Men’s Retreat – Kairos Church

REFLECTIONS ON 2017 KAIROS MEN’S RETREAT

Each of us has callings in our lives, whether it be a call to relationship and family, exploration, career, or ministry, or perhaps some of each. However, the extent to which we reflect upon these callings and God’s purpose in calling us before we start down our chosen paths varies. Our purpose at the 2017 Kairos Men’s Retreat at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina was to devote thought, prayer and discussion to God’s calling for us where we find ourselves in our current life context.

Led by Nate Stratman, Lead Pastor of Hope Community in Wrightsville Beach, NC, we listened and discussed God’s primary calling as defined in Matthew 22:37:40:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

We spent time discussing and thinking about God’s secondary calling for us, the ‘how, what and where’ of our primary calling, and we devoted prayer and thought to how we have or are experiencing “wilderness” seasons in our lives.

For me personally, it was a time (as someone new to Kairos) to become better acquainted with the community and to build perspective through God’s word and the experience of others as I explored my own brokenness experienced in my seasons of “wilderness”. It led to greater understanding of how God is using my wilderness time to draw me into a better understanding of my secondary calling. Personally this means asking for God’s gift of discernment each day to seek and recognize the large and small ways I can serve Christ by serving others. It is a constant labor.

My time with the other men, discussing our lives and families and enjoying the great abundance God has given us in community and nature, left me excited about the opportunity to be a part of this faith community.

I was grateful for the time and perspective, and excited for the many years of fellowship and service at Kairos to come.

– Nathan Hedges