Men’s Retreat 2023
Friday, Nov. 10 to Saturday, Nov. 11 | Live Oak, FL
Playing the Long Game
River City Men: Join us for a life-changing overnight retreat at the Live Oak, Florida Advent Retreat Center. Let's step away from the grind and ask God for a fresh vision for our lives.
The theme of this year’s retreat is Playing the Long Game: Building Our Lives Around What Matters In the End.
We’ll spend time in worship, prayer, teaching, discussion, a bonfire, and plenty of competition. The cost is $120 and includes food, lodging, and more. When you sign up, you can request a roommate and inform us of any dietary restrictions.
Advent Retreat Center
11057 Dowling Park Dr
Live Oak, FL 32064
Google Maps: Click here for directions
Directions from Jacksonville: Westbound on I-10, exit at Exit 283, US 129, for Live Oak. From the exit, turn left onto US 129 South. Proceed south on US 129 into Live Oak and turn right onto State Road 51 (11th St.). Take the 2nd right onto County Road 136 (hospital exit) at the roundabout. Proceed on CR 136 for approximately 16 miles (the road makes a hard left turn 3 miles from your destination). Watch for Advent Christian Village signs. Advent Christian Village’s north entrance will be on the right after the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.
Once You Arrive: After you turn into Advent Christian Village, continue straight on Dowling Park Dr. until you reach the Village Square. Turn right into the Village Square parking lot and park there. You can then check in and receive your lodging details (you will be staying at either the Village Lodge located at Village Square, the Smith Cottage, or the Jones Cottage — see map below for more details). Our Conference Room is located on the second floor of the Village Square building.
Schedule
Check-in will be located at Village Square outside of the Village Lodge building. All sessions will occur in the Conference Room on the second floor of the Village Lodge building.
Friday
Check-In: 5pm - 6:30pm
Dinner & Welcome: 6:30pm
Session 1: 7:45pm
Fire Pit: 9:30pm
Saturday
Early Run (Optional): 6am
Breakfast: 8am
Team Challenge: 9am
Room Checkout: 10am
Session 2: 10:45am
Lunch: 12pm
Wisdom Panel: 12:30pm
Flex Time: 1:30pm
The Games: 2pm
Dinner: 5pm
Group Send-Off: 6:45pm
Pre-Retreat Prayer
Pray through it as written, seeking God's favor on the entire group and our time together. Then, pray through it again, substituting "I/me/mine/etc." for "we/us/our/etc." to make it personal to you, asking God to prepare your heart and to manifest his purpose for this time specifically for you.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER
As we head off for time away with each other,
we come first to you—creator, redeemer, protector, sustainer.
We love you; we worship you.
Fill us afresh, Holy Spirit; restore and renew us in this time away.
Prepare our hearts to experience your love as your beloved sons.
Open our eyes to see the grace and mercy
that we so desperately want and need.
Teach us to surrender to your lordship in new ways;
humble us under your mighty, gracious hand.
Bring the full work of Christ among us
and allow only the love of God between us;
reconcile any broken relationships
through the power of your Spirit.
Help us journey well with one another—
treasuring the moments, sharing our weaknesses, and growing in grace.
Strengthen those of us who are in need of care—
struggling through seasons of pain, loss, stress, or failure.
Deepen the sense of shared mission in us—
that we might love and serve with purpose, devotion and unity.
Now protect us in the travel and time away.
Preserve our going out and coming in.
And keep safe our households and loved ones while we are gone.
Surround them with your loving care;
protect them from every danger.
In the merciful and mighty name of Jesus we pray.
AMEN
