The retreat starts with a welcome, introductions, and some opening remarks to set a framework and expectations for the weekend.  Next, we spend some time in singing and worship.  This invites God’s presence and His peace and prepares our hearts to be knit together.

This evening is spent sharing stories. For many of you this may be the first time you have ever openly shared your story, but it is a critical first step in the healing process.  Some of our team members will also share a brief story from their life. Some team members have had abortions and others have not, but we all have a story of a healing journey. We believe it’s important for us as team members to be vulnerable and transparent with you, even as we are asking you to do the same.

We start the morning with worship, and then we do a teaching called ‘The Perfect Sacrifice’.  This is taken primarily from Isaiah 53, and covers the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  After the teaching, a team member will lead you through a time of prayer addressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Redemptive grieving is a necessary step in the healing process. We address this issue and offer you tangible ways to connect with your lost child(ren).  
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Next, we affirm the vital role of motherhood and fatherhood.  Abortion damages the heart of a mother and a father.  Only as your mother's or father’s heart is spiritually reconciled to your lost child (ren) can you be free to embrace your calling to mother or father from a healthy heart.  We refer to this calling as the “Mother Mantle” and the “Father Mantle."  We affirm this healing step with a powerful symbol as well.

Next, we address taking responsibility for the consequences of abortion that can affect our living children, our cities, our churches, and our land.  We then pray with you to break the common spiritual strongholds that come as a result of sin and poor choices.  You will then have an opportunity for personal prayer ministry or for free time.

After dinner, we do some sharing from the day and spend the evening asking God for the restoration of the many areas of your life where you have lost hope, passion and vision.  We combine our prayers with worship and celebration of the work God has done. By this time, joy begins to spring forth!

We end the weekend at 12 pm on Sunday with a beautiful memorial service, communion and brunch.

For the next 2-3 weeks following the retreat, we initiate an email chat to help you continue to process your experiences.  Then, 4-6 weeks after the retreat, we have a reunion dinner to reconnect and share what has happened in your life since the retreat.