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Young Christian Leaders Retreat

About

Deepening faith and community – A retreat for young Christian leaders

Today’s world is constantly bombarding us with invitations to network. We not only yearn for connection, we are told that we need to network to succeed. At Malone, we agree that networking is an important component of success – we just measure success and define networks in a different way.

Rather than seeing what others can do for us, we want to provide opportunities for young people to care for one another in their greater Christian community and beyond.

Created especially for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this overnight retreat will help students “go further up and further in,” as C.S. Lewis once described it. Students will examine the deeper world of our Christian community through conversations about caring for themselves and each other, growing in their walks with Christ as a result of intentional community, and becoming equipped to be salt and light to the world.

Retreat Speakers

Markus McFolling *11, Founder of Reach1

Markus is a former professional athlete turned communicator and visionary who is dedicated to helping people find freedom, identity, and purpose through the Gospel. After encountering the transforming grace of Jesus, he now shares a message of hope that reaches across generations and cultures. With his wife Chelsea, Markus co-founded Reach1, partnering with schools, churches, and communities to equip leaders and inspire purposeful living. Their movement has impacted lives nationwide, creating spaces for authentic faith and transformation. Known for boldness and biblical depth, Markus shares his redemption from addiction and false identity as proof that God still heals and restores destinies.

Gracie Humphries ’24, Malone Admissions Counselor and Christian blogger

While Gracie was a Malone student, she served as a resident assistant and a leader on Student Senate, where her role as co-director of spiritual formation enabled her to pour into the spiritual life of Malone students as a mentor and Celebration speaker. By day, Gracie is an admissions counselor for her alma mater where she gets to chat with high school students about their college choice and God’s calling on their life. By night, Gracie is a blogger who enjoys deep conversations about how the Gospel transforms our identities so we can live empowered lives in Christ. 

David Williams ʼ84, Professor of Practical Ministry at Malone

Dave studied sociology and Christian ministries while he was at Malone and he now has nearly 40 years of ministry experience and more than 20 years of classroom experience under his belt.

He met his wife Carol at Malone and he is also the great-grandson of the University’s founders, Walter and Emma Malone.

He considers it a high and holy privilege to follow in their footsteps as a teacher, mentor, and sacred companion for a new generation of Christian leaders.

Meet the retreat coordinator