Back by popular demand is our fifth annual Embrace the Sabbath Spiritual Formation Retreat! Journey north this September 15-22 into the vast Alaskan wilderness where you can enjoy an entire week of restorative rest as you listen for the whispers of God in your life. This retreat provides participants with an undistracted opportunity to practice spiritual formation disciplines and ample time to attend to the “wellspring of life” offered by Jesus.
Spend time connecting with our welcoming team of ministers, therapists, and doctors who have collaborated to provide an experience that promises rest, refreshment, and renewal. Each retreat leader will be available throughout the week, offering their unique skills to enhance your retreat experience.
September 2025 retreat leaders
- Dr. Jennifer Konzen: sex therapist and marriage counseling
- Dr. Tracy Jones: family counseling, spiritual director, contemplative practices
- Dr. Sean St. Jean: trauma therapist, burnout specialist and relationship counseling
- Diana Steer: presencing, spiritual direction, life coach and retreat coordinator
Hear what past participants have said about the Alaska retreat:
“This experience changed my life like few other experiences in my 40-plus years in the ICOC.”
“When I dove into connecting with God through the spiritual disciplines in multiple ways, multiple times of day I was able to recognize that I had been sleepwalking through my faith.”
“This retreat was truly a Godsend and transformed my walk with God. As a minister, I came in depleted but left feeling filled to overflowing.”
Prior to the retreat, you will have an opportunity to meet with one of our retreat leaders who will help you prepare, enabling the experience to be tailored to your current spiritual needs. You will be invited to explore and try various spiritual disciplines and activities such as:
- Meditation
- Solitude and silence
- Mindfulness / self-acceptance
- Lectio Divina
- “Presencing”
- Journaling / crafting
- Communing with nature
- Fasting
- Spiritual reflection
You will also have support to explore grief, trauma, and recovery from compassion fatigue, burnout, and church hurts.
During your time with us, you will practice the spiritual discipline(s) of your choice, and soak in the stunning beauty of God’s creation. You can participate in all of the things, such as communal dinners and field trips to Talkeetna and Denali. Or you can participate in a few things, using this time to connect in solitude with your Creator.
This retreat was originally conceived in response to our growing knowledge and respect for “soul care,” pastoral care, and spiritual formation. Sadly, many disciples have waited too long to tend to the legitimate needs of their souls and have suffered the effects of spiritual burnout. Let’s reclaim our God-given birthright and drink deeply from the well of living water that Jesus promises.
To protect the integrity of each retreat experience, we have strictly limited the number of available spaces. So if you hear the Spirit calling you, please visit our registration page for more details or email [email protected].
