Silent Retreats
Why a silent retreat ministry?
Jesus modeled for us the importance of retreating in order to be alone with the Father. The Psalms give us examples of prayers offered while men were alone, seeking the face of God.
What is a silent retreat?
A silent retreat is an extended time in which an individual seeks to be alone with the Lord to listen and be transformed by His Word and Spirit. At a specific place for a specific amount of time, a person retreats (stops) from their everyday routine and relationships to meditate (listen) on God’s Holy Word and then do what His Word says (follow). The purpose of a silent retreat is to STOP! LISTEN! FOLLOW!
What is the need for a silent retreat?
“From all that I said about our worried, overfilled lives, it is clear that we are usually surrounded by so much noise that it is hard to truly hear our God when He is speaking to us. We have often become deaf, unable to know when God calls us and unable to understand in which direction He calls us… A spiritual life requires discipline, because we need to learn to listen to God, who constantly speaks but whom we seldom hear. When, however, we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives.”
— From Making All Things New, Henri Nouwen
What does the individual do while on the retreat?
On a retreat, the goal for each participant is to open the Word of God and listen. A Bible and journal are all that is needed to bring. Good things, even music, books, instruments, computers, and cell phones can also keep us from hearing the voice of God through His Word and Spirit. Each person on a retreat is going to pray and meditate and listen for God’s agenda, not his or her own. As the Lord leads, we are confident that He will make Himself known in a way that will have a profound impact on each participant.
What does a typical schedule look like?
- Thursday — Travel to Ute Trail; introduction and instruction-
- Friday-Sunday — Complete silence, including at all meals, except for a one-hour meeting with your spiritual director (one of our pastors/elders who have participated in the past) each day.
- Sunday night — Break the silence at a feast and celebrate what the Lord is doing
- Monday — Travel back to Dallas
What types of silent retreat are available?
- Men
- Women
- Couples
Please click on the links below for more information on the specific retreats and how to register.
For more information, contact caroleanne.axley@pcpc.org.
“The silent retreat is an amazing time to be with the Lord in the beautiful Colorado mountains and unplug from all the distractions of the world… really unplug. The Lord tells us again and again throughout Scripture to be still and know that He is Lord and we ignore Him. It is hard to hear His still small voice in our busy lives. Ute Trail Camp is the ideal place to really be still and discover what He has in store for you.”
— Carrie Jane Pogoloff