The Student Government Association is offering students an alternative to romantic outings this Valentine’s Day weekend; SGA is hosting a Spiritual Disciplines Retreat.
The retreat will take place at the Central Christian Camp in Guthrie, Oklahoma from Feb. 13-14.
Quinn Fields, SGA chaplain, worked alongside the Spiritual Life Committee to organize the event.
“The goal is to learn spiritual disciplines and come up with a rhythm to spiritual life and your quiet time, so that you can be prepared to be more consistent in that and let it affect your life, rather than disconnect it,” Fields said.
The camp is about a 20-minute drive from campus. The weekend features worship, spiritual discipline application, a campfire with s’mores and cabins with bunk beds for students to stay the night.
SGA is covering most of the cost for the weekend, however, students must pay $10 to participate and reserve their spot.
The retreat will kick-off on Friday at 5 p.m. and conclude on Saturday at noon. Students have the option to drive back to campus for the night, and if students have a conflict on either day, they also have the option to attend only one session of the weekend.
Last year was the launch of the retreat. Approximately 20 students participated in the weekend that focused on learning tools to enhance their one-on-one relationship with God.
Phil Brookman, Memorial Road Church of Christ pulpit minister, led the retreat last year and said he is excited to continue teaching students in the upcoming weekend.
Brookman said one of the most common observations he has made about college students is how extremely stressed and busy they are. He believes Christians often get addicted to being productive and lose a sense of a deeper life and relationship with God.
Brookman said he plans to give applicable and practical tools to students to help them improve their spiritual walk.
“We’re going to practice how to do life with God,” Brookman said. “We think it’s easy, but it’s not at all. I feel like a lot of people know how to do things for God, but very few people know how to be with God.”
Since his previous role as the youth minister at Memorial Road Church of Christ, Brookman has aided students’ search for a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.
“We need productivity detox, or we get so unhealthy,” Brookman said. “We’re so used to getting things instantly, but there’s truly a lot more contentment with the deeper things in life that we just don’t do.”
Sophomore Elijah Weaver said he truly appreciated his experience at the Spiritual Disciplines Retreat last year.
“It was very revitalizing, especially in the midst of busy college life,” Weaver said. “It was almost surreal to get away for a weekend and just practice these spiritual disciplines that are grounded in peace and rejuvenation. Looking back on it, it was just a time of complete peace.”
Weaver said he recommends the retreat for students, understanding that spiritual discipline is not the most talked about subject in the Christian faith.
“Being disciplined in our faith is way overlooked,” Weaver said. “I think it’s vital for people to hear what Phil has to say and what the disciplines are all about.”
The retreat is focused on not only spiritual disciplines, but also intentional fellowship without excessive distractions.
“Expect to learn tools to help you in your everyday life,” Fields said. “It’s not some sort of emotional, spiritual high – it’s more learning how to be prepared to grow in your life in general and in your personal relationship with God. It’s just a cool time to hang out and see people on a deeper level.”
To find out more information or how to sign up for the retreat, stop by the SGA office or email quinn.fields@eagles.oc.edu.
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