Kris Swiatocho, Hendersonville, NC
Kris Swiatocho
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Vivacious. Knowledgeable. Passionate. That's Kris Swiatocho. Kris has served in ministry in various capacities for the past 30 years. An accomplished trainer, mentor, and author, Kris has a heart to reach and grow people so they, in turn, can reach and grow others.
If you've ever heard her speak, you know Kris is a speaker who keeps the audience captivated, shares valuable information, and motivates people to make a difference in the lives of those around them! Check out her websites: www.IntentionalRelationshipSolutions.org www.KrisSwiatochoMinistries.org www.TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries www.RestorationExperience.org www.PrayforaMate.com www.LaborDaySingles.org www.AllChristianCruises.com Check out Kris's books/studies: • Intentional Relationships Bible Study Workbook, co-authored with Pastor Dan Houk • Intentional Relationships for Individual Study • Jesus, Single Like Me Bible study • Intentional Friendship co-authored with Pastor Dan Houk • Intentional Women of the Bible • Singles and Relationships 31-Day Devotional Bible Study, co-authored with Dick Purnell • Everyone Knows a Single Adult: The FAQs of Singles Ministry co-authored with Dennis Franck, Former National Director, Assemblies of God. • Walk the Line Bible study • Leaders That Last Leadership Curriculum Contact: Kris Swiatocho, [email protected], 919.434.3611 |
Freddy Johnson, North Point Church, Columbia, SC
Pastor Freddy Johnson
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Freddy serves as the Lead Pastor at North Point Community Church in Columbia, SC. He was single until age 42 and has over 20 years of ministry experience focused on Single Adults. He was the former Pastor of FOCUS in Asheville, NC, where he served for 15 years. He served as the Singles Pastor at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC, and as Pastor to Single Adults at Germantown Baptist Church in the Memphis, TN, area. He also served as a Single Adults consultant to the SC State Baptist Convention.
Freddy is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with God. Whether speaking to a crowd or “one on one,” he is committed to helping people live with a passion for Christ! Freddy shares God’s Word in a way that holds listeners’ attention from beginning to end and encourages them to apply it to their everyday lives. He does so by blending biblical truths with illustrations, stories, and humor. Freddy often says, “Knowledge without application will not produce a fruitful life.” Contact: Freddy Johnson, [email protected], 662-372-0188 |
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Freddy is the author of a newly published devotional and study, "Relentless Love".
Encouraging Words for Life's Journey is an 8-week devotional Bible study that includes questions for self-reflection or group discussion. We all face times when we need encouragement. Relentless Love is an outpouring of God’s love in my life, as I have heard and read what others have said, but most importantly, from studying His Word. It can be used as a daily devotion or for a small-group Bible study. It is not intended to be in-depth but rather to stimulate you to think about how God wants to encourage you in each reading. Freddy's prayer is that Relentless Love will be a tool God will use to encourage you as you journey through life! |
Saturday and Sunday Devotionals:
Prayer Leaders: Jeff Sparks will be sharing on Saturday's Devotion time; Pastor Wes Reed on Sunday
Time: 7:00 am- 7:30 am; The Young Lodge (Mike and Lib Patrick Conference Room, #22 on the Map)
Time: 7:00 am- 7:30 am; The Young Lodge (Mike and Lib Patrick Conference Room, #22 on the Map)
Jeff Sparks
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Devotional Topic: Why Should You Trust in God?
Description: Life doesn't always make sense. We face unexpected disappointments, difficult decisions, unanswered prayers, and seasons where the future seems uncertain. It's easy to trust God when everything is going our way, but what about when life takes a turn we never expected? In this devotional, we'll explore what it truly means to trust God with our whole heart, why His wisdom is always greater than our own, and how choosing to follow Him—even when we don't understand—leads us to His very best. Discover the peace, confidence, and hope that come from placing your life completely in His hands. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Bio: My name is Jeff Sparks, and I have had the privilege of volunteering at the Singles Labor Day Retreat since 2019. I first served on the Facilities Team and am now part of the Prayer Team. It is a blessing to lift up our speakers, worship leaders, fellow volunteers, and retreat attendees in prayer year after year. This year, I am excited to facilitate one of our morning Bible Studies for the first time and look forward to seeing how God moves! Beyond the retreat, I serve as a Connect Group Leader at Biltmore Church’s Arden Campus in Asheville, NC, where our group includes adults ages 25 to 55. I am also active in our local WNC Christian Singles community, which Kris Swiatocho and I co-lead. Along with Julie Moore, Heidi Meulenberg, and many other dedicated singles, we host Bible studies, hikes, camping trips, potlucks, game nights, and more. Our heart is to help people grow in their relationship with Christ while building a healthy, supportive community—a place of healing and belonging for anyone who has been hurt. God willing, I look forward to meeting many of you at the Labor Day 2026 Retreat! Contact: [email protected] • 828-782-0278 |
Pastor Wes Reed
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Devotional Topic: God Works in the Darkness
Description: Just because you can't see His hand doesn't mean He has left your side. Some of God's greatest work happens where our eyes cannot see. When He seems silent, He is often preparing, protecting, strengthening, or arranging things for your good. Trust that even in the darkness, He is never idle—He is faithfully working on your behalf. Psalm 10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Bio: Pastor Wes lives in Newark, NY, and has served in church leadership for more than 30 years. Throughout his ministry, he has held several roles, including worship leader, youth ministry leader, and leader of the ministry to the aged. Since 2002, he has faithfully served as the senior pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship in Newark, NY. Wes firmly believes that God calls each of us to “bloom where we’re planted,” regardless of our circumstances. Guided by that conviction, he spearheaded the creation of an organization that offers fellowship, encouragement, and community to single Christian adults. His heart for ministry and passion for helping others grow in Christ continue to impact many lives. Contact: [email protected]; https://cornerstonenewark.org |
Prayer Experience Writer/Director
Michelle Hipp
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Description: One of the most meaningful and talked-about moments of the Labor Day Retreat is our Prayer Experience.
Rather than simply hearing about God, you'll have the opportunity to spend intentional time with Him through a unique, self-guided journey designed around this year's theme, Elev8: Your Relationship with God. As you move through a variety of creative prayer stations at your own pace, you'll encounter thought-provoking questions, meaningful visuals, and interactive experiences that invite you to reflect, listen, pray, and draw closer to the Lord. There is no right or wrong order, no time limit at each station (although we do have a 1-hour overall time limit), and no pressure. Visit as many stations as you'd like, linger where God is speaking to you, and allow Him to meet you personally in a fresh way. Each participant will receive a prayer journal (or bring your own) to record what God reveals along the journey. Afterward, we will gather into small groups to share what God has revealed to you. We intentionally don't reveal all the details because discovering the experience for yourself is part of the journey. Year after year, attendees tell us this is the most powerful and life-changing part of the retreat. We believe it may become one of your favorite experiences too. Bio: Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Christian counselor who is passionate about helping people experience emotional healing, spiritual growth, and lasting transformation. With a heart for integrating faith and evidence-based therapy, Michelle walks alongside individuals and families as they navigate trauma, attachment injuries, life transitions, relationship challenges, and spiritual struggles. Drawing from both clinical training and a deep love for Scripture, Michelle believes true healing happens when psychological insight and biblical truth work together. Her counseling approach is compassionate, practical, and rooted in the belief that God meets people in their stories with grace, hope, and restoration. In addition to her counseling practice, Michelle writes devotionals that encourage readers to encounter God in everyday life and process emotions in a healthy, faith-filled way. She is also a speaker and Bible teacher who leads studies, retreats, and events focused on emotional health, spiritual formation, identity in Christ, and living with purpose. Whether in the counseling room, on the page, or on the stage, Michelle’s mission is to help people move from surviving to thriving — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Michelle lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband, Pastor Brian, and their two grown children. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and exercising in her free time, and she’s always ready for a girls' weekend. Michelle joined Kris at the Restoration Experience Weekend in 2024, and together they have been working to lead as many women as possible to the Healer. Contact: Michelle Hipp; [email protected], 586-322-5463 |
"Attending the Singles Labor Day Experience for five consecutive years has strengthened my faith and given me the chance to make many new friends. The entire weekend, beginning with the leaders' portion, covers a range of relevant topics. Still, the ministry's underlying theme and heart consistently point toward securing and nurturing a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. The worship, teaching, fellowship with other singles, and the hikes and river tubing together make this retreat a highly valued, memorable experience."
—Pastor Wes Reed, Newark, NY
—Pastor Wes Reed, Newark, NY
