Are You Equipped?

May 12th, 2023

Hello everyone! It's Alyssa Glander and today, and I'm excited to peel back the curtain and get real with all of you about something very close to my heart. EQUIP RETREAT!!!

Our Equip Retreats are just around the corner! For those of you who don't already know, “The EQUIP RETREAT is an annual apologetics-based retreat held across the country at different locations. The retreat is designed to teach young people to own, share, and defend their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” You can read more about it HERE!

Today I wanted to share a bit of my testimony as an Equip Retreat Alumni! I first attended Equip when I was 16—more than 10 years ago. I was weak in my faith and, if I'm being totally transparent, I followed a boy to camp. With little to no interest in growing my faith or learning how to defend it, I just wanted to have fun with my friends and impress my boyfriend at the time. I remember arriving my first day at Equip—it was my first camp experience ever, so I was a tad bit overwhelmed! In fact, I didn’t think I was going to get to go to camp that year because I knew my family just couldn't afford it.

As I looked around, I could tell some of my peers had frequented Christian camps before and were already settling in and becoming comfortable with their surroundings. So already, I was feeling a little displaced. I awkwardly unpacked my things in the cabin and made my way toward the sanctuary where we were to have our first session.

Even though I had been introduced to apologetics briefly before attending camp, it was never a primary focus in the church that I was attending. The speaker line-up for my first year at camp have remained constants in my life as inspiration to dig deeper and truly seek truth. I remember Carl Kerby showcasing a DeBunked Video and also telling me that “The Missing Link is still Missing!”

I remember Dave Glander showing evidence of intentional design and explaining how random chance couldn't have brought us to where we are. I also remember Juan Valdes and Jason Jimenez breaking into God’s Word with a ferocity and passion that I had not seen in my regular church. And I remember Steve Carroll explaining how we can find dinosaurs in the Bible (and maybe even dragons, too!).

But most importantly, I remember being absolutely floored that I had gone this long without being introduced to what seemed to be vital information. I would be lying if I said I retained even HALF of what was taught that week, but I will say that by the second day at camp, I was prepared to come back to the following year to learn more.

And so I did.

I continually came back to the Equip Retreat year after year. I watched my faith and the faith of others grow exponentially. I learned the power of community and service. I learned to distinguish between emotionalism and the true moving of the Holy Spirit. I learned that not all Christians are stupid or mean, and not all churches harbor hate.

I continually came back to the Equip Retreat year after year. I watched my faith and the faith of others grow exponentially.

Equip inspired me to step into my calling as a speaker over youth, a worship leader, and a friend in Christ to those who need it. I am now 27 years old, and I have served as a leader at the Equip Retreats for the last 6 years (6 camps) I serve proudly with my now father-in-law, Dave Glander, my husband, Marc Glander, and with my Boss/Head Honcho, Carl Kerby. To say God brought me full-circle in service and family is an understatement.

I have been sewn into the lives of those who God used to change mine at such a young age, and now sowing boldness and biblical truth into these upcoming generations has become the biggest honor of my life. I am beyond excited for what God is going to do at the camps this year.

Now, here’s the kicker: I wouldn't have been able to go to Equip that very first year if it weren't for other Christian people fundraising on my behalf. As I had mentioned earlier, my family couldn't afford to send my siblings and I to Equip on their own dime. Sending one teen—let alone three—is a huge financial undertaking for A LOT of families, but the importance of what is gained while at camp is priceless.

If it weren't for someone donating on my behalf, I wouldn't have had that life-changing experience. I believe attending Equip was one of the HUGE catalysts that kept me in the church and led me into the Lord’s service.

If it weren't for someone donating on my behalf, I wouldn't have had that life-changing experience.

I humbly ask you to consider sponsoring a youth’s spot for these camps. I ask that, if you feel called, you would donate towards something that I believe is an AMAZING ministry. God uses Equip to change people, and I am living proof of that.

If you are unable to give financially at this time, please consider donating any of the following supplies: deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, shampoo/soap, or feminine products for the students. Despite their parents' best efforts, youth tend to be forgetful when packing for a week away from home, and we want to ensure that they are covered in every area! (Especially the armpits—I don't know if y'all know this, but teens smell awful when they've been playing outside for a couple of hours! )

For physical supplies or donations, please email me at AlyssaGlander@rforh.com.
For financial donations toward either cause (donation for sponsor * or for student supplies), please go to https://cash.app/$rforh.
(Please be sure to label your donation “Equip Retreat Student Sponsor” or “Equip Retreat Student Supplies.”)

*Cost of camp:
$375 (Includes all meals, lodging, curriculum workbooks, and a souvenir T-shirt)

Register and reserve your teen's spot for any of our camps by clicking HERE before they fill up!

Author Bio:
My name is Alyssa Glander! I have been walking with the Lord since I was about 17, and He has shouldered me all the way!! I am a content and social media manager at Reasons For Hope and the youngest member of the team! I've been happily married to my amazing husband Marc for about four years now, and we reside in Georgia with our certifiably insane (but sweet) Boston Terrier, Axel!