In August, I had the pleasure of taking 15 young men into the wilderness to confront their false ways of relating to God and to others. At the cross, they were able to crucify their false selves and enter into the truth of who God created them to be as men. It is always a profound time of watching God move. It’s definitely one of the highlights of my year! I wanted to share with you part of a testimony from a young man who attended the “confront” (our word for “retreat”):
I went into the confront expecting, but not expecting much. So now I’m a little blown away and still trying to process the weekend. God met me in an incredible way, speaking to me at every turn. The weekend felt like it was the culmination of the last year God has been working in me finally coming to fruition.
From the start, I could tell there were people praying for us. I had asked a few friends and family to pray for me throughout the weekend, but you could feel that there was more. People I do not even know had set an atmosphere, and I’m incredibly thankful for that.
I found out a lot about myself and how I cope under adversity. I make compromises, and that is what has gotten me here in the first place. I came face to face with my passive self, really putting words to what had been just a vague concept. That allowed me to confront it, to take it down.
All the while, I was having fun working with other men as broken as I am. After the weekend, I really feel like I am part of the community. I do not just feel hopeful for change, I feel changed. I have come to an understanding of what brotherly love looks like that has been so foreign to me in the past. I am so glad I committed to this summer. It works if you work it. It’s worth it.
Thanks for praying for these young men. They are feeling your prayers!