Inspiring, Engaging, & Dynamic

Men’s Retreat

Overview

Adult Men

Join the Gilmont Men’s Retreat! Take this time to get away and enjoy dynamic speakers, engaging conversations, moving music, inspiring worship, a walk in the woods, delicious food, adult beverages, fellowship, and fun!
 
This year’s theme “Handcrafted by Grace –  Becoming the Work of God’s Hands” invites you to rediscover a God who meets men in their fatigue, failure, and longing. God shapes each of us with a unique and intentional purpose before sending us into the world as God’s hands to lead courageously, compassionately, and faithfully.
 
Space is limited and lodge rooms fill up fast, so find a friend or family member to share a lodge room with, or gather a group of guys to stay with you in a cabin! ​

More information

The retreat will begin Friday, February 26, with registration beginning at 4:00pm. Dinner will be served at 6:00, followed by the opening keynote and fellowship together.

On Saturday, February 27, participants enjoy a morning and evening keynote session and free time to rest, explore, and retreat. Free time options include contemplative prayer stations, hiking, disc golf, and more.

The retreat will conclude on Sunday, February 28, following worship and lunch.

Meet the Keynote Speaker - Princeton Abaraoha

Rev. Princeton Abaraoha is the Pastor at United African Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, and is also currently serving as the US Global Ecumenical Liaison working with the African Diaspora within the Interim Unified Agency of the Presbyterian Church USA. Princeton has a passion for preaching, worship, teaching, pastoral care, multigenerational/intercultural ministry, and missions. He received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and he has his Clinical Pastoral Education at Parkland Hospital, Dallas.

Princeton is originally from Nigeria, West Africa. He has come a long way since his conversion to Christianity after a short bout as a child soldier in the civil war in his home Country of Nigeria.

 

Princeton is an ICF credentialed Executive and Professional Coach. He acts as a change agent, moving individuals, teams, and organizations from a stagnant place to new ways of thinking, by facilitating the unleashing of individuals’ and groups’ potential to reach meaningful and important goals.

He lives in Arlington, Texas, with his spouse (Charity) and has three adult children (Obinna, Daniel, and Esther).

Meet the Worship & Discussion Leader - Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley

The Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and attended Texas A&M, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Perkins School of Theology. He has been a Presbyterian pastor for 39 years, serving churches in Malvern, Arkansas and in Texas—Sherman, McKinney, Garland, Whitesboro, and Denton. Clay’s passion for those who are Other so that they are Other no more has taken him on mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the U.S.–Mexico border, Cuba, Israel/Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria, Scotland and Spain. He has participated in a Civil Rights Pilgrimage in this country and speaks and leads conversations around racism, particularly at the Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson. He is a graduate of the Seminary of the Wild and serves as a Wild Guide. 

Nine years ago, Clay left the local church he was serving to follow a mystical path, a call into a deeper following of Christ. This journey has led him into deep soul work, to being a Wild Mustang and to the Retreat House. He is an artist, speaker, spiritual director, and published author. Clay participated at Gilmont for over 30 years and has led numerous retreats and conferences at Gilmont and around the country, for both youth and adults.

Clay is married to Crysta. They have two children, Drew and Michaela, a daughter-in-law Julie, a grandson Max, a dog Jake, and a turtle Franklin.

Meet the Music Leader - John Mark Solomon

John Mark has been involved with youth ministry and music in local churches and conferences for over 30 years. He is a 5th-generation Presbyterian PK, a native Texan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a graduate of Austin College and OU. He serves as a psychotherapist for our Veterans at the VA in Plano.

John Mark lives in Wylie with his wife Lynette who is a Presbyterian minister and Hospital Chaplain at Baylor Scott and White. They have two adult children Luke, married to Paige, and Kay married to Matt. John Mark’s hands built a prayer stool once, but more often they are picking strings on his guitar named “Saucy”.

There is a $75 deposit to reserve your spot. Full payment is due 14 days prior to the retreat start date. We will contact you as a reminder to pay the balance. If the balance is not paid, the credit card on file will be charged the amount due.

Lodging:

All lodging options include meals and program.

Single Occupancy Lodge Room - $375 per person

Double Occupancy Lodge Room - $250 per person

Lodge Rooms have two twin beds and a private bathroom and are wifi-accessible. Linens are provided. 

If you are choosing Double Occupancy this means that you are coordinating with your own roommate. Please list your roommate’s name on the registration form. Gilmont will not assign random roommates.

Cabin Community Space - $195 per person

Up to 6 guests share a sleeping space and a restroom. Wifi is not available in the cabins. Depending on retreat attendance, cabin guests will be more spread out. Linens are not provided. 

Cancellations:

48 hour grace period:

Cancellations occurring within 48 hours of registration are eligible for a full refund of all payments, including the registration deposit.

More than 30 days:

Cancellations occurring more than 30 days prior to the retreat start date will result in a refund of all payments except the $75 non-refundable registration deposit.

Less than 30 days:

Cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the retreat start date will result in forfeiture of the entire tuition including the $75 non-refundable registration deposit. You will be given the option to apply all payments (less the registration deposit) to a future event during the next 6 months or choose for the funds to be given to the camp as a donation.

Less than 7 days:

Cancellations occurring within 7 days prior to the retreat start date will result in forfeiture of all payments.

Refunds will be issued within 5 business days of cancellation and in their original method of payment.

Retreat Cancellation:

If Camp Gilmont is unable to host the retreat for any reason, participants will be given the option to move payments to a future retreat, make a donation to the camp, or receive a full refund. 

The details

Dates:

February 26-28, 2027

Lodge Rooms:

Single Occupancy – $375 per person

Double Occupancy – $250 per person

If you are choosing Double Occupancy this means you are coordinating with your own roommate. Gilmont will not assign random roommates.

Cabin Community Space:

$195 per person per person

Up to 6 guests share a sleeping space and a restroom. Depending on retreat attendance, cabin guests will be more spread out. Linens are not provided.

Activities

Whether coming for summer camp, day camp, a retreat or your own facility rental, Gilmont has a lot of activities to offer. Here are some of our most popular.

What’s the
next step?

Take your next step to get involved at Gilmont! We are excited to have you and look forward to having you experience the community and reconnection with nature here.