Leading people to intimate places with God where his voice can be heard.
Why Retreat
Why Retreat?
The ongoing impact of Mother Theresa's life and work is unquestionable. Her voice and her writings are quoted by politicians and leaders all over the world. But where did she find motivation to pour out her life the way she did? During her years of service Mother Theresa looked back to September 10, 1946 as "inspiration day" for her. It was the day God gave her a burning vision to spend the rest of her life serving the poor in India. And the vision came when she was on a spiritual retreat listening to God.
Whether you are attending a retreat to receive direction from God, to allow him to heal wounded areas of your life or to simply rest, taking time to hear God's voice can be a life-changing, life giving experience.
The MARK Centre offers two annual overnight retreats and a weekly one hour retreat to provide space for you to get away. The Silent Retreat (Come Away) is a 3 night retreat in November. The Presence retreat is a 2 night retreat in the spring. The Sacred Space retreats are free, one hour retreats offered weekly in Rooftop. Read on to hear what people have to say about their experiences during these retreats:
Silent Retreat November 2007
A
picture is worth a 1000 words. This photo was taken the last day of
our silent retreat last November. I was a bit apprehensive as I
attended the retreat wondering how I would manage 3 days of silence.
I found myself alternating between peace and worrying that "nothing
would happen".
However, it was a beautiful time. I very much appreciated having time to rest and be cared for. The times of spiritual direction were very helpful. My soul treasured the music at meal times and in the chapel. I enjoyed photo walks each afternoon and loved finding images that spoke deeply to my spirit.
This one spoke to me of the way that God's light shines through the holes in our lives. So often I try to hide my "holes". The silent retreat was an opportunity to acknowledge some of them and allow His beauty to fill them. I am looking forward to learning more this November.
Presence Retreat May 2008
I entered the "Presence" retreat feeling weary. The space that was created for reflection and listening was refreshing and life-giving. When I stopped to focus on God's presence and listen to what he was saying to me, the silence was full of words of love, peace and rest. I sensed Jesus speaking his promise from Matthew 11 to me personally: Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest!
Sacred Space Weekly Retreats
I've chosen to make Sacred Space part of my regular weekly schedule because my schedule is just too busy not to. Even though it's not at the beginning of my week, it is a marker in my week, a time, a place where I hear truth and receive light that permeates the coming days. This one hour is so contrary to our culture and to the demands on our time and energy. It's refreshing to sit down in the calm and quiet, to reflect on who God is, when just outside the door the storm of life still rages. I love that I see faces and hear hearts that I don't normally have the privilege of joining with. I think this is so healthy for the faith community of Abbotsford.
People today are discovering the same mystery that Mother Theresa experienced - one day or moment with God can give strength to the rest of your life. When we retreat, we create time for God to sneak in to do something amazing.
MARK Centre Board Meetings
The board meetings held in June helped us tune into our purpose. There was unity like never before around our vision of leading people to intimate places with God. From that place of unity around our purpose, we developed an over-riding goal and a sense of direction for the future; we want to serve thousands who inspire millions to embrace a lifestyle of listening to God. We came out of our meetings with renewed faith and a sense of expectation that God wants us to expand to spread the vision He's given us.
Another Season of TREK
Once again, the TREK program will run out of the MARK Centre September 7-November 1, 2008 and again for the winter session starting in January. For those unfamiliar with MARK Centre's connection with the program: Steve and Evy Klassen started TREK in 1997 with the vision of training young disciples to listen to God and to discover their unique purpose in an international setting. The TREKers train intensively for 2 months then head out to a world destination to serve with missionaries for up to six months. In June they return to the MARK Centre for debrief. This fall, 19 participants are registered and they will use the entire chalet except for one room during their stay.
What's Been Happening
- Missionary Debrief Sessions
- Memorial Service
- Presence Retreat
- Personal Retreats
- Sacred Space Retreats
- Wedding Party Celebrations
- Leadership Retreats
- Spiritual Directio
Coming Ahead
- Sept 7 TREK begins
- Sept 4 Sacred Space Weekly Retreats Begin
- Sept 24-Dec 3 Spiritual Formation and the Journey
- Nov 1 MARK Centre Board Meetings
- Nov 20-23 Silent Retreat (Come Away)
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MARK Centre Board Members
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MARK Centre Advisory Council Members
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Steve Klassen, MARK Centre Executive Director
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Donations
Donations toward the ongoing ministry of the MARK Centre are needed and greatly appreciated.
In Canada,
Cheques can be made
payable
to MARK Centre
and sent to:
31605 Old Yale Road,
Abbotsford, BC V2T 2B4
VISA and MasterCard are also gratefully accepted.
In the US,
Cheques can be made
payable
to MBMS International,
and sent to:
4867
E. Townsend Avenue Fresno, CA 93727-5006
