The 16th Annual Men's Retreat

Refuge in times of calamity: Lessons from Joel

September 20-22, 2024
Camp Croix
1945 Gold Star Rd
Danbury, WI 54830
campcroix.org

Joel is a prophet often overlooked, but who has great insights for the believer and comfort for our lives. Professor Nass will walk us through the book of Joel, reviewing key lessons in each chapter and applying them to us today.

Pricing & Registration

Register online
Early-bird
(through August 13 20)
After August 13 20
Full weekend $160 $185
Full weekend (Student) $90 $99

Includes: Meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast), lodging and camp access (two nights), and instructional materials.

If you have any questions, contact Camp Croix by calling (715) 575-1266 or emailing info@campcroix.org.

Location: Camp Croix

This year the Men's Retreat will be held at Camp Croix in Danbury WI, just a little over two hours northeast of the Twin Cities. Supported by WELS churches, surrounded by 160 acres of forest, and boasting 2,100 feet of lakeshore along Lake Rooney, Camp Croix hosts five weeks of youth Bible camp, plus family camp, men's, women's, and college retreats, conferences, and other events throughout the year.

For weekend retreaters, sleeping accommodations include the lodge and four-bunk cabins. There are also a number of spots for RVs with power and water connections. Please let us know if you would like to bring a camper or other RV. Boats are also welcome, and can be accommodated with the available docks.

Draft Agenda

Friday, September 20

Plan to arrive any time after 2pm for laid back fellowship time at camp. Check in at the lodge when you arrive.

Before 5:30pm Fellowship and Camp time
5:30pm - 7:30p Dinner is served! (If you can't arrive before 7:30p, we'll save some food for you!)
9pm Welcome and Devotion

Saturday, September 21

8am Breakfast and Fellowship
9am Session One

Joel 1: Calamity in the lives of believers

Mid-morning Break
Session Two

Joel 2, part 1: Joel teaches about repentance

12 noon Lunch
1pm Session Three

Joel 2, part 2: How is the Spirit’s activity different since Pentecost

Mid-afternoon Break
Session Four

Joel 3: The Final Battle—Armageddon

4pm Fellowship/Camp time/Cornhole tournament/Archery
7pm Dinner
Vespers, Bonfire, and free time

Sunday, September 22

7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Session Five: Q/A
10am Wrapup / 2024 Planning
After 10:30am Fellowship and Camp time, stay as long as you like!

Speaker: Prof. Thomas Nass

Prof. Paul Koelpin

Prof. Thomas Nass grew up in Jefferson, WI, and attended the ministerial education schools of WELS, graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1982. He was a parish pastor for ten years in North Mankato, MN and Milwaukee, WI. Since 1995 he has been teaching Hebrew to pre-seminary students at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where he has had the privilege of reading the book of Joel in Hebrew with students seventeen times. His graduate school experience includes the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin—Madison (MA). Prof. Nass has been privileged to be involved in interchurch relations for WELS for many years, and he is currently the president of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (the worldwide association of church bodies in fellowship with WELS). He and his wife Janice have four married children and thirteen grandchildren.


Packing list

  • Bible
  • Comfortable and weather appropriate clothing for both indoor and outdoor activities
  • Personal toiletries and towels
  • Bedding - Cabins have twin mattresses, and lodge rooms have full mattresses. Be sure to bring appropriately sized sheets and comforter (or sleeping bag) and a pillow. You will be emailed with lodging assignments.
  • Some of the provided activities will be cornhole boards, horseshoes, cards, canoes, sporting equipment, and more. Please feel free to bring any of your favorite games or equipment to enjoy the weekend.
  • All meals will be provided. You may bring any snacks or beverages (alcoholic or otherwise).

While all are welcome, this retreat is designed for the adult men of WELS/ELS churches. Fathers are encouraged to bring their sons 16 years or older.