Leesburg Men's Retreats
For information call the Church Office at 407-892-3128
Joe Chamberlain, a gospel song leader, purchased a hotel in the 1940's at Lake Alfred, Florida. At the close of World War II, he, with Bishop Arthur J. Moore, invited a number of young pastors to attend a three day school at his hotel. After two of these meetings, older pastors, recognizing the help and their own need, asked for and got an expansion that would include many of their group.
The success of the pastor's school gave Brother Chamberlain the idea of what a wonderful thing a lay retreat would be for Florida. Bishop Roy A. Short organized the first retreat in the fall of 1949 and 65 men, including some clergy, attended that retreat. Today, with the added couples retreats, there are nearly 4,000 people who attend these retreats each year.
In 2001, the Florida Conference of United Methodist Men will celebrate 53 years of these Men's Retreats. Those who began this program, those who have served throughout the years and those currently planning each new year, welcome you to Leesburg to attend these spiritual retreats. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit and Christ will come to live anew in your hearts, and that your involvement will be a most meaningful spiritual experience. Over the years, thousands have gone forth from Leesburg in Christian outreach, enriching not only their own lives, but the lives of thousands to whom they have witnessed in the Spirit of Christ. We pray that you will have a meaningful experience that will last a lifetime in the service of our Lord.
