by Mary Buckner

In the 1970s, Shirley Robertson was serving as Youth Consultant in what used to be BGAV’s Sunday School/Church Training department. While in that role, she offered to take on the responsibility for ministry to individuals with special needs.

During Shirley’s childhood, Shirley’s aunt—who had special needs—came to live with Shirley’s family after her last remaining parent died. So Shirley grew up alongside this aunt, and her experiences changed her life.

God nudged Shirley to confront the spiritual needs of people in Virginia who, like her aunt, had a variety of special needs. These people were largely ignored by society back then, but Shirley recalled that one of the things her aunt most desired from Shirley was for her to read to her from the Bible. And Shirley was glad to do so.

The staff members at the “Board” (now BGAV) were offered a chance every few years to take a sabbatical—a time of rest and also for further education. Sensing God urging her, Shirley decided to expand her education and studied toward a Master’s degree in special education. When she completed her studies and received the degree, God then nudged her to do something specific for individuals in Virginia with special needs. The annual fall Retreat for Teens and Adults with Special Needs was born.

The first retreats were held for one day every mid-October at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center. Over the next 50 years, that same retreat has expanded to a three-day weekend, with campers attending from several different denominations and even from nearby states: North Carolina, Tennessee, and Maryland.

Because Shirley Robertson responded to God’s nudges into her life, hundreds of people with special needs look forward to this event every year.  

This fall, leaders and participants will gather to celebrate 50 years of this retreat from October 17-19. More details about this year’s retreat will be available soon on Eagle Eyrie’s website at www.eagleeyrie.org. Registration opens July 1.

‍