History
The Mount Retreat first began as a dream on the front porch of Cut ‘N Shoot at TBarM, a Christian children’s summer camp, in New Braunfels, Texas. In 2017, a recent UF graduate had decided to spend her summer at sports camp, where she met students from Texas A&M and heard about their IMPACT retreat for incoming freshmen. The Mount's Founder, Caitlyn Considine, had come to college as a follower of Jesus but struggled to get plugged into faith-based community until she worked at TBarM.
Caitlyn had bounced from campus ministry to campus ministry and often longed for a handful of consistent, life-giving friendships. Her heart especially broke for the many students who expressed the desire to attend church and pursue a relationship with God, but viewed their faith as an inconvenience.
As she listened to the Lord's beckoning, she began contacting directors from IMPACT at Texas A&M and The Oaks at Auburn. She surrendered her previous plan of attending medical school to focus on praying over her desire to bridge this overwhelming gap between the students who seemed to slip through the cracks and their desperate need for Christ-centered friendships. Caitlyn chose the name "The Mount Retreat” after a vision revealed to her through Genesis 22:14. Shortly after, she founded The Mount Ministries, Inc., a tax-exempt 501(c)3, in Spring 2018.
Mary Clare Allen, a sophomore at UF and fellow sorority sister, connected Caitlyn with Heather Ryan, a senior at UF. Mary Clare shared a similar passion for graduating high school students, especially after becoming involved with YoungLife College, and was immediately enthralled by the idea of a retreat of first-year students. Furthermore, Heather had dreamt about leaving a legacy for incoming students and was passionate about student development and leadership. These three young women became the board of directors and set out to launch the very first retreat in 2019.
An executive board of current students who bought into the vision was assembled. Each student shared a similar passion for serving first-year students by connecting them with Christian community.
In February 2019, over 80 counselors from a variety of backgrounds, fields of study, interests, student organizations, and local churches were recruited to facilitate the first retreat. These students came together throughout the spring semester to prepare, as they were trained to champion and encourage the incoming students during their transition into college.
On August 9-11, 2019 over 120 students attended the inaugural Mount Retreat and experienced a weekend full of community, teaching, games, Scriptural study, worship, play, and rest at Camp Anderson in Old Town, FL. Relationships were formed that are sure to withstand years of transition and growth. This event would not have been possible without God at the forefront, along with every staff member, first-year student, donor, speaker, worship team member, ministry fair partner, and each source of encouragement along the way.
We are expectant to see the Lord move on the UF and Santa Fe campuses through the lives of every staff member and retreat attendee. From the very beginning, prayer has been the backbone of this ministry and we invite you to join us in praying for the annual retreat each August. If you would like to contact Caitlyn directly, you can email her at caitlyn@themountretreat.com.
As the Mission Statement says, The Mount seeks to equip and empower first-year college students by uniting the body of Christ to further the Kingdom of God in Gainesville, FL. We will strive to serve incoming students and show them their first glimpse of the body of Christ at UF and Santa Fe.
