The Manna Retreat

Name: The Manna Retreat
Start: 2027-01-22
End: 2027-01-24
Location: Montreat Conference Center

A weekend for young adults

January 22–24, 2027 AdultYoung 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.

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What to Expect

Each day we will gather as a large group for a morning and evening gathering, where we will explore the theme and ask big questions. Twice a day participants will gather with their small group to build deep connection. We will eat our meals together and spend our free time playing games by the fireplace and hiking around Montreat. There will be late night mixers, lots of laughter, and meaningful worship. Registration will include both young adult church groups and individuals, so the conference will be designed in a way that allows for mutual connection between the two.

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.

Program Format

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Friday, January 22
4:00–6:00 pm	Retreat Registration (Room Check-in at 3pm), Assembly Inn Lobby
5:30–6:30 pm	Dinner, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room, Assembly Inn
7:00 pm	Opening Gathering, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
8:30–10:30 pm	Fun Times, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
11:00 pm	Lights Out
Saturday, January 23
7:30–8:30 am	Breakfast, Katherine "Kat" McKay Belk Dining Room
9:00 am	Keynote, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
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, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
8:15 pm	Small Groups
9:30 pm	Fun Times, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
11:00 pm	Lights Out
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, Thompson Brown Meeting Room, Moore Center
11:30 am	See you next year!