Christ Academy 2006 Recap

By Vicar Brandon J. Froiland, Director, Christ Academy 2006

In this its eighth year, Christ Academy-H.S. has grown from 16 men in 1999, to now having over 200 men who have attended the Academy. Men attending in 2006 came from Colorado, Texas, and everywhere in between to study theology, worship at Kramer Chapel, and make new friends.

The students experienced seminary life firsthand. Seminary professors instructed the students in topics such as martyrdom in the early church, the Gospel of St. John, and the history of the LCMS. Their education in the classroom flowed with worship four times a day as part of the seminary community’s prayer life consisting of Matins, morning chapel, Vespers, and Compline.

These men were given the opportunity to participate in worship as the Christ Academy choir sang for morning chapel services. The choir also sang for Sunday worship at historic St. Paul’s Lutheran church in downtown Fort Wayne. Daily trivia questions and instruction helped the students to learn about and appreciate Lutheran hymnody and liturgy.

After intense days of study and worship, the young men took time to unwind in the evenings. A plethora of activities filled the evenings of these two weeks. They played capture the flag, ultimate Frisbee, and participated in a scavenger hunt. Also, the Christ Academy men participated in intramural sports such as soccer, basketball, ping-pong, and foosball.

In addition to the on-campus activities, the participants of Christ Academy spent a day at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. There they had the opportunity to ride some of the most extreme roller coasters in the nation! In Fort Wayne, the students swam at the local YMCA and attended a minor league baseball game. All of these activities allowed the men to form friendships that could last them from high school to college and beyond.

We were pleased to have representatives from the Concordia University System give these young men a look at these unique institutions. Representatives from six Concordia colleges and universities spent time telling the students about the opportunities which await them at their respective schools.

The proctors for the Academy were college students enrolled at Lutheran and state universities. All proctors were graduates of Christ Academy-H.S. Several will begin their seminary education at CTS this fall. They set a positive example by leading the Christ Academy students in scheduled events, in evening dorm groups, and in some classroom settings.

The young men of this year’s Christ Academy have distinguished themselves as quality participants. These students have dedicated two weeks to intense study and worship in exploring the possibility of becoming a pastor. Christ Academy continues to lead dedicated men to enter the ministry. The students of Christ Academy 2006 give certain hope that this legacy shall continue.

The ninth annual Christ Academy is June 17-30, 2007. The cost of $500 covers room, board, and admission to Cedar Point. Each year there is a distinctive set of classes allowing students to attend multiple years and study new topics. Registration will open on January 1, 2007. You can find more information at www.ctsfw.edu, and if you have questions, feel free to send us an e-mail at ChristAcademy@ctsfw.edu.