The Winter Youth Retreat began in the winter of 1959 in Lowry, Minnesota, with about 20 young adults who responded to the vision of Russ and Adele Skaling.  The Skalings cared deeply about helping young people.  In particular, they wanted young people to become more effective witnesses of the Christ-life in their unique environment.

The initial objectives were to provide a relaxing opportunity for young people to enjoy studying God's Word together, to challenge them in them Christian faith, to confront the "crying needs of the hour" in a contemporary manner, and enjoy fellowship as God intended in the one body.  These objectives have survived the test of over forty years and remain the focus of this ministry today.

Over the years, many individuals have served the Lord in this ministry.  Currently, there is a council of trustees (11) and advisors (9) who accept responsibility for maintaining Biblical and godly conformity of the doctrines and programs presented.

We are a non-profit, non-denominational organization that receives encouragement and prayerful support from many individuals and churches across North America who share a common evangelical, Biblically fundamental charter of faith.

Our prayer every year is that each young person who attends the Retreat will hear God's Spirit speaking in a variety of ways to draw his or her heart into a closer relationship with Jesus and result in a more Christ-like lifestyle.  Thousands of young people have been blessed by this ministry, and have given evidence of God's life-changing work in them!  May God be glorified during this 46th Retreat and in each life it touches - until Jesus comes back for His own.

Psalm 63:1  "O God, You are my God.  Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.  My body longs for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water."