Jon and Emily Benken: When Community Meets Stillness

It's More Than a Getaway of Us

As extroverts, retreats are something Emily and I genuinely look forward to. We love the energy—connecting, meeting new people, and catching up with friends from church. Laughter, shared stories, long conversations—those moments fill us up.

But some of the most meaningful moments for us at retreats have actually been the quiet ones.

At home—and especially on Sunday mornings—it’s easy for us to stay in motion. We’re thinking about who we need to see, who we haven’t met yet, what’s next on the mental checklist. Even good things can crowd out stillness. Retreats give us the rare and beautiful gift of slowing down—of intentionally creating space to be with God and listen in ways we often miss in the noise of everyday life.

Those quiet moments with the Lord have shaped us deeply. But just as powerfully, retreats have been where our community took root.

Emily went on her very first women’s retreat just two weeks after her first Sunday at Westside—and it changed everything. That weekend became a turning point for us. It helped us find community, grow in faith, and form friendships that have now lasted for years. Retreats have a way of bringing people together—creating space not just to meet one another, but to truly be known.

For us, it’s the combination that matters most: stillness with God, paired with deep connection with others. Together, those moments have been monumental in shaping our faith journey.

That’s why we’re so excited for this year’s Deeper: All Church Retreat (March 6–8). We can’t wait to gather again as a church family—to rest, to reflect, and to encourage one another as we take even one small step deeper with the Lord, together.

If you’re longing for space to connect, grow, and rest, we’d love for you to join us.

To register, visit:

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‍www.atlantawestside.org/retreat