Every two years, intern pastors from across the Mid-America Union gather for a special retreat designed to support their growth, broaden their ministry perspective, and help them connect with colleagues from other conferences. About five interns from each conference are invited, though the number changes from year to year. The tradition has been in place for at least a dozen years. Craig Carr, ministerial and evangelism director for the Mid-America Union, shared that the goal is for each intern to attend at least once before ordination.
Carr said the retreat is held to supplement the training that happens in local conferences and to bring pastors together as a union team.
Each presentation was led by one of the local conference ministerial directors on important topics such as leadership, balance, Biblical teachings, and pastoral ministry.
By meeting one another outside their usual ministry environment, interns are able to learn, share, and see ministry from a wider angle. He hopes the retreat helps pastors understand that they matter—not only inside their own conference, but throughout the union—and that strong support systems surround them personally and professionally.
The impact of the retreat was clear in the testimonies of the pastors who attended.
Pastor Lusajo Kasyupa of the Central States Conference said the materials and training shared by the ministerial directors were “priceless” and would help him grow as a pastor, a husband, and a father.
“They will truly enhance my pastoral skills as a minister of the gospel,” he said. He also appreciated learning more about how the conference and union work together. “It gives me more insight into how the levels of leadership are orchestrated in the system. Coming to the Mid-America Union, I feel like we’re much closer together than we think.”
Kasyupa said the hospitality made a strong impression. “From the moment you come to the front door, everyone has been so hospitable. After the tour, I felt like I belonged here.” Meeting interns from other regions was also encouraging. Even though they serve far apart, he found that many face similar challenges. “We realize we have so much of the same things we’re dealing with. I can reach out to any one of them to exchange ideas, ask for advice, or uplift them.” His only wish was for more time together. “I wish it was more than three days,” he said.
Pastor Leif Lastine of the Minnesota Conference described the retreat as a deeply spiritual experience. He said listening to Pastor Brian talk about the need for balance in life and ministry spoke directly to him. “The Holy Spirit had spoken to me and broken through the walls of my heart in a way I hadn’t heard God in quite some time, he said
” The message about “practicing not being God” and not burning the candle at both ends was especially powerful for him. “It brought me to tears. It was exactly what I needed and had been waiting for for a very long time.”
Lastine also valued meeting new friends and hearing the stories of fellow pastors who share the same calling. He said that intentional time to share personal journeys in future retreats would be very meaningful. He appreciated the practical help as well. “The books, the training, the tangible resources shared by the ministerial directors—those were invaluable.”
Together, these testimonies reflect the purpose Craig Carr described: drawing interns out of their usual setting, helping them see a bigger picture of ministry, and strengthening them through connection, spiritual renewal, and practical support.
