From January 28^th -30^th, the newest members of the Emerging Leaders’ Cohort gathered for their first Lessons Learned Retreat. The Lessons Learned Retreat is the first event the Emerging Leaders participate in as they start their two-year journey with their cohort. Due to Covid, this retreat was held via zoom, but that did not stop the presentence of the Holy Spirit. The cohort gathered from Georgia, Maine, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and St Kitts.

Over this weekend, the young adults participated in spiritual practices, reflective writing, creative expression, and theological conversation. We made beautiful prayer beads; we planted seeds in good soil to symbolize the new chapter, the new journey the young adults are embarking on with their cohort members. It was a beautiful time of relationship and trust-building among the young adults and leaders.

The cohorts were honored to welcome Rev. Sarah Stroshal-Kagi, a former Extreme Team member, as a guest speaker and pastor for Sunday worship. She spoke about her experience with the Extreme Team and how that journey impacted her life in ways she never thought could. She challenged each of us with the question, “What is in your hands?” that no matter what we carry with us, God can and will use it. Pastor Sarah reminded us that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called.

Throughout the retreat, the leaders presented the group with four crucial questions to journey with; Who am I? What am I doing? What is my purpose? and Where do I belong? It was humbling to see the confidence and vulnerability represented in each response.

The journey is just beginning for these Emerging Leaders.