“Reset: Our Journey with God” Winter Retreat Brings Together 15 EOC Youth Groups

EOC News

By Tim Beck *

(courtesy of Lucas Ciprian, Vienna UMC) To download the video above, first click the share button in the upper right corner of the video window, then click the Vimeo link. Then, on the Vimeo page click the download link underneath the video window.

Students and adults from across northeast Ohio gathered at Camp Asbury, February 27- March 1 for the annual winter youth group retreat at Camp Asbury. This year’s retreat attracted 78 youth and adults from 15 churches across the Northern Waters, Central Valley, and West Plains Districts. The retreat was filled with worship, teaching, small-group conversations, games, and time for reflection – creating space for students to reconnect with God and with one another. 

The theme of the weekend was “Reset: Our Journey with God.” Throughout the retreat, students explored what it means to renew their walk with God through four main sessions: Reset Your Heart; Reset Your Rhythm; Reset Your Connection; and Reset Your Actions.

Rev. Allison LeBrun of Boardman First UMC (Central Valley District) shared a powerful message Saturday evening with communion while other adult leaders collaborated with students to bring the Word. The event was also supported by adult leaders from the Discipleship Learning Community cohort of the Office of Discipleship Ministries, which served as part of the planning team. 

“I’m super pleased with the turn out (including four new churches) and the effect. Every session encouraged the kids to ‘take this home’ and gave them challenges to live out in their local context,” said Anne Horvath of Willoughby Hills UMC (Northern Waters District). She and Stefanie Williams are Youth Leader Network regional coordinators under the guidance of the Connectional Ministries Office and were instrumental in helping plan the retreat.

Churches represented included:

Ashtabula First UMC
Boardman First UMC
Brookfield UMC
Chardon UMC
Church Hill UMC
Church of the Saviour UMC
Clyde First UMC
Fields UMC
Green Springs UMC
Hope Ridge UMC
Kent UMC
Montrose Zion UMC
Painesville UMC
Vienna UMC
Willoughby Hills UMC

Together, these churches created a powerful weekend of connection, faith, and encouragement for the next generation.

Thank you to all the leaders, churches, and volunteers who made this weekend possible and who continue to invest in the faith journeys of young people.

*Tim Beck is associate director of Engagement with Youth in the Connectional Ministries Office and Ministry & Resource coordinator in the Office of Discipleship Ministries.