Encounter 2008 is coming to the Cincinnati, OH, area October 10-12, 2008 (Columbus Day weekend). Hosted by Generations Ministries and Ohio Valley area churches, Encounter 2008 offers the best of WCG festivals, family weekends, worship retreats and camp ministries.

Encounter 2008 is for everyone: you, your whole church, your friends, children and grandchildren, parents. All are cordially invited. Families, married couples and singles; all age-groups and all cultures will be warmly welcomed and cared for. Non-Christian spouses, friends and relatives will feel at home. No hard sell, no frenzied activity: only joy for all in an encounter with Jesus.

Encounter Jesus

Encounter 2008 is about encountering Jesus together with others. Jesus told his followers: "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14:2). Encounter 2008 will help us experience this astounding truth, which tells us that in our union with Jesus we are adopted as God’s dear children, included in God’s life and love and given a place in God’s heavenly family (Ephesians 1:4-8; 2:4-6).

At Encounter 2008 we’ll enter deeply into the joy of this good news in several ways:

• Celebrating through worship with inspiring music, drama and dynamic preaching.
   

• Exploring through workshops focused on participation with Jesus in everyday life: interpersonal relationships, parenting, life as a teen, senior adult, etc.
   

• Sharing through fellowship at leisurely meals, times of play, prayer opportunities, music-jams, hymn and song-fests on the porch, and just "hanging out."

We’re praying and expecting that Encounter 2008 will be a catalyst for a deeper sense of belonging and togetherness in families, homes, in congregations for children, teens, adults and seniors.

One family: all age-groups and cultures

Encounter 2008 brings together children, teens, young adults and older adults of all cultures to encounter Jesus together as one extended family. We have designed the weekend to be meaningful and fun for all groups:

Teens will enjoy a special event in the camp barn, a bonfire and field sports (on state-of-the-art "field turf"). Teen activities will be led by our own Pathways camp staff.

Children will have their own fun-filled games, play-times and classes. A nursery will be provided for toddlers during all worship services.

We’ll come together as one family to share leisurely meals in a beautiful dining hall. We’ll also gather for worship that is cross-generational and cross-cultural—modeling approaches you can use in your church back home.

Beautiful surroundings

Encounter 2008 will be held at the beautifully appointed Higher Ground Retreat & Conference Center located west of Cincinnati (check out the facilities at www.hgcrc.org). Higher Ground is easily accessible from Interstate highways and the nearby Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Higher Ground provides a variety of lodging types, including motel-style rooms, dorm-style rooms (with bunk beds and group bathrooms), RV parking with hookups and campsites. If you prefer, several commercial motels are located nearby.

We’ll dine together in Higher Ground’s beautiful dining room, where the food is delicious and plentiful, served cafeteria style. Meals will include short devotionals, music and special surprises for adults and kids. Worship will be held in a comfortable worship center with nearby nursery rooms and classrooms for children.

Schedule, pricing and registration

We are expecting Encounter 2008 to fill quickly, so register early! Registration and information forms showing pricing and the event schedule may be downloaded at www.wcg.org/events. You may also request these forms from your pastor by emailing George.Hart@wcg.org or by posting a letter to: Encounter 2008, PO Box 54481, Cincinnati, OH 45254.

We’ve planned Encounter 2008 to be an enjoyable event at an affordable, family-friendly price. A family of four (two adults, two children) can participate for as little as $285.00 (food, lodging and registration). Singles can participate for as little as $111.00. Detailed price information is available in the registration and information forms.