By Nick Edmonds, Youth Ministry Director, Columbia Grove Covenant Church
I was two months into taking over the middle school youth ministry at Columbia Grove in Wenatchee and I was desperate to find some kind of retreat to help build up my adult leaders. Just my luck I found the PNW Youth Ministry Network Retreat and signed us all up. Now in my head I am assuming this is a retreat where I get to rub elbows and tap the knowledge of more experienced youth pastors with in my denomination. I figure that this can only help me become a better leader.
This event turned out to be so much more, and exactly what God had in mind, not only for our group but the event as a whole. With a small group of fifteen I was able to meet and truly get to know everyone there. The “workshops” were perfect and not only were created to help us become better leaders, but also helped us become better versions of ourselves. We had to face truths we might not have faced at any other time and learn to be transparent with those within our group.
I now have a foundation of people, that without hesitation will come along side me and help me work through any youth ministry struggle I run into. I was deeply humbled by these amazing people and programs put on by Eric Cave. If there was a date already listed for next year, I would sign up today no matter the cost. I don’t want to miss anything that was as impactful as this retreat was to myself and my leaders.
