This time of year is my favorite in regards to being outdoors. Fall includes many welcome changes including cooler temperatures, fall colors, football, and retreats are in full swing. Throughout the years with Crossings, I have enjoyed getting to know so many during their respective retreats. It has been such a blessing to hear how God is active in the lives of people from churches throughout our state.

Back in 1997, it was a retreat occurring in the fall that Tera and I attended in North Carolina that made such an impact on our family. We were blessed to be able to attend an Experiencing God—weekend for couples.

One, it was a blessing for us to spend a weekend together away from the kids. Tera also enjoyed the fact that our room did not have a TV nor did we have cell service. While she enjoyed these limitations, it was quite difficult for me to adjust to no cell service.

During that weekend, I can honestly say I really don’t remember the sermon topics or many specifics about our time there. What I do remember with great clarity was a clear call from God that we must surrender our lives to full time ministry.

This particular weekend became one of those spiritual markers in our lives that we mentally revisit often. In the last 18 years, we have experienced some of the best times and, honestly, some of the most difficult times. In the times of difficulty, that weekend serves as a great reminder of the clear call God placed on our lives and we get encouragement from that memory.

Each weekend when we have guests at Cedarmore and Jonathan Creek, I wonder what God may be doing in the lives of these groups. It is my prayer that many will also look back one day to such events and remember how God clearly called them to Himself for full time ministry or missions.

I am thankful for one particular retreat in the fall of 1997—the Melber family was put on a very rewarding new life journey.

David Melber is president of Crossings Ministries. Contact Crossings at (502) 491-7000 or visit GoCrossings.com.