The United Methodist Men of the South Georgia Conference will host their annual Spring Retreat April 8-10 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island.
Gathering under the theme, “Men of God, make a difference,” retreat participants will hear dynamic and inspirational messages from football greats John Riley and Tommy Bowden.
“The purpose is to help men grow closer to Christ,” said UMM president Chuck Cowart. “They can expect to have their spirits lifted.”
The retreat, while a Methodist men’s event, is open to anyone interested in participating.
“I’ve been going to the retreat for more than 30 years, and I have seen many, many, many men’s lives changed as a result of what goes on during the weekend,” Cowart said. “It’s our hope that we can get many men there and that lives will be changed and that it would help them and their churches.”
Beginning at noon on Friday, April 8, with a golf tournament at Brunswick’s Coastal Pines Golf Course and ending after lunch on Sunday, April 10, the retreat is designed to help participants grow spiritually and in fellowship with others.
“These retreats have impacted my faith by helping me see other Christian men grow in their faith,” Cowart said. “I have established some really wonderful personal relationships with men from all over the conference, and we support one another, pray for one another, and help each other grow. It has certainly been a big boost to my faith.”
John Riley, an All Southeastern Conference placekicker for Auburn in 1968 and 1969 who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1970, is a challenging, inspirational speaker with a unique, God-given ability to communicate great Biblical truth in a simple, understandable manner. Riley will deliver the messages on Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday.
Former Division I head football coach Tommy Bowden, an avid Bible student and sought-after speaker, will speak on Saturday morning.
On Saturday afternoon, retreat attendees will have an opportunity to participate in service projects in Brunswick. There will also be an opportunity to join the Fellowship of Christian Farmers as they minister to Brunswick residents.
“If men are satisfied with where they are, they can stay at home and just keep doing the same old thing,” Cowart said. “But if there are men out there who want to grow and really want to grow in fellowship with other men, I encourage them to sign up and come and be a part of it.”
For more information and to download a brochure,
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