Divinely & Dynamically Connected
November 1 – 3, 2024
Ramada Hotel | Cornwall ON
2024
After a seven year hiatus, the Eastern Canada Church of God of Prophecy National Men’s Ministry had their Men and Young Men’s National Retreat! It was held in the beautiful city of Cornwall, Ontario November 1 – 3, 2024.
It was a time of fellowship, connection, worship, spiritual refershing, camaraderie and brotherhood!
(Share a video testimony and pics at eastern.canada.mensministry@gmail.com)
“Behold how good and pleasant it is for men to dwell together in unity!” This was the theme song based on Psalms 133:1 that was introduced by Bishop Trevor Reid when he ministered to us as the weekend keynote speaker. He was the “Divine Electrician” for the conference, and he kept us laughing meanwhile challenging us to experience the divine conections with God.
Saturday Morning Electives
Dr. Timothy Quek
As usualy Dr. Timothy Quek delivered in a tremendously deep and profound manner his elective session. He challenged men with the topic of “Illusions of Vulnerability”, and the “Herculean Journey”. They came head to head with ideas such as “Never let them see you bleed”, or the notions that we are strong and don’t need anyone. In the second part of the session Dr. Quek provided men with a frame work on how we can move forward.
Minister Israel Harriott
As the COGOP Eastern Canada National Director of Men’s Ministry, I had the opportunity to lead a session for local men’s leaders, their team members and those interested in connecting with our young men. My vision for Ontario and Quebec is focussed on “Engagement”. After taking about 40 minutes (much longer than I intended) to discus the influence of a father by examining the song by Johnny Cash titled “A Boy Named Sue” (read the blog here), I was able to introduce four major elements of engagement that shepherds my road map for our region: Rites of Passages, Passport to Purty, Ceremony and Mentorship.
Pastor Stephan Wright
For our young men who attended the Retreat, they were not an afterthought… We intentionally designed a program for them with Pastor Steph Wright. It was a time of discussion, spiritual connection and physical activities! What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be watchful? What does it mean to be strong and to stand firm in faith? How do we act like men? How do we become strong and resilient? Our young men took a deep dive during this weekend. It was both and enjoyable and significant period of time for those who attended.
Stay tuned for a follow up podcast with all of our elective presentors. We want to continue our momentum, learning and discussion.
Connecting in Physical Activities
Our young men spent an enjoyable afternoon during their free time at the St. Lawrence College Community Center. Apparently there was a Young vs Mature basketball game… Although the competition was fierce, I heard that the Mature team won! Our young men will have to return for a rematch!
Health Presentation
During the Saturday free time, Tavaughn Plummer (Occupational Therapist and Physcal Trainer) gave an informative and excellent presentation about health for our men. Exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management were the Four Pillars of Health that was focussed on. We took the time to pay attention to both our physical and spirital man during the weekend. Click below to upload a copy of this presentation. To contact Will (Tavaughan) email tavaughan13@gmail.com or call 647-961-1733.
Special Recognition
As the National Men’s Minsitry Director, I am very blessed to build on the foundation of previous men. I am certanly very grateful for Sean Fraiser my immediate predecessor for his guidance, and leadership.
On the Saturday evening the National Team and I did see it fit to honour the legacy of Harvey Palmer for his twelve year tenure as National Men’s Director. It was during this time that we reflect on the golden age of our Men’s Retreat experience! This was a heart felt moment as we celebrated a leader and a good friend.
Picture Gallery
In short, the weekend was amazing! It took seven years, but it was well worth the wait. We are thankful to Pastor Steph Wright who was our photographer for the weekend. If a picture is worth a thousand words, feel free to experience the story of our time!
Friday Night Slideshow
(Swipe right to see all the gallery pictures)
Saturday Slideshow
(Swipe right to see all the gallery pictures)
Sunday Slideshow
(Swipe right to see all the gallery pictures)
If you are interested in ordering a National Men and Young Men’s Retreat 2024 t-shirt, please email <eastern.canada.mensministry@gmail.com>
Share your Testimony & Pics!
Do you have a testimony or Retreat pictures that you would like to share in our next Newsletter? Please send them to us at eastern.canada.mensministry@gmail.com
Director’s Comments
Men’s Retreat has been among the most significant times of personal growth for me as a man.
When I was younger, I had this nagging question in regards to my development. It’s as if I woke up one day and looked around at my life and saw that I had a wife, kids, and a mortgage. How and when did I become a man?
Men’s Retreat has been a North Star in that journey of realization, and I know for a fact that has been a similar narrative for a great many other people.
It has been wonderful to finally restore the Men’s Retreat legacy after such a long break. I would like to thank the National Team for their tireless work and effort. It consists of Howard Clarke, Asher Goombs, Fritz-Gerald Joseph, Heatman Nickleford, Percival Plummer, Rodney Pringle and Marshall Sharpe.
Thanks to our Administrative Bishop Shelton Beneby, Miriam Bailey and the national administrative team for all of your support. Furthurmore our Pastors, Local Men’s Leaders and their Team Members are to be commended for encouraging their men and young men to attend this event.
Thank you David Louis for all of your help, as well as Onas Bailey (Music Director), and our muscians and singers who led us into incredible paths of worship. We also appreciate Kirk Elliot who spearheaded our fundraising efforts. This help reduce the fees for our youth participation and helped to sponsor others in need. (Next time we aim to apply even deeper discounts to our youth and those needing sponsorship assistance. We desire to remove all financial barriers!) Click HERE to get more information about supporting our fundraising initiatives.
Let me also take the time to thank everyone who have filled out the Retreat Feedback Form. For those who still desire to do so, please click HERE. We will take into consideration your thoughts and ideas for improvements. However, the overwhelming response was that our men and young men enjoyed the unity, fellowship, teaching and messages. Not surprisingly, 73% of those who completed the survey would like to see the National Men and Young Men’s Retreat as an annual event!
In conclusion, without our men and young men from Eastern Canada, this could not have happened! From Ontario, Quebec, near and far, you made the sacrifices and you showed up!
This Retreat is the begining -not the culmination- of our men and young men’s journey, and we want to use the energy and momentum to engage with our boys and young men and continue to build a legacy of manhood and masculinity in Eastern Canada.
Sincerely,
Israel Harriott
National Men’s Director Eastern Canada
Retreat Program
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Share your Testimony & Pics!
Do you have a testimony or Retreat pictures that you would like to share in our next Newsletter? Please send them to us at eastern.canada.mensministry@gmail.com
“Save the Date” Events
West Region Men’s Conference
Saturady November 30, 2024
East Region Men and Children’s Trip
March Break 2025
GTA Mid Region Men’s Conference
Saturday June 8, 2025
The Genesis Man Project 