OBSESSED WITH THE ONE
Staff Advance is the hub for the future of Highland Park Church. An opportunity to collaborate with other key leaders to plan the steps and set the pace for who we're becoming. As we reflect on all that God has already done in 2023, we need your voice in the room as we look ahead to 2024.
FRIDAY, NOV 3
9:00AM - 9:45AM
CHECK-IN / BUNK HOUSE
​
Welcome to Staff Advance! After our Parking Team helps you find a spot, look for the "WELCOME" flags at our check-in tables stationed at the bunkhouse. Stop by to grab your name tag and swag bag before heading inside to find your bunk. *Insider tip: Arrive at 9:00AM so that you can have extra time to join the fun and festivities in the main courtyard before the first session.
​
10:00AM - 11:30AM
SESSION 1 / CONFERENCE CENTER
12:00PM - 1:00PM
LUNCH / CAFETERIA
Menu: Ground beef tacos with tortilla shells and toppings, black beans and yellow rice, chocolate chip cookie
​
1:00PM - 2:30PM
LISTENING EVENT / GYMNASIUM & CONFERENCE CENTER
​
During this small group session, we will listen to gather feedback from YOU as we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Highland Park in 2023 and the future opportunities in 2024. Groups will be made up of leaders from a variety of ministries and will be assigned based on your lanyard color.
​
2:30PM - 4:00PM
"CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE" / VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Ready for some free time? Hang out and enjoy spikeball, basketball, sand volleyball, pool time, bingo, tennis, fishing, a cornhole tournament, and more. Grab a book for some quiet time or your own fishing rod, pool towel, or tennis racket if you'd like.
​
4:15PM - 5:15PM
MINISTRY BREAKOUT SESSIONS / GYMNASIUM & CONFERENCE CENTER
​
During this breakout session, we will split into ministry-specific small groups. You will spend time with other team leads who serve in your same area of ministry at Highland Park. Serve in multiple areas? The choice is yours!
5:30PM - 6:15PM
DINNER / CAFETERIA
​
Menu: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, red velvet cake
6:30PM - 8:00 PM
SESSION 2 / CONFERENCE CENTER
8:00PM - 10:00 PM
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, PARTY! / PAVILION
​
Come ready to PARTY as we celebrate where God is leading us in 2024. Nachos and s'mores will be waiting for you!
​
11:00 PM
GET THAT REST! / BUNK HOUSE
​
Day 1...incredible! Get that rest and come prepared for even more on Day 2!
SATURDAY, NOV 4
7:30AM - 8:00AM
PERSONAL DEVO TIME
​
Grab your Bible and find somewhere on campus for some alone time with Jesus before we start the day.
​
8:00AM - 9:00AM
BREAKFAST / CAFETERIA
​
Menu: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Biscuit, Grits
​
​
9:00AM - 10:30AM
"WHAT ONE THING...?" / GYMNASIUM & CONFERENCE CENTER
During this small group session, we will discuss the question: "What one thing, if significantly improved, would have the greatest impact on our vision and culture?" Groups will be made up of leaders from a variety of ministries and will be assigned based on your lanyard color.
​
10:30AM - 12:00PM
SESSION 3 – CONFERENCE CENTER
​
​
MAPS & LOCATIONS
FAQ'S
Where is Staff Advance being held?
Masterpiece Gardens Campground
3900 Great Masterpiece Road
Lake Wales, FL 33898
(No smoking is permitted on the campground)
From Highland Park, it is approximately a 45 minute drive.
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/UHNG9YCGrCHU4MXBA
What should I bring? What should I wear?
-
Dress is casual
-
Regular twin bed sheets or sleeping bag, blanket, pillow; anything to make your bunk bed comfy (egg crate/mattress cover)
-
Jacket/Sweatshirt
-
Umbrella/Rain Jacket
-
Bible, notebook, pen
-
Towels, Shower Shoes
-
Toiletries, Medicine
-
Pajamas
-
Bathing suit, sunscreen, pool towel
-
Bug spray
-
Fishing Pole/Tackle
​
Will there be any free time?
Staff Advance is structured like a conference. There will be some free time and some fun activities where you can hang out with friends.
Are meals provided?
Yes, meals are provided in the Dining Hall and we will have some snacks/drinks. If you have dietary restrictions, you can bring food to supplement the meals. If you have a favorite snack, please feel free to bring some to share!
HIGHLAND PARK VISION
We seek to reshape the perception of the Church's relevance by becoming the first place people look to for identity, community, and help. We will be a church that is "obsessed with the one", focused on reaching those who are doubting, done with religion, and disengaged from faith; a church that feels such urgency to share the good news of Jesus and help others claim their divine purpose that our comfort no longer factors into the equation.
The life of our church is the activated faith of every individual. We will always call people to a step forward toward Jesus, believing that everyone has gifting and calling upon their life, regardless of their current starting point. We seek to connect people to the bigger thing that God is doing by leading them from serving while being discipled, to discipling while serving. We will build a foundation of faith through Scripture that people can always rely upon, a springboard for their future calling.
Our call is to transform our community, building the leaders and shaping the systems so that our community would look more like God's kingdom than it does today. Our commitment is to engage 1% of Lakeland in active ministry and to celebrate the baptism of 3,571 people before 2030. While we begin in our neighborhoods, we will not allow our current address to define our future footprint but will expand in our influence and ethnic diversity. We seek to continuously make a greater impact through helping other churches, deploying leaders, expanding online, and planting campuses.
This is Church: grace that is not devoid of truth. This is Church: an intergenerational community that swims against the current of prolonged adolescence. This is Church: a people humbled so that we will love as God loves. This is Church: so healthy that the gospel is irresistible. We are not a cruise ship, but a battleship. We are the Church.