A 75-year story of fellowship and retreat: Epworth By The Sea

There’s nothing better than a good story, and the storytelling is strong on St. Simons Island, Georgia. It’s a story of a resilient ministry, touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of visitors, if not millions. It’s a story about nourishing souls and delivering respite.

The story's main narrative centers on Epworth By The Sea, a nonprofit conference, retreat and vacation center on St. Simons Island. For 75 years, the center has hosted large events such as Bible study groups, government, law enforcement and military groups, corporate meetings and conferences, family reunions, choir retreats, children’s camps, ladies' and men’s civic groups, and more. It also functions as a hotel for individual visitors.

“We have 100 acres of beautiful retreat center,” explained Tiffany Flavell, who manages Epworth’s sales and reservations. “You can have your activities on the Golden Isles of Georgia. This area is called the Golden Isles because we have the most beautiful golden marshes.”

As a premier conference center on the coast of Georgia, Flavell said they host several hundred groups a year, “and roughly 100,000 visitors a year. We also function as a hotel. We are in our 75th year this year.”

For 25 of those trips around the sun, Flavell has devoted her time, heart, and soul to Epworth, which she believes in wholeheartedly.

“Epworth is a hospitality ministry,” she explained. “We all take our personal ministry seriously. We have a wonderful staff that has servants’ hearts.” In short, they are here to serve.

“We’re affiliated with the Southern Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church,” she explained. Some nonprofit work is about giving life experiences to those with limited opportunities to live fulfilling lives. One example is Miss Ella’s Camp for Special People, an annual special needs adult camp.

“It is their time to be with other people, to socialize. Most of them live in group homes or with elderly parents.” Flavell said the respite granted to caregivers during camp time – and the opportunities to socialize for camp participants – become landmark, life-enhancing events for the campers.

There’s also a children’s summer camp, and the nonprofit raises funds to help families who can’t afford to give their kids this experience. Flavell said the center emphasizes Christian values and charity but welcomes religious or secular groups; everyone is welcome.

The storytellers illustrate and expand this great 75-year Epworth By The Sea story. Once a year for 11 years now, professional tellers of tales have descended upon the retreat center both to share stories and to live out new experiences. They come for the St. Simons Storytelling Festival, happening next from February 13 through 15, 2026. Storytellers Flavell described as “world-class” will present their stories and share meals and social time with attendees. It’s a time for entertainment, learning, and forging new connections and new life experiences. It’s a time for reveling in storytelling as an art form and observing masters. Flavell said, “The fellowship of it is really spectacular.”

“February is wonderful here on the Island,” she said about the month the annual event is held. “A lot of times, you can even go to the beach.”

As far as facilities go, Epworth offers five different motel buildings with a total of 235 rooms, with some located on the Frederica River; 22 youth-style bunk cabins; 35 meeting rooms of various sizes; an onsite museum; bike rentals; tennis courts; pickleball courts; bonfire pits; a large athletic field for soccer and other sports; and more. There are also two piers, where Flavell said people can do a bit of saltwater fishing.

Find out more about the center by visiting Epworthbythesea.org and the storytelling fest by visiting Stsimonsislandstorytellingfestival.com.

Although most stories eventually have an ending, staff and volunteers hope the center’s story continues. Flavell is doing her part to ensure Epworth continues to do good work in another 75 years.

“I love sharing Epworth by The Sea with everyone, however I can,” she said. “We are here to serve.”