Experiential Retreat Training
“Come to Me. Come to Me. Come to Me. This is My continual invitation to you, proclaimed in holy whispers. When your heart and mind are quiet, you can hear Me inviting you to draw near. Coming close to Me requires no great effort on your part; it is more like ceasing to resist the magnetic pull of My Love. Open yourself to My loving Presence, so that I may fill you with My fullness. I want you to experience how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you, so that you can know My Love that surpasses knowledge. This vast ocean of Love cannot be measured or explained, but it can be experienced.”
- Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence,
August 11 devotional, referencing Ephesians 3:16-19.
For several years, I have felt God calling me to train other facilitators on how to lead abortion healing retreats. After experiencing the love and power of God break the chains of shame and unworthiness in my own life in 2002, at a weekend “Encounter,” I have never been the same!
I had kept my abortion secret hidden for 15 years, while attending church every Sunday and serving on every committee possible. My marriage was hanging on by a thread. I suffered under the heaviness of condemnation.
BUT GOD! He met me so gently, yet so powerfully, as I yielded my life to Him, giving Him permission to do in me whatever He wanted to do. The toxic poison within my heart came pouring out through my tears, as I wept at the realization of the depth of Jesus’ love for me, His forgiveness, and His grace on my life. The chains fell off...I was a prisoner SET FREE!
The transformation I experienced, in less than 48 hours, is nothing but a MIRACLE!
Seeing and experiencing what God will do compelled me to begin leading healing retreats in 2008, through the pregnancy resource center my husband and I founded the year before.
After facilitating 20+ retreats (and several weekly groups), I continue to be in awe at how God meets each participant so uniquely, so tenderly, so lovingly…carrying each further into her healing journey.
Please take a moment to read the stories below for more evidence of His transforming power being released through the retreat model.
During the summer of 2021, the calling to share what I have learned with other leaders became very strong. As I sought the Lord and His heart for what this training should look like, He impressed upon me that He desired for leaders to EXPERIENCE His loving presence for themselves, encountering Him in a deeper way, while walking through the weekend as a participant with a fresh copy of the Bible study.
“His goodness is beyond our ability to comprehend, but not our ability to experience. Our hearts will take us where our heads can’t fit. Understanding is vital, but it often comes through experiencing God. Faith for the journey of walking with God leads to encounters with God. It results in a growing knowledge and understanding of truth, as in, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3).
Having said that, one of the great commands of Scripture pertaining to the experience of His goodness is, “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). If you’ll test it for yourself, you’ll see it more clearly. Your perception of truth will increase as you experience truth more deeply.” - Bill and Beni Johnson, Mornings and Evenings in His Presence, November 17 devotional.
As each facilitator personally experiences a retreat, taking them deeper in their own healing, I believe they will have a strong desire to lead hurting women to Jesus using the retreat model.
But, the results are in His hands. I simply want to be obedient to what He is calling me to do and trust Him to take care of the rest.
While I prefer to use the Surrendering the Secret study, you may adapt this material to whatever study you prefer to use.
If you are interested in learning more about this unique training, in stepping out by faith…maybe even out of your comfort zone…to expand your abortion healing ministry and potentially multiplying your reach and impact, please contact us here.
What our ERT participants have to say…
Sue Ketchum (Hearts Restored Director & ERT participant)
“I am thankful for the weekend – to slow down and refocus. It was not until the end that I realized I was resisting going deeper into any healing related to my abortion. Leading groups often gives me insight or glimpses into areas that are hidden within my own heart– as other women share their feelings, coping, and impact. But this time really forced me to look deeper into those areas in a personal way.
I was pushing aside how much my marriage was altered after our abortion. I was ignoring the anger I still hold for my husband not wanting to work on his own healing. I am more open now to hear from God about how He wants us to move into healing together. I never wanted to muddy the waters of my personal restoration of a mother with a child lost to abortion. How that works out in the future, I am open to now.
Another take-away is realizing I had not come into the event with a fully open heart to what more He could have for me. I heard Debbie say to expect God to meet you in a new way, but having used the book once – how could that happen? I trusted her but had my doubts about the depth of sweetness and presence.
From my perspective as the Director of Hearts Restored, I would encourage any healing ministry that offers weekly support groups to consider taking the time to participate in this Experiential Retreat Training. Four of our leaders were blessed to walk the path of Surrender in a new and deeper way. Having led healing groups for 9 years, I could not imagine the profound impact on my own personal healing story! What more could God do for me?
I trusted Debbie’s encouragement about bringing a small number of leaders to the retreat. “Learning by teaching” how to lead a retreat is one thing but walking the journey as a participant is by far the best way to gain the knowledge, confidence, and insight needed. Debbie does an excellent job of preparing everyone weeks before. She made my team welcome and excited to begin this unique experience.
If anything doesn’t make sense or seems like it is a step not necessary, I would recommend taking a breath, slowing down, and trusting the process. I use these words with my own groups, so why wouldn’t I fully trust this new healing process?!
We all walked away with new passion for helping others heal. We can easily see our team including this format in our yearly group offerings. I believe we can serve more women who are too busy to commit to 8-10 weeks.
One of the leaders on my team was anxious about leaving children for the whole weekend, but she testifies now to a renewed and refreshed spirit.
Debbie’s gentle and kind nature combined with her years of experience leading retreats, made this training a mountaintop experience with the Lord! She allows the Holy Spirit to lead in many moments, and we all went away blessed by her offering this experiential training to us.”
Karen Riley (Hearts Restored Staff & ERT participant)
“I went to this retreat to help with organization and meals since I haven’t had an abortion and I didn’t want people to think I did. I went with no expectation but an openness to what the Lord wanted. He simply wanted me to obey.
As we moved through each lesson and discussion, I could sense the Spirit’s nudging and movement, something I haven’t felt in a while.
This is what the Spirit showed me to change me...
1) Yes, I know God loves me. However, it wasn’t until I saw my own empty white nail on a cross that it sunk in. Finally, a head to heart connection was made! He OVERWHELMINGLY LOVES me so much that he LAVISHES me and most of all that I am truly CHERISHED! The King of kings, Creator of all, cherishes ME!
2) Losses… I never realized I had felt abandoned by God or my parents. (I was sexually abused by 7 different people between the ages of 3-11. I gave birth to a micro-preemie born 16 weeks preterm who only lived a day and a half. My parents died at 46 and 60, respectively). I filled an entire side of an index card with losses the Holy Spirit was showing to me I never realized and honestly don’t know that I could recall them anymore! I left them at the foot of the cross. I am no longer in bondage to the pain of those losses!
3) Humility. I shared about my prideful attitude in regard to the weekend. I was slapped around a bit and He STILL blessed me because of my obedience!
4) Isaiah 61 prayer time... I was set free from a literal lifetime of hurt. Debbie prayed over me and spoke from the Spirit. She saw a brown, picket fence with a little girl in a dress and long flowy hair. The little girl was peeking through the fence and longing for what was on the other side. All she had to do was open the gate and walk through to the other side. That’s when the dam broke for me. In that moment I saw abandoned, abused, little Karen made whole. In that moment I was freed from shame, hurt, losses...I can’t explain it! I ran through that gate mentioned in the prayer!
5) He loves me despite of me. He lavishes and abundantly blesses BEYOND measure!
It was a wonderful weekend of listening, praying, serving, and being in fellowship with other women.”
Sandy Hudak (ERT participant)
“During this time I saw new places to share the secret I have kept. The one we have in common. Abortion. The gentle beauty of God cradled me through nature and the other participants. God said, “Be still. I have more to show you here. Take comfort in my saving, cleansing truth. Trust me as I prepare you for more outpouring of my love and truth. Examine once again your story in the light of my grace.”
Thank you for all the people who contributed to the weekend. Many details…after all, God is in every detail.”