CGN Grant Impact: Strengthening Fellowship at the “In Him” Men’s Retreat

One of the core goals of Church of God Network is to support initiatives that strengthen fellowship, encourage spiritual growth, and build meaningful connections among brethren. One of our recent grant awards helped do exactly that through the fifth annual “In Him” Men’s Retreat, held over Presidents’ Day weekend at Shepherd of the Ozarks.

This year’s retreat brought together 33 men from 11 states, including several fathers who attended alongside their sons. While the retreat welcomed men from a variety of backgrounds and Church of God congregations—creating a unique opportunity for fellowship that extends beyond individual congregations and organizations.

The weekend began Friday evening with a brisket dinner and a thoughtful challenge: identifying the “log jams” in our lives—those obstacles and distractions that can keep us from bearing fruit in our walk with Christ. Participants followed a biblical example by drawing lots to determine their teams, scriptures, and discussion questions. Each group spent time studying and preparing short presentations, resulting in engaging, interactive discussions where men encouraged one another through God’s Word.

The Sabbath included a time of worship, with Michael Compton leading the men in rejoicing before the Lord. The retreat also included opportunities for fellowship through shared activities such as the camp’s high ropes adventure course and clay shooting, allowing participants to build deeper friendships and connections.

One of the most meaningful moments came Sunday evening, when the men gathered in small “mini-groups” to share personal prayer requests and, for some, to be prayed over or anointed. These groups committed to staying connected throughout the year—continuing to pray for one another and encouraging each other to pursue a fruitful year ahead.

For Church of God Network, this is exactly the kind of impact our grant program is designed to support. By helping fund gatherings like the “In Him” Men’s Retreat, we aim to strengthen the bonds of fellowship across the broader Church of God community, encourage spiritual growth, and create opportunities for brethren to serve and support one another.

Plans are already underway for the next retreat, scheduled for February 12–15, 2027, again at Shepherd of the Ozarks. We’re grateful to see how this grant helped bring men together in worship, fellowship, and shared commitment to grow in Him.