LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz – For more than 50 years, Lake Havasu’s Calvary Baptist Church has been inspiring individuals to develop profound connections with their faith. Through their ministries, the congregation caters to all members with support groups for addiction recoveries along with classes for children, men, and women. Coral Hanson stepped into the role as director of the church’s women’s ministry two years ago.
Wanting to be closer to her parents and sunshine, the former military veteran moved to Lake Havasu 30 years ago from southern California. Raised as Catholic, Hanson shared that it was later in life that she became loosely engaged with pagan and wiccan churches. The new director revealed she had not always been as spiritually involved in a specific doctrine the way she is today. “I always knew God was in my life but before the year 2020, I was not walking with the Lord for at least 20 years. When my husband passed away in 2021, I decided to give my life to Jesus,” Hanson said.
Her journey began by attending Calvary’s recovery meetings. They were gatherings that helped her get past feelings of hurt and anger.
She became close to the other female churchgoers and with these newfound relationships, Hansen felt comfortable enough to serve as the director. Combining members of all three congregations of Lake Havasu, their getaways were described by Hanson as, “a gigantic sleepover.” The women’s retreats started by her predecessor were at first small groups; however, as the years have progressed, other churches have since joined in on the spiritual gatherings.
With early fall attendees now ranging in the hundreds, two women’s retreats occur annually. Happening for almost the past seven years in Williams, AZ, Calvary members will visit Lost Canyon Young Life Camp. Church members stay at 7,000 feet and lodge between 10 to 14 in bunk-style rooms with private baths. Planned activities for the two-night stays will have four sessions with guest speakers. One of the speakers will be Mary Shannon, storyteller and author.
‘The breakout session’ will begin in the early evening to experience the kickoff of events. Each meeting will have a specific topic. The first is an ice cream social with the focus on unity. Typically, most turn in early that night for the anticipated daybreak praise, breakfast, and hiking. Spare time can be spent participating in group activities like yoga or spiritual solitude with nature.
After dinner campers can spend cabin time with their roommates and exchange personal stories of worship and the messages they have been given. “There’s a lot of shared time which is really invaluable,” Hanson said. Calvary Baptist Church Women’s Retreat will be held Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. With the emerging popularity of this month’s retreat already being filled up with guests, there’s still plenty more upcoming for the remaining of this year.
