Annual Australia beach retreat brings spiritual refreshment for students

The staff and students of The Garden campus ministry in Brisbane, Australia, recently enjoyed their annual Beach Camp, where they “glamped” near the beach and enjoyed games, good food, relaxation, star gazing and discussion times about the deeper things in life for a weekend.

The theme for the retreat was “rest,” said campus minister Carly Kies, “and it was certainly ironic because our retreats are often far from physically restful as everyone wants to stay up until the early hours playing games and having deep conversations around the fireplace.

“But I think it was restful for many in other ways,” she added, “and students came away feeling spiritually, emotionally and mentally rested.”

For talks and discussion times the group focused on God’s words from Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (The Message).

As the end of semester approaches, the students and the Globalscope team are all tired from a full semester and Carly says this is a passage they keep returning to in their community.

“This Scripture encourages students and me to find those rhythms of rest and grace in our everyday lives, knowing that true rest comes from God,” said Carly.