memories of fall retreats gone by...
With the 2007 Encounter Retreat coming up this weekend, I've been finding myself thinking a lot about fall retreats that have left an indelible mark on my life.
For sure my first retreat has left the deepest impression. It was at a High School in Ankeny. It was a huge crowd. I think it was the only time that I personally heard Jim McCotter speak. Dennis Clark spoke as well. We went through the book of Ephesians and I still remember key points that they made! I got baptized afterward in Saylorville Lake. I'll never forget it.
I remember nearly freezing to death at a camp in St. Joseph's, MO. I rode down there with Michael Riley as it was his first retreat. The Ft. Collins, CO group was there and they were going through a growth surge. While take a picture of their whole group, we dumped buckets of water on them. Too much fun.
Dan McGuire and I have this thing going on that at every retreat we go on a long walk and talk about life and the Lord. Retreats are great for going deeper with people that you otherwise only brush shoulders with. My times with Dan have become precious to me.
Once Michael Riley got involved in set up and the Lone Strangers matured as a band, it seemed like the retreats got a dose of steroids. I will never forget the worship times we had at the Sunstream Retreat Center with all the lights and sound. Incredible times!
Lately I've gotten into the habit of collecting some of the local wildlife and bringing it home to my kids. Critters like a snake, a walking stick, a preying mantis, those huge millipedes at Sunstream, and frogs from Hidden Acres. The kids love them. We just let the frog loose at Ada Hayden Park a few weeks back.
I think the stand out memory of them all is the baptisms at the very end of the retreat. Sometimes just a few, sometimes 20 or more. Sometimes with Christians recommitting their faith to Christ, sometimes brand new believers who just got saved at the retreat. Regardless, the physical picture of changed lives is what the fall retreats are all about. The old life being transformed into the new. I can't wait to see it again this weekend!
You got memories burning in your mind from fall retreats gone by? I'd love to hear them.
Comments
Yep, Tim, seeing people baptized in a cold river/lake/creek/puddle is always inspiring and almost (ALMOST) makes me regret getting baptized in the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean at LT so many years ago...:)
But let's run with a few of other memories:
1998 - Seeing our friend Lynette get saved while at a retreat outside of Kansas City.
1999 - St. Joseph, Mo. - Even though we didn't spend Friday night there because of a work commitment, Angie and I made it down there by 9 a.m. Saturday after leaving Ames at 5 a.m. Of course, we all froze in the cabins we were provided. The big memory of that particular conference was getting swatted by a pastor for snoring (No grudges - he's our beloved Pat Sokoll here in Iowa City).
2000 - Getting a chance to bond with my brothers from Drake University during my first retreat as a member of Walnut Creek Church in Des Moines.
2006 - The Lone Strangers and company putting a dose of steroids (Sorry, Tim, but I like the line...:) ) into my first retreat in a few years.
2007 - Yeah, it hasn't happened yet, but we have a good excuse for not going this year: Angie's and my baby boy is on his way and will soon be here!
Posted by: Rob at September 20, 2007 06:25 PMSteroids, eh? You guys are too kind. I'm glad it is beneficial to you.
Honestly though, some of my favorite memories of retreats are of playing on stage. People are so much less inhibited in that setting for some reason. (I think it is a genuine sense of nearness of God.) We get to crank the music, play a longer, well-thought-through set, and generally pull out all the stops. Looking forward to doing it again this year as well.
Posted by: Matt at September 20, 2007 09:39 PMyeah for Lynnette's salvation in '98... it was the precursor to mine:)
One of my favorite retreat memories was at the fall retreat of 2001 when Heather and Carrie got baptized... oooo that pool was disgusting! I'm glad I didn't see the dead animals in it until after I got out of the water!
Baptizing Nicole in 2002 was such a cool experience (it's in your picture above!) because there we were as part of this huge line of people getting baptized and it was just bang, bang, one right after the other! It was awesome!
In general, it is just such an encouraging time because so many people take huge steps of faith:)
Posted by: Jamie at September 20, 2007 10:29 PMWell, I am writing this thinking of everyone at Encounter right now. I am amazed at how much I am missing it for several reasons. First, I felt such a great connection to God at both the Encounters I was at (2006 and 2007). I really first encountered (how appropriate) God at Encounter 2006 by truly accepting him into my life. It is amazing to be able to listen to the message during which I was saved! A year later I felt another connection not only with getting baptized, but by being able to connect with God on an even deeper level through my experiences in that past year. Secondly, while I had met "people" at the Rock before Encounter 2006, I really met my brothers and sisters (yay RockLarch) at Encounter that year. Thirdly, I just remember the messages, the music, the fun, and the conversations I had at the two retreats.
I think of the fondest memories I had from 2006 was when Mark, Adriana, Dan S., Chris, and I (not sure who, if anyone, else) went on a trail walk during the football games.
Oh, and just because I'm missing it this year does not mean I will next year! I'm praying for everyone there now and can't wait to listen to the messages!
Posted by: Ben B. at September 21, 2007 08:33 PM