Sun rays through the forest
Growing Intimacy

Growing Intimacy With God

A group and a retreat for those longing for a deeper, more honest walk with Jesus.

Why This Experience

Like a mature tree, faith grows through all seasons

But even the strongest leaders face spiritual dryness, opposition or burnout, and disappointment or disconnection. This group and retreat help you reconnect with your hunger for God, discover what's holding you back, and practice rhythms that bring you closer to Jesus.

Struggles even strong leaders face
  • Spiritual dryness
  • Opposition or burnout
  • Disappointment or disconnection
What this helps you do
  • Reconnect with your hunger for God
  • Discover what's holding you back
  • Practice rhythms that draw you closer to Jesus
Two Ways to Begin

Choose your format

Small group in warm conversation around a table
The Group

A Spirit-led small group exploring your view of God, core longings, the lies we believe, lament, and intimacy with Jesus.

  • 6 sessions · small group
Quiet lakeside cabin retreat surrounded by mountains
The Retreat

An immersive version over a long weekend, the same healing journey, away from all distractions.

  • 8 sessions · immersive weekend
The Journey

Topics & takeaways

What We Explore Together
  • My view of God
  • God-given core longings & needs
  • The lies we believe
  • Focusing on the truth
  • Grieving our losses (lament)
  • Spiritual temperaments
  • Intimacy with Jesus
What You'll Experience
  • Soul-refreshing spiritual practices
  • Honest reflection & safe group sharing
  • Tools for sustaining intimacy
  • Healing rhythms you can carry into life & ministry
Facilitators

Who You'll Meet

Cathy Gates, Director of Thrive Ministries and founder

Cathy Gates

B.Sc.N., M.A. Strategic Leadership

Founder of Thrive, a seasoned small-group leader and workshop presenter who brings compassion, transparency, and humility. Holds a Certificate of Formational Prayer from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Dave Dion, Thrive team member, board member, and pastor

Dave Dion

Pastor

Over 25 years as an ordained minister, trained in formational prayer through Healing Care Ministries. His heart is to see leaders leading from wholeness and deep connection to God.

From Past Participants

A closer walk

This retreat has been a blessing for me as a pastor. Ministry is often hard and our own souls grow weary. This retreat helped me strengthen the soul of my leadership by refocusing on increasing my intimacy with God.

Pastor

This retreat showed me just how much God wants me to know Him better. I learned how some of my forgotten hurts kept me from feeling His love, and I had a chance to grieve the pain and release it to God.

Anonymous

This retreat has impacted my life greatly! I highly recommend the retreat weekend, away from all distractions, to grow a deeper intimacy with God.

Anonymous

Longing for more?

Request a conversation to find the group or retreat that fits you.

Request a conversation