GB Sponsors' Guidelines

Guests attending a Great Banquet weekend must have at least one sponsor. The Great Banquet's purpose is to promote the revival and growth of believers. The mission is to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and to make Him known. We have witnessed the mighty hand of God using the NoVA GB weekends to call unbelievers out of a world of darkness.

 

Sponsorship is a privilege as well as a serious Christian responsibility. Before sponsoring, consider the following...

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Qualities of a Sponsor:

• Demonstrates a Christ-like witness and lifestyle.

• Actively participates in the Great Banquet or similar three-day walks.

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Characteristics of guests are:

 • Christians eager to deepen their faith.

• Seekers of truth, answers to life's questions, or those simply wishing to participate.

• Individuals committed to adhering to all weekend guidelines and protocols.

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Things Sponsors should know:

• The Great Banquet is not designed to function as a counseling or behavioral agency. If a guest is known to experience mental instability, please ensure they can manage the various structured activities throughout the weekend.

• Respect your guest's privacy.

  • Should your guest be reluctant to share information about their contacts, understand that there may be delicate matters at play that you are not privy to. In such instances, be particularly attentive to your guest throughout the weekend​.

• Should a guest insist on departing, kindly respect their wishes.

 

Things Sponsors should communicate to guests:

 The Great Banquet is Not a secret.

• Guests must be able to attend the entire Great Banquet weekend (6:00 pm on Thursday through  6:00 pm on Sunday)

• Guests must be willing to spend the nights at the church or retreat facility.

• Continually offer prayer and sacrifice for your guest.

 

 Lodging and Amenities

 In the Spring, guests will stay at Vienna Presbyterian Church, while in the Fall, accommodations are provided at the Retreat Facility.

• Guests should bring their own linens and pillows for the Spring stay; the Fall facility offers linens for use.

• Meals are included for all guests.

• Casual and comfortable attire is recommended, with an additional sweater or jacket for indoor temperature adjustments as needed.

Most activities will be held indoors.

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Financial Support

• Our Great Banquets are entirely self-funded by the Great Banquet community.  

• The cost per guest for the Spring weekend is roughly $200.00 and $375.00 for the Fall.

•  The cost consists of food, bible, and weekend materials.  We encourage you as a sponsor to prayerfully consider supporting the community financially.  Please navigate to the following website https://viennapres.org/online-giving/.  It will direct you to VPC, please designate NOVAGB on the memo/comment line.

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Registration

• Direct your guest to novagb.org to register for the weekend. 

  • Upon receipt of email confirming your guest’s application, call immediately and share your joy

  • Ask guest to confirm attendance by contacting the registrar at  Communicate@novagb.org  if your guest can no longer attend, so others on the waiting list may be scheduled.

  • Keep in touch with your guest until the weekend.

  • Solicit and collect Agape letters—encouraging the guest and expressing appreciation—from you, the guest’s spouse, family, friends.

  • Family letters should have an “F” in the upper right-hand corner so they can be opened first.