By Craig Fritchey
Each year, various camps, youth groups, and regional assemblies host amazing events tailor-made for their teens and young adults. But the demand continues to grow for CMML’s 26 Below Retreats, gatherings that bring together youth from across regional assemblies and challenge the next generation to serve the Lord.
Last year, we launched a new era of 26 Below Retreats following the COVID-19 pandemic. And, in 2024, we added a fourth retreat to our schedule: Southwest 26 Below in Denton, Texas. We will continue re-evaluating how CMML can best serve the youth in our assemblies through 26 Below in 2025 and beyond.
The theme for this year’s 26 Below Retreats was “Identity.” As our culture seeks to convince us that our identity is found in how we feel, where we work, what we enjoy, or whom we are attracted to, Scripture tells us our identity is in Christ. This year’s retreats sought to help youth understand who they are in Him and how that works out in their daily lives.
The new era of 26 Below continues to surprise us. Previously, we had a good idea of which assemblies would send their young people. We could accurately guess the number that would come, their age range, and even their level of spiritual interest. However, post-pandemic, everything has been different. We’re seeing a new, diverse generation of youth from an array of assemblies attend our four regional retreats.
Some of the retreats were smaller this year, while others grew. Many of our faithful supporting assemblies sent their youth again, and many other assemblies heard about 26 Below and sent groups for the first time—including cross-cultural assemblies that speak languages other than English in their church gatherings. This diversity reminded us of the promise in Revelation 7:9 that “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” will worship the Lamb. No matter our background, all believers’ identities are found in Christ.
Northeast 26 Below. Stevens, Pennsylvania.
Our original 26 Below Retreat moved locations for the first time in its history—from Upstate New York to southeastern Pennsylvania. Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center, located closer to our core base of attendees, provided new activities (such as axe throwing and escape rooms) and a beautiful atmosphere (complete with Christmas lights) for fellowship. Coming from as far north as Rhode Island and as far south as Virginia, some 150 young people attended the event in mid-January. Dr. Steve Price (CMML medical adviser) brought identity-themed Bible teaching from Philippians 3 and Ephesians 1. Luca Drago from Warrenville Bible Chapel in Illinois brought missions-themed ministry, highlighting the great gospel needs around the world. Additionally, Lauren Drago, Luca’s wife, led a session on identity in Christ for women, while Steve Price led a similar men’s session.
Midwest 26 Below. Dayton, Iowa
Historically our largest retreat, Midwest 26 Below turned out to be about half its usual size this year. However, the quality of the attendees’ fellowship and their seriousness about following Christ was encouraging. To this late-February retreat, Steven Harrell (North Carolina) brought passionate Bible teaching that examined the identity of Christ as presented in the Gospels. He also challenged everyone to allow the Holy Spirit to build these qualities into their own lives. Luca Drago joined this retreat as well—this time, with his youth group in tow—and brought missions-focused ministry. One of the sweetest aspects of Midwest was the seasons of prayer for the missionaries and unreached people groups listed in the 2024 Missionary Prayer Handbook. Attendees learned about the 3.4 billion unreached people in our world, which deeply affected them. Please pray the Lord will send many of them into His harvest.
Southeast 26 Below. Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Started in 2020, Southeast 26 Below continues to grow. In late March, we were encouraged to see assemblies bringing groups of teens from a variety of states, including Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and, surprisingly, Michigan. Jon Glock (Legacy Ministry Services) focused his teaching on Galatians 2:20 and the implications of our co-crucifixion with Christ. He juxtaposed this truth with our daily struggles with the flesh, as described in Romans 6. Paul and Carol Bramsen (MPH Day 27) joined us, and Paul opened up a firehose of information about the amazing things the Lord is doing all over the world as He builds His church. Attendees left challenged to engage in Christ’s mission locally and globally.
Southwest 26 Below. Denton, Texas
As we planned our first 26 Below event in Texas for mid-April, chatter and interest were high, but registrations came in slowly. Additionally, our scheduled speaker, Christian Ramirez (MPH Day 20), who serves in Colombia, experienced visa issues that prevented him from attending in person. However, he filmed a short video to share what the Lord had placed on his heart regarding the theme. We are grateful Brady Collier (Discipleship Intern Training Program) stepped in as our main speaker and covered the teaching on identity. John Peasland (CMML executive director) also presented teaching sessions on missions, challenging our concept of unreached people groups, the role employment can play in evangelism, and the attention we give to reaching the lost. In the end, a terrific group of young people chose to come and give 26 Below a chance. We trust it was a blessing for all.
Get ready for Nationwide 26 Below!
This year, 26 Below reminded us that the mission of CMML— to advance the spread of the Gospel globally—is still needed. While many have come to Christ, so many nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues have yet to hear that Jesus saves and that He can redefine their identity. We look forward to how the Lord will call those who attended 26 Below to fulfill this mission.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch video recordings of most messages from the 26 Below Retreats. And mark your calendars for October 26, 2024! Our annual Nationwide 26 Below hybrid event is coming to youth groups across the continent. Visit CMML.us/26below for more information. n
Craig Fritchey, CMML assembly relations and conference coordinator
Originally published in Missions magazine, June 2024. For more content, sign up for a free subscription (US) to Missions at CMML.us/magazine/subscribe
