Last June more than 50 Adventist men gathered at the Shawnee Porter Event Hall at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska. Under the theme Never Give Up, men from churches across the Kansas-Nebraska Conference participated in a spiritual retreat filled with reflection, fellowship and personal growth.
Organized by the conference’s Multilingual Ministries Department, the event addressed key areas of a man’s life: the call to spiritual leadership at home, personal and spiritual growth, resilience in the face of life’s challenges, and a candid, Bible-based discussion on manhood and sexuality in harmony with God’s original plan for male-female relationships.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Manuel Moral, pastor and professor of theology and psychology at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. With his dynamic and thoughtful style, Dr. Moral delivered messages that touched hearts and inspired attendees to stand firm in their identity as men of God.
“This retreat strengthened me spiritually. I learned many new things and felt that God spoke to me personally,” said Juan Guillermo, one of the young men who attended.
One of the most moving moments came on Sabbath, when several men made personal decisions for Jesus. There were also small group prayer sessions, uplifting music, and opportunities for personal testimonies. Christian fellowship was evident throughout the weekend, and the food was both delicious and abundant.
Pastor Samuel García shared, “This was my first time attending a men’s retreat. It was a truly enriching and spiritual experience. I’m leaving renewed.”
A pleasant surprise for attendees was the thoughtful gift packages, coordinated by Brother Óscar Lucar, a dedicated member of the Lincoln Hispanic Church.
Pastor Alejandro Doval, director of multilingual ministries for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, stated, “We want the men of our conference not only to live out their faith but also to share it with others.”
The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of mission and identity in Christ. United in Him, the men left with a clear decision: to never give up.
Reinier Camejo pastors the Grand Island, Lexington and Hastings churches in Nebraska.
