Jon and Emily Benken: When Community Meets Stillness

It's More Than a Getaway

As extroverts, retreats are definitely something we look forward to. We love connecting, meeting new people, and catching up with friends from church. Those moments of laughter and shared stories fill us up.

But some of the most precious moments for us have actually been the quiet ones—the silent spaces where it’s just God and our hearts.

At home, it’s so easy to get caught up in the noise of everyday life. Making sure you see so-and-so, say hi to someone new, or mentally check off a list.

Even good things can crowd out stillness.

Retreats give us the rare and beautiful gift of slowing down—of carving out intentional space to commune with God and allowing Him to speak in ways we might otherwise miss in our busy lives.

We’ve experienced this personally. Emily went on her first women’s retreat just two weeks after her very first Westside service, and it changed everything! That weekend became a turning point. It helped us find community, grow in faith, and form friendships that have now lasted for years.

Those moments of stillness with God, paired with the joy of deep connection, have been monumental in shaping our faith journeys.

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