COVID-19 Updated Message: “At Spirit in the Desert, we are acting in collaboration with our Retreat Center colleagues around the country, and have decided we cannot host guests at our facilities from May 1 – July 31, 2020. We will still be taking phone messages and booking retreats. Our board is committed to the safety, health, and well-being of our guests, and during this “Inter-mission” time, we are taking time for “Inner-mission” as well. We will be reaffirming our mission, reimagining our collective future, and creating and partnering for even stronger programming. If you would like company during this inner-mission time, we welcome you to read or listen to Jim Hanson’s Touchpoint by clicking on the link on this page. In addition, you may sign up to receive Steve Holm’s Daily Devotions via the additional link on this page. And to find deeper spiritual guidance and practice in your life, read Sue Palmer’s “Spiritual Practices” using the link on this page. Blessings to you during this time and may this inner-mission time be one of healing, renewal and restoration for body, soul and mind.”
In the meantime, we encourage all of you to follow personal hygiene guidelines suggested by the CDC. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding as we go through this here, in our country and in our world.
NEW UPDATE ON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION!
Paul Evenson, Board Chair and the entire Board of Directors and Staff of Spirit in the Desert are pleased to announce our new Executive Director, Eric Simonson! For more information, please go to the “About Us” page and scroll down to Leadership to learn more about Eric and get to know him better. We are thankful for God’s provision at this time for filling this vacancy and giving us a new leader with a heart for the Lord and the mission of Spirit in the Desert. Welcome Eric and Michelle to the “Spirit Family” — we’re glad you are here!
2020 Springtime Hope From The Sonoran Desert
The beauty of spring in the Sonoran Desert gives hope and reminds us that during this pandemic many things are cancelled, but no one–absolutely nothing can cancel the goodness and beauty of God’s Creation! Enjoy and be encouraged.
Spirit in the Desert … a Place for All People
Our Featured Retreats & Events
Sandy Howlett Shares
“Healing of Memories”
Desert Sojourn with Bishop Jim Hazelwood!
Our next Desert Sojourn in February was with Bishop Jim Hazelwood. Using his newly published b [...]
Desert Sojourn with Paul Oman!
Our March Desert Sojourn in February was with Paul Oman, Pastor and Painter! We sang, we color [...]
Desert Sojourn with Dave Ellingson!
Paddle Pilgrim, Pastor, Spiritual Director, Master Gardener, Doctorate in Holistic Health, Env [...]
Jim Hanson Invites
All to Come to Spirit
Learn More About Us
Spirit in the Desert is a peaceful retreat center set among the striking Sonoran desert landscape. View our well-equipped facility and learn about our mission and vision for the future.
Worship with Us
The Spirit in the Desert offers more than space for retreats … come and enjoy our Guided Meditations, listen to the Touchpoints and learn more about our weekly Worship Sessions.
Plan Your Stay
Whether you come for the day, are planning a personal retreat, or considering an overnight stay, here’s the information you’ll need to plan your next visit.
Follow Us on Social Media
Social Board: There is no feed data to display!
We Are Blessed by Our Community
We are forever thankful to our local business partners
and to those in our local community who give of their time.
Read Daily Devotions
Steve Holm, a retired pastor living in Tempe, provides daily meditations for Spirit’s website. Steve served at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe, for 22 years. In the past he has provided meditations for Advent and Lenten illustrated devotional booklets. Now, we’re thankful that he’s providing these short devotions for visitors to the website.
… Read today’s and past devotions
Worship With Us
Every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., Spirit in the Desert provides a mid-week oasis of meditation and Holy Communion for anyone on the campus of Spirit in the Desert and for people in the surrounding community. Each week a short homily — or Touchpoint — based on a Biblical story, is presented by Spirit in the Desert Faith Mentor, Jim Hanson.
… Learn more about “Touchpoints”
Spiritual Practices
Spirituality, or the spiritual life, “is simply the increasing vitality and sway of God’s Spirit in us.” The spiritual life is therefore dynamic, with God’s Spirit working in us to make us more like Christ in response to our thirst for God. I encourage you to explore the spiritual practices as you seek a deeper relationship with God.
… Read Sue’s Monthly Writings
Show Your Support
Your financial support is crucial to Spirit in the Desert’s future. Each year over 4,000 guests and local community residents find renewal, reconciliation, healing and transformation through the ministry of Spirit in the Desert. We depend on the generosity of individuals and groups and value every gift, regardless of size, all of which are tax-deductible.
… There are many ways to give
What Our Retreat Participants Say About Their Experience
My wife and I were guests at Spirit along with our family reunion. We want to express our compliments to the facility and our gratitude to the staff who were wonderful. All could not have been more pleasant, friendly, fun and at time, peaceful! It was the very best family Christmas ever.
I am so very appreciative of every thing that was done by the staff at Spirit to make our workshop session the best it could be. It was so apparent that “small miracles” were happening as the morning unfolded and, once again, I’m reminded that we are here to work God’s plan and not our own agenda. For all that Spirit did to make those miracles happen, I am grateful!
To all the Spirit Staff … front desk, housekeeping, kitchen, yard, program planning—however you define your role, you are all truly God’s servants in your ministry to all visitors … The Spirit of our God roams these buildings and landscape—you are blessed to work here and we are blessed when we come.