Every year, I attend a youth minister’s retreat in Colorado Springs. I won’t miss it for anything. It’s called Wilderness, and is hosted by CIY (Christ In Youth).

CIY is a youth ministry organization that impacts youth like few others can. Their purpose is to “change youth, change the world.”

I’ve attended several CIY conferences over the years, for Junior High and High School students.

But they also offer a retreat designed specifically for youth ministry professionals and volunteers. It’s called Wilderness. And it’s incredible!

I will not miss attending Wilderness every year for a number of reasons. Here are four of them.

Wilderness rejuvenates my spiritual life

Summer drains me. With camps, mission trips, and service projects, summer is a busy time. And this year, we had three funerals of close family members thrown into the mix. It’s been crazy.

Wilderness is scheduled at a time when I’m settled back into the routine for the school year. But I’m drained. I’ve poured out so much, I need something to refill me.

Wilderness does just that.

Wilderness happens in the mountains near Colorado Springs, usually at InterVarsity‘s Bear Trap Ranch. Although this year, it’s been moved to Glen Eyrie, another InterVarsity location.

Every morning after breakfast, each person is handed a journal topic for the day. From that point until lunch, all you do is find a quiet, secluded spot to spend time alone. It’s just me, my journal, my Bible, and God. For four hours each day.

That kind of intensity refuels me like nothing else can.

Wilderness reconnects me with others

After lunch, the afternoon is free of scheduling. There are no sessions. No workshops. No programs.

CIY realizes that if they packed too much into this retreat, it wouldn’t refresh anyone. And so the afternoons are free.

If you want a nap, take one.

If you want to climb Pike’s Peak, do it.

If you want to hang out at Buffalo Wild Wings and watch a game or two, feel free.

In the past, I’ve climbed mountains, spent the afternoon hiking, visited the Air Force Academy chapel, explored Garden of the Gods, toured a working silver mine, and visited a ghost town museum. I’ve done all of these things with other men who are in similar life situations as me. We talk. We laugh. We relax. We build friendships.

We don’t network… much. This isn’t a time to talk about what we do. It’s a time to discuss who we are, and who’s we are.

This year, I’m traveling to Colorado with three other youth minister’s from my area. We are camping out together overnight on the way out. It’s a great opportunity to allow God to do things in my life that my normal routine seems to hectic for.

Wilderness refocuses my passion

Every evening, after dinner, we have a time of worship and are challenged by the Word. And then comes my favorite part of the day: Mentoring Groups.

While at Wilderness, each person is placed into a group of very similar men. Men who are close in age, family status, and ministry experience are grouped together as much as possible.

Each evening, during group time, we talk about the topic we were given for the day. One day is focused on ministry issues, another on spiritual health issues, and yet another is centered on marriage and family health.

None of these discussions are about who is doing what in their ministry. They are completely focused on becoming more and more the man and minister that God desires each of us to be. Wilderness is focused on being, not doing.

These groups generate some incredible discussion. I remember my very first experience with this. I assumed we would be in our group for 45 minutes, maybe an hour. When I looked at my watch, I was shocked to find that over three hours had passed! And I hadn’t even noticed!

Wilderness restores my joy

There is a lot over the course of a year in youth ministry that wears me down and stresses me out. Wilderness restores my joy. It restores my joy in my family, in my ministry, and in my personal spiritual life.

Not too long before I attended Wilderness for the second time, my wife asked me how much longer until the retreat started. She had noticed the change in my life after my first year, and saw how a year of ministry had worn me down. She recognized my need to be refueled.

Wilderness is such a crucial part of my year, we have determined that, even if our church didn’t cover the expense, it would come out of our own budget. It’s too critical to miss.

I won’t miss a single year of Wilderness. At least not right now. It has quickly become a foundational part of my spiritual health, and I look forward to it with increasing excitement every year.

If you are in youth ministry, you should consider joining us. It will be well worth it!

What kinds of things like this help your spiritual health the most? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.