On April 11-13th, members of The Bridge Network (from all over Metro New York) gathered at Streamside Camp and Conference Center for our annual church retreat. Over 50 people came out to enjoy a weekend full of games, fellowship, worship, and challenging messages given by teachers from our very own Network.

Engage was the theme of our retreat—engaging those around us with the gospel because God first engaged us! Speakers shared different reasons why we engage non-believers, followed by discussion and prayer in small groups.

The weekend was peppered with organized activities (including an art and worship workshop) and random group games (Nine Square, anyone?).

On Saturday night, Bridge members were able to show off, goof off, or just embarrass themselves at our annual talent show. While there were many skits featuring the humor of bodily functions, there were also genuine displays of talent—rapping, poetry, filmmaking and guitar playing, just to mention a few…

Not only was our retreat a joy and success, it also showcased one of our core values—community. True community. While we share a meal each week and study together in our small church gatherings, there is something fantastic about getting away together, learning who snores, who’s afraid of spiders, who has a hidden talent for archery, etc.

Retreating together is another way that we are able to share life as a community of believers. It’s also a key time to remind us of why we gather in community—to advance the Kingdom of God and to worship our savior, Jesus Christ!