On April 12-13, 2025, AM held its much anticipated Lent Retreat ‘From the Cross to the Tomb’ in collaboration with New Jersey Immanuel Church, offering service to the Lord, being immersed in Bible lectures focused on the book of John, and also having meaningful fellowship.
The 2-day program welcomed a diverse group of participants. The Lent retreat began with opening service on April 12, the message delivered from AM GS Pastor Alma Osorio and other members leading in live praise and worship. Attendees were then given an overview of the retreat, being introduced to the retreats theme and activities that will take place.
Next, there was an ice-breaker introduction activity, participants introduced themselves to one another joyfully while playing a variety of games.
After the time of warm introductions, the first lecture began delivered by AM USA leader Cowin Hodges coming from John 18, the message focused on three main points: Jesus’ prayer and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, who was behind this corrupt attack on the true Messiah, and how the Pharisees chose hatred instead of showing mercy to the Lord. Participants mediated on how Jesus overcame fear of death in the garden of olives with prayer and were encouraged to also pray when facing difficulties in their path of faith. There was much corruption revealed from Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, participants also studied how the Pharisees had no consideration for God but were focused on greed and wanted to eliminate the threat that Jesus posed on their beliefs and money.
The next Bible lecture began following the time of breaking bread in the afternoon, the AM GS Pastor Alma Osorio delivered the message coming from John 19 which began highlighting Pilate offering alternatives for Jesus to be saved while the Pharisees prompted for the Lord to be crucified and also suffering further mistreatment at the hands of the Roman soldiers. The lecture encouraged attendees to meditate on deciphering God’s will versus their own strong convictions. The AM GS referenced John 8:23 where Jesus taught ‘You are from below; I am from above, You are from this world; I am not of this world’ and also John 12:23-26 ‘Unless a kernel of wheat dies, it will not produce many seeds.’ Although Jesus endured much suffering, he united with his father’s heart and obeyed his commands even until death which led to salvation for all.
The last Bible lecture of the first day of the retreat was taught by AM HQ staff Ashley Barnes coming from John 20, the lecture focused on the resurrection of Jesus at the tomb with Mary Magdelene and the apostle Peter. The church is represented in Mary, and should have this heart of mourning for the Lord leading us to repentance while also believing in the resurrection although we will face difficulties in the path of faith. Mary had the right heart of loving the Lord, seeking his body at the tomb, and shedding tears because of his wrongful death for our sins but the ressurected Lord encouraged her to have faith in the resurrection and look beyond his tragic death. The Lord gave her hope to view the cross as a victory for all. Peter was the disciple the Bible details as making many mistakes but he loved the Lord and surely God’s grace covered him. The lecture also highlighted how it is the wrong teaching to say that the Lord was supposed to die for our sins, we should instead preach the humility, mercy, grace, and sacrifice of the Lord.
Following the last Bible lecture, participants gathered together to unite in prayer before having dinner, sharing their prayer topics and interceding for one another.
On April 13, Sunday service was held where New Jersey Church Pastor Michael Ford delivered the sermon coming from John 21 with members singing praises to God. The sermon emphasized three points: having life (in the risen Lord), living life (through evangelism), and loving life (expressed through caring for the Lord’s lambs).
AM and New Jersey Immanuel Church are thankful to God for the fruitful turn out of this year’s Lenten retreat.