One thousand men strong
Leaders gear up for massive men’s retreat this month
Online registration has ended, but men can still attend and register in person. Click here for more information.
By Jessica Brodie
Men’s ministry leaders are gearing up this month for the largest men’s spiritual retreat South Carolina has ever seen.
United Methodist Men President Herman Lightsey said the group expects more than 1,000 attendees when they gather in Myrtle Beach Feb. 20-22—six times the attendees they had in 2013 and so big they’ve literally outgrown their former venue.
The 2015 Men N Ministry Retreat will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, Myrtle Beach, which accommodates 1,900 with a huge stage and screens, high-end sound system and all the amenities needed to produce a first-rate lineup.
This year’s retreat reflects the theme “Skin in the Game,” drawing from John 1:14 (the word became flesh). Lightsey said the theme is about going deeper and making a true personal commitment to Christ.
An array of dynamic Christian leaders will serve as keynote speakers, workshop leaders and special guests, helping attendees make that Christian commitment:
- S.C. UMC Resident Bishop Jonathan Holston
- Adrian Despres, head chaplain of the University of South Carolina Football Team and evangelist for Kingdom Builders Ministries
- The Rev. John Ed Mathison, author, former pastor of the 7,000-plus Frazer UMC, Montgomery, Alabama, and head of John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries
- Albert Long, the only athlete in the history of the ACC to receive four letters in sports during the same year, who is also a strong witness to God’s grace and love
- Greenwood District Superintendent the Rev. James Friday
- Michael Belk, producer, Christian art photographer and writer of “Journeys with the Messiah”
Leaders said an unplanned “God element” to this year’s event is that all the speakers have some athletic edge, including Mathison, who is a former basketball player and number-one-ranked tennis player, and Holston, who played basketball for the University of Georgia.
Six workshops are planned, plus three outreach ministry opportunities and a Run for Christ 5K. Men can also serve on the Upper Room Prayer Ministry prayer line, play in a corn hole tournament and take a boat ride down the intercoastal waterway (weather-permitting).
Music from Claflin University Choir, Christ UMC’s Contemporary Worship Team and others will round out the weekend.
Group registrations are available (register five men and get the sixth free), plus discounted hotel rates. Registration is $90 individual and $105 with spouse. For more information click here.