We understand that many of us live with an intuition that something essential is missing in our faith experience.
We may honor a particular religious tradition, may feel wounded by our previous experiences, or have no formal religious affiliation. Whatever our journey, something is missing.
We honor that inner yearning by creating space for the still, small voice. We often need a peaceful place of retreat, a community where we can draw on support and guidance from those who have walked this journey before. We experience God’s love moving in our lives, especially through contemplative prayer. Having received God’s love this way, we invite others to experience it too.
Core Values
Christian
Christos is a Christian Retreat Center. Our foundations are in Christian history, influenced by the Christian mystics, and rooted in the person of Jesus.
Contemplative
We practice many contemplative traditions such as silence, pilgrimage, and prayer so that we may listen for God’s voice and transform our inner lives.
Ecumenical
We serve people of all Christian denominations and those without a current church affiliation.
Communal
Whether we gather as two or twenty, in person or online, we share a deep connection with God and each other.
Experiential
Christos is an experiential ministry. We experience God’s love moving in our lives, especially through contemplative prayer. Having received God’s love this way, we invite others to experience it too. This invitation includes using our minds to understand, our feelings to engage, and our actions to live out the changes brought by the experience.
Silence. Solitude. Reflection. Prayer.
Retreat. Pilgrimage. Spiritual Direction
The Christos Story
It all started with an idea from our founder, Joann Nesser.
In 1978, after attending many silent retreats led by Catholic nuns and spiritual directors, Joann Nesser realized that contemplative spirituality was a missing piece in her own Lutheran tradition. She suggested a similar retreat for women at her church and, ultimately, was asked to lead it and share what she had been learning. The strong response revealed spiritual hunger and confirmed for Joann the need for this kind of ministry. A few friends joined her in offering retreats to deepen the love relationship with God.
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