Inside St. Peter’s & St. Anne’s Youth Retreat

In many ways, this parish mirrors Abaco itself: shaped by past experiences, yet defined by an unshakeable sense of hope and faith. Having weathered the catastrophic force of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the faithful have journeyed together in rebuilding not just their homes and churches, but their very sense of community.

Among the many hallmarks of parish life under the leadership of Fr. Kris Higgs is a steady devotion to the formation and flourishing of its young people. “The parish of St. Peter’s and St. Anne’s usually has summer events every year, whether it be VBS or a youth retreat,” Fr. Kris explained. “It’s something we prioritize.”

Each year, their youth retreat serves as a spiritual pilgrimage — a chance for young people to step away from familiar shores, encounter God anew, build friendships, and deepen their understanding of Anglican faith and history. But this year’s retreat was unlike any other, stretching far beyond Abaco’s borders and blossoming into what could easily be described as a diocesan-wide support of the parish’s youth.

“This year,” Fr. Kris recounted, “the leaders, the PYC — that’s our Parish Youth Council — they wanted to have the retreat elsewhere. They wanted to step outside Abaco.”

It was a bold dream. Taking dozens of young people and chaperones off-island requires careful logistics, significant financial resources, and the goodwill of many partners. But Fr. Kris felt convicted to support the vision of his young leaders. “So I was able to call upon my brothers and sisters in Christ — my colleagues, fellow priests — to help me with the youth retreat.”

It was at the annual clergy conference that he formally made the request. “I asked some people to assist, and many stepped up. That made it a grand youth retreat.”

Indeed, what began as a parish initiative soon grew into a collective embrace by the wider diocesan family. From Nassau’s historic churches to schools, sports clubs, and even local businesses, dozens of hands contributed to creating an experience that these young people will carry for a lifetime.

Friday morning, after their early arrival in Nassau, the youth embarked on a day designed to ground them in the rich heritage of The Bahamas and of their own Church.

“We parked on Bay Street, right in front of Christ Church Cathedral,” Fr. Kris described. “The Dean gave them a history of the cathedral. He spoke to them about it, and then, after, they went on a tour of the grounds”.

That small moment of hospitality from the Very Rev’d Harry Bain, Dean of Nassau and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral, was more than simple refreshment. It symbolized the open doors of the Mother Church to the youth of the Diocese, who so often feel overlooked.

From there, the group walked down to the Pompey Museum, where they explored the harrowing yet crucial stories of Bahamian slavery and emancipation. Later, at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, they glimpsed the creative spirit and history that defines their nation.

“These morning events really set the tone,” Fr. Kris said. “It showed them where we came from as a people, and even helped them see how our Church was intertwined with the story of education and freedom in The Bahamas.”

After a brief stop at the Mall of Marathon for lunch, the group checked into their Airbnbs. But there was no time to waste.

“At the Airbnb, we had our first speaker, Reverend Dr. Kari Marcel,” said Fr. Higgs. Fr. Marcel is a beloved priest and educator within the Diocese. “He set the tone for the evening.”

The theme for the retreat was drawn from 1 Timothy 4:12:

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Fr. Marcel’s session unpacked this in ways that were deeply relevant. “He spoke about how even though people sometimes look down on you just because you’re young, you still have a responsibility to live in such a way that they see Christ in you,” Fr. Kris summarized.

It was a theme that would resonate throughout every talk, church visit, and conversation that weekend.

That evening, the group journeyed to the Parish of Holy Trinity, where they were welcomed by Fr. Rodino Rolle, Fr. Bowe, their seminarian, and the Holy Trinity youth group.

“They got to Holy Trinity a little early, before the youth group meeting,” Fr. Kris said. “Between Father Rondino and Father Bowe, they welcomed them, gave them a history of Holy Trinity, let them see around, and then joined in with the youth group.”

Again, 1 Timothy 4:12 was at the center. Fr. Rolle delivered a passionate talk on how young people can model Christ in their generation. “The youth group activities revolved around that theme,” said Fr. Kris. “At the end of the night, they all had dinner together.”

The experience left a deep impression. “Some of the chaperones commented on how wonderful it was to see the youth of Holy Trinity pray,” he continued. “They were inspired to see growth within our own parish youth that they, too, can reach that level of prayer and maturity.”

The evening ended back at the Airbnb with a joyful debrief. The group named Courtney Rolle, a five-year-old who actively participated in every activity, as the day’s standout, an early embodiment of not letting anyone take advantage of her youth.

Saturday morning began with a youth service at St. Agnes, another parish that played a pivotal role in the weekend.

“St. Agnes treated us to breakfast,” Fr. Kris recounted gratefully. But it was what came next that especially stood out: a server’s retreat led by Fr. Howard Bethel and the youth of St. Agnes.

“I wish I could remember everyone’s names,” Fr. Kris admitted. “But they really stepped up. Everyone learned so much.”

The retreat was part historical exploration, part liturgical training, and fully a celebration of Anglican identity. “Our chaperones admitted they didn’t know half of this stuff about Anglicanism, our history, how we poured into the educational system of The Bahamas.”

From St. Agnes, the group traveled to the Squash Club on Village Road. “Father Scott Jupp invited us there,” said Fr. Kris. Many of the youth were introduced to squash for the first time. “They participated, they played games. It was something new.”

But perhaps the most moving part of the weekend came next. The group journeyed to the Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home, partnering with Fr. Jupp and the youth of St. Matthew’s Parish.

“Father Jupp was another speaker,” Fr. Kris explained. “He talked to our youth and the youth at the children’s home about 1 Timothy 4:12.”

Then the fun truly began. “We did sack races, three-legged races, egg-and-spoon… all these games,” said Fr. Kris. “Father Jupp even had a DJ out there, and we all enjoyed pizza together.”

It was a practical lesson in love and presence. By simply being there — laughing, sharing games, eating side by side — these young Anglicans lived out what it means to set an example “in love” as St. Paul instructed Timothy.

Sunday morning brought them to St. Barnabas for the 7:00 a.m. Eucharist. “St. Barnabas treated us to breakfast,” Fr. Kris said, still delighted. “Chicken souse, grits, and tuna, sausage… it was wonderful.”

Fr. Bain’s sermon centered on — of course — 1 Timothy 4:12, reinforcing everything the youth had been hearing all weekend. “He was able to give them some real pointers on how to be an example even as young people.”

Later, the group made brief stops at other churches, including St. George’s, soaking in the life of the wider diocesan family.

Sunday evening, the group joined St. Agnes for the march that processed “over the hill” to Christ Church Cathedral for evensong and benediction during the Diocesan Patronal Festival.

Fr. Kris was quick to stress that none of this could have happened without widespread support.

“I want to thank everyone who made the youth retreat spectacular,” he said. “From St. Agnes, who not only provided breakfast and did the servers’ retreat, but even financially assisted some of the servers who couldn’t afford to come from Abaco to Nassau. Thank you to Father Peter Scott for his donation, and to everyone who donated.”

It was nearly diocesan in scope. “Father Rondino Rolle, Father Deangelo Bowe, Father Howard Bethel, the PYC at Holy Trinity, Father Roderick Bain at St. Barnabas, who organized breakfast — thank you. Thank you to St. John’s School, because they allowed us to use their bus.”

Looking back, Fr. Kris said what struck him most was how the retreat exposed the young people to “other young priests telling them about being young, being youthful and about not giving anyone an excuse to despise their youth.”

“You see, people despise youth in so many ways,” he said. “So you don’t want to prove them right. You don’t want to give them reason to say, ‘See, this is why we don’t give the youth a chance — look what they’ll do with it.’ The many talks gave different lessons on how not to fall into that.”

The Parish of St. Peter’s and St. Anne’s stands today as a shining example of the diocesan theme: “Family Matters.” They have created a culture where young people are not just tolerated but celebrated, invested in, and entrusted with the future of the Church.

By taking their retreat beyond Abaco, they broadened their horizons not just geographically, but spiritually and relationally. They drew closer to their Anglican roots, made new friends across parishes, served the vulnerable, and learned to set examples in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

When asked what he hoped the youth carried home, Fr. Kris paused. “I hope they see the Church is bigger than just Abaco. That it’s alive, it’s filled with people who care about them. That being Anglican is something rich, something meaningful.”

Perhaps no single sermon or talk can do that alone. But together — in the cathedral tour, in Fr. Marcel’s exhortation, in playing squash, in serving at Elizabeth Estates, in receiving breakfast from strangers who became family — a deep lesson was planted.

“Let no one despise your youth,” St. Paul told Timothy. In Abaco and throughout our Diocese, young people are learning not only how to believe that, but how to live it.

We give thanks for Fr. Kris Higgs, for every priest and parish that opened doors and hearts, for every lay leader and donor who made it possible, and most especially for the young people who continue to lead us into God’s future.

May this retreat be only the beginning of many more diocesan partnerships, and may the spirit of 1 Timothy 4:12 continue to inspire us all.