Every year in the spring and fall, men from all over the Midwest converge at Silver Birch Ranch. The weekend is filled with activities and teaching geared to meet men where they’re at in life and tackle issues that they face. (The minimum age for this retreat is 13.)
Retreat Speaker - Steve Lombardo
Steve serves at Village Bible Church as the Campus Teaching Pastor at its campus in Plano, Illinois.
With over 20 years of pastoral ministry experience, Steve is deeply passionate about shepherding, equipping, and challenging men to live out their faith with uncompromising authenticity.
Steve’s journey of faith began in a Christian home, but it was during his junior high years that the gospel truly gripped his heart, anchoring him in passages such as Galatians 6:7-9. Years later, God broke Steve’s heart for the lost in a dramatic way—convicting him of a need to care for the world the way God does (1 Tim. 2:4) and solidifying his call to full-time ministry.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Steve values his formal training but credits his two decades on the ground as a pastor for his deepest insights into ministry. He isn't afraid to be real about his own brokenness, openly sharing how God continually leads him through repentance, turning his focus away from selfishness and back toward the cross.
Steve views ministry not just as a privilege, but as a weighty, God-given responsibility. He is devoted to leading his family first—his incredible wife and three children—and is honored to shepherd the people of Village Bible Church.
Steve is ready to bring God's Word to our men's retreat, challenging us to step up, strip away selfishness, and align our hearts with God's mission.
Retreat Band - Ben Sperry
We are excited to have Ben Sperry leading our music for this year's men's retreat!
Ben is a familiar face in our community, serving as a dedicated teacher at Plano High School during the week and as the Worship Pastor at the Village Bible Church Plano campus on the weekends. He has a deep passion for leading our church family in authentic, modern worship that points people directly to the gospel.
While his daily focus is on his family, classroom, and ministry, athletic leadership has also played a significant role in Ben's story. Ben coached the men's and women's soccer teams at Plano High School for 16 years before stepping away to watch his own kids play. Today, he still channels that love for the game into youth ministry each summer, coaching for both the Village Bible Church summer soccer camp and coaching at a soccer camp in Somonauk IL.
At home, Ben is a devoted family man. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, and together they are raising three wonderful children.
Ben is ready to bring his unique blend of a teacher's heart, a coach’s energy, and a pastor’s spirit to our retreat. Come ready to strip away the noise of life, lock in with the band, and focus our hearts on the Lord.
Retreat Breakout - Joel Settecase
Joel has served in ministry since 2009. He and his wife, Aliza, live with their four children in Geneva and are members of the Sugar Grove campus of Village Bible Church, where Joel also serves on the preaching team.
Joel is the Executive Director of the Think Institute, a Christian teaching and outreach ministry that equips Christians to explain, share, and defend their faith. A former pastor and stateside missionary with Cru, today Joel is an apologist and a regular teacher for churches, men's ministries, and student groups.
Retreat Fees:
Entire Retreat Fee (Fri. - Sun.): $180
Retreat Fee + Thursday Head Start Option: $195
Early Registration Discount: $15 (Register online by Sept. 4.)
Non-Refundable Deposit: $25 (Included in Retreat Fee)
Retreaters can come on Thursday after 1 pm. Only lodging is available on Thursday. (No meals or program will be provided until dinner on Friday.)
Local Restaurants within 1/2 hr. of SBR
Golfing at Pickerel
Fishing on the Wolf River (WI licenses are required with a trout stamp)
Scenic drives
Meals, housing, and activities included in Registration
Additional Information:
Specialty Breakfasts - We have a tradition of preparing specialty breakfasts for you, in addition to the breakfast provided in the Dining Hall. This year we will once again be offering Buckboard breakfast and Loggers' breakfast.
Buckboard Breakfast - Start with a ride through the Nicolet National Forest up to our breakfast site, called Split Oak. You will be greeted with scrambled eggs, potatoes, and grilled PB+Js freshly cooked over a wood fire just for you. We hope you enjoy breakfast around a campfire, led by our very own Wranglers!
Loggers’ Breakfast - Listen to the birds and enjoy the views as you walk down to a lakeside campsite, where you can enjoy blueberry pancakes and sausages freshly cooked over a fire. Take your pick of coffee, orange juice, or milk to wash it all down!
Free Time Options: Horseback Riding, Climbing Wall, Zip Line, Airsoft, Pistol Range, Trap Shooting, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Mini Golf, Pickleball, Horseshoes, Pontoon Rides and more.
Trap Shooting- Use our guns and purchase both our ammo and clay pigeons at $5 for 10 shots or bring your own gun and ammo and purchase clay pigeons at $1 for 10 shots.
Pistol Range - Feel free to bring your own pistols**, but no high-caliber rifles or pistols, please. Targets are provided. This is only open when the trap range is open.
**All pistols must be locked up in your car. No concealed weapons are allowed on Silver Birch Ranch property.
Airsoft - Enjoy a beautiful wooded course with quality guns and safety equipment. The cost is $5 for, the gun, one full magazine and a mask. Games will be on a sign-up basis.. Please do not bring your own guns or pellets. Sorry, but our insurance does not allow the use of outside guns. There are no exceptions. Thanks for your understanding and compliance.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday
1:00 pm - Headstart arrivals begin (No programing or food)
Friday
3:00 - Check-in/Settle in, sign-ups for Friday activities (Dining Hall)
6:00 - Dinner
7:30 - Session in Chapel
8:30 - Sign-ups for Saturday activities
8:45-10:30 - Free-Time (Canteen, Hayrides, Campfires)
10:00 - Torch Hike (Leaves from dining hall)
Saturday
7:00 - Canteen Coffee Bar Open
7:00 - Morning Worship (Lodge)
8:00 - Breakfast (Buckboard - 7:30, Loggers - 8:00)
9:15 - Session in Chapel
11:00 - Free time activities (Zip, Horses, Trap/Gun Range)
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Seminar in Chapel (With Joel Settecase)
1:15 - Free time activities
2:00 - Canteen/Coffee Bar/Trading Post
4:30 - Hayride Tour of Camp (Leaves from dining hall)
5:30 - Men’s Dinner - Outside behind Dining Hall (Weather Permitting)
7:30 - Chapel
9:00-11:00 - Free-Time (Canteen, Hayrides, Campfires, Dodgeball at 9:30)
Sunday
7:00 - Coffee and Pastries (Dining Hall)
8:00 - Chapel
9:00 - Brunch (Buckboard Breakfast leaves at 9:00, Loggers at 9:00)
11:00 - Depart for home :(
If you would like to promote this event and encourage men from your men's ministry, work, or any other place to come to Silver Birch Ranch, we would be happy to provide you with promotional materials. Contact our office at 715-484-2742.