+ Our history

In 2005, God began to put the desire in Pastor Dale and some of the Church staff to offer an opportunity for high school graduates to deepen their relationship with God as well as learn more about Church life and ministry.

Pastor Justin, together with his soon-to-be wife, Jessica, began putting together ideas and plans, praying that God would establish His will and that it would be used for His glory. Through this, theDeluge was formed. The name “theDeluge” was chosen to signify what these summers would be like for those who participated. A “deluge” is “a severe or great flood; a great quantity of something arriving at the same time.” The vision was that those who participated would be inundated with a new level of God’s presence, a deeper understanding of His love, experiences that would teach life-long lessons, and ultimately a summer full of God doing a flood of new things in their lives!

TheDeluge was launched in the summer of 2006. In 2007, we added a 2nd year track. In the summer of 2008, Brent Homcy and Rachael McAuliff began to oversee the program (both had participated in the 2006 and 2007 summers) and have supervised the past two years.

We are thrilled to see the vision that was placed in our hearts back in 2005 become a reality! There’s no greater joy than to see young adults become rooted in Christ.

For God’s glory,

-theDeluge Staff

+ Who We Are

"A summer that prepares students for a life rooted in Christ AND HIS CHURCH."

If you are between the ages of 18-24, you are in the midst of the most critical season of your life! Your current experiences and decisions will help to establish the course of your future.

This is where theDeluge comes in. A summer experience where Christ is the center of everything will help to propel you into the future God has planned for you. Regardless of future location, vocation or aspirations, God wants all of you! This summer experience will impact your whole life and help you to love God with all your heart, soul and mind.

We seek to provide unique environments where participants cultivate a relationship with God, explore their faith through group and individual discipleship, community outreaches, summer projects, and so much more. We challenge you to give God an entire summer and see what He does with it. You won’t be disappointed!

But don't just take our word for it! Here are some thoughts from those that have been a part of theDeluge in the past:

The outreaches we went on helped me to realize how blessed I am with the little things I take for granted. TheDeluge Internship taught me that Jesus loves the less fortunate just as much as He loves me, he loves us all the same. Each time we would go out into the community, I would go back to Matthew 25 where Jesus talks about serving the least of these. (Monica, summer `07-`08)

My second year of theDeluge internship was the most formative summer of my life. As I began to make my faith my own, I was challenged in practical ways: time management, leadership, ability to handle stress and balance tasks, all the while building a foundation for my life upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. (Brent, summer `06-`07)

During the Deluge, I was strengthened through our classes ... I learned how very important the power of the Holy Spirit is ... I learned how the Bible can be fun and enjoyable! The books that I got from theDeluge were nothing less than a blessing. (Jordan, summer `09)

The Deluge allowed me to experience God on a whole new level. It was amazing being able to see how real God is and how much He wants to reveal Himself to us. I grew closer to people that are serious about God. It allowed me to create friendships with people that have helped me and encouraged me in my walk with God. Some of these people have become my best friends. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. (Thiago, summer `08-`09)

God used the Deluge as a beautiful tool to rescue me from the life I was living. He cleaned and restored my heart. I discovered the dreams, gifts, and talents the Lord planted inside of me, which redirected the entire course of my life. It was an amazing, life-changing internship! (Stacie, summer `07-`08)

+ Core values

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative source of Christian faith and practice. The Bible is a supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason.(II Timothy 3:16, 17)

The Nature of God

We believe that there is one God, eternally present in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16, 17; John 1:1-4)

The Sinfulness of Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but as a result of sin is lost and powerless to save himself. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 6:23)

Redemption Through Christ

We believe that the only hope for man is to believe on Jesus Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, fully God, fully man. Through faith in Christ’s life, death and resurrection, mankind is redeemed. (Romans 10:9, 10, 13; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:1-10)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone. No amount of good works will produce justification before God. We further believe that the manifestation of grace and faith is a holy life expressed through righteous works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, and through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered for Christian service and gifted for this service. An evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives the utterance. The Holy Spirit also enables believers to live a Christ-like life exhibiting Godly character. (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 8:17, 10:44-46, 19:6; Galatians 5:22-23; I Corinthians 12)

Eternal Life

We believe that eternal life in heaven is the reward of all who believe and receive Christ as their Lord . According to the Scriptures, "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).

The Body of Christ

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, both universal and local, and is composed of individuals who, through faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christ Jesus is the Head and Lord of the Church. The mission of the Church is worship, evangelism, discipleship and the nurturing and care of one another. (Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:19-22)

The Return of Christ

We believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the consummation of the Kingdom of God and the restoration of everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. (Matthew 24:42-44; Acts 1:11, 3:19-21; Revelation 11:15)

Core Values:

We commit ourselves to exemplify and promote the following values as a church:
The reliability and power of the Bible, God’s Holy Word.
The good news of redemption and restoration in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
The necessity of the fresh life of the Holy Spirit in ministry and worship.
The importance of the local church in the work and advancement of the kingdom of God.
The strengthening of marriage and family relationships.
Possessing the spirit of grace and demonstrating attitudes of graciousness in our church family and to our community.
Generosity and biblical stewardship with our resources.
Harmony and stability in church and family life.
Servant-heartedness in spirit and action.
The pursuit of personal holiness, integrity and Christ-like -character.
Excellence in all that is done in service for Christ and His church.
Practicality in the presentation of God’s Word.
The expression of love, friendliness and warmth in the work and worship of the church.

+ Honor Code

theDeluge Internship Honor Code:

Those participating in theDeluge are expected to hold themselves to a higher moral standard of living. The following basic guidelines will provide a framework for growth, allowing participants to focus all of their attention on God during theDeluge.

1) Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life.

2) Committed to developing a relationship with God through daily prayer, Bible study, active church attendance, tithing and involvement in accountable relationships.

3) Committed to all 8 weeks of the program, in which personal schedules remain flexible for off-site activities and events.

4) Committed to choices and a lifestyle that are both godly and “above reproach”, knowing that your lifestyle is a model and representation of Jesus Christ.

5) Refraining from dating relationships, rated “R” movies and secular music for the entire summer.

+ Staff

Brent and Rachael Homcy, the Deluge Coordinators

Brent Homcy GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WITH A degree in History and Religious Studies. His years at school were the most formative in regards to his faith, and he loves supporting college students during the same journey.

Rachael Homcy has been apart of theDeluge Internship since the summer of 2006. She is passionate about giving young adults the opportunity to grow in their relationship with God and become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. She believes that the young adult generation is going to rise up and lead like never before in this world, no matter where God calls them to be.