23 Oct 2026, 00:30Sister Shola Semakula
Unplugged and Renewed
Newport Church Youth Retreat 2026
The 2026 Newport Youth Retreat was more than a weekend away; it was an opportunity to reconnect with God, strengthen relationships and grow together in faith.
Newport Youth Retreat: Unplugged and Renewed
From 17–19 July 2026, 27 young people from Newport stepped away from the distractions and pressures of everyday life to spend time with God, strengthen friendships and enjoy the beauty of His creation. Our destination was Glyntawe Outdoor Centre, where we shared a memorable weekend of worship, fellowship, adventure and spiritual renewal. We returned home re-energised, refocused and renewed.
A Weekend of Faith and Fellowship
The excitement began on Friday evening as we travelled to Glyntawe, with singing, conversations and laughter making the journey part of the adventure. Upon arrival, we enjoyed delicious African cuisine, games and worship as we welcomed the Sabbath and prepared our hearts for the weekend ahead.
Saturday morning began with worship in the upper room, where we were blessed with a message from one of our own young people, Kelvin Majawa. After worship, we enjoyed a Caribbean-themed lunch before setting off to hike to Henrhyd Waterfall.
The hike was a particular highlight, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of nature, strengthen friendships and reflect on God's wonderful creation. Upon returning, we rested before coming together for a barbecue and games.
We concluded the Sabbath with worship and a heartfelt discussion about the challenges young Adventist Christians face in today's society. This provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, listen to one another and recognise that we are not alone in our Christian journey.
Sunday: Recharged and Renewed
On Sunday morning, following breakfast, we enjoyed an exercise and stretching session led by one of our own, Tom Burns, owner and director of Ludus Gym in Monmouth. It was a refreshing way to begin our final day, reminding us of the importance of caring for our physical well-being alongside our spiritual growth.
After the session, we packed our belongings, collected our lunch and began our journey home, carrying with us wonderful memories and renewed encouragement.
A Retreat That Made a Difference
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with the retreat rated as either excellent or good. Encouragingly, 95% of attendees expressed a desire for another retreat in 2027.
One young person reflected:
“The retreat gave me the opportunity to build a deeper relationship with other youths beyond the church walls. I enjoyed the evening worship sessions and the hike, but what I enjoyed the most was talking to others and understanding that we are all experiencing similar challenges in our Christian journey.”
Another attendee shared:
“The retreat was a reminder that I need to take my relationship with God seriously and how important it is to have a community of believers.”
These reflections capture the heart of the retreat: creating a space where young people can deepen their faith, build meaningful friendships and find encouragement within a supportive Christian community and be renewed. It reminded us the importance of unplugging from stress, distractions and life to recharge and be renewed.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 2026 Newport Youth Retreat was more than a weekend away; it was an opportunity to reconnect with God, strengthen relationships and grow together in faith.
The Newport Youth Department looks forward to another retreat in 2027, creating further opportunities for our young people to grow spiritually, connect meaningfully and make lasting memories.
The 2026 Newport Youth Retreat was more than a weekend away; it was an opportunity to reconnect with God, strengthen relationships and grow together in faith.
Newport Youth Retreat: Unplugged and Renewed
From 17–19 July 2026, 27 young people from Newport stepped away from the distractions and pressures of everyday life to spend time with God, strengthen friendships and enjoy the beauty of His creation. Our destination was Glyntawe Outdoor Centre, where we shared a memorable weekend of worship, fellowship, adventure and spiritual renewal. We returned home re-energised, refocused and renewed.
A Weekend of Faith and Fellowship
The excitement began on Friday evening as we travelled to Glyntawe, with singing, conversations and laughter making the journey part of the adventure. Upon arrival, we enjoyed delicious African cuisine, games and worship as we welcomed the Sabbath and prepared our hearts for the weekend ahead.
Saturday morning began with worship in the upper room, where we were blessed with a message from one of our own young people, Kelvin Majawa. After worship, we enjoyed a Caribbean-themed lunch before setting off to hike to Henrhyd Waterfall.
The hike was a particular highlight, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of nature, strengthen friendships and reflect on God's wonderful creation. Upon returning, we rested before coming together for a barbecue and games.
We concluded the Sabbath with worship and a heartfelt discussion about the challenges young Adventist Christians face in today's society. This provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, listen to one another and recognise that we are not alone in our Christian journey.
Sunday: Recharged and Renewed
On Sunday morning, following breakfast, we enjoyed an exercise and stretching session led by one of our own, Tom Burns, owner and director of Ludus Gym in Monmouth. It was a refreshing way to begin our final day, reminding us of the importance of caring for our physical well-being alongside our spiritual growth.
After the session, we packed our belongings, collected our lunch and began our journey home, carrying with us wonderful memories and renewed encouragement.
A Retreat That Made a Difference
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with the retreat rated as either excellent or good. Encouragingly, 95% of attendees expressed a desire for another retreat in 2027.
One young person reflected:
“The retreat gave me the opportunity to build a deeper relationship with other youths beyond the church walls. I enjoyed the evening worship sessions and the hike, but what I enjoyed the most was talking to others and understanding that we are all experiencing similar challenges in our Christian journey.”
Another attendee shared:
“The retreat was a reminder that I need to take my relationship with God seriously and how important it is to have a community of believers.”
These reflections capture the heart of the retreat: creating a space where young people can deepen their faith, build meaningful friendships and find encouragement within a supportive Christian community and be renewed. It reminded us the importance of unplugging from stress, distractions and life to recharge and be renewed.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 2026 Newport Youth Retreat was more than a weekend away; it was an opportunity to reconnect with God, strengthen relationships and grow together in faith.
The Newport Youth Department looks forward to another retreat in 2027, creating further opportunities for our young people to grow spiritually, connect meaningfully and make lasting memories.
