Lake City Lights Songwriting Retreats
Lake City Lights is a non-profit ministry under Nashville's Artists in Christian Testimony "ACT" and we hold Christian Retreats for songwriters who desire to want to make amazing music together. It's for those committed to follow God's calling on their lives as a songwriter. We also have mentorship and are starting a few new things with recording. Whether you are a seasoned songwriter or just starting out, you will completely enjoy these days of being poured into.. and pouring yourself into the craft of songwriting in an encouraging environment. There's nothing like being with like- minded writers creating together and learning from each other! We love the 2 Timothy 2 concept and encourage different ages at our retreats and each retreat has at least 1 pastor attending.. usually a few plus several worship leaders.
No matter your genre or style, age or experience, writers will be able to choose what genres they'd like to write in their rooms but generally they decide on worship, ccm, singer/ songwriter.
Writers in the past wrote a lot of Worship Music for their churches and CCM of all niches for the artists. Writers will leave the retreat with several great songs they got to write with a group of great friends, and great contacts for future writes. All retreaters will also have the opportunity to have their releases, written at the event, promoted by Lake City Lights in the future. Evenings will consist of song sharing, co-writes, relaxing, worship, and sometimes demo-making and most retreats now include a ministry concert(not required to participate). The family atmosphere is amazing and so much fun!
Retreaters can apply for the Lake City Lights Mentorship which involves monthly songwriting critiques ( each person guaranteed -no waiting lists), monthly gatherings, and courses combining 5 yrs of courses/tips condensed from over 5 different grammy winners. Partial scholarships and discounts are given to retreat members.
Make a donation.
We appreciate any and all donations and want you to know how thankful we are that you would like to give to the ministry! Every little bit helps.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Apply here for any retreat in 2025 .. an keep an eye out for updates on social media and this website for new ones! You don’t want to miss the special guests/locations this year!
Grand Rapids, MI (AREA)
MICHIGAN SUMMER RETREAT
July 9-13 THURS-SUN.(come and go as needed)
4 day/3 night Retreat with OPTIONAL experienced writer track(writing for rising artists) and Newer writer track including guided writes and special pro tip sessions/ COVER COST is $550 early bird rate before April 30th- $600 after April 30th( ask for airbed rates if available) $400 off-campus entire retreat, $250 off-campus Friday 5pm-Sat 10pm $250 for 2 day new writer track,
: Beautiful Clean home(s) ,entire retreat activities and several meals. Special guests include Pro-producer Michael Scherer, Christian Radio DJ and artist/songwriter Zach Garrett, Rising artist, songwriter and full-time worship leader Tyler Phillip Ratcliff, and full- time songwriter, artist , and Tampa worship leader Joy Dame.
Dinners are conveniently right in town and we can enjoy lunch and dinner together at a variety of choices! We want to spend as much time together as possible so we will meet up for lunch/reunion/meet and greet earlier on the 9th for those arriving early- some may need to arrive later at 4pm when the VRBO opens or that evening due to flights.
This retreat INCLUDES A CONCERT where we will be sharing LCL original songs at a local venue. Retreaters are welcome to participate on or off stage if desired and usually it’s their favorite night because of the ministry!
What is included? -ALL activities of a LAKE CITY LIGHTS RETREAT (worship times, songshares, cowrites, crazy fun fellowship and prayer, songshares,and any work tapes made by the groups during retreat) PLUS bonus.. 2-3 short sessions (20 min each) to challenge your songwriting or artistry taught by select songwriters,artists,or professional producers in the industry. Pro-demos will be available with several producer partners. On-site producer in writes for artists as well.
Bonus.. 2 TRACKS AVAILABLE- EXPERIENCED WRITER TRACK ( for those writing towards other artist’s releases) and Optional Available TEACHING- NEWER WRITER TRACK / to challenge your songwriting or artistry taught by select songwriters,artists,or professional producers in the industry.
No car rental is needed unless desired. Ubers and ride-shares from Jacksonville Airport worked for all retreaters in 2022 and 2023. Closest large airport is Jacksonville Airport (JAX)
ALL RETREATERS WILL RECEIVE discount access to Lake City Lights Online Teaching Events(using Grammy Tips from over 5 years of courses) or Mentorship(songcritiques/classes/online write parties) discounts.
St. Augustine, FL
FEBRUARY 2026 limited spaces
( historic waterfront /oldest city in the U.S.A
4 day/3 night ALL-INCLUSIVE* OCEAN RETREAT cover cost is $650( or ask for airbed rates if available) $499 off-campus: Resort-style Housing across the street from OR ON the beach, entire retreat activities (breakfast, lunch, and all but 2 meals out)
We want to spend as much time together as possible so open Check in is Feb 26 at 4 pm - some may need to arrive later but all are welcome as soon as 4pm when the rented venue home opens!.
This retreat includes a concert where we will be sharing LCL original songs with a local church. Retreaters are welcome to participate if desired and usually it’s their favorite night!
What is included? -ALL activities of a LAKE CITY LIGHTS RETREAT (worship times, songshares, cowrites, crazy fun fellowship and prayer, songshares,any work tapes and several meals) PLUS bonus.. 1-2 short sessions (20 min each) to challenge your songwriting or artistry taught by select songwriters,artists,or professional producers in the industry.
No car rental is needed unless desired. Ubers and ride-shares from Jacksonville Airport worked for all retreaters in 2022 and 2023. Closest large airport is Jacksonville Airport (JAX)
ALL RETREATERS WILL RECEIVE discount access to Lake City Lights Online Teaching Events(using Grammy Tips from over 5 years of courses) or Mentorship(songcritiques/classes/online write parties) discounts.
UP TO 5day/4 night ALL-INCLUSIVE INCLUDING ALL MEALS!! Lakefront Cabin -2025 RETREAT cover cost is $650( or ask for airbed rates if available) $500 off-campus. ( ask about artist off campus rates w/ producer packages)
-Special guests include Artist Josh Bissell (UPDATE!-JOINING US THURS, FRI AND SAT) -worship leader with Tauren Wells, Pro-producer Michael Scherer, Worship Artist and writer Charity Abbott(see tiktok), and full- time songwriter, artist , &Tampa worship leader Joy Dame.
Dinners are conveniently right in town and we can enjoy lunch and dinner together at a variety of choices! We want to spend as much time together as possible so we will meet up for lunch/reunion/meet and greet earlier on the 9th for those arriving early- some may need to arrive later at 4pm when the VRBO opens or that evening due to flights.
This retreat includes a concert where we will be sharing LCL original songs at a local venue. Retreaters are welcome to participate on or off stage if desired and usually it’s their favorite night because of the ministry!
What is included? -ALL activities of a LAKE CITY LIGHTS RETREAT (worship times, songshares, cowrites, crazy fun fellowship and prayer, songshares,and any work tapes made by the groups during retreat) Pro-demos will be available to purchase with artist/producer partners like Josh and Michael. On-site producer(s) in writes as well.
No car rental is needed unless desired. Ubers and ride-shares from Jacksonville Airport worked for all retreaters in 2022 and 2023. Closest large airport is Jacksonville Airport (JAX) Monday am is check out. Last writes/songshares will be Sunday pm. Retreat activities start Thursday am for those in town already.. come whenever you can Thurs or Fri (same price)
ALL RETREATERS WILL RECEIVE discount access to Lake City Lights Online Teaching Events(using Grammy Tips from over 5 years of courses) or Mentorship(songcritiques/classes/online write parties) discounts.
TEXAS Retreat. Wooded Lakeside Oasis- Streetman , TX 80 min S. of Dallas.
May 1-4 ( Thursday am-Sunday pm) except for those flying in —ask for wed pm and sun pm housing and airport transfers
