Testimonies

What have past retreatants said?

"With our busy and fast-paced life, Peak Encounter has helped me to slow it down a bit and really reflect on the important things in my life especially my Catholic faith. I see it as somewhat of a faith enhancer looking at it through the perspective of God's lovely creation. Listening to the speakers, being active outdoors, and sharing experiences with other Peakers is a good way to meditate in prayer, learn, and relax." - Arnold S.

“Winter Peaks gave me a fresh opportunity to connect with God in nature. Having the consistent reminder that God was speaking to me through the beauty of his creation was a great way to spend the month of February. The small group discussions to unpack the encounters we had with God were a great way to build community and grow deeper in faith.” - Chris M.

“I attended the Hiking with Intention retreat in January and brought God my desires for healing and inner peace. I saw, once again, how God never fails to meet us in community and adventure. It’s as simple as bringing your needs to Him and spending time in His presence — He’ll do the rest.” - Kasey B.

“Our experience at the Anxiety to Assurance Retreat was a wonderful surprise for us both. We are individually at different spots in our faith journey, yet we both left feeling recharged and enriched. It was a great opportunity to gather with others and hear about their anxiety journey and how God has or is currently seeing them through the storms. Floating down the river was the perfect adventure for the day because you truly had to let go of your fears and trust that God would keep you safe and on the right path. It was also inspiring to just be still in God’s creation. My husband and I loved the day and felt it brought us closer together. We are looking forward to future Peak Encounter events!” - Jessica W.

“I first signed up for the "Anxiety to Assurance: Inner Tube Retreat" because of the opportunity to spend some time outside doing an activity that I don't get to do very often, almost forgetting there was a retreat involved. After a crazy week, I contemplated cancelling, but ended up going after a push from my fiancé. The day ended up being the perfect reset after a very busy week. The speakers were relatable and insightful. I gained some new tips for managing anxiety, and we got to meet some wonderful new people. Even the tubing was a much needed moment of letting go and relaxing in nature. It was the perfect balance of outdoor adventure with retreat. I would highly recommend for those with anxiety or even those who just want to spend a Saturday in nature with some new friends.” - Mary C.

“Peak Encounter Ministries has had a great impact on my life! I have been to only two events, but they have both been encouraging, fantastic, and amazing experiences that have definitely helped me grow in my faith. The first was the “Night of Hope” in Malvern. It was an inspiring night full of testimonies and adoration that helped me to refocus my faith life. With my first semester at college just concluding that same day, it was great to not worry about any of those distractions and just connect with God. The second event I participated in was the “Hike with Intention” up Pulpit Mountain in Pennsylvania. It was my first time hiking, and I can honestly say I have never experienced anything else like it. Surrounded by a group of people who truly love God, there was never a moment where I was not smiling or enjoying myself throughout the hike. The view was absolutely breathtaking. For six hours, I was disconnected from my phone and solely connected to God through nature. Peak Encounter has given me the opportunity to experience God in nature in ways I never thought I would and I am so grateful for that!” - Kathryn G.

“Peak Encounters Ministries has allowed me to strengthen my ways of encountering God in my everyday life. With the busyness of everyday life, finding a time to listen to what God is trying to tell me can be difficult. By reading the monthly reflections as well as the social media posts, I am able to use those as a guide for finding God throughout my days. I am reminded of His love for me and able to reflect on His message even in the simplest of ways.” - Caitlin D.

“Peak Encounter Ministries has truly impacted my life is so many extraordinary ways, but I think the greatest way is that it has helped me draw closer to our beautiful God and Blessed Mother. Through the Mary pilgrimage on October 3 of this year, we (the retreatants) were so blessed to walk with our loving Mama as we prayed and contemplated the joyful mysteries and some of her magnificent apparitions. By learning and getting to know more deeply the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother, I was able to thus learn and know the Sacred Heart of Christ more intimately and profoundly as Mary brings us closer to her Son with whom she is so closely United. Also, through the night of hope on December 11, the leaders shared beautiful testimonies that inspired me to continue to depend on God and strive to trust and love Him more deeply through His grace each day. By writing and then laying down all my hopes and worries at the feet of Jesus during adoration, I surrendered my heart to Him in faith knowing that He is with truly me and will never fail me no matter what.” - Julia D.

“One way that Peak Encounter Ministries has impacted my life is that the ministry has encouraged me to encounter God and recognize God in the small things and in creation. I don’t always remember the facts that God has created everything that we see on this Earth, but through Peak I have been encouraged and been able to see God in this way and show my gratitude to Him through spending time in His creation. Whenever it is hard for me to recognize God working in my life or feel like God is not with me, I am able to recognize that even through creation and nature that God is with me! I encourage and invite everyone to recognize God in nature and when we do recognize Him, thank Him by a small prayer for the beauty of His creation.” - Patrick S.

“I've attended several Peak retreats and have enjoyed them all! I've learned each how present God is in nature. Peak has really encouraged me to pause during my crazy life and encounter God present in his glorious creation surrounding me!” - Aislinn W.

“I had the opportunity to go on a hike with peak encounters. It is always impactful to get back to nature. We surround ourselves with our own creations in this life, and if we can just step out of that pride and into the Lord's creation, we realize what a paltry imitation we have enclosed ourselves in. Peak encounter's focus on creation is an incredible ministry, and many people could benefit from getting out of the bleak modern world, and back to Lord, through his creation.” - Joe C.

“I attended Innertubing: Assurance, Hiking to Heal and A Night of Hope. I think they were all wonderful ways to connect to God and others while encountering nature that God himself created. Some of the comments from John Chesters, Jeff Klein and Abigail Gorman helped me to reflect and remember the importance of what I have and friends I have while putting aside stressful situations.” - Dan M.

“I attended the bonfire event on discernment & decision making. The speakers talked about the importance of discernment when we are making decisions about our future & in other aspects of life. It helped me to reflect on the decisions I have made & how in the future I will use discernment as a way to make more mature, & thoughtful decisions.” - Kimberly H.

“I have attended multiple Peak Encounter events and each one I receive something new. I love the faith and fellowship that is present at the events allowing each one of us to grow closer with one another and God at the same time. I find being in nature while deepening my relationship with Christ is so much more powerful than sitting inside. I am so grateful Peak Encounter has given me the opportunity to find God through His creation.” - Ava T.

“I attended Peak Encounter Ministry’s “hiking with intension” and it really made me think about how God speaks to us through nature. I always found peace just getting away from the hustle and bustle only to come back more focused than ever. Throughout the Bible we see that many people retreated to nature to prepare and purify themselves. John the Baptiste comes from a group who lived away from society, to find purity. Jesus prior to his ministry, goes off to nature to conquer temptation and comes back strengthened ready to take on his mission. The hike up the mountain has a great parallel to life. In the beginning you aren’t sure what to expect when faced with this daunting challenge, so too in life, when we are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable! Then you get started and you realize that this great challenge might be doable, and you get excited. Then after some time you get to a point when it’s so steep and you are soo close to the edge, you are scared and not sure you can go on. That’s when we need to pause take a deep breath of creation, and feel the presence of the Creator and push on! Then you realize you aren’t alone, there are friends you knew, friends you invited, and we friend you have just made all headed towards the same goal! It’s always nice to share the struggle with those that can help lighten your load. You see your race is with the mountain not each other. So with the Grace of God you can overcome the challenges and soar with the eagles on top of the mountain( in our case hawks). Just remember at the end when you go home, you leave the mountain behind, all you get to take with you are those who share your path, and the deeds that your performed to overcome the mountain! So get out there conquer your mountain peaks and valleys knowing that the Spirit of God walks with you! Take a friend with you, if not make one on the Journey...see you on the climb!” - Bebin T.

“I went to several beach retreats with my youth group in highschool. I loved reflecting with great people in such beautiful creation. The beach is such a special place to contemplate God's love and mercy. The atmosphere is away from life's, troubles, media, and everything that is constantly happening in the world. Next time you're at the beach I challenge you to focus on God's love and mercy and turn away from everything else. Recently I have been attending Peak Encounter retreats and events which have given me a similar experience.” - Shawn D.

“When I attended the Night of Hope back in December I loved being able to connect with old friends in such a welcoming community but one thing that I loved the most were the speakers. Each of them gave such good insights into how hope has worked in their life and hope’s connection to faith.” - Grace M.

“I attended the bonfire for discernment and decision making and the night of hope retreat. I think the topics that were discussed were very relatable and prevalent especially for kids my age.” - Alex H.

“Last December, I attended the Night of Hope at a time when I had very little of that. So many areas of my faith life felt riddled with doubt, exasperated by the pandemic, and the evening went a month way in alleviating that. The speakers that evening were so genuine, vulnerable, and inspiring, and it felt so great to come together in a faith community with other young people. I left feeling renewed, inspired, and most of all, hopeful!” - Daniel G.

“The Night of Hope event was probably my favorite event of this past year. This is because of the beautiful witnesses of hope and trust in the Lord shared as well as the very special time in Outdoor Eucharistic Adoration. Time spent with Our Lord is never wasted, but those moments of prayer surrounded by the goodness of God’s creation were all the more powerful!” - Ashley B.

“The hiking with intention event at Blue Rocks was my favorite Peak retreat. Here I was able to meet fellow young adults who loved outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing while also expressing the same curiosity in the Lord. This event further proved God's existence in my life as he manifested himself in the vastly beautiful and complex scenery viewed from the Pinnacle and Pulpit rocks. I was able to explore my faith while also enjoying a challenging yet rewarding hike.” - Noah M.

“The Come, Holy Spirit: Retreat and Bonfire was a beautiful experience for me to reignite my relationship with the Holy Spirit. Through the conversations, talk, adoration, and teams praying for participants it reminded me of how the Holy Spirit truly builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church. A highlight for me was sitting in adoration and experiencing the Church as my home as I saw my brothers and sisters experiencing the Lord as they were prayed with.” - Rickie

“Ralph and I enjoyed our first ever Peak Encounter experience. Although an hour drive, it was well worth the trip! We love that there was room for testimony, praise and worship, and opportunities to socialize. The s’mores was a great bonus, as well as all of the other treats. We look forward to attending other retreat experiences in the near future!” - Griselle M.

“I have been trying to make a Peak Encounter retreat but I haven’t been able to go until last Friday night. I was excited to go and I knew that the night consisted of a talk, adoration, and s’mores by the bonfire. What I didn’t expect was when Deacon Dan asked us if we were open to being prayed over. The prayer teams came around and prayed with each of us. I felt that God had this special surprise waiting for me that night and that He came to meet me in adoration and through the lady who prayed over me. I felt God’s love for me as the lady spoke God’s words over me. It was a wonderful night with the warm air, crunchy leaves underfoot, and the bright lights strung around. I really enjoyed the night meeting new people and seeing old friends. It was a wonderful evening and I am so grateful to Heather for sharing her love of God and nature with us all. I was able to experience God’s love in adoration, in the laying on of hands and prayer, as well as my new and old friends in God’s beautiful creation.” - Tereze B.

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