Several Chilton County churches are joining together this weekend to provide a retreat-style getaway for members of their youth groups — without ever leaving the county.

Disciple Now (also called D-Now) is a two-day event for seventh through 12th grade students. It includes small group sessions, spending the night at host homes, worship, meals, biblical messages and recreation.

About 180 students from the following local churches are participating: Clanton First United Methodist, New Life Community Church, Chestnut Creek Baptist, Pates Chapel Baptist, Pleasant Grove Baptist, Center Hill Baptist, Union Grove Baptist, Mt. Carmel Baptist and New Hope Baptist.

“We just want a community of all churches to come together, especially in youth groups because we’re all striving toward the same goal,” said Brian Jones, one of the event’s coordinators. “We want as many churches as possible to be involved.”

D-Now begins Friday night at New Life Community Church, which is the host church for this year’s event. Elevate will lead praise and worship, and Wesley Springer will speak.

Group sessions will be held at the host homes Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday night. Lunch will be served at the church, and everyone will meet at Clanton City Park on Saturday for outdoor activities.

This year’s theme is “Run,” which is a call to sexual purity, Jones said.

“It’s a challenge to teenagers to live a life of purity,” he explained.

Students are welcome to sign up by calling New Life Community Church at 755-6485.