Atlanta Lutheran
Via de Cristo

This retreat has greatly impacted my faith life and I continue to come back to serve on teams to give others the chance to experience what I did!

This was a life-changing experience. God’s love, mercy, and grace were evident in all the talks, the music, group activities, and times of reflection and prayer. I came away with a rekindled desire to serve the Lord and follow where He leads me. Being part of a small group that meets twice per month is helping to keep me on track.

When I returned from my Via de Cristo weekend, it was like I had discovered a different world, full of Grace, and full of opportunity to fulfill God’s purpose for me. Via de Cristo changed my faith and my life in amazing ways that have lasted for years.

When I made my VdC weekend back in the early 90’s, I was a new pastor, and the weekend was held just after Easter. I came exhausted from the rigors of Lent in my first parish, and I confess that I spent the first day and a half of my weekend extremely irritated. I thought that I was the victim of a ‘bait and switch.’ This was no “spiritual retreat.” It was a workshop with little unscheduled time! But as the weekend wore on, God softened my heart. I became deeply touched by the gracious servanthood of the team! The Holy Spirit did some business with me that weekend, and I am now convinced that VdC has altered the trajectory of my faith life for the better. I now work to share with others the wonderful gift that was given to me.

For many years I had received invitations to participate in a Via de Cristo weekend. My schedule never seemed to work and, frankly, which of us needs one more thing to do? A few years ago, two members of the last parish I served finally convinced me to give it a try. I am grateful to them for the gift that weekend was for me. The weekend convinced me of the Via de Cristo movement, the value of gathering to experience the love of Christ in a community of intentional sharing and grace. For many people, Via de Cristo is a life-changing experience that deepens their love for Jesus, for his church, and for their neighbors. Perhaps more than anything, the Via de Cristo weekend reminds us that we are pilgrims on this journey and do not walk the way of Jesus alone.

The Via de Cristo method is the best tool I have found so far that helps me move from, where I am at, to where God wants me to be. It helps me see all of the Christian qualities I already have in me, and shows me how to put them into practice.