by Jess Senasack
This October, we were able to host a fall retreat for our BCM/D collegiate ministries at Skycroft Conference Center. It was the first retreat we have had together at Skycroft in many years!
For decades, our Maryland and Delaware collegiate ministries would host fall and spring retreats for our students and see the vast majority of our active students sign up and come. But almost a decade ago, even before the pandemic, Gen Z came to college, and those numbers dropped significantly. Instead of seeing over 75% of our students signing up, that number dropped to more like 25%. So eventually, we stopped hosting weekend-long retreats and instead pivoted to hosting one-night retreats that were cheaper and closer to their campuses.
Students take time to pray during the BCM retreat at Skycroft Conference Center. (Photo by Katie Martin)
But as our students have slowly come out of the haze of the pandemic, we are starting to see Generation Z (labeled the loneliest generation) see their need for connection and community. And we’re reviving weekend retreats! Last fall, 2023, Navy BCM saw a big surge in their retreat numbers, and so this fall, we decided to ride their wave and have our other campuses join them for a retreat at Skycroft.
October 4-6, we brought together over 120 staff and students from the US Naval Academy, University of Maryland College Park, Towson University, UMBC, and Montgomery College (MC) Germantown for a great weekend of worship, learning, discussion, and fun. Our theme was “The Great Pursuit,” and former midshipman Garrett Gray (USNA Class of 2013) walked us through the story of Jonah. We all left feeling encouraged and better connected to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly.
Adriana Alonzo, who started the college ministry at Montgomery College Germantown in the fall of 2023, was able to bring a few of her students, and they had a great experience. Alonzo reflected, “BCM 2024 Fall Retreat was truly a blessing. Working with a smaller campus whose ministry is just getting started, it is very easy to get disheartened and feel like you’re on an island alone. Fall retreat reminded me and my students that we are not. The students had never been a part of a larger collegiate ministry and they were grateful to feel that sense of community and were emboldened seeing that they are part of a bigger picture. I was reminded that the work is not my own, but the Lord’s, and we are all working together for His glory. Fall retreat strengthened our spirits and left us energized to continue on in the work the Lord has for our campus.”
Statewide events like this are essential for our established collegiate ministries to help students build community and be better equipped to walk with Jesus and serve Him on their
Several young women work on Bible study time while enjoying the peace on the deck of Hebrews Coffee Shop at Skycroft. (Photo by Katie Martin)
campuses. But they are also an incredible resource for our new ministries, like the one at MC, so that new campus ministers can bring even just a few of their students without having to do any of the planning or feeling the pressure to gather a large crowd. They are a win for everyone!
Our hope is that we can continue to ride this momentum and see even more students and campuses get involved in events like this in the future. We have two mission trips planned for winter break that college students and young adults can join, as well as lots of short- and long-term opportunities for the summer. If you have college students or young adults in your church, or if your church is interested in praying for and starting a ministry on a college campus near you, email me at [email protected]. Visit https://bcmd.org/collegiate/ for more information.
Jess Senasack serves as the BCM/D Collegiate Ministry Director.
Feature photo shows former midshipman Garrett Gray (USNA Class of 2013), who shared the story of Jonah and encouraged students to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. (Photo by Katie Martin)
Watch the video that GraceLife (Towson U) made reflecting on the retreat: Fall Retreat.