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, 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, participants 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 retreat 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 Remembering Yesterday’s Wilderness (2.5 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM-1 PM Lunch
• 1-2 PM Navigating Today’s Wilderness (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 2-2:15 PM Break
• 2:15-3 PM Drinking from Streams of Living Water (30 minutes of teaching and closing activity to take with them)

Full-Day Retreat (9 AM – 8 PM)

• 9-11:30 AM Remembering Yesterday’s Wilderness (2.5 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM – 1 PM Lunch
• 1-2 PM Navigating Today’s Wilderness (Part 1) (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 2-2:15 PM Break
• 2:15-3 PM Wilderness Playlist personal reflection and group discussion (with a capella worship)
• 3-5 PM Break for Personal Reflection Time
• 5-5:30 PM Navigating Today’s Wilderness (Part 2) (30 minutes of teaching and small group discussion)
• 5:30-7 PM Dinner Break
• 7-7:30 PM Drinking from Streams of Living Water (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 or 12 PM Sunday)

• 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 Remembering Yesterday’s Wilderness (2 hours with break, teaching, journaling, and small group activity)
• 11:30 AM – 1 PM Lunch
• 1-2 PM Navigating Today’s Wilderness (Part 1) (1 hour of teaching, activity, and small group discussion)
• 2-2:15 PM Break
• 2:15-3 PM Wilderness Playlist personal reflection and group discussion (with a capella worship)
• 3-5 PM Break for Personal Reflection Time
• 5-5:30 PM Navigating Today’s Wilderness (Part 2) (30 minutes of teaching and small group discussion)
• 5:30-7 PM Dinner Break (after the dinner break, the evening could also be free and evening activities used for a Sunday morning worship time prior to departure)
• 7-8 PM Drinking from Streams of Living Water (30 minutes of teaching and closing activity to take with them)
• 8-9 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 and mentors students at Ashland Theological Seminary.

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 Wilmington, NC, where she writes, edits, and encourages others through story and service.

Invite Sarah to Your Church, Retreat, or Organization: