Did you know?

Ministry of Presence

Did you know that one of the foundational principles of the ACTS Retreat is what we call a ministry of presence? At its heart, this means that the retreat team is intentionally present to the retreatants throughout the retreat experience. This presence is about creating a space where retreatants can encounter Christ through genuine human connection.

This ministry of presence is sacramental in two important ways. First, through the team’s service and attentiveness, Christ is made present to the retreatants. Second, the team serves Christ Himself, who is already present in each retreatant. Because of this sacred responsibility, team members are asked to set aside distractions and keep things simple so they can truly be present with the retreatants. In other words, teams are asked not to put on plays or use costumes or elaborate décor during the retreat, as these can take away from the ability to maintain meaningful presence for the retreatants.

For many, this experience is profoundly meaningful. Having someone simply be with them, pray with them, and listen without trying to solve their problems can be healing and transformative. In a world that moves quickly and often overlooks the individual, this intentional presence becomes a powerful sign of God’s love.

If you have any questions about the ministry of presence, you can read more in the ACTS Retreat Manual on page 13. You are also welcome to contact the ACTS Missions office at 210-756-5493.

The River Rule

If you have been on an ACTS Retreat, you may remember hearing about the “River Rule.” This simple phrase—“What is said on this side of the river stays on this side of the river”—has long been used by retreat teams and retreatants to express one of the most essential elements of the ACTS experience: confidentiality.

Confidentiality creates a spiritual safe space where men, women, and teens can share their sacred stories and reflect on how God is moving in their lives. It allows retreatants to open their hearts without fear of judgment or exposure, and it protects the deeply personal moments that unfold throughout the retreat.

In practice, confidentiality covers:

• Testimonies or faith sharing shared during team formation

• All personal testimonies from the retreat

• Anything shared in tables or large group

• Any personal experiences or information shared by someone else

It is important to note that retreat confidentiality is not the same as legal privilege or the Seal of Confession. Any matter requiring legal confidentiality or sacramental confidentiality must be addressed only in those appropriate settings.

For additional guidance, please refer to pages 14–15 of the ACTS Retreat Manual, which provide a detailed overview, and page 148.