situation and it’s likely that we’ll be able to work something out.  If you don’t know who your staff person is then email Andy.

All aboard the Star of Chicago for the social event of the year!  Our annual Boat Cruise is on Sunday, September 26th.  Our two hour cruise includes a D.J. and dancing as well as unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.  The cruise will take us out into Lake Michigan for some incredible views of Chicago’s skyline.  The cost for the evening is $30 per person and you can purchase admission using the link below.

The cruise will leave from the Ogden Slip just west of Navy Pier (see map).  All guests should arrive at 6:20 P.M. for pictures, check in, and boarding.  The ship will return to the dock at 9:00 P.M.  Guests should bring a copy of their email receipt as a proof of admission payment.  Admission payments are non-refundable after September 20th.

Do you want to have an Impact for Jesus Christ on your campus?  What’s stopping you?  Is it fear?  A lack of motivation? A Lack of Training?

We invite you to join others from around Chicago on Saturday September 11, as we talk about what it means to be a multiplying disciple of Christ. We’ll discuss how by walking by faith, communicating our faith, and multiplying our faith we can see our campuses and our world transformed. There will be worship, practical training, and plenty of vision for what God can do.

Coffee and Doughnuts will be provided in the morning as well as lunch.  The event is free of charge.

We’ll get things started at 9:30 A.M. and conclude at 2:30.  There is plenty of parking available at the Chicago Metro Office. You can come via CTA by taking the Green Line to the California Stop. From there you can call our office at 312 850 1540 and we’ll have someone come pick you up from the stop.

Chicago Cru at Bookfield Zoo is an opportunity for alumni and ministry partners to connect with CCC students and staff in the Chicago area.  The event is Saturday,  August 21st.  While you are welcome to arrive at the zoo anytime after 9:30 AM, we will get things kicked off at 11:00 with a buffet lunch that includes burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon and ice cream.  During lunch you’ll be able to hear from students and staff what God has been doing over the summer on various summer missions trips and what they are trusting God for as the school year kicks off.  After lunch you’ll be free to enjoy the zoo and connect with others.  Kids are welcome at the event.  Tickets are now free.  Your ticket includes parking, zoo admission, and the lunch buffet.  If you’d like to come send an email to chicagometro@uscm.org and let us know how many tickets you’d like, the ages of any children you would like tickets for and a mailing address.  If we cannot get your tickets and parking pass to you by Friday then we’ll contact you and let you know a place you can pick them up near the zoo on Saturday morning.  Click here for the Brookfield Zoo website. Click here for directions to the Brookfield Zoo.

The Overflow show is a free 5 minute audio podcast for christians which teach us how to natuarally “overflow” into our non-Christian friends’ lives with the gospel. Each show is different and brings new and helpful ideas. Topics include: how to transition to talking about Jesus; intellectual answers to objections about our faith; and many more. From answering questions, to removing doubts, the Overflow Show seeks to give you confidence and connect you better with non-believers.

Check out the Overflow Today Website

Become a fan of Overflow Today on Facebook

There are two new and exciting opportunities for you to get involved in sharing the love of Christ with the people of Haiti suffering from the damage done by the recent earthquake.

First, this summer there will be three Hope for Haiti Summer Conferences.  Plans have been confirmed for us to send 120-150 students this summer to Haiti on one of three summer conferences. We will partner with Haiti CCC/GAIN USA and other local ministries and churches. CCC Haiti has 35 acres (and acquiring an addition 15) just 12 miles from the city center of Port au Prince. It is located in the area called Chambrun. The government is in the process of relocating 100,000 IDP (Internally Displaced People) within a near distance to this land. On the property there is a girl’s school, orphanage, church and warehouse where GAIN USA had already stored containers and supplies and to where more are being shipped.

Below are the dates of the three conferences.  Our region (The Great Lakes) has been assigned the first conference, however you may apply for one of the other two conferences if the first does not work in your schedule.

May 31-June 22
June 21-July 13
July 12-Aug 2

For more information and to apply go to the Hope for Haiti website.

The second Opportunity is that this coming Fall and Spring we could send “stop out” teams. (Teams of people that will live in Haiti for about 3 months). This could be a great opportunity for Seniors that are willing to spend the first months after graduation to serve and to help prepare for a stint team to arrive in Haiti in 2011. There are some details that are still to be worked out.  The application information will come out soon, but for now please email greatlakessending@uscm.org if you are interested.

This year’s conference is April 9 & 10 at the Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows.  The cost of $25 includes lodging at the hotel Friday night , a buffet breakfast on Saturday morning, and all sessions and materials for the conference.

Parking at the hotel is free.  There will also be a free shuttle provided to and from a Metra stop for those who wish to use public transportation.  The hotel is close to the Streets of Woodfield, Woodfield Mall, Ikea, and lots of other great restaurants and shopping.  You may want to make plans to hang out some on Saturday Night as well.

If you cannot drive to Step Up the best way to get to the hotel is via the Metra.  You’ll want to get on the Union Pacific Northwest line from Ogilvie station and get off at the Arlington Park stop.  From there the hotel shuttle will be able to pick you up and bring you to the hotel.  Registration is between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. so we recommend taking train #647 (leaving Ogilvie at 5:33 and arriving at 6:15), #649 (leaving Olgilvie at 5:47 and arriving at 6:45), or the #653 (leaving Ogilvie at 6:25 and arriving at 7:04).  For more information you can view the Metra Union Pacific Schedule online.  Once you have boarded your train please send Andy a text message (734 306 3597) letting him know which train you are on so that your shuttle can be there to pick you up once you arrive.

Register for Step Up

1) Use the resources on the Big Break website to draft your letter and decide who to send it to.

2) Email the letter to a staff person from your campus for approval.

3) Print the letters and address the envelopes.  Also provide a response card and return envelope for people to mail the checks in with.  Give them to a staff person.  We will pay your postage and mail the letters for you! You must give the letters and envelopes to your staff person at least 3 weeks prior to the day you leave so that there is sufficient time to collect the money (IIT students leaving March 5 must turn in letters by February 19).

4) As the trip approaches follow up your letters with phone calls and collect money.  The total cost you’ll need for the trip is approximately $439  ($269 for the conference, $120 for travel, and $50 for food).  We will subtract whatever comes in from $439 and pay the rest for you up to $100!