Did you know that it is peak leaf season in West Virginia? Not a bad time for a visit. The SDB Men’s Retreat over the weekend of October 13th to 15th was simply a fantastic experience. Twenty-six men from 10 different churches gathered at Camp Joy in Berea, WV for fellowship, worship, and study.
Participants included: Andrew Camenga, Perry Barbee, Jim McKenzie, Vern Fuller, Darwin Steele, Bryan Baker, Steve Hinton, Vincent Langworthy, Josiah Kenyon, Cayden Langworthy, Logan Curran, Brock Hannah, Steve Rogers, Dale Thorngate, Brent Hannah, Charles Meathrell, Robert VanHorn, Darwin VanHorn, Eric Bofinger, Collin Scull, Evan Dollar, Aaron Hall, Matt Jacob, Chip Thorngate, Peter Harris, and Carl Greene.
Pastor Steven Hinton and Pastor Darwin Steele led Friday evening vespers. Pastor Andrew Camenga led Sabbath worship, a reflective time of prayer, and provided an engaging sermon. Logan Curran organized the evening campfire(ish) activities. Chip Thorngate kept us well fed and nourished with amazing food. Everyone participated in blessed conversations and outstanding fellowship.
I had the joy of leading a series of sessions about work and rest—and the God ordained value of both. Given our Theology of Rest and Work, SDBs have the opportunity to invite a restless society to taste God’s intended design of healthy living. That invitation starts by our own experience of multiplying rest.
A final thank you to Pastor Andrew Camenga for organizing the details of the weekend, and to Don Graffius for catalyzing the weekend and making arrangements that brought this endeavor to fruition. Definitely looking forward to upcoming Men’s Retreats at Camp Joy!
