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Welcome
We extend a warm welcome to you.
We invite you to explore our site, gain a clearer picture of what Cursillo is, and a vision for what God might have for you by attending a Cursillo weekend.
The Cursillo community lives love. We invite you to experience that love by attending Cursillo. If you have already attended a Cursillo weekend, we invite you to serve God with us at a future weekend.
The NW IA Cursillo is governed by a board of Lay Couples and Pastor Couples who serve short terms to assist in leading and guiding the ministry; this team is called the Secretariat. The current members are:
Dave & Judy Dorhout - Lay Directors, Hawarden, IA
Matt & Mel Vande Hoef - Treasurers, Hull, IA
Bob & Brenda Holtrop - Pastor Couple, Sioux Center, IA
Mike & Nancy Van Surksum, Orange City, IA
Jim & Lynn Schelling, Sioux Center, IA
Scott & JoLynn Van De Berg, Alton, IA
Dave & Laurie Vander Laan - Pastor Couple, George, IA
Chris & Kathy Godfredsen, Rock Valley, IA
Nor & Cherie Van Beek - Pastor Couple, Ireton, IA
Pete & Helen Soodsma, Hull, IA.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to bring them to the attention of any of these members or send a request for someone to contact you by sending an email to info@nwiacursillo.com.
What is Cursillo?
Cursillo is a spiritual renewal program. It is for people seeking to go deeper in living out God's grace. Cursillo attempts to provide a way for men and women to persevere in the Christian life – no matter what comes their way. And it is intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The three-day weekend retreat is often described as an encounter with Christ.
When and where is Cursillo held?
The Northwest Iowa Cursillo is held at Inspiration Hills, a beautiful retreat center south of Inwood, Iowa. It is held three times a year. See our "Cursillo Calendar" link for upcoming dates.
How can I go?
Every person who attends Cursillo has a sponsor – a friend, co-worker, relative or perhaps a member of your congregation. The sponsor is someone who has gone through Cursillo and is dedicated to the purposes of Cursillo. The sponsor accepts the responsibility of guiding the participant once he or she has attended Cursillo.
If participants are married, both spouses must attend. Men and women who are single, engaged, divorced or widowed may also attend. Ask your sponsor for more details, or email us at info@nwiacursillo.com with questions you may have.
What can I expect?
Cursillo begins on a Thursday evening and ends late Sunday afternoon. Your days at Cursillo are full of many activities that help participants experience God’s grace and the real presence of Christ in believers. Those who attend a Cursillo weekend hear a series of talks, worship together, pray, sing, engage in small-group discussions and participate in Holy Communion. Talks are given by lay people and clergy. Cursillo weekends are lay-led, with spiritual support and guidance from pastors. As the weekend progresses, each person should experience the Christian community Jesus had in mind, as the participants and team members share their love and care for one another.
Cursillo History
Cursillo (pronounced Kur-see-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short course." Cursillo began when a group of Roman Catholic priests and laymen in Majorca, Spain, examined the condition of the Church. From 1943 to 1947, they formulated a method to help renew the Church. They called it Cursillo, or a "short course" in the teachings of Jesus. In the late 1950s, the first Cursillo weekend was held in the United States. From this beginning, it has been introduced to the Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians and other denominations. It was introduced to the Reformed Church in America around 1980. While the Northwest Iowa Cursillo is officially sponsored by the Reformed Church in America, it is truly inter-denominational. Men and women from other denominations are welcome to attend and serve on the team.
Contact Us
If you are interested in more information, or if you have unanswered questions, please contact someone who has been to Cursillo, or contact info@nwiacursillo.com