The Champaign Vineyard is in the midst of a 7-week breakthrough series based on the book of Mark.  I have found the breakthrough devotional book written by Jim and Vicki Egli to be just terrific.  If you don’t have one, or have put yours down for a few days, please go back to it.  The short devotions really are good. 

I want many of you to consider signing up for the Encounter God retreat as part of this breakthrough series. In many ways, I believe the March Encounter God retreat will be a natural follow up to this Saturday’s seminar on Sexual Wholeness with Dr. Doug Weiss.

One of our Vineyard members, Dick Riffle, told me a few years ago that these Encounter God retreats dramatically change lives.  Dick has worked with the Encounter retreats for years, and boy can he tell you some wonderful testimonies of the power of God working in the lives of honest people.

I finally signed up myself a couple of years back, and I can attest to how wonderful that day was. 

I was assigned to a partner I had never met before, and by the end of the day I really believe we were pretty much bonded for life.  We were so honest with each other is was almost scary.   Truly, it was a great day for me.

The Encounter God retreat follows a very strict format, which I think you’ll like.  During the course of the Friday evening and Saturday morning retreat, you will look at practically every arena of your life.  It will be just you and your partner, and of course the Holy Spirit.  You and your partner will interact after each of a series of several short talks.  Most talks are about 5-8 minutes in length.

The book you’ll use during the retreat once again comes from the masterful mind of pastor Jim Egli.  Churches all over the world are using Egli’s Encounter God book.  The reason:  it really helps participants get at their core issues.

I’m a big Jim Egli fan, I’ll admit.  But I can say without equivocation that the Encounter God retreat is outstanding.  Yet another of the terrific opportunities for you here at the Champaign Vineyard.

Please get this up and coming Encounter God on your radar screens.  Believe me, you’ll not regret it. 

(And if you’re not from the Champaign Vineyard, we can get you more information about this Encounter God retreat.  It will be one of the best things you’ll ever do at your church!  Call the church office and we’ll get you information:  217.384.3070)