Graduated? Graduating Soon?
In partnership with Thrive City Church (Las Cruces) we are inviting you to a one-day event to help you as you take the next steps from college into the post-college life. It's a unique season of life and you don't have to navigate it alone. Come spend the day with Andrew Dye and other Challenge alumni for a time of learning, prayer, worship, fellowship, and planning for whatever future seasons the Lord has for you. All graduates from Spring 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 are invited to attend. The $10 admission covers any resources, refreshments and two meals during the retreat.
Who: Spring '25, Fall '25, & Spring '26 graduates
When: Saturday, Feb 21 | 8:30am - 4:00pm
Where: Las Cruces
Cost: $10
Who: Spring '25, Fall '25, & Spring '26 graduates
When: Saturday, Feb 21 | 8:30am - 4:00pm
Where: Las Cruces
Cost: $10
Conference Schedule
8:45am - Check-in and Breakfast (provided)
9:15am - Opening and Introduction
9:30am - Musical Worship (Nate F.)
9:50am - Main Session #1 (Andrew D.)
10:20am - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
10:30am - Breakout Session 1 (Occupational Seasons)
*Participants will have time to attend two 25 minute breakout sessions
11:30am - Lunch
12:45pm - Musical Worship (Nate F.)
1:15pm - Main Session #2 (Andrew D.)
1:45pm - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
2:00pm - Breakout Session 2 (Assorted Topics)
*Participants will have time to attend two 25 minute breakout sessions
3:00pm - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
3:10pm - Closing Session (Micah E)
3:45pm - Wrap-up and Depart
9:15am - Opening and Introduction
9:30am - Musical Worship (Nate F.)
9:50am - Main Session #1 (Andrew D.)
10:20am - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
10:30am - Breakout Session 1 (Occupational Seasons)
*Participants will have time to attend two 25 minute breakout sessions
11:30am - Lunch
12:45pm - Musical Worship (Nate F.)
1:15pm - Main Session #2 (Andrew D.)
1:45pm - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
2:00pm - Breakout Session 2 (Assorted Topics)
*Participants will have time to attend two 25 minute breakout sessions
3:00pm - Break [snacks and refreshments available]
3:10pm - Closing Session (Micah E)
3:45pm - Wrap-up and Depart
Participants will get to attend two breakouts from each session.
Session 1 - Occupational Seasons
Marketplace Realities (Austin and Rachel G.)
So you are going into the workplace full-time? What are some of the hiccups, hang-ups and failures of Christians entering the workforce? What does work/life balance really look like working a 40hr/week job? How do you share the gospel with those in your workplace? This session focuses on realistic expectations for full-time work and how to take advantage of your job for the Kingdom.
Full Time Ministry Realities (Derek M.)
What does full-time ministry really look like? Full time ministry sounds fun, but sometimes it’s not. Dealing with burnout, disappointment, pitfalls, and failed expectations can cause people to feel depressed or even quit early. Healthy expectations are key to entering full-time ministry with joy and perseverance. This session focuses on realistic expectations for full-time ministry and what next steps to take to pursue it.
Missions Realities (Alexander and Lindsay F.)
So you’re interested in overseas missions for a longer term (Journeyman/career)? How do you know if a longer term missions assignment is the calling for you? What can you be doing now to solidify your calling? What are the next steps after college? What do you do while you’re waiting? What are the realities of living overseas? This session will help shape the expectations of what a day in the life of long term missionary looks like and if this is the next step for you.
At Home Realities (Cameron D.)
Do you feel called to be a stay-at-home parent? Does someone you love require caregiving? Do you feel the call of home education for your children? This session focuses on navigating the struggles and value of living life intentionally at home.
So you are going into the workplace full-time? What are some of the hiccups, hang-ups and failures of Christians entering the workforce? What does work/life balance really look like working a 40hr/week job? How do you share the gospel with those in your workplace? This session focuses on realistic expectations for full-time work and how to take advantage of your job for the Kingdom.
Full Time Ministry Realities (Derek M.)
What does full-time ministry really look like? Full time ministry sounds fun, but sometimes it’s not. Dealing with burnout, disappointment, pitfalls, and failed expectations can cause people to feel depressed or even quit early. Healthy expectations are key to entering full-time ministry with joy and perseverance. This session focuses on realistic expectations for full-time ministry and what next steps to take to pursue it.
Missions Realities (Alexander and Lindsay F.)
So you’re interested in overseas missions for a longer term (Journeyman/career)? How do you know if a longer term missions assignment is the calling for you? What can you be doing now to solidify your calling? What are the next steps after college? What do you do while you’re waiting? What are the realities of living overseas? This session will help shape the expectations of what a day in the life of long term missionary looks like and if this is the next step for you.
At Home Realities (Cameron D.)
Do you feel called to be a stay-at-home parent? Does someone you love require caregiving? Do you feel the call of home education for your children? This session focuses on navigating the struggles and value of living life intentionally at home.
Session 2 - Assorted Topics
Family Facts (David and Rachel B.)
From single to married, from childless to parent, from toddlers to teenagers … How do you stay intentional in your Christian life at each stage? How do you have a quiet time with screaming kids? How do you prioritize your relationship with Jesus as your plate gets filled up with more responsibilities? What are the things that you should know before you enter into family life? This session focuses on expectations and potential pitfalls in family life.
Not Better, Not Worse Just... Different (Mason D.)
Once you’ve moved on from your Christian Challenge community and are expressly involved in a local church, what are the best practices for making that transition? The DNA may be unfamiliar, or it may be similar but with different applications. How do you meaningfully integrate into a body that includes young families, retirees, children, people from all walks of life? How can you keep growing in what you learned during college without becoming critical of your church? This session deals with navigating the unfamiliar and how you can thrive in a church that feels a lot different than your experience at Christian Challenge.
Serving in a Local Church (Kaili H.)
Now that church has become your main Christian community, how can you prioritize serving within the context of that local body? What do you need to look for in a church? How can you identify and plug into an area of service? How can you grow and thrive in a church that may not look like what you expected? What are the common misconceptions of church post college? This session focuses on the importance of meaningfully connecting into a local church and how to thrive through being a dependable member there.
From single to married, from childless to parent, from toddlers to teenagers … How do you stay intentional in your Christian life at each stage? How do you have a quiet time with screaming kids? How do you prioritize your relationship with Jesus as your plate gets filled up with more responsibilities? What are the things that you should know before you enter into family life? This session focuses on expectations and potential pitfalls in family life.
Not Better, Not Worse Just... Different (Mason D.)
Once you’ve moved on from your Christian Challenge community and are expressly involved in a local church, what are the best practices for making that transition? The DNA may be unfamiliar, or it may be similar but with different applications. How do you meaningfully integrate into a body that includes young families, retirees, children, people from all walks of life? How can you keep growing in what you learned during college without becoming critical of your church? This session deals with navigating the unfamiliar and how you can thrive in a church that feels a lot different than your experience at Christian Challenge.
Serving in a Local Church (Kaili H.)
Now that church has become your main Christian community, how can you prioritize serving within the context of that local body? What do you need to look for in a church? How can you identify and plug into an area of service? How can you grow and thrive in a church that may not look like what you expected? What are the common misconceptions of church post college? This session focuses on the importance of meaningfully connecting into a local church and how to thrive through being a dependable member there.