CANCELLED: The Lord Your Shepherd Silent Directed Retreats

One-night and two-night options available

"The Lord is your Shepherd... You shall not want... He makes you lie down in green pastures. He leads you beside the still waters. He restores your soul." Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord calls to us to let Him be our Shepherd, to let Him fulfill our every desire, to let Him lead us to green pastures and still waters. He longs for us to come that He might restore our souls. That is the invitation to every one of His sheep in this inspired love letter of God written to each of His children. Let us answer the call of our Shepherd, who is like no other, to come.

Join a small group of like-hearted women as we say yes to our Shepherd's invitation to come away from the busyness of our lives into a time of love and restoration. Come for a guided silent retreat with your own modern, fully equipped cabin in the welcoming facilities and beautiful grounds of GilChrist Retreat Center.

Come, taste, and see the goodness of individual time with the Shepherd to read, rest, pray, walk, worship, and come together for individual spiritual companioning and times of prayer and sharing together. Over and over again, participants tell us how deeply God touches their lives, changing them in profound ways that only He can, in these times with Him. New for this retreat, morning Holy Yoga sessions will also be available Friday and Saturday mornings!

About the Facilitators

Lori Melton began retreating almost twenty years ago, uncovering the difference that time alone with God makes in a person’s life. A lifelong facilitator and spiritual director, she and her husband run The Sanctuary at Bear Creek in Allegan, delighting in creating space for others to experience the beauty and blessing of time with the Creator.

Linda Andersen, as an author and mentor, has spent the last 25 years pulling people away from the tyranny of religion into the delight of relationship with God. Her books include Interludes, The Too Busy Book, Retreats for the Curious, Retreats for the Comfortable and many others. Her ministry first began in her own soul and then continued by simply opening her home to women to come for individual DAWG days (Days Alone with God).

Sherri Willett, as an empty nester with a husband working in the home, realized the space for quiet was missing. Meeting Linda Andersen was her introduction to silence and solitude as a part of the abundant life in Christ, awakening her soul to deeper intimacy with God and finding needed rest in her journey. As a joyful leader for over 30 years, she introduces women to a richer knowledge of their Savior through Bible study, prayer, drama, healing care ministry, life groups, silent retreating, friendships, and art.

Registration and Lodging Details

One-night and two-night options available ($80.00 per night)

One-night retreat: 
Arrive Thursday, April 30 between 8:30 - 9:00 am; Opening at 9:00 am
Depart Friday, May 1 at 2:00 pm
Retreat cost: $80.00

Two-night retreat:
Arrive Friday, May 1 between 3:00-6:00 pm; Opening at 6:00 pm
Depart Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 pm
Retreat cost: $160.00

Meals: Fully equipped kitchens in each cabin. Each guest brings their own food.

What to bring: Cabins are equipped with bedding, linens, basic cooking supplies, and all utilities (they are modern cabins, not rustic). Let the Spirit guide you, keeping things as simple as possible. Try to get away from the "productivity" mindset of how much you can get done – we can do this even in our spiritual lives! Start with a Bible, journal, gear for spending time outdoors, and most importantly, your full heart.

What to leave behind: Anything that might distract you from the silence and simplicity of God's Spirit – cell phone, laptop, projects, etc. 

What to expect: The faithfulness of your Shepherd waiting to pour out exactly what you need as you heed His voice to come!

To register, email thesanctuaryatbearcreek@gmail.com. We will confirm your reservation and then a check can be made payable and mailed to The Sanctuary at Bear Creek, 4295 126th Avenue, Allegan, MI 49010.

Please provide the following information when registering:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Which retreat you're registering for: One-night (April 30-May 1) or two-night (May 1-May 3)
• Estimated time of arrival

Other resources available for purchase or contributions

• Retreat manuals by Linda Andersen filled with ideas for time alone with God:
  • Retreats: For the Curious (for those new to retreating), $10.00
  • Retreats: For the Comfortable (for those with a little more retreat experience), $10.00
• First Love Fund (optional)

Feel free to contact Lori at 616-218-8281 (or thesanctuaryatbearcreek@gmail.com) with any questions.