Each fall, The Harbor and Shepherd’s Door communities step away separately from the routines of daily life to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God, with one another, and with themselves. These retreats are sacred pauses in the rhythm of recovery, giving men and women space to experience freedom, joy, and community through Christ-centered transformation.
“For the first time in a long time, I felt peace. Real peace. Like I could breathe again.”
The Harbor retreat was a powerful time of breakthrough and bonding. The theme, “Fellowship with God and People,” guided a weekend filled with worship, teaching, laughter, and heartfelt moments of prayer and reconciliation.
Men experienced the power of God through messages about friendship, forgiveness, and communion with others. Thursday night’s teaching on “Burying the Hatchet” became a turning point, with many finding the courage to forgive those who had hurt them, releasing deep burdens during a moving altar prayer time. Tears flowed freely as walls of bitterness and pain began to fall.
Throughout the weekend, men took time to walk on the beach, rest, and heal in community. The men exchanged “gifts of words,” affirming one another, and laughed late into the night as a staff member hosted his own version of The Tonight Show.
Of course, no men’s retreat would be complete without some friendly rivalry. The semi-annual competition for the coveted Romanic Trophy between two groups brought plenty of energy and camaraderie. This year, the A-Paul-Souls team took home the victory!
By the end of the retreat, three men re-dedicated their lives to Christ, and the young son of one of our staff members made a first-time commitment to follow Jesus. It was a weekend that reminded everyone that true fellowship with God and others is where lasting transformation begins.
Meanwhile, the women of Shepherd’s Door gathered for their Fall Retreat around the theme of transformation. Speakers shared about salvation, the fulfillment of the Law through Jesus, and the ongoing process of sanctification and the beautiful work of God shaping hearts and lives.
For many women, this retreat was their first time camping or attending a retreat. Away from the noise of daily responsibilities, they were free to simply be still and to hear from the Lord, to laugh, and to build deeper relationships. Cabins were filled with conversations and prayer; afternoons with joy and play as women joined in all-house games like capture the flag and tried new experiences like ziplining.
Beyond the fun and fellowship, this time away fostered something deeper: community. The retreat created a safe space for women to share stories, encourage one another, and see that they are not alone in their journeys. Many shared that being away from outside influences enabled them to hear God’s voice more clearly and to find renewed hope in His promises.
An unexpected gift of the weekend was how retreat time breaks down walls between staff and participants. Laughter, shared meals, and moments of vulnerability reminded everyone that we’re all people on the same journey, learning, growing, and depending on God’s grace together. That sense of mutual trust and unity continues to bear fruit long after the retreat ends.
At both The Harbor and Shepherd’s Door, these retreats are more than a few days away, they are spiritual milestones. They remind us that recovery is not only about sobriety but about learning to have sober joy. That’s what happens when we step away and let God meet us where we are—He restores, renews, and transforms our hearts, reminding us that we are never alone on the journey.
Please continue to pray for the men and women in our recovery programs as they continue their journey of Transformation.