THE HARBOR - Services Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00 AM

CATALYST  WEEKENDS

Men's and Women's Weekends

[‘kat-l-ist] -noun: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
The Harbor Catalyst Weekend is a spiritual intensive designed for Participants to experience restoration, renewal, insight, and inspiration that fuels spiritual growth. The experiential Weekend is for anyone who wants to develop a more vibrant and meaningful faith in Jesus Christ that can return with them to their everyday lives.

Since its inception, almost 1,300 men and women have attended Catalyst. God has used the Weekend in ways that have powerfully and consistently changed individuals and created a community within the church that the shared experience has intimately shaped.

Catalyst is a structured 72 hours which begins on Thursday evening and ends Sunday late afternoon. The Weekend schedule is strategically created to move individuals toward a fuller understanding of who God is, who God created them to be, and how they might more thoroughly experience the full life Jesus came to provide.
Over the course of the 72 hours, Participants will hear several talks given by Harbor pastors, staff, and volunteers that speak to the topics noted above. After each talk, Participants are given the opportunity to process what they heard in a small group setting that is safe and comfortable. Participants are also provided with content that helps them engage in several quiet reflection times throughout the weekend.

Intertwined in the schedule are opportunities to worship through music and prayer. Individuals are invited to participate in these in ways that are comfortable for them in the context of their own spiritual journey. Plenty of food and a little bit of fun are also included.

Each Catalyst Participant has an Advocate that has previously attended Catalyst. The primary role of an Advocate is to be in expectant prayer for their Participant in the time leading up to and during the Weekend. While Participants are often directly invited by an Advocate they know, The Harbor will help provide an Advocate for someone who desires to attend but doesn’t know a previous attendee.

Catalyst Weekends are led by a team of Harbor pastors, staff, and volunteers who are present throughout the Weekend. All lodging and meals are provided. There are separate Weekends for men and women. (Please note: Participants must be at least 21 years of age.)

2024 Catalyst Weekend Dates

  • Men’s Weekend – September 12-15, 2024
    • Thursday evening (6:00 PM) – Sunday afternoon (4:00 PM)
  • Women’s Weekend – October 10-13, 2024
    • Thursday evening (6:00 PM) – Sunday afternoon (4:00 PM)
  • Where: Christian Renewal Center, Dickinson, TX (Click here for more information.)
  • Cost: $350 per Participant (partial or full scholarship may be available)

Each retreat Participant must have an Advocate, someone who has already attended the retreat. The Harbor will assist in identifying an Advocate for those that do not know someone who has previously attended. For more information about Catalyst or if you’d like to attend but don’t have an Advocate, please email Janice.Vega@theharbor.life.
Click here to register

Advocates & Team Members

One means of being a part of God’s work through the Catalyst Weekend Ministry is to serve as an Advocate for a new Participant or as a Team Member on an upcoming Catalyst Weekend. Both of these service roles are intended for regular attendees at The Harbor, as our community of faith seeks to serve the Lord within our local church.

If you feel led to be an Advocate, begin praying deeply, asking God whom He would have you invite to attend as a first-time Participant. Advocacy begins with an invitation.

A first time Participant would complete a Catalyst Participant Application (see above) and enter you and your contact information as their Advocate. Advocate instructions are sent directly to you at that time.
As noted above, Catalyst Team service is available for regular attendees of The Harbor. If you feel led to serve on an upcoming Catalyst Weekend, please fully complete the Team Service Application (see link below).  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Janice Vega. Please note, the Catalyst Weekend fee applies also to Team Members unless a scholarship is arranged.

  • Mandatory Training Date for Team Members – Saturday, August 3, 2024,  8:00 AM-2:00 PM
Team Service Application

MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF CHRIST, THOUGH IT IS TOO GREAT TO UNDERSTAND FULLY.
THEN YOU WILL BE MADE COMPLETE WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF LIFE AND POWER THAT COMES FROM GOD.
- EPHESIANS 3:19
What is Catalyst?
The Harbor Catalyst Weekend is a three-day spiritual intensive, located at the Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson, TX. It is designed for you to experience a new or renewed appreciation for the love of God through Jesus, connection to Him and His community, as well as receiving tools and practices to help you remain steadfast in your pursuit of Him.

The weekend primarily focuses on followers of Jesus. However, Catalyst has also led to substantial impact for attendees at every stage of their spiritual journey who desire a better understanding of, or a more vibrant and meaningful faith in Christ. (Please note: Participants must be at least 21 years old.)

Catalyst is a highly intentional and well-structured weekend that begins Thursday evening at 7:15 PM (Arrival begins at 6:00 PM) and concludes Sunday at 2:00 PM. The weekend schedule is carefully designed to guide individuals toward a deeper understanding of who God is, who God created them to be, and how they can more fully experience the abundant life Jesus came to offer. (link to schedule or “see a daily schedule below”)

Catalyst Weekends are led by a team of Harbor pastors, staff, and serve team members who are present throughout the entire weekend. All lodging, meals, snacks, and beverages are provided. There are separate weekends for men and women.
What is the weekend schedule of Catalyst?
Below is the schedule for the weekend. You can also download a copy of it here.

Catalyst Weekend Schedule:

Thursday: 
6:00 PM – Registration begins (light meal provided)
7:15 PM – Opening Session 1 (worship, teaching)
9:00 PM – Evening concluded

Friday: 
8:00 AM – Morning group devotional
8:30 AM – Breakfast
9:15 AM – Morning Sessions 2 & 3 (worship, teaching, table discussion, breaks, and snacks included)
12:30 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Afternoon Session 4 (worship, teaching, table discussion)
3:15 PM – Break until dinner
5:00 PM – Dinner
6:00 PM – Evening Session 5
7:45 PM – Table group team building activity
9:00 PM – Evening concluded

Saturday: 
8:00 AM – Breakfast
8:50 AM – Morning Sessions 6 & 7 (worship, teaching, table discussion, breaks, and snacks included)
11:30 AM – Break until lunch
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Afternoon Sessions 8 (worship, teaching, table discussion)
2:30 PM – Break until dinner
5:00 – Dinner
6:00 PM – Evening session (Worship, weekend personal reflection, table discussion, community communion)
8:00 PM – Hang out time and refreshments
9:00 PM – Evening concluded

Sunday:  
8:00 AM – Breakfast
8:45 AM – Morning Session 9 (worship, teaching, reflection)
11:30 AM – Lunch
12:15 PM – Closing sessions (worship, final challenge, reflection, sharing opportunity)
2:00 PM – Final dismissal
What should I expect at Catalyst?
Each Catalyst participant shares a room with another participant, which has its own private bathroom, shower, climate control, and two beds—one for each person. Three meals are served daily in a dining hall that offers a variety of foods and beverages and can accommodate specific dietary needs, such as gluten allergies. Throughout each day, plenty of coffee, water, soft drinks, and snacks are provided.

Throughout the weekend, participants will listen to a number of talks given by Harbor pastors, staff, and serve team members that cover a variety of topics. Specifically, you will hear about subjects like spiritual practices (Bible study and prayer), how to handle obstacles we face in life, our identity in Christ, establishing God-honoring priorities, how God invites each of us into His epic story, and more.
After most talks, as they feel led, participants are invited to discuss what they heard in a small group setting around a table with 6-8 other people. These table groups stay the same throughout the weekend, fostering a strong sense of community connection and partnership by the weekend’s conclusion.

Embedded in the schedule are opportunities for silence and quiet reflection, often guided by provided resources or prompts, along with worship through music, prayer, and communion. Individuals can participate in these activities in ways that feel comfortable for them on their own spiritual journey.

Throughout the weekend, participants will encounter the love of Jesus in ways that are unexpected, deeply personal, and truly unforgettable. There will be plenty of fun and laughter as well.
What is an Advocate, and why do I need one?
Before the weekend, each participant is paired with an Advocate who has previously attended Catalyst. The main role of an Advocate is to support the participant through serving them, prayer, and addressing questions and/or concerns both before and during the event if needed. While participants are often directly invited by an Advocate they know, The Harbor will help find an Advocate for someone who wishes to attend but doesn’t know a previous attendee.

Due to the critical structure of the weekend, and to ensure all participants arrive on time and are ready to engage without distractions, we ask that everyone be driven to the retreat center by their Advocate or take the provided shuttle from The Harbor. If a need arises for a participant to leave the facility, they can arrange that with a loved one, their Advocate, or any member of the Catalyst Serve Team.
When and where is Catalyst, and how much does it cost?
Men’s Catalyst is scheduled for Thursday, February 19 - 22, 2026, at the Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson, Texas. Check in begins at 6:00 PM on Thursday, with the opening session starting at 7:15 PM. Catalyst ends on Sunday, at 2:00 PM.

The cost is $xxx per person, which includes all lodging, meals, refreshments and content. We never want the cost of Catalyst to prevent someone from engaging, and through the generosity of many people at The Harbor, we are able to provide scholarships for participants to attend. If you are in need of a scholarship, please check the box provided on the registration form.

The deadline to register is (date). There is a $xx deposit due at registration, and the final payment is due by (date).
What do I do if I have a question?
If you have any further questions about Catalyst, please do not hesitate to ask. We would ask that you use the contact form provided at the bottom of this page.