H7 Story: Becoming Pillars Retreat Recap
If you are between the ages of 18-24 and looking for a place to meet people and grow in your faith, then Tuesday night at FCC is the place to be.
Tessa Gourley is just one of the dozens of people present each week. When asked about her fellow PILLAR peeps, she shared that, “The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with such amazing sisters and brothers in Christ. You all encourage me in the mission, spur me on to do good works, and remind me of the commands and promises of the Lord. I thank the Lord daily for this community.”
Tessa added that she loves how PILLAR attendees really focus on getting to know one another and seem to avoid the isolation that can sometimes happen in groups. “All of us being present in the moment and considering God and meditating on Him throughout the day only makes it sweeter. And then we also get to be in creation!? Beautiful. He is truly a Great God.”
Hannah Arnold attended PILLAR’s June retreat with Tessa, and she echoed what Tessa shared. “I want to start off by saying that I was so encouraged by the relationships y’all have at Pillar. I’ve been to other retreats before where (contrary to how the church should operate) at least someone gets isolated during the week or there is a lack of participation in group activities or some groups get clicky. Everyone at this retreat embodied a spirit of the church in active participation and building up each other just like we learn from Paul about unity in the Body.”
The retreat Hannah was discussing took place this past June. Graduating high-schoolers, college students, and other young adults in their twenties all came together at Dogwood Lodge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Attendees enjoyed acoustic worship, lessons from II Timothy, small group times, and shared meals – all while staying in a huge lodge featuring thirty eight acres of land providing space for study, picnicking, land sports, a playground, camping, and a waterfront with recreational opportunities.
“I had prayed for a community of people to help me draw closer to him and to help me learn His word better,” Abby Storm shared. She went on to explain that while on the retreat, “I saw it in the connections with others I was able to make and the conversations we had.”
Ethan Barner added that he has been striving to be more submissive and learn how to collaborate with the body of Christ. “I found that in following leadership and trying my best to be humble. I found connection with my peers through dying to my own selfish desires.”
Young Adults Director, David Bowlin summed it up when he said, “We sat down for extended periods and deep study, and I didn't sense that anyone would have rather been playing games or swimming in the lake. We had tons of fun for the weekend, don't get me wrong! But I am so grateful that we weren't there only for the fun! Rather, the fun was an outgrowth of deep and meaningful study of God's word, and fellowship with one another!”
David encourages any young-ish person looking to get involved to come out on Tuesdays at 7p and give PILLAR a try. He emphasized how the unity of the group and the care that people showed for others makes any activity put on by PILLAR a super welcoming event.
Tessa Gourley is just one of the dozens of people present each week. When asked about her fellow PILLAR peeps, she shared that, “The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with such amazing sisters and brothers in Christ. You all encourage me in the mission, spur me on to do good works, and remind me of the commands and promises of the Lord. I thank the Lord daily for this community.”
Tessa added that she loves how PILLAR attendees really focus on getting to know one another and seem to avoid the isolation that can sometimes happen in groups. “All of us being present in the moment and considering God and meditating on Him throughout the day only makes it sweeter. And then we also get to be in creation!? Beautiful. He is truly a Great God.”
Hannah Arnold attended PILLAR’s June retreat with Tessa, and she echoed what Tessa shared. “I want to start off by saying that I was so encouraged by the relationships y’all have at Pillar. I’ve been to other retreats before where (contrary to how the church should operate) at least someone gets isolated during the week or there is a lack of participation in group activities or some groups get clicky. Everyone at this retreat embodied a spirit of the church in active participation and building up each other just like we learn from Paul about unity in the Body.”
The retreat Hannah was discussing took place this past June. Graduating high-schoolers, college students, and other young adults in their twenties all came together at Dogwood Lodge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Attendees enjoyed acoustic worship, lessons from II Timothy, small group times, and shared meals – all while staying in a huge lodge featuring thirty eight acres of land providing space for study, picnicking, land sports, a playground, camping, and a waterfront with recreational opportunities.
“I had prayed for a community of people to help me draw closer to him and to help me learn His word better,” Abby Storm shared. She went on to explain that while on the retreat, “I saw it in the connections with others I was able to make and the conversations we had.”
Ethan Barner added that he has been striving to be more submissive and learn how to collaborate with the body of Christ. “I found that in following leadership and trying my best to be humble. I found connection with my peers through dying to my own selfish desires.”
Young Adults Director, David Bowlin summed it up when he said, “We sat down for extended periods and deep study, and I didn't sense that anyone would have rather been playing games or swimming in the lake. We had tons of fun for the weekend, don't get me wrong! But I am so grateful that we weren't there only for the fun! Rather, the fun was an outgrowth of deep and meaningful study of God's word, and fellowship with one another!”
David encourages any young-ish person looking to get involved to come out on Tuesdays at 7p and give PILLAR a try. He emphasized how the unity of the group and the care that people showed for others makes any activity put on by PILLAR a super welcoming event.
