Faith Isn't Fragile, It's FORGED   

Youth Fall Retreat | November 6th - 8th, 2026 | Ruggles Retreat Center


Does your faith ever feel fragile?
 
Our Fall Retreat will challenge our youth to think through the realities of their own faith. Their faith may be non-existent, or new -like soft, moldable clay - or their faith may be deep in the refining process. No matter where they are on their faith journey, this study will help them identify the power of God to restore what is broken, the joy that can be found in suffering, the necessity of good works, and the responsibility of sharing the reason for their hope. God is in the business of strengthening, refining, and purifying his children so they are forged, shaped into the likeness of Christ himself.

The theme verse is from 1 Peter 1:6–7: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”


That’s what this retreat is all about: We’re handcrafted gold. We’re solid. We’re steadfast. We’re forged.
 
What to Expect

At this event, your child can expect to:

  • Gain an understanding of how sin ruined the once-perfect creation, yet God plans to restore all things. We are broken and cannot repair ourselves, but God can and will!
  • Recognize that trials are meant to strengthen our faith, not destroy it. We will face trials and suffering, but we can rejoice in them because they prove the genuineness of our faith and make us more like Christ.
  • Discover how true faith leads to action. Good works naturally overflow from genuine faith. These works aren’t to earn God’s love but are a response to his love.
  • Consider that others will notice when we live like Jesus. Loving and serving others as Christ did for us will make us stand out and create opportunities to share our eternal hope.


What to Expect

  • Gain an understanding of how sin ruined the once-perfect creation, yet God plans to restore all things. We are broken and cannot repair ourselves, but God can and will!
  • 
  • Recognize that trials are meant to strengthen our faith, not destroy it. We will face trials and suffering, but we can rejoice in them because they prove the genuineness of our faith and make us more like Christ.

  • Discover how true faith leads to action. Good works naturally overflow from genuine faith. These works aren’t to earn God’s love but are a response to his love.
  • 
  • Consider that others will notice when we live like Jesus. Loving and serving others as Christ did for us will make us stand out and create opportunities to share our eternal hope.

Register Here!