Vida Nueva – A Worldwide Youth Movement
Vida Nueva is Spanish for “New Life”. It is a three-day non co-ed weekend retreat for 15-20 year old young men and women spanning Friday evening through Sunday evening. You will spend a weekend of living in community with other Christians. The Vida Nueva weekend contains a series of talks given by a volunteer team of clergy, youth, and adults. The talks follow the basic themes of Christianity in its day-to-day application, and are followed by discussions in small table groups. The Vida Nueva team leading the weekend is composed of volunteers of former attendees of Vida Nueva, Tres Dias, Con Dios, Chrysalis or similar youth weekends. The basic atmosphere of Vida Nueva is one of love, Christian fellowship, singing, laughing, and worship. Worship during the weekend is in the Protestant tradition.
Retreat weekends are divided into two calendar weekends and are conducted separately: one for the young women and one for the young men. Each attendee must be sponsored by someone who has previously attended a Vida Nueva, Tres Dias or Cursillo-type weekend. The young women’s weekend happens first, and the following weekend the young men’s weekend occurs.
Weekends are conducted at the Apison Retreat Center. The address is 11206 Old E Brainerd Rd, Apison, TN 37302. (
Google Maps).
Vida Nueva embodies personal witness, but is not a revival meeting. It involves group dynamics, but is not group therapy, nor is it in any way made to change a person, that is God’s job. The weekend uses Christian instruction, but is not a church school; it is a time to sit back and relax with God. Vida Nueva has many follow-up activities, but is not a church substitute.
One’s life after Vida Nueva is called the Fourth Day. Following Vida Nueva, a person is able to expand his/her own spiritual life and become a more active disciple of Jesus Christ in the world, in the Church and in their school. During this time, encouragement is important and is provided through contact with the Vida Nueva community. Reunions of smaller groups within local churches and schools are encouraged so that the participants may help one another in living the Christian life.
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Testimonies
Below you’ll find a video with testimonies from youth who have attended and helped conduct Vida Nueva weekends from several Vida Nueva communities in the southeast.