During their time at Asbury, students are given the opportunity each year to participate in different retreats which focus on spiritual life and growth. Some of these opportunities are the class retreats offered each fall semester. These weekend retreats are held off campus. Over the course of the two day weekend, students are given the space and time to relax away from the stressors of school and daily life. Students are also given time to connect with other students in their class and worship together.
Sarah Yost, Ignited Class Chaplain, said, “The retreats were very restful both times I went. It was good to get off of campus, and it was an opportunity to hang out with people I didn’t really know and meet new friends.”
During retreats, students attend sessions which include a time of worship and a speaker. They are also given time to relax, eat good food and enjoy nature and fun with friends. These retreats are normally held at the Country Lake Retreat Center in Indiana, where students are able to enjoy the surrounding lake and hiking trails at the center.
“It was like a camping situation for a couple days. There were trails to hike. We were able to get out in nature and there was a lake for swimming, canoes and kayaks. We also had a bonfire,” said Yost.
This weekend is designed with student spiritual growth in mind.
DeAnna Burns, the chaplain of the Beloved Class, said, “The purpose is to grow closer in our relationship with Christ and to grow in fellowship with the class as a whole. It is also a time for reflection and prayer.”
Class retreats often center around a theme. This year, the theme of the sophomore retreat is “abide.” The theme of the junior/senior retreat will focus on “rest.”
There are speakers for the retreat which change each year. The speaker for the sophomore retreat is Nathan Thallman, a recent Asbury graduate, and the speaker for the junior/senior retreat is Dr. Brian Hull, professor of Christian Ministry.
“Retreat speakers give great insight on the theme of the retreat and offer great ways to practically apply what they talk about in our daily lives. These speakers are professors or well-known people in the Asbury community. They especially can relate to students and understand what we experience as Asbury students,” said Burns.
Class retreats are also a great way to connect with others within your class.
“Retreats give you the chance to get to know and connect with others in your class. There are actually so many people in my class who I didn’t know that I got to meet through retreat. The retreats also help you develop deeper relationships,” said Burns.
All students are encouraged to attend at least one retreat during their time at Asbury. Even though it is a short experience, only lasting a weekend, it has been meaningful for students to have a space off campus to connect with fellow classmates.
“It is worth it to get off campus for a bit and get to meet people you normally wouldn’t. As long as you’re on campus, you are alway thinking about the stuff that needs to get done. The retreat acts like a built-in sabbath, getting you to really slow down,” said Yost.
While there is no retreat for the freshman class, freshmen are highly encouraged to sign up for the Set Apart Retreats offered multiple times during each semester. The first Set Apart Retreat is offered fall break, Oct. 16-20 in Panama City Beach, FL. The second takes place during Christmas break, Dec. 13-17, also in Panama City Beach.
This year, both sophomore and junior/senior retreats are being held at the Country Lake Retreat Center from Sept. 20-21. The fee for the retreats is $20 per student. Admission is free for all RAs and SLAs.
