Silence Before God: Prayer Retreats

While driving to HCBC last fall, I called a good friend to talk. He shared with me his experience at a week-long silent retreat he attended at a monastery. I was intrigued by his experience and wondered what that might look like at HCBC. While meeting with Jon Oldham and his leadership later that week, one of his leaders remembered that HCBC produced a booklet around the time of COVID called A Personal Spiritual Retreat Guide and Journal. It was intended to help people walk through a time with God when an in-person retreat might not be feasible. The idea was planted for a silent retreat at HCBC.

Just prior to our meeting, I met a man who I thought was the perfect person to lead a retreat. I met John Grove at the Philadelphia Prayer Summit held at HCBC. John followed every meal with the question “What did you hear from God in your last time alone?” That reinforced the idea that a silent retreat wasn’t just to pray and read Scripture alone—it was to listen for God to speak.

The first silent retreat at HCBC took place in early December 2024. For me, personally, waking up each morning and watching the sunrise on the beach was a powerful reminder of the beauty God has created and enhanced my desire to spend eternity with him.

One of the retreat attendees, a friend who flew from Florida, commented, “It was such a great place and time to spend with fellow Christians.” Jack Gulati also commented that the retreat helped him grow in his relationship with Christ.

December is a hard time to get away. The holiday rush starts early. But it’s the perfect time to prepare for Advent and the waiting again for Jesus’ birth. That may not work for some people. For that reason, HCBC has scheduled two silent retreats: Friday, December 5—Sunday December 7, 2025 and Monday, January 12—Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Put these dates on a calendar and make a reservation for your time alone with God!

Jerry Williams
Ministry Advancement