Southwest Arkansas Churches of Christ
Man Up Men's Retreat
March 12–14, 2027
Barton Bible Camp · Ouachita Mountains · Lake Greeson
2027 Theme
United
Stronger Together in Christ
“That they may all be one…” — John 17:21
A weekend of Bible teaching, singing, good food, outdoor activities, and genuine fellowship for men and young men. No cost to attend — just get here.
What to expect
A weekend in the woods with brothers in Christ
There is a plan for the weekend, but there is no pressure. Sit in on everything or pick what you want, speak up or just listen, join a group or drink your coffee by the lake. Nobody is keeping score.
Bible teaching for real life
Practical, Bible-centered lessons about our homes, work, relationship with God and life together in the church — with breakout conversations where you can talk as much or as little as you want.
Singing under a tin roof
A pavilion full of men singing is worth the drive by itself. Bring your voice and join in.
Food and fellowship
Meals together in the mess hall, plus coffee early and long conversations that don't happen in a church foyer.
Get outside
Hiking the bluffs above Lake Greeson, service projects around camp, evening basketball, and a fire when the sun drops.
On the menu
Friday · 5:30–7:00 pm
Fish Fry
prepared by Rob & Will Martin
Saturday · 6:30 pm
Slow-Cooked BBQ
prepared by Adam Hill & the Delight Church of Christ
From the 2026 retreat
This is what it looks like
Schedule
The 2027 weekend
Four keynotes on being united — at home, at work, with God, and in the church — with breakouts, activities, and plenty of room to visit. Think of the schedule as an offer, not a requirement: sit in on what interests you and take the rest of the time to hang out with other men.
Friday, March 12
- 4:00–6:30 pmArrival and registration
- 5:30–7:00 pmFish fry, prepared by Rob & Will Martin
- 7:00 pmWelcome & Singing
- 7:30 pmUnited at Home: Building a Home That Pulls Together, Not Apart — keynote with Leon Barnes
- 8:00–8:45 pmBreakout conversations
- 9:00 pmCampfire fellowship and snacks
- 10:30 pmLights out
Saturday, March 13
The full day — jump in wherever you like- 7:30–8:30 amFull Breakfast
- 8:30 amUnited at Work: One Faith, Wherever We Go — keynote with Marty Knight
- 9:00–11:00 amChoose Your Morning
- 11:00 amUnited with God: When My Will and God's Will Collide — keynote with Marc Addison
- 11:30 amUnited in Prayer, led by men from area congregations
- 12:00–1:30 pmLunch and fellowship
- 1:30 pmSinging
- 2:00 pmUnited in the Church: Pursuing Unity Without Compromising Truth — keynote
- 2:30–3:00 pmBreakout conversations
- 3:00–6:30 pmFree Time & Activities
- 6:30 pmSlow-Cooked BBQ Supper, prepared by Adam Hill & the Delight Church of Christ
- 7:30 pmYoung Men Lead
- 8:00 pmGames & Fellowship
- 9:00 pmCampfire fellowship and snacks
- 10:30 pmLights out
Sunday, March 14
- 7:30–8:15 amCoffee and light breakfast
- 8:15–9:00 amCabins & campsite — sweep out, pack, and leave the site as you found it
- 9:00 amBringing It Together — small groups
- 9:45 amWorship: Living United Keynote
- 10:30 amDismissal
We’ll walk through the cabin and campsite details over coffee — the cabins just need to be swept out and empty before we lock them up.
A closer look
Breakouts & activities
Friday evening
United at Home
8:00–8:45 pmFollowing our Friday keynote on unity in the home, choose one of several conversations focused on strengthening our closest relationships.
Building a Home That Pulls Together
What practical habits help create stronger marriages and families? Communication, spiritual leadership, family priorities, and the small things that make a big difference over time.
When Home Isn't Easy
Family life doesn't always look like we hoped. Navigating conflict, disappointment, difficult relationships, forgiveness, and pursuing peace when circumstances aren't ideal.
Passing Faith to the Next Generation
How do we help our children and grandchildren develop a faith of their own? Teaching, modeling faith, having spiritual conversations, and influencing the next generation.
Young Men: The Man You're Becoming
A conversation specifically for teens and young men about character, faith, relationships, and the decisions shaping the kind of man they will become.
Final breakout topics may vary.
Saturday morning
Choose Your Morning
9:00–11:00 amAfter the Saturday morning keynote, choose how you'd like to spend the next two hours. Join something, switch at 10:00, or just take it easy with other men — all of these are fine.
Fellowship & Conversation
No agenda and no program. Grab some coffee, sit down with old friends, meet someone new, or simply enjoy some free time.
9:00–11:00
Service
Work alongside other men on practical service projects around camp. Bring work gloves and clean-up tools (rakes, loppers, blowers, a weed eater) if you have them. A chance to serve, visit, and accomplish something together.
9:00–11:00
NextGen Shepherding with Marty Knight
A conversation with Marty Knight, Director of SALT (Sunset Academy of Leadership Training), about preparing the next generation of shepherds through biblical leadership, mentoring, and faithful service. There may also be time to explore other works of the ministry. Come with questions — or simply listen.
9:00–10:00 am
Swap Shop
One hour for men to share what's working in personal faith, family life, and our congregations — including practical ideas and works of the ministry. Come ready to share an idea — or just listen.
10:00–11:00 am
Someone to Talk To
Sometimes you just need someone to listen. Experienced counselors and shepherds will be available for private conversations, encouragement, and prayer. Stop by at any point during the morning.
9:00–11:00
Terry Time with the Teens
Terry Davis will work with our young men as they prepare to serve and lead — practicing song leading, Scripture reading, prayer, and short devotionals before helping lead our Saturday evening gathering.
9:00–11:00
Saturday afternoon
United in the Church
2:30–3:00 pmAfter United in the Church: Pursuing Unity Without Compromising Truth, we'll move directly into conversations about what biblical unity looks like in real congregations.
United Despite Our Differences
Christians will not agree about every judgment, preference, or opinion. How do we distinguish between matters that require biblical conviction and differences we can live with — and how do we disagree without becoming divided?
Every Man Matters: Finding Your Place in the Body
The church needs more than people who attend. Discovering where we can contribute, overcoming hesitation, serving with the abilities God has given us, and helping other men get involved.
Leading Toward Unity
You don't need a title to influence a congregation. How elders, deacons, teachers, fathers, older Christians, and other influential men can help create a culture of humility, peace, truth, and unity.
Young men are encouraged to participate alongside the adults in these Saturday discussions.
Saturday afternoon
Free Time & Activities
3:00–6:30 pmOur current working list for the afternoon. Organized groups head out around 3:30, but staying at camp and doing nothing in particular is a perfectly good option. Mark your interest on the registration form so we can plan.
Golf
Travel to the Glenwood area; we're considering 9 holes so it fits the three-hour window. Golf takes advance planning, so let us know on the registration form if you're interested.
Organized group
Fishing
Lake Greeson is accessible from camp on foot. We may also have a short boat fishing trip if we have boats and volunteers, plus bank fishing.
Organized / flexible
Hiking
A scenic hike within driving distance of camp. We're still finalizing the destination based on the three-hour window.
Organized group
Games & Recreation
Cornhole, volleyball, basketball, and other activities at camp.
Come and go
Fellowship & Free Time
Stay at camp, visit, rest, walk around, play cards. No organized activity required.
Completely flexible
Activities are still being finalized and may change.
Saturday evening
Young Men Leading Saturday Night
7:30 pmThe young men who work with Terry Saturday morning will have the opportunity to help lead the entire retreat in singing, Scripture, prayer and short devotionals Saturday evening.
Singing, Scripture, prayer & devotionals
Our young men will take the lead, giving them a chance to serve and grow while the whole retreat encourages them.
Sunday morning
Bringing It Home
9:00 amSunday morning wraps up the weekend. We'll gather one last time to reflect on what we've learned, worship together, share communion, and consider how to live united when we return home.
Bringing It Together
Small groups reflect on the weekend and talk about what to carry home with us.
9:00 am
Worship: Living United Keynote
Worship, Scripture, and communion beside the lake before we head home.
9:45 am
Dismissal
Sent out together, carrying the weekend home with us.
10:30 am
Speakers
Speakers for 2027
Friday Night Keynote
Leon Barnes
Leon returns for 2027 to bring our Friday night keynote, “United at Home: Building a Home That Pulls Together, Not Apart.”
He spoke with us in 2026 and is back to open the weekend.
Leon Barnes
2027 Friday Keynote Speaker
Song Leading & Young Men
Terry Davis
Terry is back with us for 2027 and will be leading our singing for the entire weekend.
He also leads Terry Time with the Teens on Saturday morning, helping our young men get ready to lead singing, Scripture, prayer, and devotionals that evening.
Terry Davis
2027 Song Leader
Saturday Keynote & NextGen Shepherding
Marty Knight
Marty is the Director of SALT (Sunset Academy of Leadership Training). He will be our keynote speaker for the 8:30 a.m. Saturday session and will lead a conversation about NextGen Shepherding during Choose Your Morning.
Marty will speak to the entire group first, then lead the NextGen Shepherding session for those especially interested, with time for one-on-one conversations throughout the day. The proposed morning session is 9:00–10:00 am, followed by Swap Shop from 10:00–11:00 am. His keynote topic is currently United at Work: One Faith, Wherever We Go — a working title that may still change.
NextGen Shepherding is a two-year cohort experience that helps prepare future shepherds for biblical leadership and faithful service in the church.
Marty Knight
2027 Saturday Keynote Speaker
Saturday 11:00 a.m. Keynote
Marc Addison
Marc joins us for 2027 to bring our Saturday 11:00 a.m. keynote, “United with God: When My Will and God’s Will Collide.”
He spoke with us in 2026 and returns to lead us through that session.
Marc Addison
2027 Saturday Keynote Speaker
Lodging & camp
Barton Bible Camp
Visit bartonbiblecamp.orgThe camp sits in the hills above Lake Greeson near Kirby, Arkansas, with bunk cabins, indoor bathrooms and showers, an open-air pavilion for services, and a mess hall for meals. In addition to the pavilion, the camp also has a small amphitheater and a covered canteen area we can meet in.
- There are 11 cabins with 12 bunks each (6 top, 6 bottom) and two restrooms. Bunks are first come, first served — bring your own bedding, pillow, and towel. Just a few cabins have heaters, so an extra space heater is welcome.
- We have 5 RV hookups total, and they are 30 amp only. Some spots will support a 30’ RV. Mark it on the registration form and we will confirm your spot with you.
- Tent camping is welcome, and commuting from home is fine too.
Before you come
Know before you go
There is no cost
Registration is not required, but it is strongly encouraged so we can plan meals and lodging.
Young men are welcome
Men under 18 are strongly encouraged to attend, but a responsible adult must be available to supervise them.
Bring a comfortable chair
Plus normal Bible camp items: bedding, Bible, pen and paper, toiletries, and shower shoes.
Pack for March nights
Just a few cabins have heaters, so extra small space heaters are very helpful if you have one available.
Games are set up
The camp has basketball, volleyball, and ping-pong, and we set up cornhole boards. Bring any other games you would enjoy.
Want to help?
Service projects will be available Saturday morning. If you'd like to participate, bring work gloves and basic yard tools such as rakes or loppers if you have them.
Come and go as you can
Stay for the entire weekend if you are able, or slip in for the sessions your schedule allows.
Registration
Save your spot
March 12–14, 2027 · Barton Bible Camp, Kirby, AR
Registering helps us plan food, cabins, and materials. It takes about a minute and there is no cost to attend.
Already registered? Update your registration.
Questions
Good to know
Contact
Still have questions?
Send us a note with your mobile number and an organizer will text or call you back.