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Time spent pursuing God is never wasted.

SOAKING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The Founder’s Note: My Encounter Experience

For years, I operated within the high-pressure legal frameworks of London. I actively pursued success in my profession, but I like most people I knew, my faith was more like a label to me. The moment my faith became more real in my life did not occur in church or at my baptism; it happened when I agreed with my brother to go to a remote retreat in the U.K. I almost changed my mind about going.

I arrived with no expectations, simply seeking a break from stress at work. What I discovered was a calm place in the countryside with a structured itinerary. The daily routine was built on three pillars:

The Routine: A daily cadence of prayer, worship, and intentional self-reflection.

The Dynamic: A precise balance between shared communal experiences and private, guided activities.

The Safety: A zero-pressure environment where past traumas could be identified and processed privately.

a group of people walking along a sandy beach

In that space, I experienced a peace I had no idea existed. I felt like I had been carrying so much weight. Everything felt as it should have been—a deep, necessary connection that felt like coming home. I left that weekend not just with a "feeling," but with a desire to continue the routine in my personal life. I started to write notes in Church for the first time and treated it like a University lecture.

I joined mid-week cell / life groups where we broke down the message for that week and discussed it's meaning and in what practical ways this could be applied to our lives to be the best possible version of ourselves.

I founded SOAK Encounters to offer others a chance to experience something similar. I thought, why not offer a chance for others to incorporate an encounter with God into their trip. To both experience the local culture, activities and give God a chance to share something He has for you. Whether that's peace, re-connection, healing, new friends or all of that and so much more.

— Lawrence Woodleigh, Founder & Lead Host

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HELPING TO GROW IN FAITH AND COMMUNITY

We’re here to guide you toward stronger faith, confident character, and deeper connections – with others and with God. Through worship, outdoor adventures, teaching, and teamwork, we create a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and encouraged.

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WHAT WE BELIEVE IN

Camp Lightway was created with one simple mission – to give children a place where they can grow spiritually, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of being surrounded by God’s creation.