October 17 – 19, 2025
Blue Lake, Andalusia, AL
The weekend will include break-out sessions, pumpkin carving, canoeing, roasting marshmallows, playing games, and fellowshipping! Dr. Jason Borders, Huntingdon College Professor of Religion, will be our retreat speaker.
More about Dr. Jason
Dr. Jason Borders earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Theology, Brunel University, in March 2004. His dissertation, entitled “Place as Mission: Temple Ideology and Function in the Intertextual Relationship of Isaiah 66 to the Temple Scroll and Acts 7,” was successfully defended before committee at Queen’s College, Oxford University, in February 2004. His areas of specialization include Luke–Acts, Isaiah, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. In addition, Dr. Borders holds a Master of Divinity cum laude in Biblical and Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Millsaps College. Non-degree work has taken Dr. Borders to Israel, where he completed the Intensive Summer Ulpan in Modern Hebrew at the University of Haifa (1997), as well as the Graduate Year Program of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1997–98).
Previous positions held by Dr. Borders include Foreign Student Advisor for the University of Mississippi (1998–99), Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religion for Union College (2003), and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies for the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies, Israel (1997–2004). While holding the latter position, Dr. Borders led tours throughout Israel for church laity and continues to enjoy traveling and teaching in Israel.
Dr. Borders has presented a number of seminars to churches and colleges on the following topics: “When God is on Our Side: Religion, Politics, and Perspective;” “A Place Called It: A Biblical Perspective of God and Land;” “The Galilean and Judean Ministries of Jesus Christ;” “Christ and the Fifth Gospel;” “Diversity and the International Community;” “First Century Israel and the Ministry of Jesus Christ;” “Political Climate of Modern Israel;” “The 8th Century Prophets;” and “Post-Holocaust Jewish Theology.” In addition, Dr. Borders has published reviews in the Review of Biblical Literature, Themelios, and Ashland Theological Journal.
Dr. Borders believes his career at Huntingdon is fundamentally a ministry of the Church. In fact, Dr. Borders is an Ordained Elder in the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his family are members of First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, where he serves as Theologian in Residence. Born in Tupelo, Miss., and growing up as the son of a United Methodist pastor in the Mississippi Conference, Dr. Borders is excited about contributing to Huntingdon’s mission by helping, enabling, and encouraging students as they begin the process of discerning their life’s calling.
And last, but certainly not least, Dr. Borders is the husband of Margaret Borders, whose specialty is medical technology. They have two children, Caleb and Leah Grace. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, beekeeping, and even a little banjo playing.
Things to know before you go!
• Blue Lake Address: 8500 Oakwood Ln, Andalusia, AL 36420
• We will be staying in Oakwood. Room assignments will be sent out 2 weeks before. Contact Mici Kuba with any questions.
• Check-In is from 5:30 – 6:30pm on Friday in Oakwood Lobby. If you are arriving before 6:30pm, dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to Mici Kuba by noon Thursday.
Must Bring:
• Bed Linens and towels (Bed linens and towels are no longer furnished)
Suggested Necessities to Bring (aka must haves):
• Liquid Hand Soap
• Bug Repellant
• Outdoor Clothing
• Snacks to Share
• Sunscreen
• Baby Supplies
• S’more Skewers
• Bible
• Flashlight
• Toiletries
• Medicine
• Kleenex
• Pajamas and Slippers
• Pumpkin Carving Supplies
Recommended Items to Bring (aka nice to have):
• Tennis Equipment
• Lawn Chairs
• Walkie Talkies
• Bathing Suit
• Stroller for little kids
• Outside toys
• School colors for football watching
• Limited snacks (fruit, breakfast bars, popcorn)
• Hot drinks (coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate) are provided by the Blue Lake Committee.
• If your family will need extra snacks or cold drinks, a small stocked cooler is recommended.
Blue Lake General Rules:
1) Quiet hours are between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Groups should be in their lodging facility no later than 11:00 p.m. Quiet time must be observed by all.
2) No alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms, or fireworks allowed at camp.
3) No pets are allowed in any of the facilities at Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly. Exception: Service Dogs.
4) No skates, skateboards or roller-blades are allowed at Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly. Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly cannot and will not be held liable for any accident involving this type of equipment.
Swimming & Canoeing
No swimming or paddling in the lake unless there is a lifeguard. All groups are required to swim within the roped swimming areas on the Lake and/or at the direction of the Life Guards.
Canoeing Rules
1) Only two adults to a canoe and no more than three persons at one time.
2) An adult will accompany children 12 years of age and under.
3) Life jackets will be worn at all times
Cell Phone Service? There is very limited cell phone service. It would be safe to assume while you are on Blue Lake property you will not be getting calls, text or internet.
How do You keep up with kids, tween or youth? Each family has different rules. I suggest you get a watch or have a specific time or place to meet the kids. I have heard of people using walkie talkies. Your children are your responsibility when they are not in session. During sessions children and youth are expected to be with their assigned group or with parents. Children and youth should not be left in rooms alone.
* No running in halls.
* Please keep popcorn in the lounge or outside.
* Sleeping in hammocks overnight is only allowed with an adult present.
What snack should I bring to share with our church family? We encourage families to share their favorite snack with your church family. The church provides fruit, popcorn, snack bars, hot chocolate, and coffee in the lounge. You can be as simple or as elaborate as you want (Suggestions: chex mix, brownies, cookies, hummus). I promise it will be eaten. (I suggest bringing the food in a container that you do not care if it gets lost or thrown away.) Snacks can be dropped off in the designated area in the lounge/lobby.
Should we bring extra food and drinks? If there is a snack or drink you can’t live without then bring it, especially for kids. I have found over 12 years of going, I take a bunch and never use most of it.
What is free time? Do we have to do all the activities? There is no scheduled programming from noon until 4 PM on Saturday. We have many activities available to choose from during free time, so feel free to plug in to whatever you would like to do. There are designated times, but it is optional.
What is a gaga pit? Basically, cage dodgeball! It is located by the gym.
Is there a lake? Yes, there is a small lake and during free time there are life guards. Your family can swim, canoe, paddle boat. There are life guards provided from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Saturday.
Do we need to bring a pumpkin? No, Pumpkins provided by Laura B. McAuley DDS Pediatric Dentistry. Please bring your own pumpkin carving supplies.
Evaluation Forms: Please fill out an evaluation form at the end of retreat. This helps us keep up with the things you like and want to keep.