What made the memories cool was the combination of fun, growing closer together as a group, getting to know the students in new ways, and seeing them grow spiritually.
Two examples of this I just experienced...
1. My nephew just got back from a Winter Retreat and he said something like, "That was the best experience I've ever had with God."
2. His youth pastor, who I'm friends with on Facebook, posted picks on the retreat and titled them, "The Best Winter Retreat EVER!"
There's something special about getting away from all the distractions of life and focusing on fun and God.
It causes students to grow in ways they couldn't from a regular Sunday or Mid-week meeting.
It allows you to interact with them in ways you couldn't in your normal settings.
I know there is the whole "after retreat let down" where students kind of feel like they "lose" what happened. Youth pastor's sometimes even feel like they're going through a little depression afterwards.
But I think a well planned out "retreat" can really have a lasting, positive effect in these ways:
- On your students
- On your group as a whole
- On your grow numerically and spiritually
- On you as a youth pastor/leader.
Here's what we'll be doing...
- I'll be putting together some more "retreat" ideas to post here.
- We'll host a FREE teleconference call that will help you get the most out of your retreats.
In the past I've received an email from someone thanking me for this ebook and telling me to keep "the great products coming".
It was nice to hear that they liked the ebook enough that they wanted me to come up with MORE!
*Well, in the coming weeks, I'm going to reveal to you guys the next "product" I have for you. It'll be something that help you to almost "instantly" put together a powerful summer retreat.
In the meantime...
***What are your comments, opinions or questions about this topic of "The Power Of Retreating"?*** POST them in the comments.
