Retreats
What is this and who is it for?
Retreats are reflection driven…
They are for groups of 4 to 7 people who are willing to go on an accountable journey facilitated by retreat & reflection, to go ‘off-grid’ together & embrace silence, to increase our sensitivity to God’s presence & what He is showing us. And then to celebrate together & support each other as we each embrace the next season of life’s adventure.
It’s ideal for leadership teams or friendship networks who want a structure to support themselves in their different callings & responsibilities
It’s for groups who...
🎯 are up for ‘going up the mountain’ together… to fast & feast...
🎯 are willing to embrace 24 challenges in 24 hours of silence & fasting…
🎯 are ready for real & vulnerable group openness, support, & sharing on-going accountable plans of ’next steps’
🎯 would relish some fantabulous feasting…
So the process is broken down into:
⛰️ a 'prepare our hearts' session to declare our intentions as we go 'up the mountain'
⛰️ 24 hours of silence & seeking; to go ‘off-grid’, & engage with whichever of the 24 Challenges you want to
⛰️ a de-brief time of how the challenges went, & what you processed
⛰️ a ‘Next Steps' accountable process of what things are you going to lean into as you go home, that you can ask the group to check in with you how they are going?
The idea is to be off-grid & have no phone for the first 21 hours, & then some challenges are to use phones in the final hours to make contact with the wider world, leave messages for the other retreatants & complete some of the other challenges.
The 24 Challenges are chosen specifically for that group & location & are in 5 main arenas:
- Reflective Exercises - making space to have a well-examined life
- Physical Challenges - pushing ourselves beyond comfort
- Supporting One Another - in the Retreat Group & beyond
- Engaging with Scripture Workouts - feeding deeply on the Word
- Creatively Worshipful Workouts - embracing fresh & engaging spiritual pathways
These retreats have so far been hosted in the Sussex Weald, Dorset, Cornwall & the Peak District.
What do people say about it?
Ramsey El-Khazan -
Taking time to retreat, celebrate, reflect and dream has been an important rhythm in helping me pay attention to what God is doing in and around me. Mal led a group of us in a profound experience of silence, fasting, and guided reflections. He carries a wonderful joy, deep authority, and genuine humility, and these, along with his intimacy with Jesus Christ, provided an excellent context for going up the mountain. I look forward to the next one!”