Thank you for registering for The Heart of a Warrior Encounter! We are so excited to have you join us! We have seen God do incredible things in the hearts of men at this conference, and we are hopeful and expectant that he has big things in store for you.
In the weeks leading up to the Encounter, we will send you a series of emails with details about the weekend, free time sign up opportunities, and any updates. In the meantime, check out the menu below for packing list, preparation details, and information on what to expect for your weekend experience.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at events@zoweh.org.
There are three important checkpoints you'll need to complete in preparation for the event:
#1 READ one (or both!) of the following books to become familiar with the content of the weekend:
- The Heart of a Warrior by Michael Thompson
- King Me by Michael Thompson
#2 RECRUIT your intercessory prayer team: We strongly encourage you to ask three family members or close friends to sign up to pray for you before, during, and after the conference. When they sign up here, we will email them a series of carefully written prayers specifically for your experience at the weekend.
#3 COMPLETE YoungLife's online waiver here
Plan to arrive at Rockbridge Alum Springs YoungLife Camp, 170 Spring House Rd, Goshen, VA 24439 on Friday, March 28:
- 12 PM: Check in at the dining hall, Rockbridge Station. This is where you'll receive a packet with information regarding your accommodations. Allow 20-30 minutes for the check in process. After checking in, you will be free to explore the grounds, meet other men, and settle into your bunk house.
- 4 PM: First session at Springs Center, the main meeting room
During the weekend, we ask that you turn your phone off and fully be present. Please give the CONFERENCE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER (540) 997-9276, to your family or emergency contacts. If someone calls the emergency number, we will get the message to you as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at events@zoweh.org.
You are responsible for all of your travel arrangements to and from The Heart of a Warrior Encounter. For more information about Rockbridge Alum Springs, click here. If you are traveling by plane and would like to connect with other men for ride sharing from airports, please email us at events@zoweh.org.What is included?
- Pillow (pillow case not included) and blanket
- A journal and pen for you to take notes
- All meals are provided from dinner Friday to breakfast Sunday
- Most free time activities
What is NOT included?
- Bedding and towels
- Transportation to and from the grounds
- Merchandise from the Zoweh Outpost, our on-site resource center
- Clay shooting, blacksmithing, and any off-site free time activities
What do I need to bring?
- Bedding (sleeping bag, twin sheets, pillow case)
- Towels and washcloths
Anything else you recommend packing?
Pack and bring what you need to be comfortable through the weekend. Accustomed to snacks between meals? Bring some. Love your pillow? Bring it. Planning to go on a hike? Bring your hiking boots. Want to sit around a campfire? Bring a camping chair!
What should I wear?
Dress comfortably for the weather. All facilities are cooled/heated as needed. Check the weather forecast before you depart.
We offer numerous free time activities and adventures during the weekend! This is an opportunity for you to step into something new and invite God to speak to your heart. Of course, you may rather take a nap or enjoy downtime on the porch Friday and Saturday afternoon.
- Axe Throwing (gear provided)
- Fishing (gear provided for guided, on-site sessions; if you leave Rockbridge, please be aware that Virginia state rules and regulations apply.)
- Self Defense
- Pickleball
- Hiking
- Campfires
- Giant hot tub (No towels provided)
- Game Room (billiards, foosball, ping-pong, and air hockey)
- Basketball
- Wiffle Ball
- 18-hole disc golf course (frisbees provided)
- Climbing Tower, Swing, High Five Challenge
- Zipline
- Clay shoot, $15 (gear provided; do not bring your own shotgun)
We encourage and invite you to pray The Daily Prayer and The Heart of a Warrior Conference Prayer regularly leading up to the event.
RECRUIT YOUR INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM: We strongly encourage you to ask three family members or close friends to sign up to pray for you before, during, and after the conference. When they sign up here, we will email them a series of carefully written prayers specifically for your experience at the weekend.
Let's pray together right now...
Dear God, Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Spirit, thank you for arranging for my getaway with you. Thank you for pursuing me and wanting me, inviting me to come away and explore the glory of who you are and discover more of your Love, Life, and Kingdom. I worship you and offer my hopes for this weekend to you. I invite you to prepare my heart, soul, mind, and body; all of who I am and am becoming; for the journey and the steps you have for me The Heart of a Warrior Encounter.
Father, you are my true father and the one who has brought me into your family through Christ, your son. I too am your son and receive all the work of Jesus on my behalf; Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension. Thank you for your grace and your love and for wanting me as yours. I open my heart to you now and through these days leading to The Heart of a Warrior Encounter. Thank you for making me a Beloved Son and for revealing to me all that is wonderful, glorious, and significant about my place in your heart.
Jesus, thank you for coming for me, ransoming me, redeeming me, and now restoring me into the greatest version of myself—who you made me to be when you knew me before the foundations of the earth. I declare you are the King of my heart, the Good Shepherd, the Savior of my life, and I take my place now in your Life… you alone are Life. I give you my heart and all the hopes I have in this weekend. I give you my hurts, disappointments, and discouragement. Carry me to the weekend, Jesus. Prepare my heart for more of you and more of me—my true self, the Beloved Son of a good, good Father.
Holy Spirit, I give you my heart. Thank you for guiding me to this weekend away with you. I confess, I need you, Holy Spirit. Connect with my spirit in the deep places. I give you permission to prepare my heart for the days ahead and for the weekend to come. I need your guidance, counsel, teaching, and correction. Prepare my heart, Holy Spirit, for the weekend; prepare my eyes, ears, and heart to receive all you have for me that you would bring transformation and irreversible change to my life.
Dear God, Blessed Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, protect me from the evil one. I call forth the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ over my heart, my marriage, my family, my relationships, and all of my domain. I declare, this is a weekend set apart for my healing, training, and freedom and that Satan and the kingdom of darkness and all the fallen angels are defeated by the Cross and full work of Christ, and I take my place in the Cross declaring victory over the enemies of my heart and all their foul work set against me, my family, and my domain. I pray in and claim the day of reckoning where lies are replaced with the truth and freedom takes the place of any and all bondage. I take my place as a Beloved Son-Warrior Man of your Kingdom. With all its privileges and responsibilities, I prepare my heart to receive the fullness of who you made me and the authority which you want to entrust to me.
Father, send out your warring angels, dispatch the heavenly hosts to war for me and my second birth right. I bring my full heart and all of my domain—everywhere I have been given authority—under the provision and protection of the Lord Jesus Christ who has called me away for this weekend. I declare my freedom and these steps to freedom. I bring the authority, reign, and rule of the Lord Jesus Christ over my household, my finances, my relationship, my work, and all of my domain. I declare, Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I belong to God and all the riches and blessings He has set for me in Christ I now claim in the name and authority that is above every name, Jesus, my Savior and my King. Amen and AMEN!