Courtney Herod
Courtney Herod
Rebecca Carpenter
Nosoca Pines Ranch welcomed couples in February for Romance at the Ranch, a marriage retreat focused on strengthening love, connection, and spiritual unity. With 50 couples attending each weekend, the retreat offered time for worship, reflection, and renewed commitment to Christ-centered homes.
This year’s theme, “Love in Any Language,” reflected both the diversity of the Carolina Conference family, and the truth that Christ-centered love reaches across culture and background. Through acts of service, intentional listening, and prayer, couples were reminded that love is best learned by following Jesus’ example.
During the English weekend, Steven Conway, pastor, and Tamara Conway, of Troy, Mich., led sessions on communication, emotional connection, and spiritual intimacy. Their presentations combined practical counsel with humor and honesty, creating space for couples to reflect and grow. Attendees left with renewed purpose on how they daily relate to one another.
The Spanish weekend featured Lino and Maria Salcedo, who shared presentations centered on mutual respect, sacrificial love, and the role of faith in sustaining marriage. Their messages resonated with attendees and reinforced the retreat’s emphasis on spiritual unity in the home.
A highlight of both weekends was the banquet evening, when couples wore attire representing their cultural backgrounds. Traditional garments and colorful dress added to the celebration and served as a visible reminder that, while cultures may differ, Christ unites families in love.
Some of the weekend’s most meaningful moments came outside the scheduled sessions. Couples prayed together, walked the grounds of Nosoca Pines Ranch, and took time to reconnect away from the pace of daily life. The retreat provided space to slow down and focus intentionally on marriage.
The impact of Romance at the Ranch continued beyond the weekend. Couples returned home with renewed habits, deeper understanding, and a shared desire to reflect Christ’s love in their homes. Strong marriages are built intentionally, nurtured daily, and sustained by God’s grace.
Organizers are already looking ahead to next year’s retreat opportunities. Planned dates for the English Retreat are February 12-14, 2027, and for the Spanish Retreat are February 19-21, 2027.
For couples who have never attended, the retreat offers dedicated time to grow together and invite God’s leading into their marriage. In every culture, every home, and every season of life, couples are learning to speak love more faithfully.
Carolina | May 2026
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