Calvary Church’s Women’s Retreat Promotes Fellowship

Nearly 40 women from Calvary Church in Valparaiso and some of their friends and family traveled to Evart, Michigan to attend a Women's Retreat at Spring Hill Camps. With international speaker and author Dee Brestin speaking and Christian artist Sarah Scharborough performing, a great time was had by all. The women were able to participate in break out sessions, crafts, ziplines, high ropes courses, horse back riding, hiking, climbing walls, paintball, archery, riflerly, swimming, canoeing & kayaking.

One attendee, Becky Bowser, had this to say about the retreat: "Something that struck me hard this weekend happened after our session on Sat. night with Dee Brestin. She was talking about some pretty deep issues dealing with pain and loss we might(or will) experience in our lives. At the end of this session, I heard several women near me audibly crying. My heart was filled with compassion for these women.They were just strangers to me an hour earlier, and now instead of strangers to me, they felt like sisters in Christ to me that I wanted to reach out to with a hug. Usually when I am busy running errands, or at a store, I don't pay too much attention to the "strangers" all around me. After this weekend my eyes have been opened that these people are not "strangers", they are real people and I don't have any idea of what they might be dealing with. A random smile to someone, or a conversation that might ensue with someone I meet along the course of my day could mean All of the difference to someone that truly needs it. I hope to be filled with God's love, and not just my own agendas so he can use me as his instrument when he sees fit to someone that may really need to feel God's love!!"

Julie Pedroza, winner of the paintball competition commented, "I liked this retreat at Spring Hill Camp better then any of the retreats I've been on so far. This retreat gave me the chance to meet a lot of new women at the break out sessions and the activities. It also gave you a chance to just sit and reflex on what God was and is doing in my life. You were not forced to do anything if you didn't want to."

"This weekend was so great for me. The fellowship of other Christian ladies. The conference speaker that spoke words that are so relevent in my life right now, and the song leader with her beautiful voice. The atmosphere was beautiful. I had so much fun with the activities getting to do somethings that I hadn't previously done, and then also getting to spend some time with God alone that I hadn't done in my hurried life for a long time. It was so sweet to reconnect in a deeper more meaningful way. I came back refreshed and motivated to keep my relationship with Him in the deeper way. Ironically, I went up there to the "friends conference" thinking I might find a close friend to bring back from this conference, and I found that friend in God," added Helen Chupp.

Missi Kholsa, was also impressed with the camp and the retreat," I really enjoyed hearing Dee. She has such a soft heart and passion for teaching the Word! It was nice to meet other people in a comfortable environment, where I wasn't forced to sit and talk with strangers, but could get to know those around me. The atmosphere of SH is in itself restful, a reflection of God's loving hand."

I personally saw a few people overcome true fear and terror and put their trust in God and accomplish activities such as the high ropes course and ziplines. I know of women who renewed their commitment to Christ. Personally, God convicted me of areas in my life that need change, and I am committed to changing them.

The retreat was such a success, that the Girlfriends of Grace group, who organized this event, plan on attending these retreats on a regular basis. If you would like to find out more about Spring Hill Camps and their summer, day, family camps, or the father/son, women, or teen retreats follow this link. For $100 off of a Michigan summer camp, you can use code AWF100 before October 31st to register your children for only $25 down. You can even make monthly payments to pay the balance and you can switch weeks if necessary. My children have attended the past 2 summers and we plan on returning for many years to come!

If you would like to know more about Calvary Church, the women's ministries, as well as the men's, student, and children's activities, visit: http://www.calvaryweb.net/ . Also follow us on Facebook at Calvary Church and Girlfriends of Grace.