We took 45 young men up to Legendary Lodge for Men’s Retreat this year. It was a great time of brotherhood, fun, and going deeper into the heart of Christ. We arrived on Friday night and began the retreat with the customary nighttime ultimate frisbee games in the snow and a burrito feast. Saturday morning involved hiking the snow-capped mountain that towers over the grounds of camp and an hour of silent prayer. We carried a cross up the mountain this year and reflected on what it means to follow Jesus as men in this day and age, with the daily difficulties we are called to persevere through. A hush fell across the Lodge grounds as these young men listened to the voice of God speaking into the depths of their hearts. Like Elijah, who heard God in a still small voice in the mountains, these young men encountered the Creator in the midst of His beautiful creation.
“11And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out...” (1 Kings 19: 11-13, ESV).
It is our desire that Carroll students would experience the powerful love of God, the God who whispers love, hope, truth, and purpose to His children. Then, it is our desire that our students would go out with the Holy Spirit and share the truth of God’s saving love in Jesus Christ with the world. In the bustle of student life, opportunities like this to be alone with the God who loves us are so valuable. It is only in this encounter that we are empowered to go out in confidence and complete our mission in this life to the fullest wherever that may be - the family, the hospital, the office, the job site, the library, the school, the community, the Church.
Various talks were given regarding what it means to be a child of God, how Jesus is the man to model, and how to live life to the full. There was time for the guys to chat in small groups. It was gritty. It was deep. It was true. We watched a film on Father Patrick Peyton, hung out by a bonfire, had a rollicking good snowball fight, ate fantastic food, and spent plenty of time outside. Many students commented on how this is their favorite retreat at Carroll and how powerful the retreat was this year. God is truly moving in the lives of our students here at Carroll.
~ Chris Yakawich, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry