Menno Haven Winter Retreats are a time for:
• Quality worship and Biblically based input
• Meaningful faith development
• Fun times for youth groups and their youth sponsors
• Relaxation with friends

2020 Information 
Young Adult - January 3-5
Junior High - January 10-12
High School - January 17-19
Register online OR use our new paper form by clicking here ​

 High School:
Speaker: Jessica Litwiller
Topic: FEAR|LESS
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Worship led by: We The Least click here to check them out on Facebook or here to check them out on Spotify! (see bottom right for more info)
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 Register online here
 Registration Fee: $110 ($5 off if you register before Dec. 20th)!

Jessica Litwiller was born and raised in Troy, Ohio but now lives in rural Hopedale. She is wife to Adam, mother to two energetic boys, shepherd to 3 sheep, and pastor of youth & young adults at Hopedale Mennonite Church. She is always amazed of God's faithfulness as God works through her despite her fears.

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Junior High: 
Speaker: Kim Litwiller, Pastor at East Peoria Mennonite Church
Topic: LOVE 3D: Jesus said, the world would know we are His followers by our LOVE. When asked what’s the most important commandment, Jesus said, LOVE. LOVE, the Apostle Paul said, is the most excellent way. If we want to be known as followers of Jesus & discover the most excellent way, we must learn to LOVE in 3D
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Worship led by: We The Least click here to check them out on Facebook or here to check them out on Spotify! (see bottom right for more info)
​​
Register online here
Registration Fee: $110 ($5 off if you register before Dec. 20th)!

Kim is a follower of Jesus who’s deepest passion is walking alongside the misunderstood, forgotten and hopeless and introducing them to the most misunderstood king in all of history – Jesus – who offers hope, peace, love and the life-alternating promise to never leave nor forsake all who receive Him. She currently serves as pastor of East Peoria Mennonite Church. She and her husband, Marc, are blessed with four kiddos.

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​Young Adult: Defined as for anyone post high school and up. This is a great retreat to come and hangout with young people - single or married - and young at heart people!
​There will be 4 worship times with input from the speaker and times for group discussions. There will be a variety of planned activities as well as free time to experience all Menno Haven facilities and outdoors has to offer. 
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​ Speaker: Ashley Litwiller, Youth Pastor at Arthur Mennonite Church
 Topic: When in Doubt: If you are a human, you doubt. You doubt leadership or quality of a product, or the reliability of a friend. And we need to talk about our doubt of God because it keeps a distance between us and our Deliverer. We will look at how to hold doubt and faith at the same time and learn how to grab onto the Rock who is loyal and strong always in the midst of uncertainty around us.

 Register online here
 Registration Fee: $110 ($5 off if you register before Dec. 20th)!

​Ashley is a 2015 graduate of Bluffton University with a degree in Youth Ministry and Recreation, with a minor in Graphic Design, and is currently in seminary for Clinical Counseling at Lincoln Christian Seminary. She is Minister of Youth and Worship at Arthur Mennonite Church in Amish Country, IL, as well as a substitute teacher in the local school districts. She is an ordained pastor through LMC Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches and is passionate about walking with others in times of struggle and in times of celebration. But really, she's just figuring out how to adult wisely. In her free time (wait, what's free time?) she enjoys watching and participating in sports, designing, baking, reading, traveling and time at the Lake of the Ozarks with her family.

What is "Winter Retreat"?
Menno Haven's Winter Retreats are an opportunity for youth  and young adults to experience a weekend of faith and friendship building with other youth and young adults in a retreat setting. High School and Junior High Winter Retreats are also a time for individual youth groups to grow closer together and to relate with other youth groups. 

What happens at Winter Retreats?
Time at Winter Retreats is centered around worship, discipleship, and fun. There are 4 times of worship with speakers and time for group discussion. (One on Friday, two Saturday, and one Sunday morning.) Between worship times there is plenty of time for fun. Much of the time is left unstructured for games and outdoor winter adventures. Often youth leaders organize tournaments during this time. We have an indoor climbing wall, basketball, volleyball, and game room, as well as equipment for ice skating, tubing, and cross country skiing, weather permitting.  

Why should my youth group come to a Winter Retreat?
One of our main objectives at Menno Haven, in regards to youth and young adults, is to partner with churches to help encourage the faith development of today's youth and young adults. Our speakers for winter retreats are encouraged to speak on topics related to discipleship, deepening faith and Christian identity. And as well as offering a place for spiritual growth, we recognize that as our society continues to become increasingly non-Christian, it can be refreshing for youth and young adults to be able to spend time with other youth and young adults who share their faith and beliefs. Our winter retreats provide for that opportunity. 

Do I have to be Mennonite to come?
No! For many decades we have been doing winter retreats specifically for churches that have had ties to the "Mennonite" faith tradition, but the content is not necessarily denomination specific. 

Do I need to be with a youth group?
Yes. All youth attending High School or Junior High Winter Retreats must have chaperones or adult sponsors. We ask at least 1 chaperone for every 5-10 youth and that each gender has at least one chaperone.

If you are coming to the Young Adult Winter Retreat, you can come on your own or bring a group of young adults with you. 

What should I bring?
You should bring:
- Sleeping bag or bedding, including towels, pillows, etc
- Toiletries 
- Flashlight
- Note taking materials
- Bible
- Warm clothes
- Other items your sponsor recommends 

About the band...

We The Least is a group of musicians, Christians, but most of all best friends, from Mendota, Illinois! Since we were young children, music has brought so much joy to each of us. We want to bring that joy to other people, and spread the love of Jesus to those who we meet. John 3:30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” That is our mission; to keep the Lord at the center of all we do and for us to be “the least” of our success. We The Least. Thanks for joining us on this journey!