Men’s Conference
May 2-4, 2025
“The Sunday morning service was the best preaching I’ve heard at Mo!”
This conference is a retreat for men of all ages to come together and build connections through fun outdoor activities and worship!
73rd Annual Men’s Conference
What Is Men’s Conference?
Men’s Conference is a God-filled weekend in the wide-open spaces of the Texas Hill Country along the banks of the Guadalupe River at Mo-Ranch. This is our single largest and longest-running conference where hundreds of men from all ages gather together annually for fellowship and spiritual renewal.
What Will We Do?
Conference activities will include keynote presentations, worship, song, relaxation and recreation. Workshop courses will be offered covering a wide variety of educational and spiritual topics through five primary categories: Bible study, church, mission, personal development and social issues. Other course opportunities will be available that include a chance to learn new skills, indoors or outdoors. During Saturday afternoon, optional free time activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, ropes course, rappelling off the catwalk, fishing, washer pitchin’, sports activities and more!
Who Can Come?
All generations, men from 13 years and up. Ages 13-17 require an accompanying adult registration.
Conference Vision
The Men’s Conference at Mo-Ranch is a gathering of men who on a weekend meet to worship together in Word, song and Sacrament. United in their bond with the Lord and moved by His Spirit, they engage in fellowship, study, recreation and ministry to each other. Through the gifts of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, they receive renewed strength to go forth and live daily, sharing the love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, through words, deeds and activities.
Conference Goals
- Inspire the participants of this conference to reach beyond the manmade barriers of this world and share the love, understanding and joy of Jesus Christ.
- Provide an opportunity for each man at the conference to experience the presence of God in his life.
- To find it in ourselves to be open to finding ways to enrich our personal lives through establishing closer bonds among ourselves (men, fathers and sons/sons-in-law) using our faithfulness as a base.
- Provide instructive workshops for spiritual development, daily living, personal and congregational ministry.
- Encourage the men in the conference to minister to each other and learn from one another.
- Create an atmosphere for each man to have a joyful weekend at the conference.
- Increase the number of men of all ages whose lives are enriched by the conference.
- Inspire men to go forward as ambassadors for the ministry of Mo-Ranch.
Don’t miss an unforgettable weekend to grow in your faith with God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Matt Gaventa
Matt Gaventa is Senior Pastor at University Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. Matt previously served as pastor to Amherst Presbyterian Church in Amherst, Virginia, and as chaplain to Sweet Briar College. Matt is an acclaimed writer and preacher whose work has been featured in Working Preacher and in The Christian Century. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and of Texas Impact, as well as the Advisory Board for The Church Lab. Matt holds degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Iowa, and Princeton Theological Seminary, and is the is the 2012 recipient of the David H.C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award from Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Matt currently lives in Austin with his wife Sarah and their son Charlie. In his spare time, he hunts for tacos, heist movies, cornbread recipes, and hiking trails.
Worship Leader: Rev. Shane Webb
Shane is a kilt-wearing, beer-loving, pastor at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church. He is a Houston native (go Astros!) and previously served a church in East Texas (Mount Pleasant) before coming to Irving. Shane and his wife, Sarah, served in Lima, Peru as missionaries with the Young Adult Volunteer program. Shane is also a Spanish-speaking, salsa-dancing, soccer-playing, empanada-eating enthusiast of Latin American culture. He is the proud father of a son, a daughter, a cat, a dog, and usually an exchange student.
Music Leader: Isaiah Garcia
Isaiah is excited to be returning to Mo as the Music Leader for Men’s Conference 2025. With a passion for teaching musicians of all ages and abilities, he has directed the award-winning Rhodes Middle School Choir, performed with the Illumen Chamber Singers, and served as Choir Director for New Hope Presbyterian Church. Isaiah lives in Austin, TX where he enjoys writing music, exploring nature, and skateboarding. He looks forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting newcomers, and joining voices in worship!
Chaplain: Rev. Kendal Land
Kendal is a native of Shreveport, LA and a current resident of Longview, TX. He and his wife met at LSU in Baton Rouge and he went on to earn his Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. Now in year 22 of ministry, Kendal has pastored churches in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Texas.
He and his wife Lauren have three teenage children in addition to his adult daughter. A few years ago one of his friends, a professor at Denver Seminary, asked him to pursue a Doctorate in Ministry (DMin). He began pursuing this degree to have an excuse to meet his friend in Colorado for regular hikes and glasses of scotch; however, this has led him to study scarcity and generosity for the last several years while pursuing this degree.
Bible Study Leader: Rev. Dr. Bob Crilley
Bob is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine, Texas, where he has served since May of 1993. He and his wife, Judy, who is a chaplain at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, have three adult daughters, who live around the world—literally—one in Chicago, one in Copenhagen, and one in Seoul. Bob enjoys listening to the Beatles, reading John Updike, and watching Laurel and Hardy movies. He is a graduate of University of Michigan, Princeton Theological Seminary, McCormick Theological Seminary, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Austin College.
2025 Men’s Council:
President: John Kusewitt
Currently President of 360 Consulting Services specializing in Church, School, and Personal Safety. John retired after 35+ years of law enforcement with experience in patrol, traffic enforcement, communications, emergency management, and special operations. He is on the Grace Presbytery Disaster Response Team and serves as one of their ALICE Safety Trainers. John is married to Paula, a retired elementary school teacher. They enjoy family and travel, live in Garland, and are active members at FPC Mesquite where he serves in many capacities including Session, choir, and Safety Team Member. John has enjoyed his time serving on Mo-Ranch Men’s Council.
Vice President: Steve Flynn
Steve Flynn, AKA Flynn-Man, is in his 5th year of “an epic failed retirement!” After 33 years with General Motors, Steve decided to turn the page to the next chapter in his life – and that is when the fun really began. These days Steve finds himself busier than ever with church activities (Session Elder/Finance Ministry), finishing his Master’s Degree at Southern Methodist University in Dispute Resolution, and getting elected to Town Council. In his spare time, he began his mediation practice called Flynn-Man Dispute Resolution Services, LLC, and has completed over 250 mediations. Steve and his wife Teryl enjoy golf and travel and look forward to “seeing the world” – time permitting of course! He loves Mo-Ranch and serving on the Men’s Council as Secretary and continuing his faith journey.
Secretary: Bill Harrison
Bill is a widowed, 80+ year-old 3-time cancer survivor with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and an implanted pacemaker, who still enjoys an exciting and rewarding life of challenge, adventure, and accomplishment because of what he has learned about who he is and why he is here; i.e., what his purpose in life is. His current purpose is to empower others to enjoy this kind of life by helping them learn more about who they truly are and what their purpose is in life and encouraging them to pursue that purpose until it is accomplished. He looks forward every year to attending the Mo Ranch Men’s Conference for the fellowship and the learning and worshipping opportunities amidst the beauty of God’s creation.
Treasurer: Clarence Greer
Clarence is a flight instructor and pilot currently working for Flight Safety International as a Classroom and Simulator instructor. He’s Dad to 3 children and Grandfather to 6. Clarence has been a member of 1st Pres Mesquite since 1989 and has served in various roles of Elder, Deacon and Men’s Group President. His interests are flying, motorcycling, gardening, fishing and watching his grandchildren compete in sports and Cheerleading competitions.
Council Members for 2025 include: Les Staples, David Jones, Andy Phillips, Jr., Chris Harrison, Barry Webb, Ken Rigoulot, Dan Holbrook, Randy Whipple, Brandon Hall, Marshall Nelson, President’s Choice, and Russell Richard, Past President
Cost & Housing
Hotel/Premium: $425/person
Wynne-Flato, Pheasant Run, Nicklos Place, Nicklos Barn, Westminster, Gate House, Chicken Roost, Triplex Apartment
Group: $375/person
Guest Lodge, Milk Barn, Riverdorm Apartment
Dorm: $355/person
Log Lodge, Loma Linda, Riverdorm
Cabins: $300/person
Commuter: $250/person (includes dinners and lunch)
Rates include tuition, meals and housing. After receiving your registration, a member of our team will contact you within seven business days to confirm additional details such as housing requests (roommates), dietary needs, t-shirt sizes, etc.
Discounts
Participant under 40: $300.00/person Residence outside of Texas: $300.00/person
NO child under the age of 13 may register, and ages 13-17 require an accompanying adult registration. All registration costs include a free conference T-shirt. An additional conference polo can be purchased for just $30 more during online registration. When registering online please note only limited housing is available for online registration. If you have questions, please give us a call. Registration form and payment may be mailed or faxed to the program office. Make checks payable to Mo-Ranch. Mo-Ranch Program Office Attn: Registrar 2229 FM 1340 Hunt, TX 78028 Fax: 830.238.4014
Scholarships are available! Click here to learn more.
For help or questions about registration, contact the registrar at registrar@moranch.org or call 800-460-4401 x 246.
2025 Men’s Conference Caps
Health Release Form
All participants are required to submit a Health & Release form. A link to complete this form will be sent to registered participants two weeks prior to the conference.
Cancellation
Full refund minus administrative fee up to $75 per person will be made if cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the conference. There are generally no refunds for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the start of the event nor any applying of the amount paid toward other charges or future conferences.
Arrival and Departure
Conference registration begins at 4 p.m. Friday.
The opening plenary will be at 7:00 p.m. Conference ends at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
What to Bring
Bring a Bible, notebook, flashlight and rain gear. Linens are provided. Bring shoes suitable for Mo-Ranch’s rocky, uneven terrain.
Transportation
Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event.
If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport.
Click here for directions to Mo.
Ropes Course
This conference will include a selection of our ropes course elements. To read a description of each element, click here.
Trading Post
Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly Trading Post during your conference to pick out a souvenir!
Questions
We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.
Extend your fellowship through golf!
Grab your fellow golfers and join us for the Inaugural Mo-Ranch Calvin Cup! Arrive early for the Men’s Conference and play a round of golf with your team at the renowned River Hills Country Club in Kerrville. The tournament will be played in scramble format with tee times beginning at 9:30 am.
To register your team, please contact Echo Truax Clark at 830-459-3010.
Registration Options:
- Arriving before dinner on Thursday, your room, Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch, your round of golf and cart fees = $200 per person
- Just playing golf (with cart fees and lunch) = $85 per person
Would you rather skip the golf and arrive as an Early Bird at the ranch for a little relaxation?
- Arriving before dinner on Thursday, your room, Thursday dinner, and Friday breakfast and lunch = $150
