This year, students at Rio Lindo Academy wanted something different for their student week of prayer, something beyond special; they wanted something life-changing. The spiritual life committee at Rio, which is chaired by the campus pastor and the two student association spiritual vice presidents, consists of 12 student members.

As they met in the weeks leading up to the March 2007 week of prayer, they began to pray and discuss what God might want them to do. They finally came up with the theme for the week: POWER — Prayer, Outreach, Worship, Effort and Revive.

The committee wanted to express throughout the week how students can bring power into their personal spiritual lives. They decided that instead of only talking about the power of outreach, they should actually do outreach, and experience the power firsthand. The organizers got permission from the principal to have a half-day of classes and have the rest of Tuesday for outreach and service in the community.

There were many outreach options for the students, including a free carwash, several mini home and yard makeovers, and the Santa Rosa soup kitchen/homeless shelter. Others participated in a prayer ministry in the downtown Santa Rosa area. There were also two Random Acts of Kindness groups that spent $5 on random people they found in the local mall. Another group prepared and served lunches to homeless people. A group of girls went to the Healdsburg Convalescent Hospital to give manicures. Every group handed out cards that read, "Remember, God loves you!"

"My favorite outreach activity was the Random Acts of Kindness in the mall," said one student. "It was fun to go to the mall and do something for someone I didn't know and make them smile."

"It was fun praying with random people in the downtown area of Santa Rosa," said another student. "It was kind of scary at first, but then it got fun as people shared with us stuff to pray for."

Students saw that service and outreach can be life-changing, fulfilling and fun.