DEACON AND DEACONESS RETREAT

DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE THIS REGISTRATION FORM – THE LINK BELOW IS FOR PAYMENTS

Greetings to all Deacons and Deaconesses!

We are excited to announce that this year’s retreat will be back in person! The past two years have been filled with a great deal of changes and adjustments to the way we do things. We are grateful to God that He has allowed us to once again meet together. Although the last two years we were still able to meet by way of virtual means, we are happy to be able to come together under one roof. We are looking for the Lord to bless us to have another great retreat this year. This year marks our 5th Anniversary, and our theme is “Allied with God for such a time as this.” If there was ever a time to draw close to God, the time is now. We are truly living in unprecedented times, and we need the Lord to shield us from the evil tactics of the enemy.

We encourage all of our deacons and deaconesses to pray for the success of the retreat and to join us for great teaching and great fellowship. 
 

Special Guests This Year

This year we are blessed to have another one of our Leading Elders, Ruling Elder James E. Williams as our guest keynote speaker.
 

BACKGROUND

For the first time in the history of the Church of God by Faith, Inc, the Executive Council has endorsed a National Deacons and Deaconesses Retreat. This important ministry follows the release of the new Deacon’s Training Manual and the start of the first National COGBF Deacons/Deaconesses Training Class.

All of this recent attention on this ministry is the recognition that if we are to grow as a church body, deacons and deaconesses are to be on the front-lines of these efforts. Qualified “helpers” can free the hands of pastors to do the work that God has called them to do by caring for the spiritual and temporal needs of congregates.
 

ELIGIBILITY TO ATTEND

All attendees must fit into one of these following categories:
  • All Church of God by Faith deacons and deaconesses are invited to attend this event
  • The spouses of COGBF deacons and deaconesses
  • Invited special guests and speakers
  • Members of the Executive Council
  • All other guests who desire to attend but do not fit into these categories must be approved by the conference leadership
  • No children or other unapproved individuals who do not fit into these categories.

2023 Retreat Costs and Itinerary

This is a time for learning, fellowshipping, and yes, even though we are living with COVID19, the work must continue.
  • Location: Christian Retreat Conference Center, 1201 Glory Way
  • Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34212
  • DATE: September 26th – 29th
  • Costs: $ 650.00 per couple and $525.00 per individual
  • Registration deadline: September 3, 2023
  • Coordinator: Deacon Al L. Smith II: lynden.smithii@gmail.com
 
 
 

RETREAT GOALS

All attendees must fit into one of these following categories: 
  • For COGBF deacons and deaconess to come together to
    study more effective ways to administer the service of the
    Lord
  • To develop strategies to meet the requirements of this
    present age more effectively
  • Collaborate with deacons and deaconesses from other
    districts and local churches
  • To fellowship and relax in a peaceful environment
  • To maintain a healthy lifestyle as we prepare for the tasks before us