The Wesley at West Texas A&M University, an on-campus student ministry, hosted its annual Fall Retreat at the High Plains Retreat Center on Friday, Sept. 27. The event was attended by approximately 60 WT students.

“We believe the harder you play together, the harder you pray together,” Mikey Littau, The Wesley director said. “It’s kind of the idea of the retreat.”

The Wesley has hosted a fall retreat every year for the last ten years. It has become a favored event by WT students and The Wesley staff alike.

“Fall Retreat has been one of my favorites,” Laiken Turner, The Wesley Academy intern and missionary said. “Even on the years when I’ve had work, I’ve gone out of my way to drive myself up there. I’ll show up late as long as I get to show up.”

After so many years of putting on the Fall Retreat, The Wesley staff has found a structure that works. Upon arrival at High Plains Retreat Center, students are split into seven different color teams: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black and white. The teams compete against one another in several team building games.

“I’m kind of known for the team building games that we do,” Littau said.

After games there is a dinner, provided by the High Plains Retreat Center staff. After dinner there is a worship service, led by The Wesley Academy.

“[Worship is] really open to wherever the Lord wants to go,” Littau said.

After worship, The Wesley Academy interns give a message to the students. This year, the message was provided by The Wesley Academy intern and missionary Cole Davis.

After so many years of hosting the Fall Retreat, The Wesley staff has discovered the “perfect recipe” to ensure the highest student attendance, as well as the best experience for students.

“We feel like it’s about the third, fourth week in September, where people are comfortable enough with each other to go out of town together,” Littau said.

The Fall Retreat provides students with a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and form new connections.

“I think my favorite thing about meeting new people is making sure that they know they’re important,” WT junior Sherin Neaamah said. “That’s my mindset as I go into the Fall Retreat again: to meet a lot of people, show them that I love them, and show them that The Wesley is a great place to hang out.”

The Wesley has also found a great location for the retreat at High Plains Retreat Center. The retreat center works with The Wesley to keep the Fall Retreat affordable for students.

“The more affordable, the more accessible for students,” Littau said.

The ultimate goal of the Fall Retreat is to help students make new connections, show them love, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

“We really just want to focus on making memories,” Littau said. “When you think about that thing, it’s like this one place at one time.”