Sometimes a simple invitation can change everything. For Ryan Lupka, it was a gentle nudge from a friend to attend the 2025 Men’s Retreat. For Thomas Walker, it was a chance to connect with other men who were seeking to grow in faith and navigate life together.
Neither knew that a weekend retreat would lead to a lasting friendship, much less a thriving small group.
When Ryan and Thomas arrived at the retreat, they were strangers. Ryan admits he was hesitant to attend.
“I probably wouldn’t have signed up if it weren’t for the personal invitation,” he says. “I didn’t really know anyone else on the retreat, and I felt a bit anxious about making new connections.”
That changed quickly.
The two struck up a conversation on the first evening over a shared interest in wristwatches. As the weekend unfolded, they discovered even more common ground, including similar experiences that had led them to Christ Church.
An Unexpected Discovery
Then came an unexpected discovery: they lived only minutes apart.
“We figured out that we are practically neighbors and live only a five-minute drive apart,” Ryan recalls.
What began as a conversation at a retreat soon became a genuine friendship. Today, the two regularly take walks together, celebrate milestones, support one another through challenges, and even help care for each other’s pets when one is away.
The friendship also sparked something larger. Along with Jim Ausman, another retreat participant, Ryan and Thomas began talking about their desire for a men’s small group where they could continue building the connections they had formed on retreat. Their shared vision led to the creation of a Stronger Together group, a men’s Bible study and fellowship group that meets twice a month.
“We were looking for a way to continue the connection that we initially made at the Men’s Retreat,” says Thomas. “I was specifically looking for some other guys with whom I could grow in my faith and figure out life.”
What started as three men meeting together has steadily grown into a larger community. “It has been really cool to see how the Wednesday evening group has grown from three guys to a larger group,” Thomas says. “There is something relationally powerful when you have men who decide to show up for each other week after week.”
The group combines Bible study, conversation, and mutual support. Members check in on one another, discuss the challenges and joys of everyday life, and reflect together on scripture and faith.
Authentic Connections
For both Ryan and Thomas, one of the most meaningful aspects of the group is the opportunity for authentic connection.
“I particularly enjoy having a space where I can talk about matters of the heart and faith and deeper issues,” Thomas says. “So many interactions during the week feel passing or shallow.”
Ryan agrees. “I love that this group is a comfortable and safe space for guys of all ages and walks of life to gather and be open and real with each other,” he says.
The impact extends beyond Wednesday evenings. Both men say the friendships formed through the group have deepened their connection to Christ Church and strengthened their faith.
“I feel more connected to church, more challenged to grow in my faith, and more invested in the lives of others,” says Thomas.
Ryan adds, “I’m grateful for the fellowship and friendships that have formed out of this group. It means a lot to be able to connect with other men at church who can empathize with and encourage each other.”
Looking back, both point to the same lesson: meaningful community often begins with simply saying yes. “This group wouldn’t exist if Ryan, Jim, and I, who were all first-timers on the Men’s Retreat, didn’t decide to put ourselves out there and go on the retreat in the first place,” Thomas says.
Today, they encourage others to take that same step, whether it’s joining a small group, attending a men’s ministry event, or signing up for the next retreat. You never know where one invitation or conversation might lead.