Stronger Together

Stronger Together  45

Resources

Your purpose and theme drive the supplies you will need regarding content. Of course, World Impact has many resources, available through The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), such as past retreat books and a host of other resources. See the complete list of resources at (tumi.org/siafu/mens-womens-conferences). However, you may want to design your materials. The main thing is that you consider the cost of purchasing or printing materials. Who will lead various portions of your retreat or conference is also a matter of purpose. If worship will be an emphasis at your event, who would you like to lead worship? If you do not know, where will you find a band? If teaching or preaching is a primary objective, who do you want to speak? What materials will they cover? If small groups are going to be an essential part of your retreat, who will lead the groups? How will you prepare them to lead the groups? These questions are meant only to encourage you to think through the kinds of lessons we have learned after hosting retreats for years. For example, if the purpose of your retreat is primarily fellowship and activities you will want to find a retreat center or other location that offers plenty of opportunities for sports, games, and campfires. If your primary purpose is a time in worship and the Word, then you will need a location with ample meeting space, PA system, projectors, etc. If you envision spending time in smaller group conversations then you will need a place with multiple rooms or areas to accommodate those groups. Personnel Venue

Format

Your purpose will also speak into the amount of time you plan to spend together. Would your goal be best accomplished through a weekend retreat, a one day retreat,