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Schedule
Thursday, October 22 — Bonus Day (optional add-on)
3:00 PM — Check-in
Dinner
Samson meeting
Campfires
Friday, October 23
Bonus morning session (for Thursday arrivals)
3:00–5:00 PM — Check-in (official Summit start)
5:00 PM — Dinner
6:30 PM — Welcome + introduction of John Lynch
7:30 PM — Session 1 with John Lynch
Saturday, October 24
Sessions 2–4 with John Lynch
Small groups
Optional session with Sam Black
Optional walk with Landon White (Covenant Eyes)
Q&A with Nate Larkin and Aaron Porter
7:30 PM — Concert with Josh Bales
Sunday, October 25
Breakfast + Samson update
9:45 AM — Final session with Aaron Porter, Josh Bales, and John Lynch
Departure by noon
Camp address: 3000 Mt Hope Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Speakers
John Lynch
Keynote Speaker
John Lynch is a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and former pastor whose work embodies radical grace, honest storytelling, and genuine transformation. After serving 27 years as the teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona, he joined Trueface in 1997 and began speaking and writing on a national level. John is the author of On My Worst Day, a collection of forty fresh stories about vulnerability, shame, and the liberating power of Christ-like love. He also co-authored works such as The Cure and TrueFaced, and co-founded Sharkey Productions, a theater troupe that staged gospel-anchored productions for people still seeking Jesus.
At his core, John’s message is simple yet profound: you’re loved on your worst day, and that love can change you. As he says on his website: “My name is John Lynch. I am completely undone by what Jesus has done in me. And I continue to be overwhelmed at the wild, unbridled love He has for you and me.”
Sam Black is the author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It. The Director of Recovery Education at Covenant Eyes, Sam joined the Covenant Eyes team in 2007 after 18 years as an award-winning journalist. He has edited 16 books on the impact of pornography and speaks at parent, men's, and leaders' events, and has been a guest on hundreds of podcasts and TV and radio shows. Sam also wrote The Porn Circuit: Understand Your Brain and Break Porn Habits. He is a Pastoral Sex Addiction Specialist and Coach, certified by Christian Sex Addiction Specialists International.
Aaron Porter is an author, songwriter, and speaker with three decades of experience helping people experience the practical, transformative power of the gospel. A native of California's Central Coast, Aaron entered full-time ministry in San Luis Obispo the week he turned 20 and pastored and planted churches for nearly 23 years before moving into broader ministry and creative work. He joined Nate Larkin in the early days of Samson Society in 2006, and the two have since led retreats, intensives, and speaking events together around the world, walking alongside men as they unpack their stories and surrender to the love of a perfect Father. Aaron has co-hosted the Pirate Monk Podcast since 2010. He's also a writer of novels, screenplays, and nonfiction on spiritual growth and identity. Aaron lives outside Nashville with his wife, Arliana, and their five children.
Nate Larkin is the founder of Samson Society and author of Samson and the Pirate Monks. Nate started Samson Society in 2004 and has spent two decades building a Christ-centered fellowship for men now active in over 100 countries.
Walking and Worship
Landon White joined the Covenant Eyes marketing team in 2025. He and his wife of 11 years, Christa, have served together in ministry as student pastors, campus ministry directors, short-term missionaries, and discipleship directors. are pursuing their shared calling to plant a church. Landon is passionate about helping men and husbands confront and recover from pornography addiction, which is central to personal discipleship and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Josh Bales — Singer-songwriter, Anglican priest, and licensed mental-health counselor — a rare blend he brings to both stage and pulpit. With 20+ years of touring, more than half a million streams, an M.Div., an M.A. in Counseling, and a Colson Center Senior Fellowship, Josh's music bridges the ancient and the modern. Now Rector of Incarnation Oviedo near Orlando, he closes out Saturday night with a concert — and joins the closing session on Sunday.
Lodging and Registration
What’s Included. Registration includes lodging, all meals, and activities for your selected days — choose your days and lodging above.
Bedding. The bedding is included in all private and semi-private rooms. If you choose to stay in a dorm, you’ll be given a linen bundle for your bed, so there's nothing extra to bring — though you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
Deferred Payment. Most tiers offer a 5-payment installment plan at checkout. Separate pricing applies for US and Canadian registrants.
Need Financial Help? We believe every man should have skin in the game — it's part of how change happens — but thanks to the generosity of some dedicated Pirate Monks a few partial scholarships are available. If you need financial assistance, let us know how much help you need when you register, and give us a brief explanation of why. We'll take it from there.
Help a Brother. Want to help another man get there? You can give directly to the scholarship fund here. Scholarship gifts are tax-deductible.
Bonus: Workshop Videos
During the Summit weekend, our virtual attendees watch pre-recorded workshops by Jim Cress, Nick Stumbo, Eddie Capparucchi, Matt Wenger, and Jeff Schulte while our in-person guys are out on walks and doing personal work in Michigan. Register in person, and you'll get access to all of those workshop videos once the weekend wraps — so you don't miss a thing.
FAQ
Q. What's included in my registration?
A. Lodging (if selected), all meals, and full access to sessions and activities for the days you register for.
Q. I can't attend in person — can I still participate?
A. Yes. Virtual registration (coming soon) gives you the keynote, live teaching, and all workshops. In-person small-group experiences aren't available virtually, but pre-recorded workshops run during that time so you're never just watching a gap.
Q. Is there a payment plan?
A. Yes — most lodging and commuter tiers offer a 5-payment installment plan at checkout.
Q. What if I can't afford it?
A. We believe every man should contribute something toward his own Summit — that's part of the value of the weekend — so we offer partial scholarships rather than free rides. When you register, choose a 25%, 50%, or 75% reduction and briefly tell us why. And if you'd like to help make it possible for another man to attend, you can give directly to the scholarship fund — see Lodging and Registration above.
Q. What should I bring?
A. See the packing list below.
Q. Is early-bird pricing still available?
A. The early-bird window has closed. Standard pricing is shown above.
Join Us Virtually
Can't make it to Michigan? Join the full Summit live — keynote teaching, live sessions, and on-demand workshops — from wherever you are.
Virtual attendees receive the keynote, live teaching, and workshops. In-person small-group time isn't available virtually, but pre-recorded workshops run during that time so you stay engaged the whole weekend.
Register for the Virtual Summit here.
What to Pack
Late October in Grass Lake means cool days and cold nights — daytime highs typically run in the 50s, with mornings and evenings dropping into the 30s or lower. Layers are your friend.
Notebook and pen
Good walking shoes (broken in, not brand new)
Rain gear — a rain jacket or poncho, plus a small umbrella if you like
Warm layers: a fleece or sweater, plus a heavier jacket for evenings and the campfire
Hat and gloves for cold mornings
A Bible
Comfortable, casual clothes for sessions and small groups
Toiletries and any personal medications
A refillable water bottle
A phone charger
Cash or a card for any incidentals
Dorm/bunkroom attendees: bedding is included, so no need to bring your own — though you're welcome to
Flashlight or headlamp, if you plan to be out after dark
A journal, if you like to process in writing beyond the notebook for notes