By Miriam Ankerbrand, Group Events Coordinator
Guest group leaders tell us all the time that they can “feel God’s presence” here when they have a Retreat at Joy El. One group leader, Mike*, recently shared a story with us, how this deeply impacted someone in his group.
One of the church’s staff members came and brought her husband along with her. He wasn’t opposed to coming, but he typically didn’t come to church and Mike knew he wasn’t saved. George* listened with great interest during the sessions and group Bible studies the group had over the course of the weekend. Mike said, “You could just see he was ‘soaking’ it in! We were all praying that he would have a breakthrough!”
A breakthrough did happen! During one of their sessions, George answered the alter call and went forward to begin a relationship with Jesus! “It was an instant change,” shared Mike. “You could just see the light in his heart radiating in his smile!” For the remainder of the retreat, George just soaked in the teaching and worship time.
Mike said, “It didn’t end when we got home. He started to come to church and he got more involved! He loves to share his testimony with others.”
When George gives his testimony, he shares, “It was at camp for our retreat, where I finally heard God speaking to me and drawing me closer to Him. I had run away for so long. It took that intentional time with Him to bring me where I am now!”
That’s the beauty of a retreat! It takes you out of your ordinary setting and puts you in a position to experience the extraordinary! God moved and worked in George’s life and many others before him and since then because they took the time to commune with God away from distractions and the busyness of life. A spiritual retreat can make an impact for eternity!
We would enjoy having your group at Joy El. Give us a call at 717-369-4539, email [email protected] or look here
*Names have been changed.
