Lakeside Bible Retreats – Mount Carmel Ministries

Christ-Centered Bible Retreats for Adults of All Ages · Lake Carlos, MN

Lakeside
Bible Retreats

Christ-Centered
Bible Study
Hymns & Music
Fellowship
Rest by the Lake
All Ages 18+

Christ-centered Bible retreats on the shores of Lake Carlos for adults of every age and stage — twenties to nineties — gathering for Bible study, hymns, fellowship, and rest. Open to all denominations and backgrounds. The Fall Hymn Festival (Sept 20–23) is open for registration — and first-time attendees come free this year!

Fall 2026

This Fall's Retreat

Gracia Grindal
September 20–23, 2026

Speaker: Gracia Grindal·Musician: Tim Peterson

Fall Hymn Festival: New & Old Favorites

Come learn about and sing your favorite hymns — and discover some wonderful new ones. Led by Gracia Grindal — scholar, poet, and hymn writer — with musician Tim Peterson, this year's festival gathers the beloved old chestnuts we grew up on but rarely sing anymore (with the stories behind them), brand-new psalm hymns from Gracia's just-released collection set to familiar tunes you already know, and a taste of new songs from Scandinavia. Each day journeys through the church's great treasury of song — across centuries, traditions, and seasons. You'll learn, you'll laugh, and you'll find yourself woven into a warm community of song.

Year of Jubilee · First-Time Attendees Come Free!

Never been to Hymn Festival before? This year, first-timers come free — and it's the perfect year to bring a friend who's never come.

HymnsFall RetreatCommunityMusicFirst-Timers Free
Gracia Grindal

Guest Speaker · September 2026

Gracia M. Grindal

Gracia Grindal is Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric at Luther Seminary, where she taught from 1984 to 2014. A prolific hymn writer, poet, and scholar, she has served on the hymn text committees of the Lutheran Book of Worship and several other mainline hymnals. Her latest book, What a Fellowship: Remembering Augsburg Seminary and the Lutheran Free Church (Fortress Press), was released this summer, and her newest collection of psalm hymns — several of which she'll introduce at this year's festival — has just been published. She maintains a weekly hymn blog at hymnfortheday.com.

Full profile at Luther Seminary →
Sample Schedule (based on 2025 — subject to change)
Sunday
3:00–5:00 pmRegistration & Check-in
5:30 pmSupper (Lodge)
7:00 pmOrientation & Hymns (Chapel)
8:30 pmCampfire
Monday
8:00 amBreakfast (Lodge)
9:30 amHymns with Gracia Grindal
12:00 pmLunch (Lodge)
7:00 pmHymn Celebration (Chapel)
Tuesday
8:00 amBreakfast (Lodge)
9:00 amHymns with Gracia Grindal
11:00 amWorship with Hymns
7:00 pmHymn Celebration (Chapel)
Wednesday
8:00 amBreakfast (Lodge)
9:00 amHymns with Gracia Grindal
11:30 amClosing Celebration & Group Photo
12:00 pmLunch (Lodge)

2026 Pricing

Cost Estimator

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Payment Schedule
Today — $300 deposit at registration
At Arrival — Remaining balance

The Setting

Life on Lake Carlos

Mount Carmel sits on the serene shores of Lake Carlos in Alexandria, Minnesota — a place designed for rest, reflection, and reconnection.

View Housing Options →
🛏️
Air-Conditioned Cabins
Brand-new cabins with modern comforts, lake views, and quality bedding for a truly restful stay.
🌊
Lake Access
Direct access to Lake Carlos for swimming, boating, and peaceful lakeside time.
🍽️
Dining
Nourishing meals served in a warm, communal atmosphere — no cooking required.
⛪
Chapel
A dedicated space for worship, prayer, and quiet reflection throughout your stay.
🌲
Outdoor Activities
Hiking trails, bonfires, and open recreation spaces surrounded by Minnesota nature.
🏛️
Conference Rooms
Well-equipped gathering spaces for teaching sessions and group discussion.
👥
Community Spaces
Common areas for fellowship, conversation, and the friendships that form at camp.
📶
Wi-Fi
Available for practical needs — though we hope you'll be too occupied to use it much.

Ready to Join Us?

Register for the Hymn Festival

Spaces fill quickly. Secure your spot at this fall's Hymn Festival, September 20–23 — open to adults of every age on Lake Carlos. First-time attendees come free!

Estimate Your Cost
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$350
$300 deposit today
See full payment schedule ↓
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