In busy seasons, it’s easy to neglect to take time with our Lord. To that end, Campus Ministry is debuting a new event, the Solitude Retreat, on Saturday, Nov. 17. The retreat will run from 9am-5pm. It will be a quick, one-day get-away to a church here in Orange City.
Planned activities include solo Bible study, praying and spending time doing whatever the Spirit calls students to do. Acoustic worship will also be offered throughout the event. On behalf of Campus Ministry, Jacob Johnson said, “Our goal is to step away from the crazy fast pace that our world is, even if it is for a few quick hours. A lot of the feedback from the fall retreat was to have more time in personal devotionals, so that is our main goal with this solitude retreat: plenty of time and space to offer students to spend time with our Heavenly father.”
This goal echoes verses from the Bible when Jesus sought out solitude to pray. Luke 6:12 says, “In these day, he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (ESV)
Additionally, Mark wrote, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35, ESV)
In fact, every gospel mentions Jesus retreating to desolate places to pray. Unfortunately, making time to go to desolate places to pray isn’t typically on a student’s schedule, so this opportunity is a beautiful way to set aside time and just be still in God’s presence.
This event is whatever individual students make it to be. Johnson explained further that “Students should expect a fulfilling time where they can make [the retreat] what they want it to be. We will provide options for devotionals, but if somebody has their own plan or books they are using, they are more than welcome to make [the retreat] what they need it to be.”
Students are encouraged to come as they are and use this time to revel in God’s glory and be still in his peace. Students are urged to take a step away from the busyness of school and life to reflect on God, spend time in his presence and rejoice in time spent alone with the Father. A sign-up sheet is at the Campus Ministry desk in Ramaker, and registration closes Tuesday, Nov. 13.
