VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/19/15)—The Ministers Council is proud to announce that registration is open for the “Let Go, Behold, Sing” retreat to be held immediately following the Biennial Mission Summit on June 29 – July 1. The theme of the retreat is Sabbath-keeping ministry: being, having and doing enough; being filled with light to the point of singing; and going deep rather than wide. The retreat creates an opening to realize that when the noise stops, God begins.
Participants can expect a time of respite and renewal during the “Let Go, Behold, Sing” retreat. Featuring a “gracious spaciousness in time,” the retreat offers an opportunity to care for self and others, rest, and play, all while enjoying good food and fellowship. And as we attend to Sabbath-keeping, the retreat provides seeds to nourish, deepen, and realize restoration for ministry.
The retreat leader will be Rev. Dr. Heather Entrekin, Des Peres Associate Professor of Congregational Health at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. An American Baptist Pastor and former Chaplain of the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA, Dr. Entrekin is the director of Central’s new Doctor of Ministry Program with an emphasis on congregational vitality and missional purpose. Her unique skills and experiences make her an ideal leader for this time of retreat.
The retreat will be held at the Unity Village Conference and Retreat Center in Unity, Missouri. The facility offers a beautiful setting with modern hotel accommodations and healthy food options. The Ministers Council will provide transportation for registrants from the Overland Park Convention Center to Unity Village on Monday, June 29. Transportation will also be provided for registrants from Unity Village to the Kansas City International Airport on Wednesday, July 1.
As Psalm 1:3 reminds us, “Trees with deep roots do not wither. They bear fruit in season, prospering in God’s way and time.” The Ministers Council invites you to “Let Go, Behold and Sing.” The retreat is open to all and is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Register for the Ministers Council retreat by going to https://www.abc-usa.org/coordinatedcalendar/event-registration/. Look for “Ministers Council Events” and click “Register Now.” For more information about the retreat, go to https://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Announcing-the-Ministers-Council-Retreat.pdf.
The Ministers Council, ABCUSA, an independent, non-profit organization of ordained, commissioned and lay Christian leaders who are serving American Baptist Churches, works to nurture, encourage and strengthen ministerial leaders by providing fellowshipping opportunities; spiritual enrichment; and educational programming to fuel the effectiveness of the men and women called of God to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.