“We are stepping into the wilderness to meet with God.”

Craig Macartney
Senior Writer

With sheets of rain falling all around, 50 young men huddled under a tarp. Rather than complaining, they were focused on hearty steaks and sharing stories of how they had experienced God that day. Despite being uncomfortable for most of their three-day retreat, the men came home inspired by God’s goodness, and with a rich sense of brotherhood.

That was the experience of the men who participated in last year’s ADAM Men’s Movement, and although the group could have opted for an indoor retreat this year, they are currently packing their gear for three days of tenting together, getting away to meet with God.

“The men coming to ADAM this year are again willing to come into an uncomfortable scenario, where they get outdoors and stay in tents for three days,” says Colt Charlebois, one of ADAM’s founders, “but they are doing it with the understanding that God is going to speak to them.”

Life is often so busy that it is hard to hear God’s call. By unplugging, getting into creation, and making intentional time to study the Bible and seek God, Charlebois says the men will be more able connect with God.

“The focus this year is around the promise of God. We are stepping into the wilderness to meet with God and receive a promise that can carry us through the next season, rather than just reading the Bible and trying to appropriate someone else’ promise.”

“We like to do things like skeet shooting, ax throwing, canoeing—I feel like guys learn more when they’re in motion.” Photo courtesy of ADAM.

Yet the organizers are clear, ADAM is not about suffering. Despite the colder temperatures, as the event runs from September 30 to October 2, Charlebois says they like to have a lot of fun while they are in the outdoors.

“We like to do things like skeet shooting, ax throwing, canoeing—I feel like guys learn more when they’re in motion. It’s important to us for guys to get out there, have fun, and maybe do things they’ve never done before.”

The ministry is open to men of all ages, but they particularly aim to reach men between 25 and 35. By that age, participants are trying to make their way in life and starting careers. They have gone far enough that they have had to face serious disappointments.

“ADAM was the first experience I had where it became clear to me that, though we all struggle with different things, we have one enemy,” says Travis Wing. “We don’t have 25 different struggles, we have one struggle, the Enemy, and we have one solution: the Saviour. It was such a unifying experience.”

Wing attended the first ADAM event, in 2018, and has since joined the leadership team. He says the experience did a lot to clarify the masculine journey.

“One of the cornerstones of what we do is create a lot of space for listening prayer. I find it really moving to hear the testimonies of other guys hearing from the Spirit, whether they go for a walk or reflect on a scripture.”

On top of meeting with God, both Wing and Charlebois say the brotherhood that develops is life changing.

“I have met dozens of guys at Adam, who I had no prior connection to, but very quickly they are on my speed dial of guys who I know will come through if I need something,” Wing states. “My favourite part is that we are all strangers, but as we take the masks off, we bond around the Spirit, and brotherhood starts to grow really quickly.”

“The vision of ADAM is to see men living out their God-given purpose, alongside other men,” Charlebois adds. “As we seek God for direction and walk it out with other men, we understand how to surrender by witnessing how other men do it. That’s what we are teaching men to do more authentically.”