Family Vacation and Church Retreat Rolled into One

img_1217-1I had always thought about family vacations and church retreats being separate things.  A church retreat is usually just for a weekend get away.  It is intense and involves people spending most all of their time with church family.  It is typically within driving distance and often at some type of a camp or park.

Family vacations involve your own family only, not the half the church and often involve taking vacation time and going during the week.

These two descriptions are how most people see family vacations and church retreats.  But the Fairground Roads Church of Christ and their preacher Brent Newton have successfully merged these two previously separate events.  This past July some 242 Christians participated in a spiritual retreat or encampment organized by this church.  This is their third one of these held at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado.  They only do one every four years.  Originally it started as an event for their church family, but at this years event there were many other churches represented.  My family participated in the event and had a wonderful time.

 The retreat is Sunday through Friday and thus requires vacation time. They do it at a wonderful location in the Rocky Mountains.  They have a morning devotional and evening activity and worship.  All the meals are provided through the YMCA facility.  Brent said his goal was to focus on the two families of the Christian.  You spend time with the church family at the morning devo and evening activity and worship periods.  During the daytime you have time to be with your physical family.  It helps the church and families grow closer.  It provides families with an opportunity to take a wonderful vacation but also to be spiritually encouraged and grow closer to other Christians.

A great idea that other churches should consider!  It was truly a blessing to our family.  img_1154

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/family-vacation-and-church-retreat-rolled-into-one/