Sept. 29th – Oct. 1st, 2023

Weekend 1 will be a “traditional” Michawana Women’s Retreat Weekend like you’ve come to love highly anticipate!

There will be four chapel sessions with worship led by Paula, teaching from Cindy, then small group discussions in your groups or a new Michawana group.  In addition to the chapel sessions we will also have two workshops where you can choose to learn and participate in a wide range of topics and activities.  Cardio Drumming, Stretching, Crafting are always favorites as well as how-to topics like evangelism, Biblical Counseling, and help being a godly wife and mother!

Times outside of chapel include adventures (zip line, shooting, hayrides, games, and more) and relaxation (Coffee, crafts, walks, kayaking, and more).  Women come in groups with their churches and also as individuals and make new friends here, so no matter your situation, there is a place for you!

Speaker: Cindy Bultema

Cindy Bultema loves the Lord, loves life, loves her family, and loves to celebrate!

With over 20 years in ministry, Cindy has trained leaders and created programs within a variety of settings.

Her previous work experiences include working for Bethany Christian Services with adolescent sexual offenders, developing and supervising a transitional housing program serving homeless teen moms and their kids, as well as coordinating a state licensed child care program.

In 1999, Cindy was hired as the founding Director of Children’s Ministries at a Grand Rapids area mega-church, leading the transition from being a one person department to overseeing 12 staff, equipping 1,000 volunteers, and ministering to 2,700 kids every weekend.

Cindy is now the Executive Director of GEMS Girls’ Club, as well as a passionate women’s speaker, author, and Bible teacher.

Her personal testimony, “He Loves Me: A Woman’s Journey to Peace”, was aired worldwide on the “Day of Discovery” television show.   She was a curriculum writer for Duck Dynasty’s “Faith Commander,” a seminar expert for the Grief Share series, as well as author of the best­selling Bible study “Red Hot Faith.” Cindy’s  book, “Live Full Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin­ Soaked World” released in December of 2016.

Cindy is a member of Carol Kent’s national speaking team, as well as an inspiring Speak Up Conference instructor and Proverbs 31 Speaker Coach.

Cindy lives in West Michigan with her husband John and their children Jake, Benjamin, Amanda and Sarah.  When she’s not running a full household, you can find Cindy walking her adventurous dogs Ginger and Diego, playing cards with her kids, or trying to figure out a new way to make chicken for dinner.

Check out more info and hear more about Cindy’s story here:
https://www.cindybultema.com/about-cindy/about-cindy-2/

October 13th-15th, 2023

Weekend 2 will be a conference style weekend packed full of Bible study, fellowship, and fun! There will be 3 mini chapel sessions with music lead by Debbie and speaking done by Kim. After each chapel you will have the opportunity to pick from a variety of different Biblically based focus sessions led by the Rochelle and the Michawana team! Be prepared to learn a lot and be challenged by the speakers while also having fun with friends and trying out the different camp activities! Women come in groups with their churches and also as individuals and make new friends here, so no matter your situation, there’s a place for you! We can’t wait to see you there!

Speaker: Kim Sorelle

Kim Sorrelle is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, the director of a humanitarian organization, activist, mother, grandmother, lover of all people, and black licorice.

Kim’s entrepreneurial journey included commercial real estate, a golf course, event facilities, catering, a grocery store, and more. Besides building businesses into multi-million dollar companies, Kim is proud to have weathered the pandemic storm in the food industry, pivoting, keeping staff employed, and seeing the company’s sales grow beyond pre-pandemic numbers.

Kim is the director of Rays of Hope International, a partnering organization working with people in their own country who have a passion, a vision, a mission to help people in their own country and just need someone to walk alongside. Through business plans, fundraising, sustainability planning, supplies, building, Working in countries like Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Burkina Faso, Rays of Hope has enjoyed relationships with hundreds of organizations that are working hard to help the underserved and vulnerable population.

As an athlete and sports fan, Kim coached basketball for 25 years and high school varsity volleyball for 17 and her team was ranked in the top ten in the state for 16 of the 17 years.

Kim met tall, dark, and handsome Steve Sorrelle, the man of her dreams, and proposed ten days later. Two years later, their only daughter, Amanda, arrived full of spunk and sweetness. Three brothers, Paul, Luke, and Noah, quickly followed, A few years later their Dominican son, Cristian, joined the family.  Now all grown with families of their own, Kim is happy to report that they are all gainfully employed, contributing positively to the world, and have the most incredible children who call her “Uma.” (Like Uma Thurman, not Oma like a German grandma, the name given to her by her oldest granddaughter and it stuck.)

In 2009, while battling breast cancer, Kim’s love, Steve, received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. After six great weeks together, Kim held Steve as he took his last breath. Her first book, Cry Until You Laugh, chronicles that journey through laughter and tears and laughter again.

The back to back cancer diagnosis led her youngest son, Noah, to change trigectories and earn a PHD as a cancer researcher. With a focus on breast cancer, Noah has made significant discoveries that have already helped with other research and continue to move the needle on the survivor rate.

Kim’s second book, Love Is, came from a desire to know the true meaning of love.  Love Is, chronicles her year long quest to discover the true meaning of love, a sometimes funny, sometimes scary, always enlightening journey that led to life-changing discoveries found mostly on the streets of Haiti.

Today, Kim lives in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, a regular radio, television, and podcast guest, Kim speaks to audiences all over the world. Inspirational and educational, Kim entertains CEO’s, industry leaders, company staff members, educators, parents, women’s groups, and more.

With first hand experience, Kim also speaks for The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Koman.

A coach is always a coach and Kim is no different. Working with individuals and teams, Kim helps people succeed not only in business and family life but in every aspect of life, leading to greater fulfillment, happiness, while teaching the secrets to working less and playing more.

When she is not writing, broadcasting, coaching, speaking, or serving, Kim enjoys her life-long and newer friendships, hanging out with the grandkids, reading, playing tennis and pickleball, painting (she’s no Bob Ross!), traveling, meeting new people, and an occasional stick of black licorice.

Breakout Session Leaders:

Rochelle Visser is the Director of Ministry here at Camp Michawana. She has had years of experience in teaching and working with kids, adults, churches, and groups! Rochelle received the 2022 Keys For Kids Impact Award because of her involvement at camp, Community Kids, and more. Rochelle has had years of Biblical study and was also runner up on the show The American Bible Challenge. Her heart for ministry shows in all that she does and you won’t want to miss her sessions!

Victoria Byykkonen is the Assistant Program Director here at Camp Michawana. She works with Rochelle to plan and run all of our events. Victoria has worked here at camp for the past 5 years as a counselor, lifeguard, and more. She can’t wait to be able to pour into you this weekend at camp!

Debbie Derienzo is a worship leader, loving servant, wife, and mom of four! She and her family work to spread Christ everywhere they go through music, speaking, and just loving people. Debbie will be leading both worship and focus sessions throughout the weekend and you won’t want to miss it!

Email [email protected] with questions.