2019 Ministerial Association Retreat

The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff, and spouses, will be held Oct. 7-9, 2019, at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN.

This is the perfect time of year to gather as fall events have already kicked off in our ministry contexts, and the fall foliage and colors will just be entering into full effect. This retreat is a 3 day/2 night intentional time created to bless those who do ministry in the Northwest Conference.

New in 2019

This year our retreat offers a new format. Rather than having one speaker, we are offering a variety of meeting experiences. Our theme is, “Come and Be Refreshed.” You decide which experiences will offer you the refreshing you need.

• We are excited to offer an “Early bird Special.” You can come and stay Sunday night for reduced fees. See registration form for details.
• For early arrivals, before the retreat officially begins on Monday afternoon, we are featuring a bonus preaching symposium with Phil Print and Stephanie-Williams O’Brien, both of whom are professors of preaching at Bethel Seminary, on Monday morning.
• Plus, our featured speaker on Monday and Tuesday is Peter Haas sharing a number of innovative ideas on how to effectively reach new people through your church. Please read below for more details on what we have planned!

Registration

The retreat costs on the online registration form are per person and include housing (Monday, Oct. 7, and Tuesday, Oct. 8), meals (Dinner Monday through Breakfast Wednesday) and program fee. You will also see the option of adding Sunday night housing. (Note: the Sunday night housing option does not include any meals added. There are multiple restaurant options within a 5-10 minute drive of the retreat center).

• If you’d like to register for less than the full retreat, contact Cheryl Theilen at the NWC Office (612-721-4893) for pricing and registration.
• For those participating in the Church Planter’s Retreat, please make sure to add Sunday night lodging during registration.

REGISTER ONLINE

Guest Speaker – Peter Haas

While working in a nightclub as a rave-dj, Peter challenged the God of the Universe to “reveal himself” in an unmistakable way. Only seconds later, God responded to him with a jaw dropping Gospel encounter that shook the foundation of his life. Since converting to Christianity on the spot, Peter has traveled the world, sharing his radical story and calling others to experience the same joy and power.

Within a few short years, Peter was sucked into full-time ministry. After pastoring in Wisconsin for a decade, Peter relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2004 to plant an arts-oriented church called Substance. Within a few short years, Substance became one of the fastest growing and most youthful multi-site mega-churches in the United States. Over 70% of the thousands who participate in their community are under 30 years old and over 41% of their congregation did not attend church or have a relationship with God even two years ago.

Both Peter and his church are known for their appeal to artists, intellectuals and un-churched 20-somethings. Not surprisingly, Substance’s innovative approaches to worship, film, and church methodology have garnered international attention. Peter also speaks to church planters and pastors all over the globe as he serves on the lead team of the Association of Related Churches. With a unique blend of comedian, futurist, nerdy researcher & Bible teacher, Peter released his first national book in 2012 with Influence Resources called Pharisectomy: how to remove your inner Pharisee and other religiously transmitted diseases. The strange mixture of comedy and spiritual growth launched Pharisectomy to become a best seller on amazon.com. Beyond family & church, his next greatest passions are music, film & comedy. Playing just about every instrument from cello to electric guitar, Peter spends most of his free time in his recording studio spinning EDM on his turntables or scoring classical film soundtracks. Peter currently resides in Minneapolis with his wife Carolyn and their three kids. Visit peterhaas.org or substancechurch.com to download books, sermons & other free resources.