Lake Junaluska redesigns winter youth retreat programs

By NewsPress Now

The winter retreat season will soon be in full swing at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The ENCOUNTER series of youth and leader retreats features four weekends of fun, faith formation, speakers, music and individual and group program activities in early 2025.

The theme for ENCOUNTER Youth & Adult Leader Retreats 2025 is “Living My Part” from Matthew 7:7, which says, “Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Each of the first three retreats will focus on one of those encouragements of “Ask,” “Seek,” “Knock,” with the fourth bringing the themes together in a confirmation retreat.

Each weekend offers a different experience based on the needs and interests of the groups.

“Your group may seek an experience that engages them in mission, or an adventure weekend with skiing and a program on risk-taking that makes you step out of your comfort zone and forces you to ask those tougher questions about life,” Pat McKim, director of program ministries for Lake Junaluska, said. “Your confirmation group can spend creative time through the arts to learn about their gifts and prayer, while youth leaders can attend an event just for them to help them navigate cultural shifts, network with others in ministry and take some much-needed sabbath time.

• ASK: Who is my Neighbor?

Jan. 10-12

Learn about local outreach groups from their leaders and from those with whom they serve. Express what you have learned through the arts, which will be shared in closing worship and as conversation starters in your own communities. Leave the weekend with a plan to work through your church or youth group to help individuals or groups in your community.

• SEEK: Encouragement and support for adult youth leaders

Jan. 17-20

Western North Carolina Conference youth leaders will lead networking workshops on topics relating to youth culture and tools for outreach and spirituality. Learn about creating diversity in youth groups and how to reach youth through settings beyond the local church. Network with fellow youth ministers.

• KNOCK: Is Jesus for Real?

Jan. 24-26

Create “safe spaces” for dialogue within small groups to name questions about faith and living today. Leave this session with a template to discern a strategy for your home church that is a “Fresh Expression” of outreach and see “church” beyond the walls of their own building. Enjoy skiing at Cataloochee Ski Area or rappelling at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park.

• United Methodist Confirmation Retreat 2025

Feb. 14-17

Explore your gifts through music, painting, drumming, pottery and more. Take time to focus on a prayer life and explore the Walking Trail or the Prayer Labyrinth, hike, participate in peer-focused listening and more. This will be a unique experience using the arts as the medium to express your faith journey.

For more information about ENCOUNTER 2025 weekends and other youth ministry opportunities at Lake Junaluska, visit bit.ly/LJEncounterretreats.