The
Forming Men
Retreat
October 24 - 27, 2024
SOLD OUT
October 29 - Nov 1, 2024
SOLD OUT
There is so much confusion about what it means to be a man in the world today.
This leaves many of us wondering what to do with our strength, our wounds, our longings and our gifts. Some men bottle their frustration and sadness, others overcompensate through achievement and accomplishment. Others take the time to process Gods vision for their life, and to deal with their longings and pain.
We have created the Making of a Man Retreat as a place to do just this. Our vision is to form mens hearts to reject the passivity of our moment, without becoming a caricature of our culture.
When & Where?
Brady, TX
Our retreat will be hosted at a 1,000 acre quintessential Texas ranch, Selah Springs. Not only is it set on an idyllic river, but they have everything from a shooting range to axe throwing to kayaking available across the ranch. The ranch is a straight shot gorgeous and scenic 2 hour drive from either San Antonio Airport or Austin Airport. All 45 of us will be staying on property, with phones turned off and in the whole time.
Feb 14 - 17, 2024
(SOLD OUT)
Feb 19 - 22, 2024
(SOLD OUT)
Oct 24 - 27, 2024
(SOLD OUT)
Oct 29 - Nov 1, 2024
(SOLD OUT)
Some men live their whole lives with their deepest desires and questions left unmet and unanswered. It doesn't have to be that way.
What is the Forming Men Retreat Intensive?
We have designed an immersive, formative experience to help you make sense of your story, redeem your pain, identify your gifts, clarify your vision, and live out your calling.
And you will not do this alone. You will be surrounded by a like-minded community of brothers who will take you seriously, listen deeply and encourage fiercely.
We believe God entrusted each of us with a sphere of influence and a calling to use our strength on behalf of others. We believe this happens best when men are formed into the image of Jesus and bring his passion, kindness, anger, joy and hope to the world.
This retreat is a no phone, no internet retreat. Your phones will be required to be turned in at the beginning of day 1 (more info on how that'll work below).
Some may roll their eyes at an event like this. Others may dismiss it as unnecessary. Yet we believe the world needs men like Jesus, and spaces like this to encounter him in breakthrough ways.
The Location
We believe God is a God of spaces and places. That certain spaces can be sacred, or what Dallas Willard calls 'thin places' where Heaven and Earth touch so closely together. That's why we are so careful to choose the right locations for our retreats. And we believe Selah Springs Ranch in Texas is that place. It has been a historic location of Christian witness for years and there is no better place for our few days together than this here.
A quick note about your time in Texas, to help you plan..
The 1,000 acre farm in Texas is a beautiful 2ish hr drive from either Austin Bergstrom Airport or the San Antonio Airport. I'd suggest everyone fly into either airport and making sure to land before 1pm on day 1 (first thing at the ranch is dinner that night around 6pm with welcome and registration starting at 5pm).
The retreat ends day 4 at 9am so plan to leave back to the airport of your choice around 10am. You are free to drive yourself to the ranch, but this weekend and the property is an epic retreat center where you will not need a car once you arrive, so I suggest pairing up with 4-6 other members in the group via our Slack and communication channels to all caravan and pitch in together for transportation (and it's the most fun to get to know each other quickly. This also helps us go deeper and farther since connections are made before even arriving on the property).
The Food
One thing we believe heartily at Forming Men is that the table matters. Food matters.
Most retreats like this, the food is an afterthought and is only meant to meet the bare minimum requirements (make you not hungry).
But we believe it's integral to a gathering (Deut. 14:25-26). Food and the table are massively central to the Kingdom of God! And because of that, we will not skimp. Kiawe Outdoor will be catering the entire retreat. They are team of advanced sommeliers from Maui who only exclusively cook outdoor and over an open fire and trust us when we say it's quite an experience. We can't wait!
Most men haven’t been taught how to be one. It’s time for that to change.
Your Guides
Jeff and Jon have a combined 30 years of experience working with and thinking about issues related to men, masculinity, and so on. Jeff leads men and fathers through the online ministry Family Teams, while Jon has been a pastor in New York with a specific call and heart for men for decades.
Join the waitlist to be notified of our next men's retreat!
We were not expecting the demand and excitement we got when we opened up this year's retreats, so we are now putting our heads back together about possible other retreats to add in the future. Toss your name below if you'd like to be notified first of additional retreats.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know below and our team will be in touch!
