The men’s retreat this year is open to all men and boys ages 11 and up. The retreat takes place at Moose River Outpost in Jackman on September 7 th – 9 th . MRO is a 7,000 acre enclave with a beautiful chapel, cabins, dining hall, mountain bike/atv trails, a shooting range, and Heald Pond, which is full of native brooktrout. There are plenty of canoes and kayaks that we are welcome to use for the price of admission. Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, earplugs to hand out if you snore, and anything else you might want for fun (Books, fly rods, bikes, etc).

The cost this year is $150/person for 2 nights and 6 meals. That’s $45/night and $10/meal. You are welcome to come for part of the retreat or all of it. Please let us know what days and meals you plan to attend when you sign up. Arrive any time Thursday afternoon before supper and depart Saturday after lunch, or any time in between.

Pastor Jamey Simpson will lead a devotional time that we will share with Cornerstone Christian Fellowship from Vassalboro. This year we will be talking about choosing the real over the fake. From pornography (fake sex) to video games (fake accomplishment and bravery), from selfishness (fake love) to thinking that our faith is all about feelings (fake spirituality), men are tempted and confused by many fake things. The fallout is that we are bored, lonely, and irresponsible.

Taking from Brant Hansen’s helpful (and funny) book The Men we Need, we will be talking together about how to say “no” to the fake and “yes” to the real in our everyday lives. While real things are often not as shiny (or well-advertised) as fake things, they are the only things that have the built-in power to grant long term joy and satisfaction. We do not have to be trapped; we can choose the real.

We will meet for four sessions, starting on Thursday Night and ending on Saturday morning.  Thursday Night: Fake Things And Why They Are So Tempting.

Friday Morning: Real Masculinity And Why Video Games Don’t Count. 

Friday Night: Real Love And Why It Is More than Words.

 Saturday Morning: Real Spirituality And Why It Is More Than Feelings.

For each session, Jamey will read a short section from The Men we Need and relevant Scriptures. We will then all break into small groups where we will answer several discussion questions about our temptations, experiences, and encouragements. By the end, it is our hope that you will leave encouraged, equipped, and committed to choosing the real over the fake.