'Deeper Journey' Series Begins
The first retreat in the “Deeper Journey” series, sponsored by Christian Reformed Home Missions, offered the 26 participants a break from their normal routines and a chance to build a closer relationship with God and one another.
Deeper Journey is described as a two-year “journey into a greater relationship with God.” Church and ministry leaders, as well as their spouses can take part in the program. Most of those who attended the three-day retreat held at the St. Francis Retreat Center near Lansing, Mich., were pastors.
“It was a mountaintop experience for those who participated,” says Ben Becksvoort, regional leader for CRHM. “We truly met God and one another there in an experience of Christian fellowship, worship and community.”
Pastors and others can still participate in the series if they sign up for the next retreat, but after that the series will be closed for at least a year.
The idea of holding the retreat came from a group of CRC pastors, who participated in a series of retreats over the past two years at the Transforming Center in Chicago and wished to share their experience with their peers. Assistance from a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant helped to make the project a reality.
The CRC launched the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence project in 2003 with a five-year grant of nearly $2 million from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. In 2008, the CRC received a second grant of nearly $1 million.
The intent of the SPE project is to create a culture of pastoral excellence in the CRC. It offers funding for peer learning groups, continuing education events, mentoring, and support groups for pastors’ spouses and learning events for pastoral couples.
The recent retreat was led by Rev. Doug Kamstra, prayer mobilization and discipleship team leader for CRHM and pastor of Calvary CRC in Wyoming, Mich., and Rev. Jack Dik, pastor of Georgetown CRC in Hudsonville, Mich. Rev. Gregg DeMey, pastor of Elmhurst CRC in Elmhurst, Ill., and Rev. Jon DeBruyn, a retired CRC pastor, led worship in the chapel.
Rev. Bill Vandenbosch, a retired CRC pastor of Oakdale CRC in Grand Rapids, and Rev. Bob Huisman, pastor of Immanuel CRC in Hudsonville, also helped to plan and put on the retreat.
“It was a deep privilege to be part of such an intense experience of worship, solitude and silence, spirited singing and prayer,” says Becksvoort. “Thanks to all of you who prayed for us as we participated together in these first steps on a journey.”
Participants were assigned to small groups that met during the retreat to share and process and also meet at least once between retreats.
The Deeper Journey is a two-year commitment to attend eight three-day retreats; to actively participate in a large community, in a small group community, and in communal worship; and to practice the disciplines and the rhythms between retreats. Each retreat will focus on one primary theme, discipline or spiritual practice, with time set aside for solitude, silence, and rest.
The next retreats will be June 28-30, 2009;Sept. 20-22, 2009; Jan. 10-12, 2010; March 21-23, 2010; June 27-29, 2010;Sept. 26-28, 2010, and Jan. 9-11, 2011.
The cost is $250 per retreat and includes a private room for two nights, all meals, tuition, texts and course materials. While it is recommended that each person have their own room, those staying in a room with their full-paying spouse may attend for half price, or $125 per retreat. Scholarship assistance may be available.
For more information, contact Ben Becksvoort at [email protected] or by calling. 616-224-0723.
A brochure on the Deeper Journey is available at: http://www2.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/crhm/Regions/GreatLakes/The%20Deeper%20Journey.pdf
A registration form is available at: http://www2.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/crhm/Regions/GreatLakes/REGISTRATION.pdf
