DT Hosts Transformative Retreat on the Love of Christ

A Spirit-Filled Beginning

Our journey began early in the morning as we traveled together to the retreat center. From the very first prayer and session, it became clear that this would not be an ordinary gathering. As we reflected on the opening verses of Song of Songs, many experienced a profound sense of Christ’s presence.

Moments of silence quickly turned into moments of deep personal encounter. Participants spent time in reflection and journaling before the icon of Christ, allowing His love to speak directly to their hearts. What began quietly soon overflowed into visible joy, tears, and genuine fellowship.

Repentance, Renewal, and Freedom

On the first day, participants were invited to reflect honestly on their struggles—habits, sins, and burdens they wished to leave behind. Inspired by the words, “I am dark, but lovely,” each person wrote these down and offered them up in prayer to their confession father.

That evening, gathered around a campfire, these written confessions were returned and burned. Watching them turn to ash became a powerful symbol of renewal, forgiveness, and new beginnings in Christ.

Prayer, Fellowship, and Joy

Throughout the retreat, the rhythm of prayer, reflection, and fellowship shaped every moment. Whether in structured sessions or simple conversations, a deep sense of unity grew among participants.

Time outdoors, shared activities, and even the quiet moments of rest became opportunities to encounter Christ in new ways. From early morning walks to late-night prayers, every experience contributed to a growing awareness of His love.

A Deeper Encounter with Christ

As the retreat continued, participants began to see themselves reflected in the journey of the Bride in Song of Songs—recognizing both their weaknesses and the unwavering love of Christ.

This realization brought both conviction and comfort:

• Conviction in recognizing the ways we turn away

• Comfort in knowing Christ’s love never diminishes

By the end, many expressed a deep desire to remain in that spiritual state, fearing the return to distractions of daily life.

A Lasting Impact

The retreat did not end when participants returned home. Many continued their spiritual journey through shared communication, prayer, and reflection.

Each participant received:

• A personal icon of Christ

• A wristband inscribed with: “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”

• A symbolic “marriage certificate” as a reminder of their commitment to Christ

Voices from the Retreat

“I feel like a thing I was struggling to see/feel was Christ's love for me. I felt like I always saw it in others and never me. However, this retreat made me feel so overwhelmed by His love that I cried multiple times. It was a million out of ten experience, and I can’t wait to go again.”

“This experience honestly meant a lot to me and impacted me in a way I didn’t expect. I’ve never felt that connected to God before, and being away from everything helped me stay focused and really understand my relationship with Him better. I also really loved how everyone cared for everyone; it felt like we were a family, and that made the experience even more special. I really want to keep this group together.”

“It felt like my soul was washed clean from sin, like everything inside me was renewed (the camp fire). During the reflections, I felt like He was right beside me the whole time. It was so wholesome and peaceful in a way I can’t even explain. Even though it was only two days, it felt like I was there for months. I couldn’t remember my life before that moment (but also so short at the same time). It took me three days to get myself together, but deep inside, I’m still at the retreat. I feel like I gained a family, and I miss them a lot.”

“The retreat was such a beautiful experience. I wish I could live like this every day. From praying together all the 7 prayers, to learning about Christ’s love for us and sharing our struggles with each other, seeing ourselves in Shulamite. Fellowship. Love. All of these things are what truly make us closer in our walk with Christ. Being His Bride. Knowing, acknowledging our sins and what distracts us from opening our hearts to Him, but also needing to realize we are also beautiful (Song of Songs 2:14). We shouldn’t be discouraged or think negatively, saying we are unworthy and run away from Christ’s love, for He loves us unconditionally. I truly saw myself in Shulamite throughout scenes 1–4, especially during 2 and 3. It touched me, my heart. I didn’t realize how much Christ loves us. Coming to this retreat had significantly helped me A LOT more than I can even know. But the real journey starts now. How would I implement my life fully, wholeheartedly to Christ? How would I surrender myself to Christ? How would I be able to ask Christ to draw me away? Now, the real journey begins. We must never forget what He has done for us. We need to make our own sacrifices in order to be able to, in full confidence, say we are the Bride of Christ. This retreat really has transformed my heart and even my thought of thinking and perspective of His love. Experiencing His love for everybody there was also just so moving and astonishing. I have no words to describe how much this retreat has really helped, benefitted me during these times of hardships and trials.”

“I feel extremely joyous to have fully experienced Christ’s love. I have completely fallen in love with Christ’s eternal love. Song of Songs was the book I didn’t ever attempt to understand, but this retreat just gave me soo much more than understanding Christ’s love. It made me feel it. I felt it to the point where I was a little upset for Christ to love us humans too deeply, and so eternally, to the point He is pretending to not see what is being done to Him. I kept comparing my love for others to Christ’s love for others. It broke me. I felt like I was Shulamite, except I was married to Him; time and time again, but I kept divorcing Him over childish worldly things. Meanwhile, He still adores me and shows me He loves me like we just met, but even worse, He loves me more than the first time we met every single time I fall and get back up. I literally can’t describe what I felt during this retreat. Words can’t describe what I am feeling right now; only tears can. The noise of the world that had fully sucked me in and made my ears and eyes so numb seems so elucidated now. I feel like my eyes have been opened by Christ Himself. The last verse in Song of Songs really got to me. It had me thinking… I can’t believe she wants more after all that He has done for her… Then I snapped back into reality. Oh wait, that’s me too. This retreat taught me what it means to be lovesick. I thought I was already lovesick for Christ before the retreat, but it was for the wrong reasons, and because I haven’t yet encountered Christ and His love. Now, I feel sick thinking about Christ’s love. It gives me comfort but also pain. Pain for how I have been abusing His love and trust and aid and protection in His beautiful chamber, yet I keep leaving His side and whipping His soft buttery skin with a flagrum. Comfort because I now better grasp that my God is my everything, ranging from my brother to my husband. I have always found peace in Him, but now I have found the love that I had been scared to accept. I have found it to be more than I can handle. But through His grace, I will try my bestest to reciprocate that glorious love back. I can write for ages about this retreat, but in summary, I felt Christ’s gentle touch in my heart, and I’ve learned from Shulamite that I need to get up from my lazy bed and open the door for Him. And I also need to reenter His cleft multiple times so His spark doesn’t ever leave me.”

“Throughout the retreat, I felt that I was in a deep connection with Christ and that He was talking to me. I really enjoyed every moment of the retreat and hope to have more in the future.”