BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life will host the second annual WVWC Christian Ashram Jan. 20-22, 2023. All events will take place on WVWC’s campus.

West Virginia Wesleyan College is the only college/university in the United States to host a Christian Ashram for its students, faculty, staff and alumni.

A Christian Ashram is a retreat to focus on one’s relationship with God. Christian Ashrams are designed to help the attendees grow in faith through worship, teaching and witness; receive spiritual renewal through prayer, healing and sharing; experience life in an ecumenical, Christ-centered fellowship and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere as one experiences “the Kingdom of God in miniature.”

Rev. Jonathan Acord, director of Spiritual and Religious Life, said, “The Christian Ashram is a great opportunity to slow down and be attentive to God in the midst of community. I am extremely grateful to God for Dr. Becky Swisher, Rev. Matt Henson, and the entire WVWC community, who serve in various ways to make this retreat possible.”

Ashrams are nondenominational, but the Christian Ashram was started by a Methodist missionary named E. Stanley Jones, who served in India and became close friends with Mahatmas Gandhi. Jones modeled the Christian Ashram after the Hindu Ashram.

Matt Henson, executive director of the United Christian Ashrams International, returns as an evangelist for the Christian Ashram.

Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Hall on Friday, Jan. 20 and the Christian Ashram concludes Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. in the Social Hall. The Christian Ashram is free to all current students at WVWC. All others will need to pay for their meals if they choose to eat on campus.

For more information, contact Acord at acord.j@wvwc.edu or Dr. Becky Swisher at swisher_r@wvwc.edu.