21 Waynesburg University students, along with nine student leaders and two faculty members spent time growing in their faith last weekend at Waynesburg University’s fourth Kairos retreat.

Students going to the event are told very little about the details of the retreat, and are asked to refrain from forming expectations. Adrienne Tharp, coordinator of the Bonner Scholar Program and the Kairos retreat, often informs students that the retreat is not a secret and to participate in the retreat.

The retreat is something that is incomprehensible to anyone who was not in attendance, Tharp said. This is why the retreat has an aura of mystery around it.

Kairos originally began as a form of prison ministry. The retreat grew and evolved to other forms of ministry. Universities like Waynesburg now host the Kairos retreat a bit differently than prisons do, but still aim to have a similar effect on the participants.

Tharp also attended the retreat while she was an undergrad student and years later still feels the effects of the retreat.

“Not to be connected to classes and everything was one of the best things for me,” Tharp said. “And it made me realize that I’m not the only one that has some of the same struggles and that it’s okay to question my faith, but as long as I know what I believe in because I’m still growing and still learning and still being challenged.”

Mikayla Amick, senior nursing major, was one of the student leaders of Kairos.

“The purpose of the weekend is to lay aside distractions and create space for Jesus in your life,” said Amick. “To encounter the Lord’s love in stillness and awe of who he is.”

Amick attended the retreat herself at Waynesburg a few years ago.

“Kairos was a major turning point in my life,” Amick said. “I remember specific moments during the weekend that forever shaped the way I view God, myself and others. It has continued to challenge me, encourage me and cultivate deep growth in my friendship with God.”

The student leadership team also included junior criminal justice major Brian Drake. Drake was able to learn about God’s unconditional love in his everyday life while at Kairos, and he saw those effects again this year.

“This year, Kairos went very well,” Drake said. “And I think it impacted at least one person that was there and to us leaders, that’s a success.”

Leading up to Kairos, the leadership team prayed for months over the retreat. Amick said that while there are aspects of practical planning that go into Kairos, such as a place to sleep and food to eat, the leaders really allow God to take control over the retreat.

Isabella Cantafio, junior nursing major, was one of the students that attended Kairos this year.

“Kairos impacted me by allowing God to show me more about myself, others and him,” Cantafio said. “It reminded me that we are rooted in the love of Christ.”

Kairos translates to ‘God’s time’ in Greek. This retreat is recommended for students that are having questions about their faith and students that need time away from distractions to grow in their faith.

Any student interested in learning more about the Kairos retreat can contact Amick at ami8043@student.waynesburg.edu. Other questions can be directed to Tharp at atharp@waynesburg.edu.