DAVIS—College and college-age young adults are encouraged to have a great time and make new memories April 10-12 at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center during The Spring Retreat at Falls Creek!
The retreat is sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM)and Emerging Generation Office, in cooperation with Oklahoma church college ministries. It offers late night activities with lots of recreation options, along with various breakout sessions.
Worship will be led Mike Keahbone and Cody Dunbar Band. Keahbone is senior pastor at Oklahoma City, Cherokee Hills; Dunbar is worship pastor at Bethany, Council Road.
Mike Barnett, BCM Director at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, said “Spring Retreat was the highlight of the spring semester because it included elements of recreation, great speakers, being at Falls Creek, emphasizing mission opportunities, and seeing that they are part of something bigger than their own campus group. Friendship were forged.”
Kimily Waldron, BCM Director at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, said “This is a quality event worthy of college students who work part-time and full-time college-age workers asking off in advance. No matter what the drive time (we’re driving five hours) and the extra effort to get to Falls Creek, it’s worth it for the encounter with Jesus and meeting other believers.”
“Emphasis will be on what you can do with your life and how you impact your world,” said Cris Lowery, BGCO collegiate ministries specialist. “The challenge to be involved in practical application of your faith through hands on opportunities will be included. Saturday morning’s breakouts emphasize basic life skills and spiritual challenge. There are special breakouts for international students (scholarships included).”
Recreation options include a sand volleyball tournament, ropes course, zip line, pick-up basketball, kickball, skate park (bring your board), four square, Frisbee golf, and geo-cache. The sand volleyball tourney will include teams for men, women, and co-ed; groups may have one team in each category. Four people is the minimum to make a team. Teams need to register by April 1 by emailing slillard@bgco.org, or calling 405/942-3800, ext. 4383.
“There is no 10 p.m. curfew here, so attendees can enjoy open mic night and late night at the west end coffee shop,” Lowery said. “Open mic will provide an opportunity for those with music skills, comedy routines, and other entertaining acts. Late night west end coffee shop is the Falls Creek alternative to Starbucks, so grab a friend and get some “Joe” or C8H10N402 for those in the know. Other late night events include skate park, basketball and ropes course.”
The retreat schedule is from 7 p.m., Fri., April 10, through 10:30 a.m., Sun., April 12. There will be an alternative ending at 8:30 p.m., Saturday night.
“Whether you are part of a Bible study or Sunday School class for those 18-24, or part of church-based or campus-based ministry to college students, this retreat is for you,” Lowery said.
Register your group by calling Kayla Tonihka at 580/369-2101 before March 30. Everyone will be part of a group, whether primarily from a Sunday School Class, a church college ministry, a BCM, or an individual. Falls Creek Conference Center is handling all details such as housing and food. Housing and food options, as well as other details, are listed at www.bgco.org/SpringRetreat.
