Summer Retreats

Randy’s August, 2011 Update:

20Something Leader’s Retreat:

I was recently given the opportunity to lead a session at an intimate retreat for eleven leaders of Axis – Willow Chicago (Willow Creek Community Church’s ministry to twenty-somethings in the city).

The topic they asked me to address was “Soul Care”.

Ideally, with proper Soul Care, I believe our souls could continually be so lavishly and extravagantly filled up by God, to a point well beyond overflowing, that they couldn’t help but gush and spill God’s abundance and blessings onto everything and everyone around us.  Everything we did for others would come out of the abundance of the overflow, without even really trying.  We simply couldn’t contain it.

Though I haven’t yet attained the ideal, over the years I’ve learned some beautiful lessons on how to care for my soul in ways that have helped me live and serve more fully and consistently from a well-nurtured place of abundance and overflow, which has allowed me to serve on a long-term basis, as opposed to living and serving from a slowly draining, neglected place that may ultimately lead to scarcity, weariness, apathy, and/or burn-out – a flash and crash basis.

I still don’t always effectively apply these Soul Care lessons to my own life, or allow what’s inside me to lavishly spill over onto others, but I’m continually learning what disciplines, experiences, relational connections, sacred rhythms, and pace of life work best for me in my unique design and with the specific limitations God gave me.

It was nice to be able to share some of the principles I’ve learned with this group of young leaders.  Hopefully it will benefit them as they continue to discover who God designed them to be and as they possibly discover and live out their redemptive vocations.

The Place:

The retreat was held on the beautiful property of a couple who live near Harvard, IL.  From what I’ve heard, this couple has a vision and heart for providing leaders and small groups with a place to go for much needed getaways to be refreshed.  They have created a wonderful environment for spiritual and relational connections to happen.

On their property they built a building separate from their house, perfect for a group of about twelve people to stay.  In the middle of the building is a living room, dining room, kitchen, and screened in patio.  On both sides of the main living area are bedrooms designed in a row like a motel.  Each “motel room” has an exterior entrance under a covered outdoor walkway.  Each room also has a sliding glass door leading out to a patio.

The grounds are landscaped with paths leading around the grounds and down to a lake.  There are benches and places for solitude and reflection.

I’ve never met these people, but I am inspired by the environment they’ve created as a way of living out their vision and passion.  It’s so cool to see people intentionally living out their callings, even when it goes virtually unnoticed.  So many unnoticed things carry huge impact behind-the-scenes.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone contributed their energies, giftedness, and resources to loving others and making the world a better place, in their own unique way.  Way to go people I don’t know and may never meet!

Student Impact Retreat – Sand Blast:

Student Impact, the high school ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, recently had its annual four-day camp called “Sand Blast”.  This summer they had more than 1,000 students and 300 adult leaders attend!

I currently mentor five young leaders who serve in that high school ministry – one staff member, one house group leader, and three small group leaders within the house group system.

While at camp, one of the women I mentor had the privilege of praying with a high school girl in her group to receive Christ into her life.  It was the first time this young leader ever had that joyful opportunity.  She was very excited.  The entire weekend was a blessing for her and an all-time ministry highlight.

Over the course of the weekend, over 100 high-school students committed their lives to Christ for the first time.

One of the young men I mentor, who doesn’t regularly serve in this ministry, filled-in as a small group leader for the four days.  He was given a group of guys who had a bit of a reputation for goofing off and creating distractions.  Upon meeting them, this young leader immediately discerned that these guys really had a desire to make the most of the experience.  They wanted to connect deeply, grow spiritually, and goof off!  They just needed intentional guidance in balancing it all so they could accomplish everything they desired.  As he described how he handled the group and various situations, I saw incredible growth in this young leader.  He handled things beautifully.  One guy told him that he was the best leader they’d ever had.  So they all had a blast!  And grew!  Awesome!

Way to go, everyone who served at this event and who serves on an on-going basis!  What a blessing you are to the future leaders of the church, the community, and the world.

5K Run/Walk for Africa:
On another note, if anyone is interested in what’s going on these days around the horn of Africa, you may want to get involved in a 5K Run/Walk on the morning of August 27th.  Check out more info at: (click on photo)

Thank You:
Thank you for all you do, even when it goes unnoticed.

In His Love,
Randy