RETREAT TO ADVANCE by Pastor Alex Morgan

Retreat to advance Men’s Encounter Weekend

Over the weekend of 26th to 28th July, 35 men from ECC went to Lane End Conference Centre for our biannual men’s retreat. Personally, this is one of my favourite weekends of the year: the joy of being around like-minded men, and getting to know different people in a new surroundings.

The conference centre facilities were excellent and boasted a sauna, gym, chill-out rooms, football pitch and the most incredible scenery. It was definitely a suitable place to go and retreat from city life. One of my highlights of the weekend were the times we ate together. The food was extraordinary, but better still were the conversations we had with one another. Throughout the whole meal times there was laughter and chatter, as we got to know each other even better.

The main reason for our retreat, however, wasn’t to eat or relax but to encounter God.

He turned up in an anointed way during our meetings. Pastor Daniel Shillingford (pictured), from City Gates Church in Ilford, was our guest speaker on the Saturday, and we are extremely thankful for his ministry. He challenged us to live unconventional lives, drawing inspiration from the life of David. What I love about the ministry of Pastor Daniel is that he looks at the world in a completely different way than I do. Therefore he challenged us to think of new strategies in order to reach men for Christ. The way we do church not only has to be more authentic, but also more unconventional in order to attract men in today’s society.

On the Saturday evening, Pastor Daniel used the life of Mephibosheth to show we need to be vulnerable and real with each other as men.

One moment that will live long in my memory was Sunday morning, as we gathered to have communion together and share testimonies about what God had challenged us with during the weekend.

The men’s retreat this year was special, as always. It was a moment where men drew closer to God and to one another. I always find that if we take time to retreat, God always advances in our lives.

Every August Bank Holiday, the men of ECC always have the privilege of preparing and cooking for the church BBQ, and every year, without fail, we have a group of men who show up, willing to serve the wider family of ECC. Thank you!

This year we had around 20 men, who were cooking, serving and making sure lines were moving, as we served over 300 people. The night was an incredible success, with people were still chatting to one another well past 10pm.

We want to say a massive Thank You to all the men who helped out on that day.

Pastor ALEX MORGAN Men’s Ministry We couldn’t have done it without you.