DAVIS—On the weekend of Oct. 17-18, more than 1,200 students representing 50 churches attended the annual 2025 Fall Back Weekend retreat at Falls Creek. This 24-hour retreat provided students the break they needed during a busy fall season to reconnect with God and others.

“Retreats can be pivotal moments for students and groups that can lead to a big impact,” said Todd Sanders, Falls Creek Program Director. “Fall Back offers that opportunity.”

Over the summer, tens of thousands of students attend Falls Creek where they hear the Gospel, enjoy various activities, gather for Bible studies, learn about missions and experience powerful worship services inside the Tabernacle. For Fall Back, students experience a meaningful weekend of connection and encouragement while enjoying all Falls Creek has to offer and cooler weather.

This year, Owen Nease, lead pastor at Oklahoma City, Emmaus lead services. He challenged students to please God with their hearts and with their words, preaching from Psalm 19:14. Worship was led by Zeal Worship with Kameron Jinks, worship pastor at Miami, First.

Students also participated in various activities found on the Falls Creek grounds including kayaking, pumpkin painting, a fall carnival, the annual dodgeball tournament and more. The café also provided seasonal menu items to accompany the Fall season.

“I love taking my students to Fall Back because it is such a refreshing time to reset, deepen fellowship and spend time learning God’s Word,” said Anna Amith, Youth Associate at Ardmore, First.

Fall Back weekend began with different youth pastors meeting at Falls Creek during Fall Break and bringing their students with them. The tradition grew, and soon Falls Creek Conference Center soon became involved with the gathering. Fall Back is now a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma Baptist Ministry office and Falls Creek Conference Centers with input from youth ministers involved with the event.

While Fall Back Weekend is a relatively newer event, it provides a fun, relaxing time for students and is a mainstay annual gathering for church youth groups. Jake Anson, youth minster at Ardmore, First, said, “The pace of the weekend is exactly what we are looking for to remind students of and reinforce the commitments they have made over the summer.”

For more information about Fall Back Weekend, click here.