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Building sobriety in a God-centered environment, men in recovery find support at peace retreats. Pictured - Men who attended a twelve step program in 2024.
Building sobriety in a God-centered environment, men in recovery find support at peace retreats. Pictured - Men who attended a twelve step program in 2024.
A retreat is a conscious effort to remove one’s self from the churn and distractions of daily life to focus and reset. That may be a mental retreat, finding a moment to pray or meditate in the midst of chaos; or it may involve traveling to a location physically distant, to reap the benefits of no cell phones and no Wi-fi connectivity. We believe individual recovery depends on making a conscious effort to look within – to take inventory – to ponder our shortcomings, to celebrate the blessings in our lives, and to grow closer to our Higher Power (or as we call Him, “God”). Toward this end, the Peace Retreat offers a man in recovery a change of scenery and a structured environment.
The idea to host a retreat of like-minded men in recovery came about in 2023 as Bill Z., KC H., and Pat H. discussed what they saw as a growing gap in various 12 Step recovery programs. While most of these programs very clearly and explicitly describe the need for a relationship with a Higher Power as necessary and integral to recovery and healing, the three agreed the increasingly secular nature of what had formerly been God-centered concepts has diluted the message. Men are struggling because their spiritual development is not being fed. The idea to host a retreat of men within their networks came about, and in November 2023, the first-ever Peace Retreat was conducted at Graves Mountain Farm & Lodge in Syria, Virginia. That event saw 32 men come together for a weekend of prayer, teaching, meditation and sharing in a nondenominational format focused on basic Christian principles.
We welcome men to participate in the Peace Retreat, granted they meet these simple qualifiers: first, each participant should be in recovery from alcohol or substance abuse; second, each participant should have a desire to not drink or use; and third, each participant must agree to be “honest, open and willing” to explore and work toward a relationship with their Higher Power.
We hold that our Higher Power is God – specifically, the tripart Father, Son and Holy Spirit of the Christian faith as expressed to us in God’s word, the Holy Bible. We want to share Him with you, but will not force you to accept or affirm a particular religious or denominational theism. (We are not Catholic – nor Protestant – nor Jewish – nor Mormon – nor any particular flavor. You can accept or reject our position and faith, as you will. That is your choice.) Religion has been a bar to many a man’s spiritual growth, particularly to alcoholics and addicts of our kind!
We ask only that you come to the Peace Retreat, committed to your own spiritual growth, and adhere to our ground rules. Stay as long as you like – leave if you must – but our prayer is that you will gain knowledge, hope and peace, to continue your journey in sobriety.
At Peace Retreats, we believe in building a stronger relationship with a Higher Power to in order to enhance our sobriety. We strive to create a space that is God-centered in the context of a 12-step recovery environment. This retreat is aimed at those new in sobriety as well as those in long-term sobriety, encouraging the interaction of those just getting started and the "old timers" with more days sober seeking a closer walk with their HP. Small groups are used to encourage the sharing of the lessons associated with long-term and short-term sobriety. We will learn together how our God wants us to live happy, joyous and free.
Peace Retreats partners with facilities in the Virginia / North Carolina / West
Virginia area which are equipped with state-of-the-art but simple infrastructure
to ensure your comfort and convenience. These partners offer hotel-style accommodations, meeting spaces and comfortable dining facilities (buffet style, home cooking) – everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay. Bring enough for a spiritual overnighter…a change of clothes, toothbrush and even a Bible and your Big Book, if you're taking suggestions!
We will have exclusive access to meeting rooms, a fire pit, and a break area for coffee, drinks and snacks. We will be dining in the buffet-style restaurant (trust us, the food is FANTASTIC...you won't go hungry!)
SHARING A ROOM? DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOMS HAVE EITHER TWO SINGLE BEDS OR TWO QUEEN BEDS.
A retreat is a conscious effort to remove oneself from the churn and distractions of daily life to focus and reset. This can be a mental retreat, where one finds a moment to pray or meditate amid chaos, or it may involve traveling to a location physically distant, enjoying the benefits of no cell phones and no Wi-Fi connectivity. We believe that recovery, particularly in the context of the twelve step program, depends on making a conscious effort to look within – to take inventory of our lives, ponder our shortcomings, celebrate the blessings bestowed by God, and grow closer to our Higher Power. Toward this end, the Peace Retreat offers men in recovery a change of scenery and a structured environment that fosters faith and personal growth.
We were blessed in our 2023 and 2024 retreats focused on faith and recovery.
2023 theme - Who is the God of your understanding?
2024 theme - Serenity Prayer: the LONG version!
For 2025: Announcing our theme!
Giving it away - are you following Jesus?
Join us for our 2025 fall gathering (19-21 September) at Graves Mountain Farm & Lodge in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains (205 Graves Mountain Ln, Old Blue Ridge Tpk, Syria, VA 22743). This peaceful retreat will be an opportunity for those on the twelve step journey to connect and grow in their understanding of God.
Other peace retreats will be offered in 2026.
FOR MORE DETAILS & INFO, PLEASE CONTACT: PeaceRetreatsVa@gmail.com
