TEC is even better with family
By Joel Arnold
This year the Diocese of Wichita is celebrating 40 years of Teens Encounter Christ retreats. Over the years, almost 5,000 individuals have experienced a TEC retreat in El Dorado, Wichita, St. Paul, Chanute, Pittsburg, Hutchinson, St. Mark, and Colwich.
TEC made a big impact on my life as a teen, so I wanted to give back and returned to serve on the retreat several times through my high school, college, and young adult years. Then, busy with taking care of my own children, I took a 10-year break from assisting TEC retreats.
A few years ago, I felt called to return for another TEC and was excited that a nephew and niece would be there for the first time. Afterward, my godson, John Simpson, surprised me by saying he would really like to serve on a TEC with me someday. We looked for a weekend that would work for both of us, and this summer, the stars aligned and we both applied to serve on TEC 174. It was a bonus when my nephew, Benedict Woodburn, was also selected for the team.
It’s better with family
What I discovered was that serving together with my nephews made it one of the best TECs I had ever experienced. Three of my former students were also on the team. It was a great joy seeing firsthand the way that the faith of the kids I cared about had grown and matured as they’ve become adults. As always happens, my hope for the future of our church was renewed as I was inspired by the bold and joyful witness of this next generation and the powerful ways that God is at work in their lives.
There were many family connections among those who attended TEC 174. Over the years, lay director Brian Suellentrop has served on TEC for five of his children as well as serving alongside his wife. “If you have ever experienced TEC you know the beauty of truly encountering Christ in an amazing way,” he said.
Working with the kids
“But to be able to experience that alongside your children takes the experience, the beauty to a whole new level. As a father, there is nothing you want more than to see your children embrace the love Christ has for them. I look forward to next summer when I hope to serve on TEC for my daughter Britta and eventually my three youngest boys. It has become a beautiful bond in our family to have this shared experience of encountering Christ at TEC.”
“Having my dad at my candidate TEC was very meaningful to me,” Brielle, his daughter, said. “With him leading my TEC retreat helped me to fully enter into a deeper connection with him and the Lord.”
Mom and children
Carla Riopel has also served on many TECs over the years, but this was the first time serving with one of her children. “Serving alongside my son allowed me the opportunity to witness his faith and leadership firsthand, to see how his faith had impacted his friends and a chance to get to know his friends and peers on a different level, than just as the mom,” she said.
Her son Dominic added, “It was amazing to serve with my mom on a retreat that both of my parents have loved so much. It gave me a new perspective on how her faith life has been since she became a mom and taught me things I had never known before.”
Perhaps it has been many years since you have served on a TEC. I invite you to consider returning to experience the weekend from a very different perspective. You have much to offer!
There is a great need for adults to give witness to living out the vocation of marriage. TEC moms and dads share a love that helps teens to better understand the maternal love of Mary and the paternal love of the Father.
Our TEC website has added an online searchable database of all the rosters from the 176 TECs our diocese has had so far. It can be viewed at wichitatec.org.