Step Away. Draw Near. Abide.


In the middle of a busy life, there is something deeply needed about setting aside the ordinary for a little while. Time to open God's Word. Time to be still. Time to enjoy meaningful conversation and laughter with other women. Time to remember where our strength, growth, and fruitfulness truly come from.

Join us for an overnight Women's Ministry Retreat at beautiful Deer Creek State Park Lodge  as we spend three sessions together in John 15, and consider Jesus' invitation to ABIDE.

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus spent the evening with his disciples, sharing a meal and preparing them for what was ahead. In John 15, He gave them an image they would not forget: "I am the vine; you are the branches."

Jesus wanted His disciples then, and He wants His disciples today, to understand how vitally important it is to remain in Him, in His Word, and in obedience to Him.  During our time at the retreat, we'll explore what it means to abide in Christ and what that looks like in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

February 5th and 6th

Deer Creek State Park Lodge | Mt. Sterling, OH

Three Sessions. Three Trusted Bible Teachers. One Invitation: ABIDE.

This year's retreat will feature three teaching sessions from The Gospel Coalition, with each session led by a respected Bible teacher who will guide us through a different aspect of John 15.

Speaker: Melissa Kruger


What does it really mean to abide in Jesus, the True Vine? We’ll begin by looking at the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness and why remaining connected to Christ changes everything.
Melissa Kruger serves as Vice President of Discipleship Programming for The Gospel Coalition and is the author of numerous books and Bible studies focused on discipleship, spiritual growth, and life in Christ.

Speaker: Courtney Doctor

Jesus connects abiding in Him with allowing His words to abide in us. In this session, we’ll consider the essential place God’s Word holds in an abiding life and how Scripture shapes the way we know, trust, and follow Christ. Courtney Doctor serves as Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. She is a Bible teacher and author whose work includes From Garden to Glory, Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace, In View of God’s Mercies, and Behold and Believe.

Speaker: Elizabeth Woodson

Abiding is more than knowing what Jesus said. It changes how we live. Our final session will explore the relationship between love, obedience, and the daily walk of a woman who remains in Christ. Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher and author whose work includes From Beginning to Forever, Embrace Your Life, Habits of Resistance, and Live Free

More Than Three Teaching Sessions

While the teaching for this year’s retreat will be delivered through video, ABIDE is very much an in-person retreat.  We will experience each session together, with the Southgate Women’s Ministry team guiding and facilitating the weekend around the teaching. The retreat gives us something a video watched at home cannot: the opportunity to step away together. There will be time for conversation, reflection, meals around the table, fellowship, laughter, and simply enjoying a change of scenery with other women. The teaching gives us a common place to begin. The retreat experience gives us space to process, connect, encourage one another, and consider how what we are learning meets us in real life. So, pack an overnight bag and come ready for much more than a weekend away. Come ready to slow down, open God’s Word, enjoy time with other women, and be reminded of the One in whom we are called to remain.

Retreat Details

Friday, February 5, 2027
 Retreat begins at 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 6, 2027
 Retreat concludes approximately 3:00–4:00 PM

Deer Creek State Park Lodge
 22300 State Park Road 20
Mt. Sterling, OH 43143

What's Included

Your retreat registration includes:

  • Overnight lodging on Friday evening
  • All three ABIDE teaching sessions
  • Retreat materials
  • Snacks
  • Two meals
  • Women’s Ministry retreat programming and activities

    • <b>Retreat Pricing</b>

    Retreat Pricing

    Pricing is per person and varies according to room type and number of women sharing the room.

    Gather a roommate or two, or make it a room full of friends!

    Registration Opens in November

    You don’t need to register quite yet, but you do want to save these dates!
    February 5 & 6, 2027

    We’ll share registration information and additional retreat details in early November.  For now, start thinking about who you might invite to come with you!

    Come Away and Abide.

    Jesus does not call us simply to work harder, know more, or produce more.  He calls us to remain in Him. This February, we invite you to step away for a night and spend intentional time considering what that invitation means.
    Abide in the True Vine.
    Abide in the Word.
    Abide in Obedience.

    We would love for you to join us!