Being ‘present’ is hard.
So much screams for our attention.
Before long, we have disappointed someone.
Consider this.
A weekend at Sandy Cove can be a gift to yourself, (a present) that pays off in the lives of everyone you touch.
How?
Think of a Sandy Cove Men’s Retreat like pulling off the busy, super-highway of your life to a rest stop. Not a cold, self-service, vending machine and a smelly john…
I’m inviting you to a life-giving rest stop…a warm, welcoming place staffed by folks who appreciate your work and struggles. No hammers to beat you down with guilt. Just time and space to breathe, play, feast, unwind…and connect with God and guys from your community.
To be fully ‘present’.
And Lord willing, when you head home on Sunday, you’ll be encouraged to love, lead and be the ‘present’ your family would love to open.
Come on man. Let’s do this.
Mark P. Fisher Husband, father, Sandy Cove President and your weekend tour guide to presence
October 25, 2011
Mark,
Good morning, and God's peace and grace be towards you! I would like you to know how much of a blessing, and how refreshing this past weekend's men's retreat was for me and the men of our church who attended. Of the 20 plus men in our group, at least six of them were first time attendees. And the sentiment among them all was the same: they absolutely loved it! Needful to say, you and your staff have got this "retreat" thing nailed down!
In years past, we endeavored to host our own men's retreat there at Sandy Cove. Needless to say, even with all that you guys offer, it was still a lot of work for me and our ministry of men leadership team. Quite often, we were so consumed with maintaining our program/schedule, that the team was unable to enjoy the retreat ourselves. Finally, the light bulb went off. I recognized that we were having our men's retreat only a week before the men's retreat there. That's when I spoke when the lead pastor and told him of all the benefits of supporting what you already have in place. Besides, it actually was more expensive for us to do it on our own. And, we had to drag a bunch of equipment there to support ourselves. The rest is history! We've attended the men's retreat for the last several years. In fact, it's one of three major events we have on the calendar for our men each year. Having said that, we're already planning to promote next year's retreat this coming Sunday, October 30th.
Greg Perkins, Associate Pastor
Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Woodbridge, VA
Disconnect to Reconnect – Great Video for Group Leaders!
Bryan has become well-known at Sandy Cove for teaching practical, convicting truths from the Word of God. Bryan 's unique ability to communicate the deep truths of Scripture in a relevant uncompromising manner has helped to reach a generation embedded in postmodernism. He is the Lead Pastor of Fellowship Memphis, a multicultural church ministering to the evolving community of urban Memphis. Bryan's ministry takes him across the country as he speaks to thousands annually at churches, conferences and retreats. He is also the author of the books God on Paper and A Cross Shaped Gospel as well as a contributing author for the book entitled Great Preaching. Bryan and his wife Korie also serve together on the Family Life speaker team. This ministry takes them across the country as they speak at Weekend to Remember conferences, joining in the fight for healthy godly marriages.
We’re welcoming Crawford back to Sandy Cove! Since 2005, Crawford has served as the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA. Crawford's speaking engagements have included evangelistic outreaches, conferences, conventions, churches, colleges and seminaries. He is a frequent speaker for professional sports teams, including three Super Bowls and the NCAA Final Four Chapel. He has spoken to gatherings of senior military officers at the Pentagon. He is a featured speaker at Promise Keepers men's conferences. He and his wife, Karen, are featured speakers at Family Life's marriage and parenting conferences. He is a visiting professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Crawford is also the host of "Living A Legacy", a daily radio program heard on 330 outlets by approximately 500,000 per week.
On January 1st, 2006 Mark P. Fisher became Sandy Cove Ministries' 5th President & Head Innovation Coach. He is a speaker, author and discipler of men. Mark’s passion, from personal experience, is to become a Christ-like husband, father and man - while inviting others to join him on the same journey. Mark holds a double degree in Bible and Communications from Cedarville University and Word of Life Bible Institute. Mark and Lori, his wife of 23 years, are raising five very unique and active children.
Why come to Sandy Cove for the Men’s Retreat?
Here’s Mark’s top 10 list!
No ‘honey-do’ list to complete
All the food you can eat
Goof off and play all Saturday afternoon
Hear amazing father & son communicators talk about real life
Stare off into space and no one will ask ‘what are you thinking about?’
Make fun of Mark P. Fisher’s soul-patch and shorts
Wear your favorite NFL team jersey each day without changing it and no one will think twice about it
Win in sports competition with older guys who get injured
Connect with God in a manly way
Connect with other guys who are on the same journey as you…
Worship Leader: Stephen Weaver
Stephen has been leading worship for nearly 20 years. Stephen has led worship for several conferences and special events. He was the worship pastor of a church in Nashville, TN and has led teams at other churches as well. Stephen is currently the Director of Program Ministries at Sandy Cove Ministries.
Quick glance at the weekend
Friday night
Saturday
Sunday
Dinner, evening session and fun
Three meals, morning session, afternoon free time, evening session
Breakfast, morning session and lunch
Lots to do!
Indoor rock climbing
Big swing
Zip line
Canoeing
Fishing
Tennis
Frisbee Golf
Fitness Center
Enclosed Sports Pool
Hot Tub
Ping Pong
Billiards
Air Hockey
Foosball
Basketball
Volleyball – indoors or out
Sports Fields for Football
Ultimate Frisbee
Soccer
Softball
Tournaments
Flag Football
(outdoor activities…weather permitting)
What makes a men’s event at Sandy Cove great?
Plug and play! We do all the work for your men’s group – you just get them signed up. We take care of worship, speaker, lodging, all-you-can-eat meals and fun!
Spaghetti time!? Women say: ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’
At Sandy Cove, it’s all about spaghetti.
Not the pasta dish, but ‘spaghetti time’.
Remember the old adage, how do you know when spaghetti is done? Throw it at the wall and see if sticks?
Here’s how it works at Sandy Cove. Rather than pile a bunch of Bible verses on your men – we provide your group time and space after each general session to process what you are hearing…to talk it out, to see what God may want for you to do…to see what sticks.
Last year men’s ministry leaders raved about spaghetti time on their evaluation forms…
“The Spaghetti Time was a great concept that worked very well in our church group setting.”
“The Spaghetti Time was a huge addition that helped me connect to God and other men below the surface.”
“Spaghetti Time really was important – helped process what we heard.”
“During Spaghetti Time Saturday night, the guys really opened up and shared from the heart.”
“Spaghetti time with other guys from my group helped me to clearly see some specific action items that I need to take in order to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ.”
Weekend Schedule
Schedule subject to change to better serve you!
Friday
4:00 pm
Check in
5:30
Dinner
7:30
Opening Session Spaghetti Time! (sounds weird, but we’ll explain…)
9:00
Snack, optional activities
Saturday
8:00 am
Breakfast
9:30
Session 2
Break
Spaghetti Time
12:30
Lunch
Free Time
5:30
Dinner
7:00
Session 3
Spaghetti Time
9:00
Free Time
Sunday
8:00
Breakfast
Check out of guest rooms
10:00
Closing session
Spaghetti Time
12:00
Lunch
Weekend packages
All rates are per person and include two nights lodging, six meals, snacks, program and activities. Chesapeake Lodge Rates begin at $179 per person.
Bay view and suite surcharges apply
Quad occupancy
Triple occupancy
Double occupancy
Single occupancy
$179
$209
$269
$369
Most rooms have two twin beds and one queen size bed, so triple occupancy allows for each person to have their own sleep space. Family rooms have one queen size bed, two twin beds and two twin sleeper sofas.
Looking for a slightly different Retreat? Try our campground!
Log Cabins are now open all year with an extended season for Campsites and Rustic Cabins.
Log Cabin Rates: $209 per person, minimum occupancy of 4
Rustic Cabin Rates: $179 per person, minimum occupancy of 4
*Please note that there is a minimum occupancy required for all cabins.
Modest swimsuits are required…
Don't let finances keep you away- scholarships are available - up to 50% provided through generous donations!
Register Today! Call 800.234.COVE (2683) or online here
NEW! 10% military discount for all program events for ALL military personnel. This discount is available to any member of the armed forces, any branch and their immediate family members
living in their household.
