BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life will host the third annual WVWC Christian Ashram Feb. 2-Feb. 4 in the Social Hall of Benedum Campus Center.

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.”

“This is the third year for Wesleyan to host a ministry of the United Christian Ashram, and we remain the only college or university in the United States to hold such an event for our students,” Dean of the Chapel Rev. Jonathan Acord said. “As we were planning this year’s event, our students agreed wholeheartedly to invite the surrounding community to join them in getting away from work and school to spend time with Jesus.”

Rev. Gary Wheeler of Germantown, Ohio will be the guest evangelist for the weekend with WVWC students, faculty and alumni leading praise and worship and Bible study at various times.

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

The retreat begins Friday, Feb. 2 with registration at 5:15 p.m. and continues Saturday, Feb. 3 from 12:30-9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no registration fee as meals are the responsibility of the attendee. Parking is available in Camden Parking lot.

For more information, contact Acord at acord.j@wvwc.edu.