A Reflection on Cornerstone Men's Retreat 2026
By Stephen Sato
This might be dating myself, but when I was in college and a young adult, my favorite TV show at that time was a show called Cheers, starring Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson. It was a show about a random and diverse group of people who had nothing in common except their desire to meet after work in their favorite watering hole. The theme song for the show is appropriately named “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”
That show resonates with me when I think about my experience at the Cornerstone Men’s Retreat. It was interesting to see such a diverse group of men, from young college students all the way up to a retired military veteran, gathered at camp.
From the moment we reached camp, we didn’t need time to warm up to each other. The men at camp shared openly and honestly. Everyone shared a hunger to connect with other men through small groups, at mealtime, and even while standing around an open bonfire in the freezing cold of night. The theme of camp was “Men Are…” and we focused on four characteristics of godly men. Every message that we listened to was action-driven and led us to make specific challenges for us to strive to follow Christ.
Pastor Scott gave a great final message where he used an analogy of a boat without a motor. We as Christians need to persevere in following God’s leading. I love how Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
At camp, it was such a blessing to see and know many who are part of the great crowd of witnesses at Cornerstone Church. As men, we renewed our commitment to run our race with endurance.
Lastly, I think it’s kind of funny that we called this weekend gathering a retreat, which implies resting. We had a full weekend of activities that included hiking, basketball games, bow-and-arrow tag, rock climbing, zip-lining, and late-night card games, which is far different from life in the office or classroom. We also had to adjust to “sleeping” in cabin bunks with lights, sounds, and occasional smells.
I, for one, came back tired, but my soul was refreshed. We as men experienced deep fellowship and community because of the quality time spent together as Christian brothers. The men’s retreat truly served as a catalyst for building relationships that will continue to be an encouragement to the men of our church and a blessing to the entire Cornerstone community.
That show resonates with me when I think about my experience at the Cornerstone Men’s Retreat. It was interesting to see such a diverse group of men, from young college students all the way up to a retired military veteran, gathered at camp.
From the moment we reached camp, we didn’t need time to warm up to each other. The men at camp shared openly and honestly. Everyone shared a hunger to connect with other men through small groups, at mealtime, and even while standing around an open bonfire in the freezing cold of night. The theme of camp was “Men Are…” and we focused on four characteristics of godly men. Every message that we listened to was action-driven and led us to make specific challenges for us to strive to follow Christ.
Pastor Scott gave a great final message where he used an analogy of a boat without a motor. We as Christians need to persevere in following God’s leading. I love how Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
At camp, it was such a blessing to see and know many who are part of the great crowd of witnesses at Cornerstone Church. As men, we renewed our commitment to run our race with endurance.
Lastly, I think it’s kind of funny that we called this weekend gathering a retreat, which implies resting. We had a full weekend of activities that included hiking, basketball games, bow-and-arrow tag, rock climbing, zip-lining, and late-night card games, which is far different from life in the office or classroom. We also had to adjust to “sleeping” in cabin bunks with lights, sounds, and occasional smells.
I, for one, came back tired, but my soul was refreshed. We as men experienced deep fellowship and community because of the quality time spent together as Christian brothers. The men’s retreat truly served as a catalyst for building relationships that will continue to be an encouragement to the men of our church and a blessing to the entire Cornerstone community.
Posted in Community and Church