Eddy Farm Retreat facility is quiet, serene and most of all a place of relaxation.  My first encounter with F.O.C.U.S/NYC Singles was in 2002 and then again in 2003.  For me it has been a blessing.   Sometimes people say that retreats are not for them but that is far-gone.  Sometimes we are hurting inside and are overwhelmed with pain and worry and it hasn�€™t surfaced.  When we stumble on our walk with Christ more than ever it is imperative that we open our heart and mind so that the adversary will not take control over our dilemmas and use it against us. 

In 2003 the atmosphere was charged with the presence of the Holy Spirit and the move of God overwhelmed Eddy Farm. The only thing you could have done was to praise God for his awesome power and grace.  It was a real spiritual encounter with fellow Christians.  It doesn�€™t matter where you�€™re from, what is your background or even what religion you are.  What matters is that we serve Jesus Christ.

What made the entire experience worthwhile was the bond of new friends in Christ and some real positive and bible believing teaching.

I encourage anyone who has never attended to experience a divine appointment.  You would never regret it.  

Stacey E - Mt. Moriah AME Church, Queens, New York

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F.O.C.U.S. Ministries/NYC Singles has been a real blessing to me. Having been there from it's inception, I could confidently say that the goals and objectives are being met, and the expectations have even been surpassed. This ministry is certainly ordained by God to serve as a means of reaching and blessing singles like me. I have yet to see a question or concern not answered by the Divinely blessed Pastor Ali. The friendships I've formed and seen formed continue to bless my heart, and I cannot help but wonder how things would have been without FOCUS. As a single man, I can't imagine missing the yearly retreats. I don't know of another place where I could get such affordable powerful and timely information in such a breathtaking, nature-filled atmosphere. If you've not yet been, come SEE for yourself!

Vidal F - Mt. Sinai SDA Church, Queens, New York

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I made it a point to attend the following year once again all the way from metro Baltimore/Washington area.  Again it was well worth the trip.  But this time I experienced something else in singles ministry I never experienced in all my years in the Adventist church.  It was announced that a lady from Washington was unable to attend after losing her home and possessions by fire.  No one present, including myself knew the woman, yet nearly everyone in attendance was  moved to contribute to a very generous care package collected in two separate appeals.  The love offering was sent by me to deliver to our unfortunate, distant stranger at the Capitol Hill SDA Church in DC.  That's when and where I met Cassandra Harris, the recipient of that outpouring of support and concern from caring, distant strangers in this ministry.  I was so moved by that experience, I immediately got with all the area churches and started what is now called UNITED S.O.U.L..  To me that will forever be a symbol of what happens at a FOCUS retreat, for it was there where the concept, and principles of UNITED S.O.U.L. was born.

Courtney H. - Berea SDA Church, Baltimore, Maryland