"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."
–Jeremiah 24:7 [NIV]
Freedom encounter retreat
Purpose
To lead our tweens & teens to encounter the life changing presence of God and the liberating power of the cross, so they can fulfill their divine purpose in life with passion, integrity and divine resilience.
The Apostle Paul remained three days disconnected from the world in blindness after his conversion, as a transformative time to get in touch with the calling God had for his life–which he had been running from all his life.
Likewise, a three day retreat away from the distractions of life will give the youth time to pause, reflect, and discern the areas in their lives that need a touch from God.
Process
Our three–day Freedom Encounter begins Friday night and ends on Sunday afternoon. Through a series of strategic experiences that include teaching from God's word, object lessons, theme focused activities, worship, prayer, and ministry through the Holy Spirit, the youth will be able to draw closer and closer to the Lord and run with His will for their lives.
Each individual session is prayerfully crafted to build from the previous one and lead into the next. They will cover the topics of sin, repentance, salvation, the work of the cross, emotional wounds, the power of deception, forgiveness, purity, the closing of doors to the kingdom of darkness, the Father's love, communion, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Plan
Dates: Friday Feb. 13 through Sunday Feb. 15, 2026
Location: Alton Bay Christian Conference Center (5 Broadway Blvd. Alton, NH 03810)
Cost: $160 per person (includes rides, meals, lodging, Encounter materials, and conference room).
Payment: You can pay for your child(ren) using our online SPECIALS fund and writing Youth Encounter on the memo. You can also bring cash or a check to church at any of our meetings. Make sure to clearly designate your envelope or check for the Youth Encounter.
Permission Form Waiver: Parents please complete the Permission Form Waiver and return via e-mail to bzyla@lifewaychurch.net or send via text as a picture to 603-339-4799, attention Brianna Zyla–24/7 Youth Leader.
Technology: Please make sure no tech gadgets come with your child(ren). Technology will not be permitted before, during, or after the retreat. This is an encounter with the living God and we don't want any distractions getting in the way of their transformation.
Packing: 1) Bible, journals, and pen. 2) Three changes of clothes (at least). 3) Winter apparel (jacket, beanie, gloves, thick socks, etc.). 4) Personal hygiene products inside health bag (tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, comb, soap, shampoo, etc.). Note: We will make a quick graceful screen before departure to make sure nothing other than these items are in their bags (no books, magazines, substances, power drinks, etc.). We thank parents in advance for their leadership and supervision in this area.
Lodging: Accommodations are motel style rooms with individual bathrooms and bunk beds with a common bathroom. Our initial arrangement foresees female youth will share motel rooms with our female youth leaders and male youth will be in the bunk beds with our male youth leaders. If anything changes we will keep parents informed. Please know that our safety policy as a church states that two adults shall always be present when sharing a ride or room with a minor before, during, and after the Encounter Retreat.
Drop Off: Friday Feb. 13 at 4 PM at Mt. Zion Christian School (132 Titus Ave. Manchester, NH)
Pick Up: Sunday Feb. 15 at 6:00 PM at Mt. Zion Christian School. Parents are invited to come earlier for an Encounter Testimony Service at 4 PM, where you will get to hear what God did in the life of your child(ren) during the retreat.
Scholarships: If you would like to sponsor a youth to go on the Encounter Retreat please use our SPECIALS fund and write Youth Encounter on the memo. The cost per youth is $160. If you need assistance for your child(ren), please contact our 24/7 youth ministry below :
LifeWay 24/7 Youth Ministry
e: bzyla@lifewaychurch.net
ph: 603-339-4799