Keynote series
David Bercot
- Thu 7:00 PM
- Opening Keynote Address
- Fri 7:00 PM
- 2nd Address in the Series
- Sat 7:00 PM
- 3rd Address in the Series
The Historic Faith Encounter 2027
The faith taught by Jesus, proclaimed by the apostles, and lived by the earliest believers.
- Check-in
- Thursday, 4:00 PMFeb 25, 2027
- Check-out
- Sunday by 2:00 PMFeb 28, 2027
- Where
- Joy El Camps & RetreatsGreencastle, PA
Why it’s worth coming
At the Historic Faith Encounter 2026, believers from many different backgrounds gathered with a shared desire to better understand “the faith once for all delivered to the saints.”
τῇ ἅπαξ παραδοθείσῃ τοῖς ἁγίοις πίστει Jude 3Strangers became friends, hard questions were explored, and many went home refreshed, encouraged, and challenged. We’re glad you’re joining us for the second annual Encounter!
Together we’ll
- Ask honest questions
- Learn from Scripture and the first 300 years of Christianity
- Engage in meaningful discussion
- Meet believers from many different backgrounds
- Be encouraged toward deeper discipleship and maturity in Christ
Whether you’re simply curious, searching for clarity, or longing for a deeper understanding of historic Christianity, you are welcome.
Registration
Six options, one form.
Register as one person or as a household. A married couple puts themselves and their children under 18 on one registration. On the sign-up page, three quick questions pick the right option for you.
Every option includes meals. Each price is the total for the whole registration, not per person. Tap an option to register with it already picked.
Single
One adult, 18 or older
Option 1: Single adult (18+), with lodging
$300 for one adult
Lodging and meals at Joy El.
RegisterOption 2: Single adult (18+), no lodging
$200 for one adult
Meals included.
RegisterCouple
A couple, or a couple whose children are all under 5
Option 3: Couple, with lodging
$350 total, not per person
Children all under 5 come too. Lodging and meals.
RegisterOption 4: Couple, no lodging
$250 total, not per person
Children all under 5 come too. Meals included.
RegisterFamily
A couple or a parent with at least one child aged 5–17
Option 5: Family, with lodging
$400 total, not per person
Younger siblings included. Lodging and meals.
RegisterOption 6: Family, no lodging
$300 total, not per person
Younger siblings included. Meals included.
Register
Go to the sign-up form
Anyone 18 or older, including grown children, does their own Single registration.
The 2027 program
From morning coffee to evening visits.
Four days of teaching from Scripture and the early church writings, with meals, worship and time together.
2027 speakers
Tap a speaker to see their day.
Opening Presentation
Chuck Pike
Fri · 9:30 AMPresentation
Kevin Brechbill
Sun · 10:00 AMClosing Keynote Address
Dean Taylor
Sun · 11:00 AMMore speakers to be announced
More presentations and workshops to be announced.
Day by day
Times are approximate and the schedule may change. Each evening ends with recreation in the gym or visiting and group discussions until about 10:00 PM.
Day 1 of 4
Thursday, February 25
Arrival & opening night
Registration
Check in and get settled
Supper
- Keynote
Opening Keynote Address
David Bercot
Recreation in Gym or Visiting / Group Discussions
Until about 10:00 PM
Day 2 of 4
Friday, February 26
Full day
Discussions over Coffee
Breakfast
Songs & Prayer
Opening Presentation
Chuck Pike
Break
Presentation
Speaker to be announced
Break
Workshops · choose one
Workshop 1AorWorkshop 1B
Topics to be announced
Lunch
Songs & Prayer
Question & Answer Session
Break
Workshops · choose one
Workshop 2AorWorkshop 2B
Topics to be announced
Break
Highlights of Early Christian Writers
Two short sessions
Relaxation / Visiting
Supper
Relaxation / Visiting
- Keynote
2nd Address in the Series
David Bercot
Recreation in Gym or Visiting / Group Discussions
Until about 10:00 PM
Day 3 of 4
Saturday, February 27
Full day
Discussions over Coffee
Breakfast
Songs & Prayer
Presentation
Speaker to be announced
Break
Presentation
Speaker to be announced
Break
Workshops · choose one
Workshop 3AorWorkshop 3B
Topics to be announced
Lunch
Songs & Prayer
Question & Answer Session
Break
Workshops · choose one
Workshop 4AorWorkshop 4B
Topics to be announced
Break
Highlights of Early Christian Writers
Two short sessions
Relaxation / Visiting
Supper
Relaxation / Visiting
- Keynote
3rd Address in the Series
David Bercot
Recreation in Gym or Visiting / Group Discussions
Until about 10:00 PM
Day 4 of 4
Sunday, February 28
Closing & departure by 2:00 PM
Discussions over Coffee
Breakfast
Quiet Time and/or Communion
Singing, Announcements & Prayer
Presentation
Kevin Brechbill
- Keynote
Closing Keynote Address
Dean Taylor
Visiting / Packing
Lunch
Departure
Please be checked out by 2:00 PM
Four speakers are confirmed. Other presentations and workshop topics will be announced. You can register now.
Register nowGood to know
Everything you need to plan.
Where
Joy El Camps & Retreats, Greencastle, Pennsylvania. The same camp as last year.
When
Begins Thursday, February 25, 2027: check-in at 4:00 PM, supper at 5:30, opening keynote at 7:00 PM.
Ends Sunday, February 28, 2027: sessions end around noon, lunch at 12:45, and please be checked out by 2:00 PM.
Lodging or not
With lodging: stay at Joy El, lodging and meals.
No lodging: arrange your own place to stay; meals included.
Meals and all ages
Every registration includes meals. Christians of all ages are welcome: come on your own, as a couple, or bring the family.
Questions
Not sure which option fits? The sign-up page asks three quick questions and picks it for you.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the option, and each price covers the whole registration:
- Single adult (18+): $300 with lodging, $200 without
- Couple (children all under 5 come too): $350 with lodging, $250 without
- Family (at least one child 5–17): $400 with lodging, $300 without
Every option includes meals.
When should we arrive and leave?
Check-in opens Thursday at 4:00 PM, with supper at 5:30 and the opening keynote at 7:00. Sunday sessions end around noon, lunch is at 12:45, and please be checked out by 2:00 PM.
Where is it, and how do we get there?
At Joy El Camps & Retreats, 3741 Joy El Dr, Greencastle, PA 17225, the same camp as last year.
Are meals included?
Yes. Every registration option includes meals. The “with lodging” options add lodging at Joy El.
Can I come without staying overnight?
Yes. Choose a “no lodging” option for Single, Couple or Family. Meals are included.
How do I register my family?
You can register as an individual or as a household. If you are married, register yourself, your spouse and your children under 18 on one registration.
Anyone 18 or older must do a separate Single registration. Ages are counted as of February 25, 2027.
Couple or Family: which do we pick?
If all your children are under 5, choose Couple. If at least one child is 5–17, choose Family; younger siblings are included.
Who is speaking in 2027?
David Bercot gives the keynote series on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Chuck Pike gives Friday’s opening presentation, Kevin Brechbill presents Sunday morning, and Dean Taylor gives the closing keynote Sunday at 11:00 AM. More presenters and workshops will be announced.
Is it for all ages?
Yes. The Encounter invites Christians of all ages: single adults, couples, and families with children.
What is The Historic Faith?
A ministry and website for reading and studying the early church writings, the Ante-Nicene Fathers, alongside Scripture.
Join us as we explore the faith Jesus and the apostles taught.
February 25–28, 2027 · Check-in Thursday 4:00 PM · Joy El, Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Register for Encounter 2027