Come to the Mountains

Name: Come to the Mountains
Start: 2026-10-05
End: 2026-10-08
Location: Montreat Conference Center

A Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association Retreat

October 5–8, 2026 AdultContinuing Education

Event hosted by Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association in partnership with Montreat Conference Center

Reserve Housing and Meals

Join us for PYWA’s Second Annual “Come to the Mountains” Gathering in Montreat, North Carolina. This gathering is open to all youth workers — ordained and non-ordained, volunteers and professionals alike.

Over the course of a few days, participants will have the opportunity to:

Worship & Keynote – led by Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean and Rev. Neema Cyrus Franklin.
Learning Labs — Hands-on sessions designed to sharpen your skills and deepen your practice in youth ministry.
Soul Care — Intentional time set aside for rest, reflection, and personal renewal.
Idea Exchange — A collaborative space to share insights, challenges, and creative solutions with fellow youth workers.

Learn more about PYWA

Leadership

Kenda Creasy Dean – Keynote Speaker

Kenda Creasy Dean is an ordained United Methodist pastor and the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she works closely with the Institute for Youth Ministry and the Farminary. She currently serves as the senior strategist and principle investigator for three major PTS initiatives: the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network (to support and connect young Christian leaders), the Ministry Collaboratory (to support congregations working with young adults), and the Teaching Spiritual Entrepreneurship Initiative (a 9-seminary initiative to create more entrepreneurial/creative faith leaders). Kenda is the author of numerous books, including Innovating for Love: Joining God’s Expedition through Christian Social Innovation, Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church, and The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul-Tending in Youth Ministry with Ron Foster and Megan DeWald (the 25th anniversary edition was updated and released in 2023). Recently named the 2024 Distinguished Leader in Innovation by Wesleyan Impact Partners, she co-founded Ministry Incubators in 2014 with fellow PTS alumnus Mark DeVries to support theologically-responsible innovation and sustainability in ministry. A graduate of Miami University (Ohio), Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC), and Princeton Theological Seminary (New Jersey), Kenda has pastored churches in Arlington, VA, College Park, MD, and Kingston, NJ. She and her husband Kevin love hanging out with their hilarious grown kids and digging their toes in the sand on the Jersey shore.

Neema Cyrus-Franklin – Preacher

Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin is a dedicated spiritual leader, ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and a passionate advocate for holistic soul care. With over 25 years of experience serving at the local, regional, and national levels of the PC(USA), she has equipped and trained faith leaders in intergenerational Christian formation, camp and conference ministry, and mission—developing leaders who now serve across the globe.

Holding dual Master of Arts degrees in Divinity and Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Rev. Neema continues to walk alongside individuals and communities as a spiritual wellness practitioner, congregational consultant, and coach. Her approach integrates faith, embodiment, and justice, drawing from her certifications in Somatic Attachment Therapy (The Embody Lab) and Coaching through Crossroads Antiracist Training & Coach Approach Skills Training (CAST).

Beyond the pulpit, Rev. Neema is a social justice-oriented, trauma-sensitive yoga teacher (RYT-200) and Yoga Therapy Apprentice, currently completing an 858-hour Yoga Therapy certification. As a Yoga Therapy Apprentice, she is actively working with clients and leading classes, blending the wisdom of yoga, somatics, trauma sensitivity and spiritual care to support holistic healing.

Through the Center for Soul Care, she offers a sanctuary for those seeking deep restoration—helping others find connection, grounding, and sacred care “Between Sundays” and beyond.

Housing & Meals

Montreat Conference Center Housing and Meals

Comprehensive Rates are per person and include:

Room charges: Sunday through Wednesday nights
Meals: Monday supper through Thursday breakfast (Note: No Wednesday supper is provided.)

Check-In: After 4:00pm on Monday.
Check-Out: Before 10:00 am on Thursday

Comprehensive Rates

Single Occupancy

Double Occupancy

Assembly Inn

Private Bathroom

$450

277.50

Assembly Inn

Shared Bathroom

$405

Glen Rock Inn & Apartment

Shared Bathroom
Modest Housing

$311.25

$208.13

Commuter Meal Rates

The commuter meal rate includes:

Monday supper
Tuesday lunch & supper
Wednesday lunch

Please note that this rate does not include housing.

Reservations for commuter meals will close on Monday, September 21st.

$69 per person

Reserve Housing and Meals

All registrations include a $3 community services fee per adult for public services provided by the Town of Montreat and the fire district.

Scholarships and Financial Support

We are committed to making our programs accessible to all participants. Scholarship funding is available for individuals who may benefit from financial assistance.

How to Apply

We invite you to submit your application using the link below.

Scholarship Applicaiton

Scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and awards are offered as funding allows. Our team will follow up with additional details once your application has been reviewed.

Refund Policy

Housing cancellations must be received by August 21 in order to receive a full refund less a $75 service charge. Cancellations received after August 21, but on or before September 5 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meals charges (if applicable), less $75. No refunds will be issued after September 5. All requests must be made in writing and received via email.

Conference Registration

Registration Date	Rate
Before May 1	$150
After May 1	$180

Conference registration includes admission to all scheduled sessions and workshops, along with all conference materials provided. Please note that conference registration does not include accommodations.

For any questions about the event or how to register, please contact Christy Williams at director@pywa.org.

Tentative Schedule

Please note this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change.

Monday, October 5, 2026
4:oo PM	Room Check-In
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Evening	Keynote/Worship Message with Kenda Creasy Dean
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
7:30-8:30 am	Breakfast, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Morning	Keynote with Kenda Creasy Dean
12:15–1:15 pm	Lunch, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Afternoon	Tracks
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Evening	Worship with Neema Cyrus-Franklin
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
7:30-8:30 am	Breakfast, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Morning	Keynote with Neema Cyrus-Franklin
12:15–1:15 pm	Lunch
Afternoon	Tracks
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
Evening	Worship with Neema Cyrus-Franklin
Thursday, October 8, 2026
7:30–8:30 am	Breakfast
10:00 am	Check out of Rooms and Safe Travels Home!