In 2007, our annual Senior Adult Retreat for ABCRM was renamed, SoulJourners: A Retreat for Folks 55+, and found a new home at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs. Our keynote speakers, Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, and Dr. Deborah Van Broekhoven, Executive Director of the American Baptist Historical Society helped us focus on our theme, “What in the World are We doing Here Anyway?” The Rev. Mike Williams, former Pastor of Congregational Care, Calvary Baptist, Denver, guided us in provocative and interactive worship services built around our theme.

We had fifty-five participants and leaders and evaluations gave us excellent feedback and direction for this year’s retreat. Most felt that the Franciscan Retreat Center provided facilities, activities and meals that were top-notch. In addition to these new aspects, everyone enjoyed our traditional program elements, ice cream Sundays, workshops, seeing friends and making new ones, games and beautiful scenery.

The 2008 retreat again was held at the Franciscan Retreat Center on September 16-18. We invited Dr. James Peters, recently retired pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, and the Rev. Walt White, American Baptist International Ministries Global Ambassador, to speak on the theme “Unity in Diversity” based on Ephesians 4:1-6. Darryl Walker, Minister of Music at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver led us in inspirational and moving worship.

For 2009 we hope to be at Franciscan Retreat Center again during the same time slot. For those of you who are in the 55+ age range and retired or semi-retired, we invite you to come for an exciting retreat with time for rest and relaxation as well as inspiration encouraged by first rate speakers.

John Pipe, Tamara VanSpriell, Carol Willard,
Co Chairpersons