Sept. 28 - Oct. 1, 2026
Overview
Cost
Program
Location
CMC Retreat: REFRESH 2026
DATES: Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, 2026
Registration Opens: January 20 @ 8:00 p.m. EST
REFRESH 2026 is an OPC-wide retreat for OPC ministers and their wives as well as single ministers. It is designed to be a true retreat, not a theology conference.
Our goal is to balance spiritual renewal with relaxation and fellowship, through ample free time and a variety of recreational options. Please join us for a time of rest, spiritual refreshing and delightful fellowship
Important Note— Thanks to generous supporters of the David Haney Memorial Fund, lodging, meals and transportation costs will be fully or substantially covered for the first 200 individuals. We anticipate that these will fill quickly. Those wishing to participate after the paid, Haney Fund-sponsored registrations are full will be able to attend at their own expense (see Cost details).
Allow yourself to be pampered at a cost of only $50 per registration.
For the first 200 registrations, your meals at the retreat, your room charge and taxes will be fully covered. You will be responsible for any other charges you personally incur at the resort.
For applications after the first 200 are confirmed, and for retired ministers who wish to attend at their own expense, in addition to the per person registration fee of $50 ($100/couple), you will need to provide your own transportation and lodging, and pay a per-person cost of $300 (3 dinners, 2 lunches and break refreshments included). The initial registration fee ($50 pp) will be paid at the time you submit your registration, then 50% of the balance will be due by August 1, 2026, and the remaining balance upon arrival at the resort.
Registration Fee
Every participant (including those sponsored by the David Henry Memorial Fund) will pay a registration fee of $50 (or $100/couple). This should be considered non-refundable (exceptions might be granted in emergency circumstances).
Airfare Reimbursement
Airfares will be reimbursed to you anytime after July 1, 2026. Please send proof of airfare (a screenshot or email confirmation from the airline) to Mackenzie Morey at [email protected]
Childcare Stipend
Childcare stipends are available. Although REFRESH 2026 is for adults, not families, a stipend of up to $400 is available to help younger couples arrange care for their children while they are away (see General Questions section near the bottom of the website).
Mileage, Parking, Entrance Fee
We will reimburse your actual mileage if you drive to the resort, using the IRS rate, and to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. We will also reimburse your Stone Mountain Park entrance fee.
Entrance to Stone Mountain Park is free, unless driving and then the current cost of a parking day pass is $10 per day (50% discount).
Activity Costs
For all registrants, many of the leisure activities will be at no cost, but golf and some of the other attractions in Stone Mountain Park would be at your own expense.
Stone Mountain Park activity costs are paid by the participants and are available through the park website: stonemountainpark.com
Reimbursement Request
Reimbursement request forms will be available at the retreat and will be processed shortly after its conclusion.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. A. Craig Troxel
Seasons of Ministry
Ecclesiastes informs us that “for everything there is a season” and then assures us that “everything is beautiful in its time.” In the ministry, seasons come and go, regularly and unexpectedly. As a result, this can unsettle a pastor’s faith and expose his finely-tuned expectations (for how it was supposed to be). What does this mean for the man whom God calls to “be ready… in season and out of season,” as he serves the members of his flock who are experiencing the same things as he?
SCHEDULE
Monday, Sept 28
Dinner on Terrace
Opening Session
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Morning: General Sessions
Afternoon: Optional activities & leisure
Evening: “Dine Arounds” at select area restaurants
Firepit fellowship
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Morning: General Sessions
Afternoon: Optional activities & leisure
Evening: Banquet
Firepit fellowship
Thursday, Oct. 1
Breakfast
Departures throughout the morning
Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort
This stunning location will provide a beautiful, tranquil setting in the midst of Atlanta’s scenic Stone Mountain Park.
General Questions
Is Child Care Provided?
In order to help make it possible for parents with at-home children to attend REFRESH 2026, please consider whichever childcare arrangements would work best for you (grandparents, other relatives, a member of your church family, etc.). To the extent that there are costs involved which would be a hardship for you or those helping you, CMC will provide reimbursement of up to $400 per household.
Please indicate on your registration if you expect to need the Childcare Stipend. Your actual costs (up to $400) can be claimed at the retreat and will be reimbursed shortly afterwards.
What are my transportation options?
If you are flying, this will be to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). CMC will normally reimburse up to $300 per person for roundtrip airfare. If you are traveling from the west coast or are otherwise unable to find airfares in this range, please contact CMC Administrator Anna Hall ([email protected]). We will also provide free transfers from ATL to the resort on Monday, Sept. 28 and from the resort to ATL on Thursday, Oct. 1. Should you decide to arrive early or stay beyond Oct. 1, you will need to provide your own transportation to/from the airport.
You may book your airline reservations at your convenience. After you have done so, please submit evidence of your fare (screenshot, email confirmation, etc.) to Mackenzie Morey at [email protected]. We will provide reimbursements via check beginning July 1, 2026.
If you will be driving to the resort, we will reimburse you for round-trip mileage at the IRS mileage rate, up to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. To help us steward our funds, please consider ride-sharing with another minister from your area. To learn if others from your area are planning to attend, email [email protected]
CMC will have a van providing daily shuttle service to a nearby Walmart. The resort is also served by Uber and Lyft.
Checkin, checkout, and extension
Checkin is anytime after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, and checkout must be by 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.
If you wish to extend your stay, either prior to or following REFRESH 2026, you may do so at CMC’s discounted rate of $159 + taxes per night. Securing this rate is accomplished through the REFRESH 2026 registration portal. Please do not contact the resort directly.
Amenities and Accommodations
Lodging is at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort. All rooms have walk-out balconies with either lake views or pool views. Each room has a mini fridge and a coffee maker, and complimentary wifi is available.
The first 200 registrants will have their nightly room rate and taxes covered by CMC for October 28, 29 & 30.
If you have any specific questions regarding accommodations, please email Mackenzie Morey at [email protected]
What can I do during my free time?
Hiking
Starting at the resort, the Evergreen Trail connects you to a 15-mile network of trails which extend throughout Stone Mountain Park.
Naturalist Walk
A local naturalist will lead an informative walk each afternoon.
Atlanta and the Civil War
A local historian will provide an illustrated talk on the significant role that Atlanta, and Stone Mountain, played in the War Between the States.
The REFRESH Chorale
If you enjoy singing parts, join our impromptu “REFRESH Chorale” for a rehearsal each afternoon and a performance at the Wednesday final banquet.
Puzzles & Crafting
A puzzle, board game and crafting room will be open each afternoon for casual fellowship.
Fitness Center
The resort’s fitness center features aerobic and strength training equipment.
Swimming
The resort features both indoor and outdoor heated pools.
Golf *
Two professional courses are located in Stone Mountain Park:
Stonemont Golf Course is a 6,863 yard, par 70 course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Lakemont Golf Course is a 6,444-yard, par-71 course.
Stone Mountain activities *
Visit stonemountainpark.com for a full range of activities, including the Summit Skyride, a zipline and a scenic railroad ride.
Water Tour/Water Taxi *
A relaxing way to see the sights of Stone Mountain.
Kayaking *
Kayaks and standup paddleboards are available for rental.
(*) Activities noted with an asterisk will be at your expense.
Registration
Where Do I Register?
Registering for Refresh 2026 will be solely through an online registration portal.
What is the Registration Process and Cost?
To secure a spot at REFRESH 2026, you can complete and submit your registration starting at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The first 200 registrations (non-retired minister and wife, if married, or single non-retired minister) will be accepted.
Applications will require a $50 registration fee per participant. The registration fee must be paid by credit card at the time of your registration. The 200 paid registration spots are expected to fill quickly.
Is the Registration Fee Refundable?
The $50 registration fee should be considered non-refundable (exceptions might be granted in emergency circumstances) for confirmed registrations. If you apply but do not receive a confirmed acceptance and do not wish to attend at your own expense, your registration fee will be credited back to your original form of payment.
Who Can Attend the Retreat?
Since REFRESH 2026 is designed as much for wives as for ministers, a married minister is expected to attend with his wife.
Single ministers are warmly welcomed to enjoy this time of fellowship and spiritual refreshment.
Children are a treasure from the Lord. However, to facilitate maximum rejuvenation for husbands and wives, this will be an adults-only retreat. Parents, please take advantage of our childcare stipend (see “Is Child Care Provided?” on the left for more details).
What If I’m a Retired Minister?
Ministers in active ministry are being given first opportunity for the retreat. However, retired ministers and their wives may submit a registration beginning February 3 at 8:00 p.m. EST. If all Haney Fund-sponsored spots are taken, you may attend at your own expense as detailed below.
What Happens if all the Haney Fund-sponsored Spots are Taken?
For those who do not secure one of the first available 200 spots, we will hold your registration until those spots are confirmed.
You will still be able to attend the conference but will need to pay a per-person cost of $300 (3 dinners, 2 lunches and break refreshments included) for the event plus provide your own lodging and transportation.
The initial registration fee ($50 pp) will be paid at the time you submit your registration, then 50% of the balance will be due by August 1, 2026, and the remaining balance upon arrival at the resort.