Fan into Flame the Gift of God

The continuing gift of the Rutgers' and Seton Hall campus ministry retreats

Many of us are familiar with a Fan into Flame retreat—a weekend-long retreat on the Holy Spirit, culminating in a powerful moment where all those present are invited to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. For years, SPO has been able to offer this weekend experience as a cornerstone of our community, and it never disappoints! The Lord is always at work, renewing hearts and bringing freedom to all.

This year, Seton Hall University and Rutgers University teamed up for the third year in a row to offer Fan into Flame 2025—SHURU FIF 25, as we like to call it. Around 160 college students, along with dozens of staff and volunteers, attended the Spirit-filled weekend. The participants were mostly college students from RU and SHU, with several others from different colleges—all through student invitations. Many of the students grew up with a Christian faith and background, and a few of them grew up in the People of Hope (POH), including the Rutgers student retreat director, Elena Allen.

The theme of FIF is about an encounter with the Holy Spirit, with this year's sub-theme being ‘Wellspring of Hope’—drawing from Isaiah 43:19. The word HOPE echoed throughout the weekend, with many students sharing their experiences with immense joy and wonder. The fruit is evident—God’s faithfulness is clear! From multiple students choosing to apply to be full-time SPO missionaries to powerful first-time confessions, Jesus became Lord of their lives—whether for the first time or as a renewal of faith.

As a quick summary, I’d like to share a few stories from students:

• One student shared how they received a ‘life-changing’ word while being prayed with—a word that gave them peace and new hope for their next year of life.

• Another student couldn’t explain why they felt so much joy after the retreat—they just can’t stop rejoicing!

• Another student was freed from the chains of sin, receiving an image of themselves ‘breaking free’ from the binding chains of sin.

• Another student received an image of God inviting them to bring the love of Jesus to their peers—touching hearts and spreading His love and joy.

• And lastly, so many students discovered the gift of wholehearted worship—what it means and feels like to worship the Lord without reservation, expressing their praise with their voices, their imagination, and their whole being.

Thank you to all who helped and assisted in any way! Your donations, presence, and prayers helped ignite the flame of the Holy Spirit in so many sons and daughters of the Lord!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:6-7

- Manny Sanchez

This article is the continuation of a bulletin series which seeks to highlight the many ministries and communities around the world which we are blessed to call friends. Please continue to keep Rutgers and Seton Hall campus ministries of St Paul's Outreach (SPO) and the Brotherhood of Hope in your prayers!