Epworth by the Sea

As a high school football coach, I have had the great pleasure of bringing my football teams to Epworth By the Sea for the last 22 years. It is one of my favorite places on earth. It started with Camden County, then Prince Avenue Christian, Grayson, T.L. Hanna, and now Camden again. EVERY year has been a great experience for our players and coaches. The facilities are good, the food is excellent, and everyone on the staff is so welcoming that you feel like you are at home! I know that our players and coaches have benefitted not only from our football time together but also the spiritual reflection that you can’t help but feel as you walk around the beautiful grounds and churches. It is truly good for the soul and for developing any type of team.

< Jeff Herron - Head Football Coach, Camden County High School

I love Epworth By The Sea! It is a beautiful retreat center that serves as an Oasis in a hectic world. But besides the beauty of the setting and facilities, for me and many others, this is holy ground. Maybe it’s because John and Charles Wesley walked here and the echoes of their spiritual footsteps still reverberate through history to us. Maybe it’s because I felt God’s arms around me at Epworth as a teenager. Whatever the reasons, I love driving onto the campus under those mossy live oak trees because I know my heart is going to be refreshed. Epworth is a special place to me and just thinking about returning makes me feel good inside.

< Jim Cowart - Lead Pastor, Harvest Church - A Global Methodist Congregation

It’s spring! One of my favorite times of the year and one of my favorite things to do is visit beautiful St. Simons Island and stay at Epworth by the Sea! I so look forward to the Annual Spring Training Conference of the Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA). For many, many years now GHSA has hosted the Conference at Epworth by the Sea. We so anticipate this event and eagerly await relishing in the peace, tranquility, and serenity the week-long stay at Epworth by the Sea affords us. During the Pandemic, we were not able to visit the site. Thankfully after two long years, May 2022 we were able to reunite full force with a Head Start army of 500 Conference participants, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers! We really enjoyed being back at Epworth to learn new things, to meet and to greet each other, to see the sights and sounds such as the calming riverfront, the lush green grounds, and the delicious food!!! Thanks to Tiffany Flavell, Bernard, the kitchen staff, the maintenance crew, the front desk staff and everyone who helped make our return to Epworth by the Sea memorable! We look forward to the years ahead. Thanks Epworth!

< Juanita Yancey - Executive Officer, Georgia Head Start Association

I’ve been in youth ministry for 37 years. I first brought a youth group to Epworth in 1986. Since that summer, I have brought multiple groups each year through my church and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have seen hundreds of teenagers and young adults make life changing commitments to Jesus on those Holy grounds. The retreat atmosphere at Epworth is second to none. Everything you need for a successful event is right inside the gates. Worship areas for large and small, beautiful quiet time space right by the river, up to date housing, good food, fire pits, recreation areas and much more. The thing I appreciate the most is the partnership in ministry that I have with their staff. Their main goal is to make our time at Epworth the most stress free environment it can be. I have never had a bad ministry experience at Epworth. It is truly Holy Ground!

< Scott Adams - Area Director, East Cobb, FCA

Epworth By The Sea has provided a place of solitude and recovery for police officers from across the country who have experienced traumatic events beyond the imagination of most people. The first home of the Post Critical Incident Seminar in Georgia, the GA Office of Public Safety Support partners with Epworth in providing this field-tested peer-based support seminar to help officers put the past in the past. As one of the founders of the PCIS program for state and local officers, I have always said, “the place” where you provide the assistance to officers is critical to your success. For us, Epworth is exactly the Right Place!

< Rev. Dr. J. Eric Skidmore - State Police Chaplain (SC)

"When we look back on our time at Epworth, we smile. Our minds immediately go to the incredible sunsets of red, orange, and yellow that put us at ease amidst God's creation. We fondly think about the prayer chapel and how it brought us God's peace. We know that the Holy Spirit was present at Epworth as it was felt. The staff became family to us in a short period of time. Last but not least, it was the ideal environment for our families living through Childhood Cancer to find absolute rest, true relaxation, priceless connection, and intersect with God to find hope in more than a cure. Thank you, Epworth!" - Lighthouse Family Retreat

< Chris Woodruff - CEO, Executive Director, Lighthouse Family Retreat