More Than a Weekend Away: Inside Our Second Faithful Families Retreat

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

- Deuteronomy 6:6-7

What would happen if your family hit pause for an entire weekend?

No sports schedules. No rushing from one activity to the next. No endless to-do lists competing for your attention.

Just time to be together.

That was exactly what happened at our second annual Faithful Families Retreat this June at the Omni Orlando Resort. Families traveled from across the country with one purpose in mind: to intentionally build a Christ-centered family culture.

And what unfolded over those three days was something truly special.

Friday: Dreaming Together

As families arrived on Friday evening, there was an excitement in the air. Some knew each other from last year. Others were meeting for the very first time. Before long, conversations were flowing through simple icebreaker activities, and strangers quickly began to feel like friends.

Then came one of the first meaningful moments of the weekend.

Each family was asked to dream.

"What would your ideal family culture look like?"

Parents and kids gathered around tables with crayons, markers, and pens. Little ones eagerly sketched colorful pictures. Older children wrote words and ideas. Together with their moms and dads, they listened, shared, and encouraged each other.

There was something beautiful about watching entire families dream together.

Not about vacations or bigger houses or busier calendars, but about becoming the kind of family that loves Jesus well.

Homes filled with kindness.

Homes filled with laughter.

Homes where forgiveness is quick.

Homes where God's Word is lived out every day.

The evening ended in gratitude as families prayed together, thanking God for bringing them there and asking Him to guide the weekend ahead.

Saturday: Building an Intentional Family Culture

Saturday morning began with joyful worship led by Mikey and Emily Krill from the band HisWay.

There is something powerful about hearing an entire room of parents and children worshiping side by side. It set the tone for everything that followed.

Throughout the day, families worked through practical exercises designed to help them intentionally shape their family culture instead of simply letting life shape it for them.

Our speakers, Kurt and Olivia Bruner, challenged families to think differently about discipleship.

One message especially resonated throughout the weekend:

Creating a home filled with joy, warmth, and invitation is one of the most powerful ways to pass faith on to the next generation.

Faith isn't only taught during Bible studies.

It's caught around dinner tables.

During family game nights.

Through conversations in the car.

While laughing together after a long day.

Families also took an honest look at where their culture currently stood, and where they hoped it would be as they pursued Jesus together.

Those conversations weren't always easy.

But they were incredibly meaningful.

After enjoying a buffet lunch together, everyone was encouraged to simply rest and play for the afternoon.

Children splashed in the pools.

Parents relaxed under the Florida sunshine.

Families made memories together.

Sometimes spiritual growth looks like deep conversations.

Sometimes it looks like laughing together in a swimming pool.

Both matter.

That evening we gathered once again for dinner and family worship before ending the day with one of everyone's favorite traditions - the Family Talent Show.

Families filled the stage with songs, dancing, a shadow puppet show, musical performances, and talents of every kind.

The room was filled with cheering, laughter, applause, and encouragement.

It wasn't about being perfect.

It was about celebrating one another.

And every family left smiling.

Sunday: Taking It Home

As Sunday morning arrived, no one seemed quite ready for the weekend to end.

After worshiping together one final time, families turned their attention toward one important question:

"What changes can we begin making when we get home?"

This wasn't just a conversation for parents.

Kids participated too.

Together, families identified practical next steps that would move them from their current family culture toward the Christ-centered culture they had envisioned on Friday night.

Before leaving, every family shared specific commitments - small, intentional steps they wanted to begin taking together.

Because lasting change doesn't happen through inspiration alone.

It happens through daily faithfulness.

A Sacred Pause

When all was said and done, the Faithful Families Retreat wasn't simply another conference.

It became a sacred pause.

A chance to slow down.

To reconnect.

To worship together.

To laugh together.

To dream together.

Most importantly, it reminded every family that family culture doesn't simply happen.

It is built- one conversation, one prayer, one intentional decision at a time - with God's help.

One of our favorite parts of the weekend came afterward as families shared what the retreat meant to them.

One family wrote:

"We really loved this retreat! It was so encouraging and made us excited to keep going in our intentionality, and gave us ideas on how to plan improvements. It was really encouraging to hear from and see other families who want to serve Jesus in their family life as a priority. Thank you so much for doing it all!"

Another shared:

"It's wonderful what you are doing and we hope you continue to do it for years and years to come!"

And perhaps one of the greatest compliments came from this family:

"Keep up the good work! My children were so thankful for the retreat, which says a lot! Our children spent most of the weekend in the sessions, hearing content, and doing family work together. They were not simply playing and doing their own thing. Yet, they really loved the retreat! I think that says a lot! Thank you again!"

Those words remind us why this ministry exists.

Because parents don't have to figure this out alone.

Families need encouragement.

They need practical tools.

They need community.

And they need space to intentionally pursue Jesus together.

We left Orlando incredibly grateful for every family who joined us, every volunteer who served, every conversation shared, every prayer prayed, and every step of faith taken throughout the weekend.

We are already looking forward to gathering again next year.

Because building a Christ-centered family isn't accomplished in one weekend.

But one intentional weekend can change the direction of a family for generations.

Watch a highlight video of this retreat on YouTube here.