What's the best way to print out the notetaking guides?
You can print them out in color, as it is a color document. However, a lot of our allies choose to save money and simply print them out in black and white.
Do you have to attend Wild at Heart BASIC or Boot Camp before attending BAKR?
No. It helps, but it is not a prerequisite. BAKR is designed as a deep dive into discipleship in the Wild at Heart message, but is also an awesome event for a first-timer who is willing to take the risk and authentically engage with an open heart.
Do you have to attend a Become Good Soil event before attending BAKR?
No. It helps, but it is not a prerequisite. BAKR is designed as a deep dive into discipleship in the Wild at Heart message, but is also an awesome event for a first-timer who is willing to take the risk and authentically engage with an open heart.
Why doesn’t the schedule include traditional retreat elements like worship or communion?
We do have worship built in to a few of the morning sessions. Additionally, this is not a typical men's event. Trust us on the schedule and format—you’ll understand why later.
Do I need to follow the four-day schedule?
If you would like to publicly list your BAKR on our website for anyone to find and attend, then yes, we require you to follow the schedule exactly. The reason is that we're promoting the BAKR listings on our website to thousands of people each month and guaranteeing that these promoted events will all be led in the same manner. Also, through more than a decade of experience, we’ve learned that this schedule works.
What about meals?
Choose simple, ready-made meals. Don’t require prep of the attendees. If prep and cleanup take more than 10 minutes, we recommend having a dedicated person taking care of meals who is not involved in the event. Meal time—not the sessions—is also the chance to make any “housekeeping announcements.”
Can you facilitate this alone?
You can, but we encourage you to find a partner or a small team to help. It’s always better to engage this mission with a team if possible.
Should we charge men to attend BAKR?
This is your choice. However, this event is not intended to be a “for-profit” venture. We provide all the material to you at no charge. Our assumption is that the only additional costs would be meals, knives, and perhaps a facility charge. Some facilitators choose to absorb these costs. Others charge a minimal fee to cover costs. Walk with God.
What’s the best way to show the videos clearly?
First, download the videos for free in Section 6: Downloads.
You’ll want to use a laptop that has an HDMI output to connect to your TV or projector.
Does attending BAKR count as the BASIC/Boot Camp pre-requisite for the live BGS Intensive?
Yes, when you attend BAKR it’s just like attending a Boot Camp or a BASIC. Your attendance at BAKR meets the requirement to attend the live Become Good Soil Intensive.
What's a story group?
Great question. (These are explained in more detail in the Facilitator Training session. Leaders should all watch this video.) Every participant will have the privilege of being a part of a BAKR story group. Facilitators for these groups are optional. If you have mature leaders, assigning facilitators to each story group is recommended. Story groups should have no more than four participants and no fewer than three (not including facilitators). In addition to a check in each morning, there are four story-group gatherings scheduled during the retreat. Each man gets one full hour to share his story and receive prayer in response. These story groups are explained to the participants at the end of Session 2. Facilitators do not share their stories in the story groups. If attendees are interested in hearing a facilitator’s story, that sharing can take place over meals or during free time.
Do the story groups have to have a formal leader or facilitator?
Facilitators for these groups are optional. If you have mature leaders, assigning facilitators to each story group is recommended. It is not essential.
Is there an age requirement for participating in a BAKR?
No. It is recommended that no man under 18 years of age participate. This retreat is not targeted for a particular age of man but rather for a stage of masculine development through which every man must pass. In the earlier years, this retreat targeted men 25 to 45. But we have learned this deep dive into Becoming a King has much more to do with the parts of each man in need of masculine initiation. Regardless of an attendee’s biological age, look for how God is surfacing parts within his soul in need of Fathering, initiation, and care at different stages of development.
