It's easy to get lost looking for yourself.  It can feel impossible to find a person that you love and respect in the mirror. To find one who lives up to the expectations of your parents, your friends, your church.  Vaguely religious calls to hand it over to God don't help much because the deeper we dive into God's word, the more we realize we have two identities that are at war with each other.  Sinner. Saint.  And that's not a sign something is broken. It's a sign it's working.  It feels terrible to have a losing war fought inside you every day, but that identity crisis isn't yours to sort out.  In your baptism, old Adam is drowned. Every day. And the new man arises. Every day. It feels like a losing war, but it's already won.

Chief of sinners. Child of God. Pastor Harrison Goodman preaches Christ crucified as a light that shines in darkness and a hope for the hopeless. As HT’s Content Executive, he helps to make these same gifts known online by employing the many voices and talents of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Join us at this retreat and hear all about the great gifts God continues to give us.

The $50 cost covers three meals (Friday supper and breakfast and lunch on Saturday) and lodging at the church, in addition to the retreat activities, which begin at 7pm on Friday and conclude at 4pm on Saturday

You may also contact Lynea Sander at (832) 772-3170 or lynealeia@gmail.com to ask for a registration packet via email. Groups should register online or RSVP by September 8th. 

Lynea Sander

(832) 722-3170
lynealeia@gmail.com 

Tana McKenna
Higher Things retreat coordinator
888-482-6630 x. 4
retreats@higherthings.org

Grab your materials!

Home! Did you know a major theme running from Genesis to Revelation is God’s desire to dwell with us forever? The Bible can be broken into five chapters describing God’s mission to make His Home here! The Welcome! The Walkout! The Worksite! The Wonder! The Welcome! The Bible is not just bookended by welcome! It’s the start, middle, end! Garden! Home! Tabernacle! Temple! Jesus! It’s in Jesus where we find our place of belonging, identity, and purpose in this life and the life of the World to come! Homeless no more!

Both Saint and Sinner! Pastor Aaron Schian has been proclaiming the “gospely” Good News at Grace (Auburn, MI) since 2016! In the last year, he’s enjoyed making “The Black and Blue” series for Higher Things with Deaconess Mika. Join Pastor Schian for this retreat and rejoice with him in this God who makes His Home with us so that we are never alone. There’s a home that will stand the test of time and you and I are members of it.  

There is no charge for this retreat! You will receive Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday breakfast, all presentations and activities, and overnight lodging at Concordia Lutheran Church. The retreat will begin with registration at 5pm on Friday and end Sunday after the Divine Service. 

Boys and girls will have separate sleeping areas. Each group should have at least one female chaperone for the girls in their group and at least one male chaperone for the boys in their group. Attendees need to bring toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.), a sleeping bag, a pillow, and a change of clothing. There are no shower facilities. 

Rev. Larry McGurer
(319) 848-4187
larry@christlutheranbreck.org

Tana McKenna
Higher Things Retreat Coordinator
888-482-6630 x. 4
retreats@higherthings.org

Grab your materials!

Serving God goes far beyond being an acolyte on Sunday morning, or helping with Sunday School and VBS. In your everyday life, you are a Mask of God. You carry the love of Christ to your neighbors in ways you may not even realize. Let’s explore how God the Father has gifted you to share his love with all your neighbors, not just your church family, and how important all of your work in this sinful world truly is.

Rev. Duane Bamsch is a born-and-bred Texan who enjoys living in the Sierra Nevada mountains and serving the people of God at Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA. His experience with Higher Things stretches back to 2005 when he was a participant, and he has served the organization in various roles as a breakaway teacher, plenary speaker, writer of Reflections, and teacher at retreats. He is married to Stephanie, and has two children who help focus him on getting Jesus into the ears of youth and daring them to be Lutheran.  

$40 per person covers all Friday night supper and snacks, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and snacks, all presentations and activities, and overnight lodging at First Lutheran Church. This retreat is intended for High School age students. The retreat will begin at 4 pm Friday and end at 2 pm Saturday.

Boys and girls will have separate sleeping areas. Each group should have at least one female chaperone for the girls in their group and at least one male chaperone for the boys in their group. Attendees need to bring toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.), a sleeping bag, a pillow, and a change of clothing. There are no shower facilities. 

Kathleen Vaughn
(619) 444-7444
kvaughn@youhaveaplace.com

Tana McKenna
Higher Things Retreat Coordinator
888-482-6630 x. 4
retreats@higherthings.org

Grab your materials!