The Spiritual Formation Retreat is designed for the entire 91抖阴 community. Whether you're new to spiritual formation or have been on this journey for years, this retreat offers a welcoming environment for everyone to deepen their connection with God and grow in their faith. It provides a space for personal reflection, growth, and community, open to all who seek to strengthen their spiritual life.
91抖阴 invites you to join us for ourFall 2026 Spiritual Formation Retreat, held on October 16-17, 2026.
Each semester, students, alumni, faculty, and staff gather to pause, connect with God, and renew their sense of community together.
Our theme is 淪ee & Serve: Moving Beyond Proximity to Active Compassion� led by speaker Dr. Terence Lester.
We look forward to this opportunity to fellowship, grow in faith, and thrive together.
Schedule
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
11:00 AM � 12:00 PM | Roberts Wesleyan University Chapel Service
*Open to the Community
鈼� Location: Cultural Life Center (CLC) / Hale Auditorium, Roberts Wesleyan University
鈼� Keynote Address: "If I Could Only Tell You One Thing..." with Dr. Terence Lester
Friday, October 16, 2026
*Open to the Community (Registration Required)
鈼� 6:30 PM | Registration & Gathering
鈼� 7:00 PM � 8:30 PM | Session 1: The Spiritual Discipline of Proximity: Moving from Observers to Neighbors with Dr. Terence Lester
Saturday, October 17, 2026
*91抖阴 Students & Alumni ONLY
鈼� 8:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
鈼� 9:00 AM � 2:00 PM | Worship & Sessions
To request an ASL interpreter or other accessibility needs please contact Melodie Soto velazquezsoto_m@roberts.edu
Leading the Retreat
Dr. Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness about poverty and homelessness and on community mobilization. He received his PhD with a concentration in Public Policy and Social Change from Union Institute and University.
His campaigns on behalf of the unhoused and those facing poverty, have been featured in USA Today, CNN, Black Enterprise, Essence, and Reader's Digest. They have been viewed bymillions of people globally on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS News, NBC,Upworthy, and "The Bright Side" with Katie Couric. He was named by Coca-Cola as one of theirHistory Shakers.
Terence has delivered countless lectures, sermons, and speeches at conferences, churches,schools, organizations, and companies across the country. He has served on several ministerialstaffs and currently writes a weekly newsletter titled 淔rom Streets to Scholarship,� addressingthe intersection of public policy, poverty, race, and faith.His books include 淚 See You,� 淲hen We Stand,� and 淎ll God's Children,� along with arecent children's book aimed at educating children about compassion and homelessness, co-
authored with his daughter, Zion Joy Lester, entitled 淶ion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes toHomelessness.�
His new book with InterVarsity Press, From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains ofEducational Injustice, released in Fall 2025.Terence has also received numerous awards for his community activism, including the Atlanta500 (2020�2026), BCI Author of the Year Award (2024), Brawny Giant Award (2020),American Express NextGen Award (2020), Empire Board of Realtists Distinguished ServiceAward (2017), SCLC Social Advocacy Award (2016), Atlanta Voice's "50 under 50" honor(2016), and the True to Atlanta Award presented by the Atlanta Hawks (2016).
He and his wife, Cecilia, along with their family, live in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spiritual Formation Retreat
Yes
This retreat will be hybrid: both virtual and in person.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Please contact Melodie VelazquezSoto at velazquezsoto_m@roberts.edu