Horn Creek has a rich history of impacting the lives of youth and families. And it can be hard work! The mechanics of maintaining a camp and shaping a successful, impacting retreat for youth can seem pretty complex. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about what works, and over time some of those things have changed while others seem to remain the same.

Youth pastors and leaders know the tremendous value of youth camps and retreats, but many are intimidated by the task. At Horn Creek we delight in partnering with retreat leaders, whether seasoned veterans or new leaders full of passion and heart but short on experience, to create an unforgettable retreat experience with eternal impact. We are here for you! It’s our passion.

There are so many things that come together to make a retreat “work.” But young and seasoned leaders alike always need to remember that none of our hard work and creativity is any match for the power of God to take whatever energy, experience, creativity and hard work we bring and transform it by His grace into something remarkable.

Natalie Holdren of Northland Christian Church in Topeka Kansas and Horn Creek retreat leader writes…

21 years…I wear this number as a badge of honor (or a challenge, a reminder, a privilege, a mission…) This is how many years I’ve been in student ministry and have done overnighters, camps, youth groups, small group Bible studies, Sardines, classes, and so much more!

As God has seen fit to allow me to be a part of this, I have learned much; this past season is no different. I am understanding something amazing that I’m sure I’ve taught and that God has (tried) to tell me before, however, this is totally new to me.

As we make all of the needed sacrifices to partake in student ministry, and to provide our students with every opportunity we can in which they hear, experience and know God’s Truth, it is truly all about His Grace. This grace covers our inabilities, our small offerings of fasting and prayer, our lack of whatever; His Grace makes possible our human love, our feeble use of our gifts, our excessive schedules and our years (or lack-thereof) of experience.

Therefore, I’ve come to look for the obvious hand of His Grace in the lives of our students. It’s His Grace that brings forth the fruit, His grace that builds The Kingdom, His Grace that uses a weekend retreat, a mission trip, a counseling session…His Grace that uses us to do His Work. When I look for and find the evidence of His Grace, I stop and thank Him for getting me ready for the next thing; then look for ways to teach my students to identify and experience the evidence of grace in their lives.

That’s it. At Horn Creek, we are excited to partner with you to create an opportunity to see the evidence of God’s grace working in our lives and the lives of our students!

If you want to find out more about bringing your next youth camp or retreat to Horn Creek, contact Johnny Ainsworth:
johnnyainsworth@horncreek.org
719-783-2006