Young Adult Ministries to Host Fifth Annual Retreat

Story by Bryant Smith

Allegheny West Conference’s (AWC) Young Adult Ministries (YAM) is hosting their fifth annual retreat, August 11-13, at the AWC campground in Thornville, Ohio. This retreat is designed to target AWC constituents. However, in previous retreats, young adults outside the conference, including Maryland, Atlanta and Canada, have attended. The same result is expected this year.

Each year YAM selects a theme for the retreat. They have been “Driven” (2013) to move “Forward” (2014) as “Heart Feeders” (2015) for Christ and “Determined” (2016) to be prepared and to prepare others for “The Comeback” (2017).

YAM is taking the initiative this year to intentionally invite young adults who have left the church to “come back” to God and the church. YAM will also pay for the targeted audience’s expenses.

Last year six young adults were baptized at the YAM retreat. Prayer warriors have already begun praying over this year’s event.

“The retreat will be about internal evangelism,” says Chardé Hollins, AWC YAM director. “In the parable of the lost sheep, the Shepherd didn’t go out and buy a new one. ... He simply stopped what he was doing and intentionally sought after his own that was lost. This season [we] are making an intentional effort to stop, seek, engage and retain those whom we have lost.”

To register, visit AWC’s Young Adult Ministries Facebook page, email awcyam@gmail.com or visit awcyam.eventbrite.com. 

(Photo: A combined praise team from around the conference leads song service at a previous AWC YAM retreat.)