How to have a Successful Retreat

We have had many wonderful retreats in the 18 years that I have been at First Baptist, Magnolia. But I am not sure if there has been one in which the Holy Spirit had such free reign to move and work in the lives of women present. I have had several people ask me why this one retreat was so "successful".
1. PRAYER - we had a committed group of ladies that met together regularly to pray for each woman attending, the logisitics, the leaders, and the speakers. I believe that God honored their commitment to pray and their faith that God was hearing and would respond by preparing the hearts and minds of women before they ever arrived at Crier Creek. This was evidenced from the very first moment that we began to worship together.
2. WORSHIP - God called out a group of women who would lead our worship several months ago. They took this task very seriously. They prayed over the music selections. They prayed for hearts to be tender toward worship and they worked hard at being all that they were supposed to be as leaders of worship.
3. TEAM WORK - There was an awesome evidence of women working together to make this weekend a special one. Thanks to everyone who had a part in planning, preparing and leading.
4. LOCATION - Crier Creek is an amazing place to meet the Lord and to simply have a good time.
This list is in no way complete. We would love to hear your reasons for having a great retreat weekend. Please take a minute to post a comment.
Here are few comments from women who attended...
A. said...This weekend was amazing. I was awed by the power of God over and over. His provision was poured out upon me...I'm find myself grappling for words that could come near to describing the holiness of His presence among us. I am grateful to the depths of my soul for each lady who dedicated herself to covering each of us with prayer before and during this retreat.....it is all about prayer....and I for one experienced the fruit of those prayers. I am so excited to see what God does in each of our lives as a result of the places He opened in each of our hearts. WOW WOW WOW. God is so amazing!

I thought the location was perfect as was the food.

Thank you to everyone involved for all your hard work. The retreat flowed so smoothly that it appeared effortless.....but I know that was only because of all the hard work, preparation and prayer that was laid as the foundation before we ever stepped one foot into the retreat. Thank you for blessing me.

K. said... The weekend was AWESOME for sure! This weekend I learned just how much God loves me and that I love Him
back by loving others! I had doubts in me before the retreat that I was not sure I loved or even knew how to love unconditionally, but after this weekend......I know without a doubt that I can and I DO simply because I love God SOOO MUCH! It is amazing what happens when we take ourselves out of the picture. I am not saying it is easy but what joy comes from obedience.

Sometimes I make things SOOO difficult and that is not what God wants for me, He wants me to be full of peace, joy and love!

J. said... this weekend gave me a sense of peace and has renewed my faith in God's miracles. I am asking for prayer that God will work yet another miracle in my life. I appreciate your prayers and if you would just be sure to thank those ladies that were responsible for this weekend (you amongst those) for such a wonderful experience. Most of all I give the Lord the praise for being such an awesome presence during this retreat and for moving and bringing peace and healing to so many ladies (I am tingling as I type this). I so look forward already to next year. Thanks again.

T. said... I thought the whole retreat was awesome! But I have to say what touched me most were the three testimonies. It was such a God-thing for those women to be willing to be so transparent and open up their lives so God could teach us in such an intimate, personal way that would usher in His healing for their sisters. I know God has huge blessings for all three of them for their obedience. And the fellowship: getting to know the women from our church and beginning new friendships was awesome!

C. said... God did allot of dealing with me this weekend! It wasn't easy, but he has shown me, I have pride that needs breaking! So many area's of my life, He's working on. I know He is working everything for my good! My spiritual good! It is such a hard journey, but it most definitely needed doing! I was blessed by all the openness and love of the ladies this weekend,also
by your healing testimony.

S. said... First off I made some great new friends and I was in real need of that. But I renewed my First Love and I made some new commitments to Him and my self and I asked for several of my "new" friends to hold me up and accountable and I know He will prevail. Thank You I loved every minute.

G. said... Cindy, the retreat was amazing alright. I really didn't know what to expect...I've never been to one before. It was truly a blessing in disguise. I really got to know some of the women I have seen in passing. The pre-conceived notions of what that person might be like were totally stripped away! I have NEVER felt closer to a group and my guard was down.
The women who shared their Testimonies are truly courageous and blessed by doing so. Many of us (I know myself for sure) will benefit from their stories and straight-forwardness.
We are all just women (children) who want to know the Lord, his word, to live as he wants us to, broken in some way, sinners,
desiring his love, comfort, struggling with our past sins to be forgiven by totally turning them over to God, then letting go of
them ourselves, afraid, want to belong to him. I could go on and on and on... The presence of the Lord was in the air...the hair
on my arms stood up...it was truly electrifying...I sobbed and wasn't sure just why, but I know the Lord will show me in his time. I am just bubbling or flowing or gushing over with I don't know what....Love I guess, warmth, shaking, happiness.....
Amazing...yes...Amazing Grace.