Welcome to CrossRoad Southern California!
We’re excited to share our first update from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. After months of preparation, participants have officially arrived, settled into their dorms, and begun their CrossRoad journey.
This year, our Southern California participants traveled from 18 states across the country—from Washington to Florida, New Hampshire to New Mexico, and many places in between. Some arrived after long days of travel, and a few even battled flight delays along the way, but everyone made it safely to campus and was ready to get started.
Throughout the day, CrossRoad staff welcomed participants, helped them get settled into their dorms, and introduced them to campus life. Between the palm trees, warm sunshine, and ocean breeze, it didn’t take long for many participants to realize this would be a very different setting than home.
After check-in, participants gathered for dinner, campus tours, and their first round of icebreakers. There was plenty of laughter, a little awkwardness (as expected!), and lots of opportunities to start learning names and making new friends.
The group also gathered for Vespers in what will become our home-away-from-home chapel during the session. It was a peaceful way to begin our time together and center the week on prayer and worship.
Later in the evening, Ana, Louis, and the rest of the CrossRoad staff welcomed the group and introduced them to the journey ahead. Participants learned about the three stages of the CrossRoad experience, each centered around a fundamental question:
Stage 1: Who am I?
Stage 2: Who is God?
Stage 3: Who is my neighbor?
Over the next ten days, participants will explore these questions through lectures, discussions, worship, service, and life together in community.
We’ll continue sharing updates throughout the session, and photos from each day will be posted on our Flickr page. Be sure to check in regularly and follow along with the CrossRoad experience.
Thank you for sharing your students with us. We’re excited to spend the next ten days together and look forward to all that’s ahead.