Past Father-Son Retreats

Share Past Father-Son Encouragement & Instruction
with Your Sons & Others

2011 retreat: “characteristics of a godly father”

Guest Speaker: R.C. Sproul, Jr.

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R.C. Sproul, Jr. is the founder, chairman, and teacher of Highlands Ministries, the founding pastor of St. Peter Presbyterian Church, and a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries. He has also be involved in writing or editing twelve books, including “Eternity in Our Hearts.” His principle vocation is, however, as husband to Denise, and as father to Darby, Campbell, Shannon, Delaney, Erin Claire, Maili, Reilly, and Donovan.

  • The Goal of the Christian Family
    Working from Genesis 1 and 2 this talk will consider the true nature and calling of the family, not just how or why but where husbands/fathers are to lead their families.
  • More Precious Than Rubies
    Working from Ephesians 5 this talk will consider the calling of the husband/father to be about the business of serving the Spirit in sanctifying his wife and children, reflecting, though not of course replacing the three-fold office of Christ as prophet, priest and king.
  • The First Command with a Promise
    Working from Ephesians 6 this talk will consider the calling of children to submit to and honor their parents, and how this is the very pathway of blessing established by God.
  • Family Worship
    Working off the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism this talk will explore both the hows and the whys of practicing family worship.

2010 retreat:
“building a generation of courageous warriors”

Guest Speaker: Paul Renfro, Houston, TX

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Paul Renfro, a man with a shepherd’s heart, is a committed discipler of men for God’s glory and the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He traveled the world ministering with Athletes in Action before pastoring churches in Ohio and Texas. His passion is to encourage church leaders in equipping men Biblically and expecting them to step into their God-given role as family shepherds. Paul and his wife, Laurie, have been married over 20 years, have two sons and two daughters, and are committed home educators.

About the 2010 Father-Son Discipleship Sessions

The Father-Son relationship is key in God’s salvation plan. In these sessions, we will be discussing how fathers and sons can spur each other on toward God’s goal of becoming courageous warriors for Christ and His Kingdom.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3

Session 1 – A Courageous Warrior Must:

  • Trust His Commander—No warrior will fight with all his might if he does not trust the wisdom, courage, sacrifice, and love of His Commander. There should be no greater desire than to please the Commander.
  • Understand That Every Warrior Is Significant—Every warrior is significant to the Commander. No matter what the odds, every warrior has a significant role to play in the battle.

Session 2 – A Courageous Warrior Must:

  • Understand His Enemy – Every enemy wages war differently. Warriors must not be tricked by the enemy’s schemes, but know their enemy and engage him wisely for victory.
  • Be Trained and Disciplined – To be effective in battle, a warrior must be trained in the methods of warfare and disciplined to be in fighting condition. All warriors must understand the war they are fighting and be equipped to engage effectively.
  • Follow Orders Immediately and Unquestioningly – Battle is not the time to be questioning orders or slow to obey as every second counts. Our Commander requires and deserves our faithful obedience to all His commands.

Session 3 – A Courageous Warrior Must:

  • Not Be Distracted from His Main Mission – Waging war requires singular focus. No warrior can be effective if his interests are divided by civilian life.
  • Be Willing to Sacrifice for the Sake of the Mission – Warfare is not a fun adventure, but high risk, requiring great sacrifice.

Session 4 – A Courageous Warrior Must:

  • Fight with Confidence that Victory Is Sure – Fear is the greatest enemy in war. A courageous warrior must be convinced that victory is sure or he will be tempted to flee. Our Commander has crushed the head of the enemy making victory certain.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE 2010 FATHER/SON RETREAT CD SET!

2009 retreat: “the bible – god’s compass for life”

    “Best retreat so far – thank the Lord for the blessings of this retreat – appreciate all you do to make this happen!” (09 Attendee)

AUGUST 27-29, 2009
Ghormley Meadows Christian Camp
Rimrock, WA

Guest Speakers: Scott Brown & Son-in-Law, Peter Bradrick ~ Wake Forest, NC

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Scott Brown & his son David

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About Scott Brown

Scott & Deborah & family were the much-appreciated “featured family speakers” at the April 2009 Christian Heritage Annual Conference. Scott is a wise & loving man with the heart of a true shepherd and discipler. His messages focus entirely on the God of the Bible and His Word. As he exposits the Word, he gently but directly applies it practically to each listener’s heart with the goal of helping all who hear to be more in love with Christ and more like Him.

Scott is also the home-schooling father of four, grandfather of two. He currently serves as the director of the National Center for Family Integrated Churches (NCFIC). He is also a teaching elder at his church and devotes much of his time to mentoring men and speaking on fatherhood, church reformation, and strengthening the family.

About Peter Bradrick

Peter, a 26 year old homeschool graduate, has a passion for Christ and for inspiring others to follow Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is married to Scott Brown’s oldest daughter Kelly, and they are expecting their third child in January 2010. Peter served as an intern for the Vision Forum in 2003 and then served as its president’s personal assistant from 2005-2009. He now serves as director for operations for the NCFIC, headquartered in Wake Forest, NC.

2009 Discipleship Sessions:

A Father and Son Relationship Made in Heaven, Scott Brown
The Heart of the Battle, Scott Brown
How to Neutralize a Godly Legacy, Scott Brown
A Charge to Sons, Peter Bradrick

    “Scott was superb and challenging, excellent – both Scott and Peter!”
    (09 Attendee)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE 2009 FATHER/SON RETREAT CD SET!

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2008 retreat: “becoming mighty men of god”

SEPTEMBER 4-6, 2008
Lake Wenatchee Camp & Retreat Center, Leavenworth, WA

Guest Speaker: Kevin Swanson, Elizabeth, CO

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  • Note from an 08 Father/Son Retreat attendee:

A quick note to thank you and all of your team for the tremendous few days Joseph, Tommy and myself had at last week’s Fathers & Sons Retreat … We came back invigorated and with a clear sense of the need for a solid and founded Vision to develop ourselves in Him as fathers and sons.
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Kevin Swanson is a tremendously gifted speaker and I am sure spoke into the hearts of all that were present. He has the modern role of Jeremiah, seeing clearly what is drastically wrong with the world whilst those around him are thinking all is OK! ...

Just as powerful were the stories and testimonies of the young men that we met and [who] are moving forward in Him. To see those riding on the tide of the heritage passed to them from their fathers is powerful evidence of the need to have a vision. We spoke to many new people and were humbled by every one of them, from the youngest to the oldest. My eldest son is now 16 and I thank God that, as you rightly commented, we have just stepped in with enough time to influence his future. He came away from the conference and is excited about his future in Him …

2008 Speaking Sessions by Kevin Swanson:

Session #1 ~ Raising a Mighty Man of God
This message contemplates the unique qualities that God has given boys and presents a challenge that every father of sons needs to hear. It will leave you with a new vision for raising godly sons. This is a much-needed presentation to homeschoolers, many of whom struggle with what to do with young boys growing up and out of the home.

Session #2 ~ The Greatest Fathers the World Has Ever Known
A message that this generation of fathers needs! In a time where it feels that we are “re-inventing” fatherhood, Kevin Swanson brings out, in living color, examples of those who went before us.

Session #3 ~ Living by Pragmatism or Principle
If our children will understand the world, they must understand ethics, the principles that direct people’s choices. And there is no more destructive and insidious ethic operating today than that of pragmatism which loses sight of absolute standards of what is right and what is good. No ethic has been so influential in the way that people make decisions today. When families and entire cultures are driven by pragmatism instead of principle, things begin to unravel. How do you live your life? By pragmatism or principle?

Session #4 ~ The Heart of It All
In this transparent and powerful presentation, Kevin traces a developing relationship between himself and his own son. Kevin drills into the heart of what happens in a home when parents begin to walk with their children. Parenting and home education boils down to one issue – the heart of a parent connecting with the heart of a child.

About Kevin Swanson, Generations with Vision, Colorado

  • Homeschooled himself in the 1960’s and 70’s, Kevin & Brenda, have always homeschooled their five children. After graduating from homeschool and then serving as student body president of a large west coast university, Kevin has filled leadership positions in corporate management, church, and other non-profits.
  • Kevin has 35 years of experience in the homeschooling movement and has served as Executive Director of Christian Home Educators of Colorado for the last eight years. As a father who wants to leave a godly heritage for his own five children, his passion is to strengthen and encourage the home-based discipleship all over the world, and to cast a vision for generations to come.
  • Kevin is a personable & powerful speaker who ministers to thousands of families by writing articles and books, and speaking at homeschooling and worldview events across the country. For the last 3 years Kevin has hosted a daily radio program – “Generations,” a homeschool and Biblical world-view program aired on AM-FM stations & web radio, reaching families in more than 60 countries around the world. He also serves as teaching elder of a local church and is the Director of Generations with Vision – a ministry dedicated to sharing a message of “truth and relationships in a lost and lonely world.”
  • Kevin’s most recent book, Upgrade—10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child, was released in 2006 and quickly sold out of its first printing. He also has authored The Second Mayflower and Family Bible Study Guide: The Psalms.
  • Kevin has been interviewed on hundreds of media outlets, including nationally known Christian and secular programs.

2007 retreat: “passing the baton . . .
of godly leadership to the next generation”

Guest Speakers – Geoffrey Botkin & Sons, San Antonio, Texas

  • Session 1—“The Armorial Baton” – Geoffrey, Luke, & Ben Botkin
  • Session 2—“The Puritan Baton” – Geoffrey, Noah, & Isaac Botkin
  • Session 3—“The Baton of Honor” – Geoffrey & David Botkin
  • Session 4—“The Enduring Baton” – Geoffrey Botkin

“Mr. Botkin spoke bold and powerful words of truth. He speaks with authority . . . a modern day prophet who takes God’s Word and applies it to the issues of our day. I have never met or heard anyone quite like him . . . he is blessed with a tremendous amount of vision and optimism for future generations as well as a humble confidence in the Lord.” (C Hayden, 6-16-07)

And if you missed out on this great retreat, get these messages on CD!

ORDER ONLINE HERE!
Or ORDER BY MAIL HERE!

  • “What an incredible event that was. My sons and I sure enjoyed it.”
  • “I just wanted to thank you so much for your commitment to the family! My two sons and I had such a wonderful time at the father/son retreat this past weekend. I was very encouraged and challenged in my calling as father/husband/and priest of our home. . . My boys and I made memories we will cherish forever, as we grew closer to each other, and our Lord Jesus! Our family has also attended the homeschool conference the past two years, which has also been a huge blessing to our family! Thank you for ALL your efforts in support of families and homeschooling.”
  • “This was a great retreat. I have been a believer for a while now, but I was inspired to follow Christ even more. I also learned a lot about passing the baton that I never really thought of before. Geoff gave really good Bible references for all that he talked about. I hope to come back next year.”

Geoffrey Botkin

About Geoffrey Botkin

  • Geoffrey Botkin has faithfully and purposefully served the Lord through many arenas: He has written and directed some of the most controversial [i.e., non-politically correct] and widely watched public affairs films of the last twenty years; has produced or co-produced over a hundred documentary films, television productions and other media projects; has trained many young media professionals; has been CEO of an experimental international print/broadcast/ internet media conglomerate; and has lectured widely on philosophy, history, political media, filmaking, and theology . . . to name a few of his accomplishments.
  • Mr. Botkin’s seven children have worked alongside him on many of these projects and have recently established the Western Conservatory of the Arts and Sciences
  • Personable and powerfully effective in communicating God’s wisdom, Mr. Botkin & his sons will challenge you & your sons to raise your sights and think of Christian life & leadership in ways you’ve never considered before. They will also help equip you for your crucial God-given task: to purposefully & pro-actively lead the current & future generations for God’s glory!

Conference was held: August 23-25th, 2007
LAZY F CAMP & RETREAT CENTER in the beautiful Cascade Mountains
Ellensburg, Washington

responses to past father-son retreats

  • “The highlights: The ministry of the Word! The practical application of the bridge building and father and son involvement . . . The spirit of the men and sons present . . . Great! Setting beautiful! Evening star-filled sky was a creation wonder! . . . A great weekend for my family!”
  • “Not theory or forms, but focus on relationship with God and fathers/sons. Challenges were clear and practical. Great to meet guys and network. Teaching was encouraging and practical. Hearing from [the speakers] was a treasure. Craig boys message was very powerful. Every message was helpful …”
  • “Highlights were the meals, music, time with other Christian men. The teaching was the best! I loved the activities that include everyone, young and old.”
  • “Every session was addressed to both fathers and sons, the activities were designed for teams of fathers and sons, and even the games were organized to involve a father with his sons. And … you would have been blessed beyond measure [to see] all these fathers with their sons enjoying each other and deepening their relationships … No matter where you are at in your father/son relationship, whether struggling or blessed, this retreat would be a tremendous encouragement. I heartily recommend making the sacrifices and decisions that would enable your attendance of this event in the future.”
  • “First, I’d like to express my gratitude…for all the effort put into this event…In my opinion it was a very successful! Michael and I had a tremendous time together. I haven’t spent that kind of individual time with him before. It was a very memorable time for us, and a great relationship foundation builder.”
  • “What I liked most about the retreat was that there was a genuine, Biblical heart of fellowship and of “spurring one another on to love and good deeds” that permeated each activity. The teaching sessions were outstanding!”
  • “The activities were good and well balanced. The teaching sessions were excellent, just the right blend of theory, theology, and application well tied to Scripture. It was a great blessing.”

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