So another Retreat has past, and we're already been planning for the next year's retreat for some while.  But for those of you who attended WYR 2007, please take some time to fill out the Feedback Form .  We take your feedback seriously and it helps us improve the retreat to meet your needs. 

Make sure you check out the Retreat Jubilee information, it's less than a Year away!  We're looking forward to seeing everyone from 2007 back, plus a bunch of Retreat Veterans next Winter Youth Retreat.  We'll be posting more information soon, so keep checking back.

Have you ever heard God speak?
        
Moses heard God speak out of a flaming bush. The disciples heard God’s voice bellow from the clouds, confirming Jesus’ identity as his one and only Son. And in the middle of the night in the Tabernacle at Shiloh, a young boy named Samuel heard the audible voice of God, beckoning him to listen and obey.

Samuel replied with a simple, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Just like God spoke to Samuel in the past, he continues to speak to us today in numerous ways. He speaks to us through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God sent humanity the most powerful message of all—that He loves us, offers us salvation, and wants us to accept His salvation and serve Him for all eternity.

So if you heard the voice of God today, how would you respond? Would you humbly reply with a willing heart like Samuel? Would you pretend you didn’t hear? Or would all the other voices in your life drown out God’s still, small voice as He called you repeatedly by name?

At this year’s Winter Youth Retreat, you’ll learn how to hear God’s voice and be ready to respond to His call.


Brochures were mailed out October 22nd.  If you didn’t’ get one or need another, download the PDF of the WYR 2007 Brochure.  - You need a PDF reader to view this.  A PDF of the registration form will be coming soon.

This Year's Sessions Speakers! 

“God Has Spoken Through Creation”
by Steve Bassett

Steve is a biology professor at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where he teaches anatomy and physiology (the fun courses!). God had been speaking to him for a while when Steve finally listened at a Campus Crusade for Christ convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of seventeen. Thirty-six years later he is still amazed at God’s grace and goodness. Although he’s a scientist, Steve often refers to himself as “a music major gone bad.” At his church, he leads the young people’s singing for Sunday School and youth group meetings, where he gets to play his blue Fender Strat.

“God Speaks Through His Word”
by Todd Van Ryn

Todd is passionate about studying and sharing God’s Word. He has been a speaker/teacher at Bible camps, retreats and conferences in the U.S., Canada and Latin America for the past 25 years. Todd currently is Pastor at Merrill Bible Church, -- Merrill, WI -- providing ministry to both English and Spanish congregations. With their family motto of “addicted to the service of the saints” (1 Cor. 16:15), they also operate 5 Loaves & 2 Fish, which is a bookstore ministry with 4 stores in Wisconsin and Illinois. Todd, and his wife of 25 years – Sherry, also have five children: Brittany, Cody, Dilan, Austin and Carley, ranging from 18 to 24 years of age. The children fellowship at Bible Truth Chapel in Wausau, WI. 

“God Speaks Through the Holy Spirit”
Stefan Johnson

Stefan lives in Dubuque, Iowa, where he serves at Emmaus Bible College. If you'd like to learn how you can grow at Emmaus, talk to Stefan! After college, Stefan went to Dallas Seminary, then served at Atlantic Gospel Chapel (In southwest Iowa) for 14 years. Stefan and his wife Linda have four kids, aged 13 to 17.

“God Speaks Through His People”
Tim Van Ryn

Tim has worked in gospel publications at Grace & Truth in Danville, IL since 1979, serving in various capacities. He currently does layout/design work, web maintenance and computer maintenance. Off-work he enjoys outdoor activities: hiking, sports, motorcycling, and photography (not gardening or landscaping). He has attended many Retreats in the past and is happy to remain young enough to continue. He enjoys being with other young people. Tim and his wife Myrna have 4 adult children (3 of them married) and 2 grandchildren. They are active in their local assembly in Danville. Tim felt the Lord speaking to him particularly in the move from Michigan to Illinois. The Lord used verses of Scripture and the Holy Spirit working in his heart to convince him (other believers were not that supportive!).

“God Speaks Through Our Circumstances”
Christa March

“God Will Speak Again”
Peter Grul

Born a poor white child in northern New Jersey, the firstborn son of immigrant parents fleeing their war-ravaged homelands, Peter now lives in the city that has been both the most literate and most athletic city on the U.S., Minneapolis. God told Peter to leave his  career as a paid dupe of the military-industrial complex and go to the sunny Caribbean to explain to people why there isn’t any flora under the “plantarium” dome. He now spends his days going “blah blah blah” on the dubious wonders of mass-energy and space-time at Washburn High School -go Millers! (yeah…Millers…as in flour). He is still in mourning over the closing of his two favorite Krispy Kreme stores.

Winter Youth Retreat, Toledo Ohio