LIFT 2026
Coram Deo Students
LIFT 2026
February 13–15, 2026
Event Information
Who:
Junior High & High School Students (6th–12th Grade)
What:
LIFT is an overnight weekend retreat without leaving town! This is a weekend for students to get away from the busyness of life to have fun, be challenged, connect with others, and deepen their relationship with Jesus.
When:
Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15, 2026
Where:
Coram Deo Bible Church
Registration Information
Cost: $85 per student
Shirt Deadline: Register by January 21 to guarantee your requested sweatshirt size!
Registration Ends: February 1
Cost includes meals, activities, sweatshirt, and more.
We do not pro-rate. Refunds are not available.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is given on a first come, first served basis. Complete and return the form below to the church office, or email Amber Hansen at amberh@cdbible.org.
Event Schedule
Friday:
- 6:30pm – Check-in
- 7:00pm – Session 1
- 9:30pm – Host Homes
Saturday:
- 9:30am – Session 2
- 12:15pm – Afternoon Activity
- 6:00pm – Session 3
- 8:30pm – Host Homes
Sunday:
- 10:30am – Sunday Worship Service
Meet the Speaker
Ryan Hamby
Santa Barbara Church Planter, Veritas Church
Ryan Hamby is a Church Planting Pastor being sent from Veritas Church in Iowa City, where he has spent the last 13 years. He, his wife, Elly, and their new son, Bodie, will be leading a small group of friends out to Santa Barbara, California, to see what God could do through some average people who love Jesus. Ryan is a graduate from Bettendorf High School and actually attended this same retreat when he was a teenager, which God used in cool ways to grow his faith! Ryan claims to be bald by choice, used to be kind of athletic, loves spending time staring at his wife and son, and is convinced he has the best friends in the world.
Workshops
"Why Worry: Fighting Fear with Faith" – Eric Aho
We’ve all had the feeling of worry overwhelm us at one point or another. Our hearts start to race; our palms get sweaty. We wonder, "What if?” What if I fail? What if they hate me? We imagine the worst-case scenario and are paralyzed in fear or we try to do anything we can to avoid what we fear. In reality, God has a different plan for our lives and how we are to handle this fear. In this workshop, we'll learn how to battle worry with faith.
"The Truth About Spiritual Warfare" – Erin Jewell
The Christian life is not to be lived in fear, but in a foundational confidence in God and His Word. This workshop will aim to equip you with a clear, biblical understanding of spiritual warfare, moving beyond sensationalism and "demons." We will break down the truths about spiritual warfare to help you recognize the enemy's patterns so you can respond with wisdom, discernment, and Spirit-empowered strength. Ultimately, we will recognize that our battle is fought and won by trusting God's sovereignty and the finished work of the cross.
"Devoted" – Jesse Slinkman
Did you know that the Bible tells us what it means to be a devoted Christian? Do you want to know how to be devoted to Christ? Focused on Acts 2:42, this workshop will provide you with the Christian essentials that the early church was committed to and how you can incorporate them into your life!
"Real Talk on Real Friendship" – Sylvia Zuiderveen & Becky Willey
If you find yourself wondering if life-giving, drama-free, God-honoring friendship is actually possible, this workshop is for you! Come be encouraged as we find out how to build and grow friendships with deep connections where we encourage and build each other up!
Interested in Volunteering at LIFT?
Adults, are you interested in volunteering during LIFT weekend as a Check-in Volunteer, Host Home, Meal/Snack Provider, or Transportation? Click the button below to complete our volunteer sign-up! Descriptions of each role are provided below. Volunteer assignments will be sent out on February 3.
Host Homes
This is a core need for LIFT weekend! As events occur at the church all weekend, Host Homes are where student small groups will spend the night on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Host Home volunteers open up their homes to one of our Junior High or High School small groups and give them a place to sleep and simply be together. This is typically done "slumber party" style, as students bring their own bedding and pillows. Host Homes typically have a larger room where the group can spend the night together talking, laughing, and of course – sleeping. Every small group consists of at least 1 adult leader, and anywhere from 5–15 students (groups vary in size). Many leaders host their own small group, which we try to give priority to. Some parents may also desire to host their own student's group. There is no need for the Host Homes to "entertain" the small group, though they may interact with the group, if desired and if appropriate.
Meal Providers
These volunteers are tasked with bringing light meals, snacks, and/or breakfast foods to an assigned Host Home/small group for LIFT weekend. We typically try to have anywhere from 1–3 meal providers per group, depending on the group size. Once we finalize our list of potential host homes and meal providers, you will be notified as to which small group/host home you will be working with on LIFT weekend (as well as other meal providers, if applicable). From there, you can work with your assigned Host Home or small group leaders to decide on the best way to deliver the food to the students. We have seen Meal Providers drop off food at the Host Home the day before, some prefer to drop it off the day of, while others drop it off with the Student Ministry staff at the church and the Host Home or small group leader picks it up themselves. All options are open to help make this position seamless and smooth. Over-communication is key!
Transportation
Though we try to have 2 leaders with every Junior High or High School small group during the overnight portion, there are some groups who only have 1 adult leader who is available to attend LIFT. On other occasions, some small groups may have 2 adult leaders, but also have almost 20 students! While that is certainly a blessing, that does also create an issue when our leaders try to transport their students between the church and their assigned Host Home, and their cars don't have enough space. That said, our transportation volunteers are adults in the church who simply offer to drive and serve as a shuttle for a small group who may need some extra vehicle seats. You would be assigned to only one small group for the entire weekend and would be working alongside the small group leader(s) to ensure students are safely transported Friday night, Saturday morning and night, and Sunday morning.