The Manna Retreat

A weekend for young adults

January 22–24, 2027AdultYoung Adults
Hosted by Montreat Conference Center

According to The Defining Decade by psychologist Meg Jay, “eighty percent of life’s most defining moments take place by age thirty-five.” Translation: Being a young adult is hard. In an effort to support both young adults navigating the messiness of this time in their lives, as well as to support young adult ministries at the local church, we have created The Manna Retreat. The Manna Retreat is three days, 100 young adults, one old hotel, and ten small groups dedicated to creating deeper faith and deeper relationships. If your faith could use a spark plug, if your spirit could use a deep laugh, if your heart could use some new friendships, or if your body could use a place to belong, then this is for you.

Tending the Wild:
Cultivating Beloved Community in a Landscaped World

What if the wilderness isn’t a place apart from the garden, but the garden’s truest form – wild, yet tended and cared for in community? Join us for The Manna Retreat 2027, a gathering for young adults exploring together how belonging is grown through deep listening, honest seeking, and the practice of offering our whole selves to one another.  

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What to Expect

During large group gatherings each day, we’ll explore the theme and ask big questions. Small groups also gather three times over the course of the retreat to build deeper connection, and workshops offer a chance to explore particular topics and practices. We will eat our meals together and enjoy free time playing games by the fireplacehiking around Montreat, or exploring nearby Black MountainThere’ll be late night mixers, lots of laughter, and meaningful worship. Registration options include both young adult church groups and individuals, and the conference is designed in a way that allows for mutual connection no matter where you’re coming from, or who with. 

Do I Count as a Young Adult?

Aaaaah, the million dollar question: Who is a young adult? If any of these statements apply to you, then this conference is for you:

You’ve downloaded Hinge or Bumble on your phone before.
You have student loans.
You own a piece of Ikea furniture (or five).
You’ve wondered why making friends as an adult is not as easy as it is in the movies.
You’re trying to figure out what you want to do, where you want to do it, and/or who you want to do it with.
Your parents ask you for social media help.
You are hungry for deeper faith and deeper connection.

*In case you’re still not sure, we're designing this for young adults in their "defining decade" of 22-32 when many of life's very important decisions are made. Of course, a person's defining decade might stretch beyond the age of 32, say, to 35. If that applies to you, you’re welcome as well.

Why the Name "The Manna Retreat?"

Picture this: You are in a new chapter of your life. You’re not sure what lies ahead. There is no road map or easy direction showing you the way. Are we talking about young adults or the Israelites in the desert? Probably both. In many ways, your 20s and early 30s can feel a bit like wandering in the wilderness. There is no map, and the journey can feel long. Enter The Manna Retreat. Just as God provided sustenance and nourishment for the Israelites in the desert, we pray that this retreat will provide sustenance and nourishment to young adults in our world. Come hungry. Leave nourished. That’s our prayer.

Tentative Schedule

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Friday, January 22
4:00–6:00 pm Retreat Registration, Assembly Inn Lobby
5:30–6:30 pm Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room, Assembly Inn
7:00 pm Opening Gathering, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
8:30 pm Fun Times, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
Saturday, January 23
7:30–8:30 am Breakfast, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
9:00 am Keynote, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
10:00 am Silent Hour
11:00 am Small Groups
12:00-1:00pm Lunch, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
1:15–2:15 pm Workshop (Session One)
2:30–3:30 pm Workshop (Session Two)
3:30-5:30 pm Free Time
5:30–6:30 pm Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
7:00 pm Keynote, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
8:15 pm Small Groups
9:30 pm Fun Times, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
Sunday, January 24
7:30–8:30 am Breakfast and Check Out of Rooms
9:00–10:00 am Small Groups
10:30–11:30 am Closing Worship, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
11:30 am See you next year!

Main Phone Number

Physical Address

401 Assembly Drive
Montreat, NC 28757

Mailing Address

Montreat Conference Center
PO Box 969
Montreat, NC 28757

Business Office

Montreat Conference Center
318 Georgia Terrace
Montreat, NC 28757

Business Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm

The Montreat Store

Phone: 828.669.5298

Moore Center, Second Floor
303 Lookout Road
Montreat, NC 28757

Store Hours:
Monday–Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Sunday, CLOSED

The Huckleberry Cafe

Phone: 828.419.9880

Moore Center, Third Floor
303 Lookout Road
Montreat, NC 28757

Year-round Cafe Hours:

Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 am–3:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am–6:00 pm
Sunday–Monday, CLOSED

Summer Cafe Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–9:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am–3:00 pm
Sunday, CLOSED