Singles Retreat
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Psalm 24:1-2
Oct 1-3, 2021
Singles Retreat
Come and enjoy some fellowship with other reformed singles in the beautiful early spring weather of northwest Virginia! This year’s Singles Retreat will include speaking sessions by Scott Willet on ‘Serving God in All the Seasons of Your Life’. In addition, there will be free time to enjoy hiking/recreational activities of your choice (feel free to bring your own recreational equipment and board games).
For any questions regarding the singles retreat, please contact the Singles Retreat organizer, Ken Barnes, at [email protected].
Speakers
Scott Willet, Pastor
Airy, NC since 2016. Ordained to the gospel ministry at age 26, he has served as the pastor of
four previous churches over the past 33 years, and was, for a time, the chairman of the MRCC
Retreat Operating Committee. The Lord has given Scott energy and zeal for both his public and
personal ministry with an eagerness and ability to minister effectively to a wide variety of ages,
from children and teenagers to senior citizens. He is especially eager to see older children
successfully navigate the season(s) of life through which they enter adulthood.
Raised well as the youngest of six children in a stable and church-going family, Scott was
spared many of the flagrant and destructive sins of youthful rebellion. The Lord saved him at
age 13, when he first heard the gospel and understood it in a way he never had before. He was
confronted with his status before God as a sinner in need of a savior, and was urged to confess
his sins and repent. He delighted to call Jesus his savior and traces the beginning of his eternal
life to that night. Recognizing the sins of pride and self-righteousness, he began to seek to live
with both humility and patience before the Lord. He believed the Bible to be true, and sought to
understand it more faithfully. Shortly after graduating from college, he sensed a very distinct
and ultimately irresistible call to the gospel ministry As that call began to be confirmed, he
entered seminary and then completed a year-long internship as a prison chaplain in Mississippi
prior to being ordained. Seasoned by both the joys and struggles of life in a fallen world, Scott
remains dependent upon the grace of God to sustain him every day.
Born and raised near Buffalo, NY, Scott has a 1982 Civil Engineering degree from Virginia Tech
and a 1987 Masters of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He
and his wife, Sharon, were married in 1987 and have three young-adult daughters.
Theme Statement
Serving God in All the Seasons of Your Life
Theme Verse
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Personal Invitation
I want to invite you to the 2020 Singles Retreat at MRCC, emphasizing at the outset that I want to focus your thinking on the concept of seasons of life. Singleness is not simply a temporary prelude to marriage, nor is it merely something to be endured as some sort of struggle or incompleteness. In that context, there is no singular definition of the impact of singleness upon your lives nor broad over-arching goal that should define singleness for everyone uniformly. Thus the broader concept upon which we will focus, beginning with Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season. Recognizing that the providence of God governs all those seasons in all of our lives, the goal of the retreat will be to recognize, define, evaluate, and embrace the seasons of your own life. Ultimately, the goal is contentment and hope. (1 Timothy 6:6)
The great benefit of a retreat at MRCC is that we will have time not only to relax and enjoy all the beauty of Highland County, but also time to talk and interact together. There will be time for questions and for thinking out loud, both in our group sessions as well as informal conversations. I hope you will get to know me as I look forward to getting to know all of you. I expect to present the opening and closing segments (Saturday morning and Sunday worship) in a preaching format, but the Saturday evening and Sunday School segments will be designed much more as interactive teaching opportunities. For those who are able to arrive in time Friday evening, I will also plan a time of informal discussion not simply designed as an ice breaker, but more so as a time to begin the process of thinking (talking and listening) together. I hope that I can stimulate your mind in a good way, and help you to understand not only your current season of life but be well prepared for whatever seasons of life might remain ahead of you.
Registration
Online Registration Form
Machen Retreat and Conference Center
PO Box 91
McDowell, Virginia 24458
Location
6 Job’s Hill Rd
McDowell, VA 24458
Phone
Retreat: (540)396-3650
Information: (703)477-5670
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2