Description

Create space for families to slow down, connect deeply, and encounter the light of Christ together.

Shine is more than a program, it’s a transformational Messy Family Retreat experience designed to move participants from the busyness of everyday life into a meaningful rhythm of discovery, creativity, and faith formation. This experience creates a “thin space” where families can experience God’s presence in tangible, memorable ways.

Centered on the powerful biblical theme of light, this retreat traces God’s story from “Let there be light” to Jesus as the Light of the World; and, ultimately, to our calling to reflect that light in our own lives.

What’s Included:

• 3 complete sessions:
  • The Source of Light (John 8:12)
  • Finding the Light (Genesis 1:1–5)
  • Salt & Light (Matthew 5:13–16)
• A mix of Messy Church gatherings and a scavenger hunt experience
• Dozens of hands-on, intergenerational activities using science, creativity, and play
  (think lanterns, prisms, glow-in-the-dark prayer, night hikes, and more)
• Full celebration outlines with reflection prompts and worship moments
• Meal ideas, song suggestions, and take-home conversations
• Flexible formats for:
  • Overnight retreats
  • Single-day events
  • Multi-month Messy Church programming

Why You’ll Love It:

This retreat is intentionally designed for intergenerational discipleship—where kids, parents, and grandparents learn side-by-side. When families explore faith together through shared experiences, it becomes more than a lesson—it becomes a lived story.

From glow-in-the-dark prayer spaces to flashlight scavenger hunts, every element invites participants to not just hear about God’s light, but to experience it, reflect it, and carry it into the world.

Help your families step out of the noise and into the light.