We had an incredible MEA Fall Retreat this past October – and for that I am truly thankful. I am thankful for the number of students who took their fall break and decided to invest in their faith.
This year, we had 108 students at our Junior High Retreat, and 200 at our Senior High Retreat. These students gave up hanging out with their friends at home, extra sleep, Friday night football games and college visits to spend intentional time with God.
I am also thankful for the messages brought by our awesome speaker, Tim Ciccone. Tim is the Director of Youth Ministry for the Evangelical Covenant Church. It was a true blessing to have someone with his experience and energy bring truth to our students. Lives were changed and decisions were made because Tim listened to the Lord, and spoke the words He had put on his heart.
Finally, I am extremely thankful for the relationships and partnerships that continue to build with our owner churches. Since my time as Program Director here at CPBC, it has been a deep desire of mine to build stronger partnerships with our owner churches, in hopes to make the bridge between church and camp more accessible for students. 
The MEA Retreat this fall was such a big step toward true partnership. Seven of our Twin Cities Churches used MEA as their Youth Group’s Fall Retreat, all of which sent their youth pastor and several youth volunteers up for the weekend. It was great to be able to serve youth pastors in this way, as well as encouraging to relationships build with our churches.
God did amazing things over our MEA Fall Retreat. I am truly thankful! Check out the highlight video below and see you all again next year!
~Holly Larson, Program Director
