Two-hundred-eighty single adults and young adults converged on Carnival’s ship “Imagination” September 24-29, 2007 for a national cruise.
People from at least 25 states and 4 countries came to experience fun in the sun, 5-star food, new friends, great activities, dynamic prayer and worship, and a great time! This was the first joint effort by the Church of God and the Assemblies of God to plan and host a national cruise for single adults and young adults.
Daniel Vassell, director of Single Adult Ministries for the Church of God, and Dennis Franck, director of Single Adult/Young Adult Ministries for the Assemblies of God, along with a list of volunteer staff, joined their hearts and hands to make this cruise a reality. It was the perfect vacation, and well worth it! All costs were included in this exceptional, fun vacation of a lifetime. For many, it was their first-ever cruise.
Highlights of the cruise included:
* 5 star food – 3 sit down meals and 3 buffets per day, plus a midnight buffet 2 nights
* Exciting praise and worship with Roger and Sam Grandison from England
* The opportunity to make new friends
* Visiting three exciting ports – Grand Turk Island, Half Moon Cay and Nassau Bahamas * The ability to set our own schedule from early morning until late night
* Great teaching and discussion in the two classes offered – Daniel Vassell’s class “Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Relationships” and Dennis Franck’s class “Living Pure in an Impure World”
One Carnival passenger stated to a group of single adults/young adults that she didn’t think Christians went on cruises because they’re advertised as fun ships. One of the single adults replied, “Jesus was known to get on boats quite a bit in His day. He wasn’t shy to be around people having a good time.”
It was interesting to see the reactions of those outside the room where the single adults met, listening to the praises of God being offered on the fun ship! God’s presence just cannot be contained in a room.
Many opportunities for ministry were revealed. Even during a scavenger hunt, single adults and young adults mingled with some of the other 2,100 passengers and led them in songs, such as Jesus Loves Me. Joyce from Jacksonville, Florida testified that she had witnessed to several passengers on board and Barbara from Miami prayed a watch salesman through to salvation.
– Susie Battle, Cleveland, TN
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The cruise provided an awesome opportunity to fulfill the 3(r)’s – relax, refresh and relate. Kudos to the organizers who made sure we had a plethora of opportunities to have fun and fellowship while glorifying God aboard the fun ships of Carnival Cruise Lines.
It was an amazing, enchanting feeling to watch the sunrise and sunset. We enjoyed the sea to shining sea experience. We also enjoyed being waited on in the formal dining room, eating scrumptious foods and desserts. We had our beds made and turned down nightly, complete with chocolate kisses.
How do you adequately explain the worship service, the prayer meeting, a concert, a workshop on board – “Sex and the Single Adult” – the beauty of the ocean, the blue/green waters and the sandy beaches, or the fact that you can shop until you drop on the high sea or at the different ports of call? You can’t! You just had to be there. So make your plans now! Pack your bags for the next cruise… ready, set, go!
– Ruthlyn Webster, Miami, FL
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The single adult/young adult cruise was a wonderful getaway for single adults and young adults from all across the globe. The food for our bodies was a delight, but it could not be compared to the food we received for our souls. The fellowship, the time spent at the various ports and the praise and worship were amazing. You need to make plans to come with us next year. You will be blessed!
– Sonia Stone, New York, NY
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Going on the single adult/young adult cruise was one of the best things I have ever done. Life can have a way of just wearing us down and I was at that point. I had been getting sick a couple of weeks before and when I left for the cruise on Friday night, I was burning up with fever, coughing and achy all over. I wasn’t sure going sick was the best idea, but I knew I would always regret missing out on the experience God was providing for me in the upcoming week. Through His grace, everything fell into place just as I knew it would; by departure I was better. Not being a wealthy person, this is one of the few vacations I’ve ever taken. I felt pampered, appreciated and supported by other single adults like myself whom I met. They were the nicest people I could have ever hoped to meet; I especially enjoyed seeing their enthusiasm for Jesus. The music, teachings and fellowship far surpassed anything I experienced on the cruise, which is saying a lot; the cruise was one of the best times I’ve ever had. I actually feel that I’ve grown as a person from the experience due to seeing more of the world and seeing the wonderfully blessed people God has planted out there to shine His light.
– Sheila Schembri, Springfield, MO
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Other combined events are being planned for the future. Watch for details on the web sites, www.singlesource.cc and www.singles.ag.org.