It’s official. The dates have been set for Yosemite Summit 2010!
Sunday, May 23 to
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
YosemiteSummit.org will not be updated with full 2010 details until August 2009, but if you are considering this event, I wanted you to be able to get the dates in your calendar as soon as possible. (Keep in mind actual dates away are May 22 to May 28th with travel on the Saturday before and Friday after if you fly in.)
I am already praying abou the guys God will bring to the 3rd Summit… I hope YOU are one of them!
Well, I’m back from Yosemite Summit 2009. It was an incredible week! I’m slowly beginning the process of returning to civilization and responsibility. I have 4,517 photos from all nine guys to edit, sort and highlight, so there will be more to tell in the weeks ahead, and of course, a highlight video. But for now I can say that GOD SHOWED UP and each of us had an incredible time connecting with God through his amazing creation and through the fellowship of a band of brothers who are now lifetime friends.
Brent, Scott, Matt, Pat, Karl, Steve, Tom, Scott and Marc.
We journeyed through a process each day reflecting on some key questions for thought and prayer but also simply being open to what God wanted to communicate to us when we were listening to a degree not often possible in “real life.”
Here was our mission statement for the week: (this was a bookmark I provided)
Each day we had a KEY WORD for reflection:
- REMEMBERING what we had forgotten
- Identifying how God is REFINING us
- Seeking to REFOCUS on what matters most
- Determining a RESOLVE to take home with us.
We also look at four primary callings we have:
- To walk with God
- To love our wives
- To lead our kids
- To shepherd our ministries
Of course, there was a lot more to these as we unfolded them each day, but it was awesome to see how God weaved through the events of the week, the focused thought and questions, and what God was already doing in each of our lives that brought us to Yosemite.
Coming down Sentinel Dome where there was
still some snow on a warm day!
The weather was fantastic, the views incredible, and the fellowship rich. God revealed Himself to us in a variety of ways, provided for our needs and reminded us often of His love and care for us throughout the week. It’s hard to believe the second Yosemite Summit is history. It was once again an incredible life-changing event for each of us who took the time to get away and give God some focused attention in a place He seems to have created just for that purpose!
I stopped in Colorado for a day on the way home and soon will be catching up on all the e-mails and voice mails and even snail mail that I know awaits me. But until after the weekend… I’m still on retreat!
By the way: It’s not too late to start thinking and praying about joining me next year for Yosemite Summit 2010! Only eight men can join me… perhaps YOU will be one of them!?
The Happiest Place on Earth?
or 
Disneyland or Yosemite?
As I was reflecting on Yosemite today I got to thinking how much better Yosemite is than even a Disney theme park:
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It's enough to make you reconsider just what is the happiest place on earth.
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Guys, we’re at the critical spot – there are ONLY THREE spots left for Yosemite Summit. If you have thought about this retreat, prayed about it, perhaps dreamed about it – don’t let it slip by! Register ASAP as it will soon be too late to join us for 2009, and there is no guarentee of next year. I hope to do this every year for the rest of my life, but I can only promise one year at a time.
There are not words to describe just how incredible this week is. Of course, I have tried on the Yosemite Summit site many times to describe both the natural and supernatural impact of this trip. But with only three spots left, let me share with you what some of last years guys wrote to me after getting home from Yosemite Summit:
It was great to begin new friendships and gain valuable ministry perspective from the stories of those in our group. Furthermore the times I did get alone with God were especially rich and meaningful.
I needed a vision for the finishing of our new Children’s Building, God gave it to me on this trip. I had a couple of other unanswered prayers and areas I needed direction on and I got them on this trip. It gave me time to get out of the business of ministry and listen to what God had to say to me.
If you are having a hard time spiritually and personally, you need this trip. It is a great time to be forced to get away from the business of ministry and life to listen to what God has for you. We get so overwhelmed with the work/business of the ministry, doing it under our own power, we forget about relying on God. God is our source of power, and strength. There is no place better the Yosemite to see God’s power, strength and creation. And there is no better group of people to share this with than guys who share your pain and blessings!
When I got back and met with my Senior Pastor he said he could see a level excitement and new enthusiasm.
The Yosemite Summit, exceeded everything I dreamed. As I walked through God’s creation, I could sense his presence more and more. Taking time away from everything and focusing on my spiritual health will only strengthen my daily walk, my family, and my ministry. It was a financial investment for my family to attend, but they have already said it was well worth sending me on. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have been a part of the first Yosemite Summit. I know in my heart I will never really leave it.
Perhaps it will be YOU soon describing what an incredible week you had. Register today!
Well, this is it, we are off to YOSEMITE finally! No more Facebook, no Twitter, no e-mail, no cell phone, no work! I’m disconnecting for an entire week. I’ve been praying, planning and preparing for a year and its so exciting to see the eight guys that God brought together for this amazing week in Yosemite. They’ve been coming in over the last two days, and tonight we all gathered for our first meal all together before hittin’ the road in the morning.
Steve, Matt, Tom, Scott, Karl, Scott, Marc, Brent, Pat
(Canada, TX, PA, SD, IL, CA, VA, OK, OH)
Please pray for each of these guys that God would really do a work in each of our lives during this next week. We each come from a different state and one from Canada. Each is leaving family and ministry behind to focus on their walk with God. Each understands that the best thing for their ministry isn’t another idea or resource but a closer walk with the Lord. Pray for safety and for an openness to what God has in store for us. I can’t wait to get started! So time for me to sign off and shut down. No worries, I’ll be blogging pictures and stories afterward! Until then,
Over and Out!
The Yosemite Summit 2009 Prayer Poster is here! These are the guys headed to Yosemite next month for a four day encounter with God and His creation!
Please DOWNLOAD THE PDF and pray for us, not only during this important week, but as God prepares each of us for what He wants to accomplish in our lives on this retreat.
Yosemite Summiteers 2009
It’s official! The 2009 Yosemite Summit Unconference for Children’s Pastors has been filled. The 9 guys above will be setting aside ministry for four of the best days of their life in May. I’ll introduce you to them more in the weeks and months ahead, but for now I just wanted to let you know this event is now full. (There are still four openings in our women’s Unconference, however.)
For those of you who were considering this event and were unable to attend for one reason or another – let me encourage you! Yosemite Summit can still bless you in one of the two following ways:
1) Right NOW, mark ALL of May 2010 off on your calendar as a sabbatical month. Not only might it help you come with me next year, it’s still a good idea. I know take two ‘sabbatical’ months a year. Does that mean I get off work? Nope. It means that I plan two months out of the year where I block out the entire month for no out of town trips or large events that don’t absolutely have to be during that month. I have learned the hard way that if you don’t MAKE TIME to be home more with your family, life won’t let you. YOU are the only one who can control your calendar and the demands placed upon you. Look ahead to the future, and block out a month where you will not travel or do any large events. A month where you go home very evening. For me, it has been May and December for the past two years. For you it may be different, but I can’t tell you strongly enough how much you NEED to do this. If you doubt me, just ask your wife. So whether it is May 2010 (so you can come to Yosemite Summit) or any other month, right now, look far ahead and block off a month. I can tell you, if you don’t do it, no one else will!
2) Right NOW, (well, after you do the one above), look not quite as far ahead, perhaps within the next 4-6 months and look for a time when you can take at least two, if not three full days to spend some concentrated time with God. Not enough vacation time? You might be surprised at how willing your SP or boss might be willing to grant the time as work time – if you sell it right. You want to spend time praying, listening, evaluating, and re-aligning your heart and mind and plans with what God has for your ministry. Most senior pastor’s will grant this time. If not, be creative and make the time. There IS a way, if you want it bad enough, and I bet God wants it bad too and will help you find it. One day is NOT enough! Find a place you can get away to. Your wife and kids will survive, and besides, they might like you better when you return.
Bottom line: You don’t need Yosemite Summit to benefit from what this event is about: Detaching from the busyness of ministry to spend focused time with God. If you were not able to come to Yosemite Summit due to cost, calendar conflicts, or other constraints, the good news is, you STILL have have your own summit with God. What are you waiting for? Schedule it now! And I’d love to hear about it too.
I can’t shake it. I can’t help it. I can’t stop thinking about Yosemite.
It is the most amazingly spectacular place in all of the United States of America (if not the world) and I will be there in just four months again joined by at least three other children’s pastors who will bask in the glory of God’s magnificent creation with me. There are still five spots left… I wonder who will be joining us. You?
I just can’t stop thinking about it – there is no other place like it. The range of climates experienced in one day (from walking through shady snowy passes to through warm sunlight on bald rock), the breathtaking vistas, the roaring waterfalls, the wild life that is at ease with its human visitors, the expanse of sky and mountains as far as the eye can see, sheer cliffs that boggle mind, and the ability to almost tangibly feel God’s presence.
Last year exceeded even my wildest expectations… and I’m so glad to be going back soon for more. I just can’t help it, I keep day dreaming about it.
Yosemite, here I come!
A while back I found the articles linked below on pastors.com and they were exactly what I needed at the time. I have since shared them with many men and I offer them here, not as something I think you might need, but as something I NEEDED that you just might too.
I recommend you read and digest just one at a time and actually DO the recommended assignment provided in each PDF download.
Confessions of a Driven Pastor I (Download Part One)
It’s no longer safe to assume that people in ministry have healthy souls and just need a little coaching in the leadership area. – Pastor Lance Witt
Confessions of a Driven Pastor II (Download Part Two)
For years I intuitively knew that I was violating my soul. In honest and quiet moments, I longed to get off the treadmill but didn’t know how. – Pastor Lance Witt
I pray that you will find these artilces as convicting and as helpful to you as I did.
In Canada this past weekend I discovered that my host, Steve, was a climbing enthusiast who actually has some serious training and experience in rock and ice climbing! I found myself gawking at the pictures he had on display in his office that he had cut from magazines and a calendar that showed incredible views of God’s Creation along with quotes like:
Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from beginning think what may be the end. – Edward Whymper
To avoid critism do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. – Elbert Hubbard
Adventure is worthwhile in itself. – Amelia Earhart
Without a struggle there can be no progress. – Fredrick Douglass
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. – William Feather
Some people see things and say, “Why?” I dream things that never were, and say, “Why not?”
Those are just a few I copied into my iPhone and e-mailed myself to save. On the ride back to the airport (when I think I convinced him to come to Yosemite Summit next year) he recommended what he said was the best climbing magazine, especially for awesome photography: Alpinist.com and while it is a little more than your usual magazine, I am definitely subscribing. But even if you don’t want to subscribe, you may enjoy the free wallpapers on the site, I downloaded them all and made them my rotating waller with a new one appearing every five minutes.
I love how they describe themselves:
We believe in sinker jams high off the deck, a bomber nut, the crescent moon, your partner’s whoop, sand-washing the fry pan, road trips, one-swing sticks, remembering to breathe, alpine starts (more for the alpenglow than the early hour), espresso in the desert, the plungestep, lenticular cloudcaps, rest days, the focus of a runout, a cold beer at the end of it all. If you believe in these things too, join us.
I may have to make that a cold Root Beer at the end of it all, but while I don’t even know what most of those terms mean – they sure sound exciting!
I’m not sure Yosemite Summit will provide this much danger and risk, but hey, you gotta start somewhere! After all,
The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lao-Tzu