On Saturday, Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA hosted the 50th BeeTreat. Begun in 2015 with the generous support of Leadership 100, these full-day retreats offer inspiration and practical instruction for both youth and adults of all ages.
Over 5,000 people have attended BeeTreats across the United States. An additional 1,000 have attended young adult events which take place in the evening following the main BeeTreat.
Steven Christoforou, the Director of Y2AM and host of “Be the Bee,” leads the Youth Track. Designed for students from 6th to 12th grades, the BeeTreat offers practical instruction in becoming prayerfully present for God and neighbor.
Christian Gonzalez, the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator of Y2AM, leads the Adult Track. It offers adults of all ages an opportunity to rethink the goal of ministry and offers practical instruction that can lead to change in homes and parishes.
Following the main BeeTreat (comprised of the Adult and Youth Tracks), Steve then led a young adult gathering on Saturday evening. He also offered the sermon during Sunday Liturgy to conclude the weekend.
“It was a great day! Steven and Christian offered an amazing retreat about loving Christ, prayer, ministry, and service to others – there was no one who left uninspired!” said Father Steve Tsichlis, pastor of Saint Paul’s.
“Praying with over 5,000 faithful Christians across 50 parishes has been one of the great joys of my life,” said Steve. “I hope God will continue to water the seeds we’ve planted and help each of these communities lead Christ-centered, Kingdom-oriented ministry in the years ahead.”
“Being in parishes, meeting people, and walking toward Christ and His Kingdom together? It doesn’t get better than that.” reflected Christian. “This is what ministry is about. Everything else is secondary.”
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
