The Central America Missionary Retreat, CAMR 2026, was held February 2 through 7 in Panajachel, Guatemala, along the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlán. Nestled beneath three peaceful volcanoes, the setting provided a striking backdrop for a week devoted to renewal, prayer, and encouragement for missionaries serving throughout Central America and the Caribbean.
What began as a quiet seed planted nearly two and a half years ago in the heart of missionary Karen Kolb, while on furlough, became a testimony to God’s provision and timing. With the support of her brother, Kevin Kolb, pastor of Seminole Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, and the faithful labor of Team Guatemala, including Adriel and Kaitlynne Yos and Nicko and Denise Guyer, the vision moved forward one step at a time in prayer.
Karen reflected simply, “Being a missionary is a hard job, and we all need to be encouraged in the Lord in what we do. God brought this entire event together, and I’m very grateful that He did.”
It was so, so sweet, all of it! Share on XA Week of Renewal
Seventeen missionaries, along with ten children, gathered for the first official Central America Missionary Retreat. For some, it was a reunion. For others, it was their first opportunity to meet fellow BBF missionaries laboring in neighboring countries. From the moment of arrival, it was evident that this week would be intentional, Christ-centered, and restorative.
The retreat’s stated purpose was clear: to renew missionaries’ focus on Christ, prioritize intercessory prayer, provide spiritual encouragement, and offer physical and relational refreshment amid the challenges of cross-cultural ministry.
By every testimony, that purpose was accomplished.
The week was filled with preaching, corporate worship, extended prayer times, shared testimonies, fellowship over meals, games, a raffle, and even a boat ride on the lake. One attendee summarized it beautifully:
“Prayers, preaching, tears, laughter, joy, more prayers, encouragement, hugs, fellowship over meals, testimonies, singing praises to our Lord… It was so, so sweet, all of it!”
Christ, Our Hope and Our Goal
Kevin Carson, pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, served as the keynote speaker, leading seven sessions from the book of Colossians under the theme, “Christ, Our Hope and Our Goal”. His exposition reminded missionaries that Christ is not only the source of their hope, but the ultimate aim of their labor.
One participant noted gratitude for the exhortation to know Christ more and more, emphasizing that everything about the retreat worked together to create an environment where God could minister to His servants.
The times of corporate and personal prayer proved especially meaningful. In a powerful moment of intercession, fellow missionaries encircled a couple, laid hands on their shoulders, and prayed earnestly over burdens and decisions they were facing. Veteran missionary John Barnes testified that in 53 years on the field, he had never been prayed over as he was during this week.
Kevin Williams later reflected, “Several of the missionaries who made it to CAMR 2026 were apprehensive and pondered if it would be worth going. All 17 adults gave testimony that they were filled, overflowing, and blessed to be at such a retreat that focused on refreshment, revival, and the Word.”
What began with hesitation for some ended in overwhelming gratitude.
The Role of the Local Church
A defining feature of CAMR 2026 was the hands-on involvement of Seminole Baptist Church. A team from the church traveled to Guatemala not to attend, but to serve.
Pastor Kevin Kolb emphasized a crucial principle: “Providing missionary care is not primarily the responsibility of the BBFI Missions Office, it is the role of the local church.”
He further observed the joy of watching his church members serve “God’s global servants,” noting that the trip would impact Seminole’s approach to missionary care for years to come.
Providing missionary care is not primarily the responsibility of the BBFI Missions Office, it is the role of the local church. Share on XFrom organizing logistics to preparing meals, leading children’s activities, and offering personal encouragement, the team modeled what intentional missionary care can look like. The children were not overlooked. Daily programming ensured that missionary parents could fully engage in preaching and prayer sessions, while their sons and daughters were lovingly cared for.
Kevin Williams shared personally, “As a dad and pastor, the greatest joy was seeing my 18-year-old daughter serve these missionaries with the talents she was given.”
This retreat was held with the blessing of the BBFI Mission Office. In a tangible expression of partnership, the Mission Office provided lunch for all the missionaries one day during the week.
Additionally, six churches and seven individuals graciously contributed financially to make CAMR 2026 possible. Their generosity ensured that once missionaries arrived in Guatemala, the only expenses incurred during the retreat was the cost of their daily lunches.
Refreshed and Recommissioned
Missionaries serving in countries such as Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and beyond testified that they returned to their respective fields strengthened in heart and renewed in purpose.
Corey Wilcher summarized the sentiment of many: “CAMR 2026 was everything we needed and more. Our cup was beyond filled. Our family left refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to get back to our field of work.”
Luz Palavicini expressed the impact of the prayer times, saying she realized she was not alone and that Christ in her is sufficient to continue sharing the message where God has called her.
Vanessa Hartzog perhaps captured the long-term significance best: “The retreat was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I left encouraged and ready to get back to Nicaragua to keep pushing back the darkness and shining the light of Christ.”
Above all, the Lord met us there in Guatemala. Share on XIn an era when international mission agencies have noted an alarming trend of missionary resignations, retreats like CAMR 2026 serve as a tangible reminder that renewal in Christ, sustained prayer, and intentional care matter deeply.
Looking Ahead
The consensus among attendees was clear. If the Lord allows, CAMR will gather again in 2028. What was once a seed of prayer has now become a model of missionary care that other BBF churches could prayerfully consider adopting.
What began for some with the words, “I simply did not want to go,” ended in praise to God for His kindness and provision.
Jonathan Robertson shared, “Team Guatemala labored faithfully. Seminole Baptist Church sacrificed generously. Kevin Carson fed us from the Word diligently. And many others served quietly behind the scenes. Above all, the Lord met us there in Guatemala.”
And they returned to their fields not with lighter assignments, but with strengthened hearts, renewed focus, and Christ once again firmly fixed as their Hope and their Goal.