ReConnect 2022

In 2019, Josh & Amanda Ketchum met Leah and me at a local restaurant and pitched an idea for a retreat designed for preachers and their wives. From that meeting–and about a zillion text messages–ReConnect was born. The first retreat, held that Fall, was very small (six couples attended), but the group that came was deeply encouraged.

In 2020, we were not able to have the event due to covid, so the decision was made to have it as soon as we could, and ReConnect moved to Spring, so we could have it in 2021. Attendance went up tremendously, and plans were made to make this an annual event.

So, today, we are thrilled to let you know that ReConnect 2022 is scheduled, and registration is open. Even if you are not a preaching family, you may want to share this with your preacher. Elders may even want to help pay for their preacher and his wife to attend, so they can be stronger as a couple and, thus, more effective in their ministry.

Here are some things to know.

WHAT IS RECONNECT?

It is a marriage retreat, but it is more than just your generic marriage retreat, because it is specifically designed for preachers and their wives. While many of the topics may, on the surface, look like subjects that would be talked about at any marriage seminar, the speakers are specifically told to cater their messages to what it means to “do life together” as preacher and wife. In fact, all the speakers are either preachers or former preachers, so that they know what this life entails. Other subjects are ones you would never see at a normal marriage retreat.

Also included in the retreat are classes just for ladies and just for men, as well as small group discussions, which always provide a tremendous amount of encouragement for those who are struggling through various aspects of life as a minister’s family. (Oh, and there is a lot of laughter, and, usually, a few tears that are thrown in for free.)

WHEN AND WHERE?

In previous years, ReConnect was held in Nashville, but it had long been talked about moving the event to various locations in the future. We had thought we would start moving around in 2023, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that decision moved up one year, so ReConnect will be in its first “traveling” location this year.

So, on May 12-13, 2022, the Central Church of Christ in Paducah (where I preach) will be hosting this year’s ReConnect retreat. Plans are already in place to have it elsewhere in 2023, and we have other ideas for future locations, as well. We are doing this so that people in various areas can attend, but we do not plan to move it so far as to keep our “regulars” from being able to come.

The retreat is held on a Thursday beginning at 1PM, so the couple can help with Wednesday midweek services, and ends with supper on Friday, so they can choose to have Saturday to hang around and visit the local city or go ahead and travel back home and recover for Sunday.

HOW MUCH?

We run ReConnect on a very tight budget, so the registration cost is only $40 per couple! Of course, there would be some travel costs (hotel for Thursday night, etc.), but this is a very minimal investment for a couple to make. The cost even includes three meals.

(As a connected note, we always want people to know that neither the Ketchums nor Leah and I “make” anything from this retreat and we also do not take any “fee” for speaking. We use the registration money to give other speakers a small token of appreciation and to purchase a few items necessary for holding an event of this size. This event helps us as much as anyone else, and we see it as a gift we can give to our fellow preaching families to aid the Lord’s Kingdom.)

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFO OR REGISTER?

While the schedule is still being finalized (we hope to have that done this week), registration is open for ReConnect! On Josh Ketchum’s website, he has a page dedicated to more information as well as the form to register for this year’s retreat. HERE IS THE LINK TO THAT PAGE.