Women’s Retreats

Wind in the Wilderness: Meeting God in Life’s Wild Seasons

Now Scheduling for 2026!

When life feels uncertain, dry, or untamed, we often wonder where God is in the wilderness. In this soul-nourishing retreat session, Wind in the Wilderness, we’ll explore how God meets us in those very places—with presence, provision, and purpose. Through scripture, storytelling, creative reflection, and contemplative prayer, women will be invited to:

• Abide in the wilderness without fear
• Recognize God’s forming work through life’s storms
• Cultivate deep resilience and peace in the waiting

With space for quiet reflection and personal connection with God, this session is designed to restore weary hearts and rekindle a sense of spiritual rootedness. Let this be a time of renewal—where the wild winds don’t break us, but shape us into who God is calling us to be.

Session Possibilities:

Click options below to see sample schedules:

Half-Day Retreat (9 AM – 3 PM)

• 9-11:30 AM Abiding the Wilderness (2.5 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM-1 PM Lunch
• 1-2 PM Be Still and Be Formed (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 2-2:15 PM Break
• 2:15-3 PM Closing Devotional Time (30 minutes of teaching and closing activity to take with them)

Full-Day Retreat (9 AM – 8 PM)

• 9-11:30 AM Abiding the Wilderness (2.5 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM – 1 PM Lunch
• 1-3 PM Break for Personal Reflection Time
• 3-4 PM Be Still and Be Formed (Part 1) (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 4-4:15 PM Break
• 4:15-5 PM Wilderness Playlist personal reflection and group discussion (with a capella worship)
• 5-5:30 PM Be Still and Be Formed (Part 2) (30 minutes of teaching and small group discussion)
• 5:30-7 PM Dinner Break
• 7-7:30 PM Closing Devotional Time (30 minutes of teaching and closing activity to take with them)
• 7:30-8 PM Personal Reflection Time followed by closing prayer and worship

Weekend Retreat (6 PM Friday – 8 PM Saturday)

• 6-7:30 PM Welcome and Dinner
• 7:30-8:15 PM Wind in the Wilderness Opening Devotional, Journaling
• 8:15-8:30 PM Prayer and Worship
• BREAK for evening
• 8-9 AM Saturday Breakfast
• 9-9:30 AM Morning Worship + Prayer
• 9:30-11:30 AM Abiding the Wilderness (2 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM – 1 PM Lunch
• 1-3 PM Break for Personal Reflection Time
• 3-4 PM Be Still and Be Formed (Part 1) (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 4-4:15 PM Break
• 4:15-5 PM Wilderness Playlist personal reflection and group discussion (with a capella worship)
• 5-5:30 PM Be Still and Be Formed (Part 2) (30 minutes of teaching and small group discussion)
• 5:30-7 PM Dinner Break
• 7-7:30 PM Closing Devotional Time (30 minutes of teaching and closing activity to take with them)
• 7:30-8 PM Personal Reflection Time followed by closing prayer and worship

About Sarah M. Wells:

Sarah M. Wells is the author of six books, including Ordinary Time: Meditations from the In-Between and The Family Bible Devotional (Volumes 1 and 2), with a forthcoming essay collection, To Say One Million Times, WOW, releasing in 2026. Her work explores the intersections of faith, family, and everyday wonder.

A sought-after speaker, Sarah has led dozens of retreats, conferences, and workshops for churches, writing programs, and spiritual communities. She serves in leadership with the Brethren Church both locally and nationally, mentors students at Ashland Theological Seminary, and volunteers with Safe Haven Domestic Violence Shelter and United Way.

Rooted in her calling to love God and neighbor, Sarah is passionate about building bridges between sacred spaces and the broader community. She lives in Ashland, Ohio, with her husband and three children, where she writes, edits, and encourages others through story and service.

Invite Sarah to Your Church, Retreat, or Organization: