The international TEC retreat movement will come together for its annual gathering at the Sarto Retreat Center in Evansville, Indiana, from July 11-13, 2025. This year, the ministry will be celebrating 60 years since its first retreat in 1965. Members of local TEC communities will meet for three days of fellowship, resources, prayer and networking. Anyone 18 or older who is involved with TEC, past or present, is invited to attend.
The gathering is coordinated by the TEC Conference, the organizing body for the international TEC Movement. Steve Angrisano, an internationally recognized Catholic composer, presenter and music missionary, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.
During the 60th Anniversary Celebration, the TEC family will also present Joe LaScala (Belleville, IL) and John Ivas (Derry, NH) with the 2025 Heritage Award. The Heritage Award is the highest honor given by the TEC Conference, recognizing those who have an exemplary commitment to the TEC Movement on the local, regional, and international level.
“It is very exciting to have this time together to celebrate 60 incredible years of bringing youth and young adults closer to Christ,” says Executive Director Billy O’Regan. “We’re also looking forward to continuing to share ideas about strengthening local TEC communities and keeping this movement growing.”
This event, also known as TEC Encounter, aims to serve the spiritual needs of attendees while providing resources to bring back to their local TEC communities. Participants are invited to gather for liturgy, prayer, round table discussions, speakers, fellowship, and other activities to celebrate the great gift of TEC. Registration information and further details can be found at www.tecconference.org.
CENTRAL MN TEC
The TEC movement swept across Minnesota in the 1970s. Central Minnesota TEC joined the movement and opened its retreat center in 1978 at its current location, adjacent to Holy Family Parish in Belle Prairie. Central Minnesota TEC is the largest TEC retreat center in the world with over 42,000 participants.
According to Mike Lentz, executive director of Central Minnesota TEC, the impact locally has been incredible.
“I know of no better program that introduces youth and adults to Jesus and his death and resurrection,” he said. “The transformation in three days is incredible, the community feeling is like no other and the overwhelming assurance of God’s love and mercy is life-changing.”
Lentz remembers the words written on a weekend evaluation from one of the participants. It read, “Besides the marriage to my wife and the birth of children, TEC is the most significant event of my life.”
Central Minnesota TEC is marking the 60th anniversary of the national TEC Conference and its theme “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:25-37) through a “TEC Bash Celebration” on Sunday, July 13 – the same weekend as the national TEC celebration and conference.
Central Minnesota TEC also is committing its upcoming TEC retreat schedule in thanksgiving for the National TEC Conference and their inspiration.
“Our goal is to commit the coming year to helping as many youth, young adults and adults to encounter Christ in one of the most incredible ways possible,” Lentz said.
The next two opportunities are August 1-3 and October 17-19. For more information on Central Minnesota TEC and to register for an upcoming retreat, visit cmtec.org.