Men's Retreat

How do we balance family and work? How should we interact with out children? Are we to be warriors, sensitive, metro-sexual, or what? What ism moral masculinity in this day and age?

What is the Christian Men’s Mountain Weekend?  Aaron Kipnis, in Knights Without Armor, states that, “Men are not only competitors.  Men are also brothers.  It is natural for us to cooperate and support one another.  We find strength and healing through telling the truth to one another – man to man” (1991, p. 93).  Solomon says it this way: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17).  So this is a weekend experience of exploring together the call to be Christian men.  Cabin lodging, an outdoor adventure, good eating, interspersed with some input and discussion times -- this setting gives us an ideal opportunity to be challenged, to explore and play together, and ultimately, to learn from each other how to be the men God is calling us to be.

When?  Friday Nov. 8 (starting at 6 PM; eat supper on the way or before arriving) through lunch, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019.

Where? Cabin lodging north of Timberville VA, and wild caving near Franklin WV.

Activities:  half-day wild caving trip, some outdoor solo time, and good times of group input and sharing.  Each one may determine their personal level of participation in the adventure activities.  Snack Friday night, 3 meals Saturday, and 2 meals Sunday are provided; the event will be wrapping up around noon Sunday.

Who?  Any Christian man (18 or older) who desires to be faithful to Jesus Christ, and who wants to go deeper in this journey of manhood with a small group of like-minded men.  Activities will be physically vigorous but not extreme – a moderate degree of physical fitness should be adequate.  Group size will be limited to 12

Cost:  $95 each covers meals, insurance, activity fees and permits; $85 for a second family member (e.g. father-son combo).  Each participant will also be asked to supply several items for the group menu (items and quantities TBA).

Leadership:  This event is co-sponsored by Brethren Woods Camp and WILD GUYde Adventures.  Lester Zook is a member of Horizons Christian Fellowship in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  He and his wife Robin have 4 grown children and 3 grand-kids, and he readily admits that he hasn’t always done the parenting and husbanding thing very well.  Lester owns WILD GUYde Adventures, providing beginner outdoor adventures in the nearby National Forests and National Park.  Lester is a Wilderness First Responder, and a certified member of the American Mountain Guides Association (Single Pitch Instructor).