History of the Winter Youth Retreat

20 young adults responded to Russ and Adele Skaling’s invitation to attend the first Winter Youth Retreat in Lowry, Minnesota, in 1959. The Skaling’s initial objectives were to provide a relaxing atmosphere for young people to enjoy studying God’s Word, to challenge them in their Christian faith, to confront the “crying needs of the hour,” and enjoy fellowship as God intended in one Body.

Although the location of the Winter Youth Retreat has changed from Minnesota to Toronto to Toledo and many places in between, the mission of the Winter Youth Retreat remains the same: “Training Today’s Youth to be Godly Examples.”

The Winter Youth Retreat is a non-profit, non-denominational ministry that receives prayerful support and encouragement from many individuals and churches across North America who share an evangelical, Biblically fundamental charter of faith (see what we value on the opposite page). The Winter Youth Retreat is sponsored by Good Tidings Publishers – an organization that has been committed to Christian growth and discipleship for over 150 years. Praise God for such a rich history!

Beginning with the Skalings, there have been many individuals, couples, and families that have served the Lord in this ministry. Currently, there is a Winter Youth Retreat Council consisting of 11 members that accepts responsibility for maintaining Biblical and godly conformity of the doctrines and programs presented.

Our prayer is that each young person attending the Winter Youth Retreat will hear God’s Spirit speaking in a variety of ways to draw his or her heart into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Thousands of young people have been blessed by this ministry, and we pray for continued blessing this year. May God be glorified in the Winter Youth Retreat as we approach 50 years of witnessing His life-changing power!

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” I Timothy 4:12