CECC is a summer camp, so in addition to toiletries you’ll need to bring some sort of bedding for your mattress (linens or a sleeping bag). Other essentials include a Bible, a pen and notebook, and tennis shoes. You may also want to bring bug spray, a flashlight, and/or a small fan.

The final details of some, but not all, of the workshops and activities have been worked out. We’ll post the complete schedule as soon as it is finalized.

Well, maybe a little bit… The Koinonia Retreat proper will kick off Saturday with morning and evening speakers, pertinent workshops led by people of such amazing spirituality it’ll burn your eyebrows (and I really hope they read this), and plenty of time to fellowship (which is Christianese for “goofing off”) in the afternoon. CECC has an excellent softball field, volleyball and basketball courts, pool (which may or may not be unpleasantly cold by the end of September), and plenty of open spaces for activities that require them. For those who stick around, we’ll hold a worship service together Sunday morning in the chapel before shoving off after lunch!

While the retreat officially begins on Friday evening and extends through Sunday, all workshops or sessions are planned for that Saturday. Some folk will have to drive a few hours to CECC after work on Friday, so that evening is set aside for travel and casual fellowship.

Try Mike Smith (770.435.1723, mike@smyrnachristianchurch.org), Mike Klaus (706.863.0535, mgklaus@comcast.net), or Mike Conaway (mikeconaway@heritagechristian.org). We’d love to hear from you, and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have!

Mike Klaus: (No relation to Santa.) Mike is the senior minister of Columbia County Christian Church in Martinez, GA (near Augusta). He has served the same congregation for a Biblical total of twelve years and has experience in both youth ministry and church planting, having helped establish C4 in 1999. Mike earned his B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University and his B.Th. from Atlanta Christian College. He lives in Martinez with his wife, Melanie, and his two kids, Katie and Jonathan.

Brandon / Mike Smith: Known as Brandon by his parents, people who knew him growing up in Augusta, and God (when he’s in trouble), and as Mike by everyone else, Brandon / Mike is the associate minister of Smyrna Christian Church just outside Atlanta. He holds a B.A. in Bible and History from Milligan College and an M.Div. in Old Testament from Emmanuel School of Religion. Left-brained and disorganized, Mike navigates life only through the efforts of his wonderful wife, Ashley, and his zero children.

Mike Conaway: Mike joined the staff of Heritage Christian Church in Fayetteville, GA as Small Groups Minister in January 2007. Prior to joining the HCC staff Mike oversaw the small groups ministry for 4 1/2 years as an Unpaid Servant. Mike's background is gray, with some black clouds, but he has a passion for the Lord and for small groups. He has an engineering background that led to a career in technical sales and he now tries to use those skills in "fixing design flaws" in everyday people. He believes that starts with being committed to a small group of other Christians and walking through life together. Mike and his wife Shirley have grown children and 2 dogs (Pepper & Buster) at home.

Who else is going to be there?