Abide Retreat
Strengthened + Held
How Jesus Still Makes a Difference in Life & Ministry
May 18-21, 2027
Two Cities Church, Winston-Salem, NC
Why a retreat instead of a conference?
Unlike a typical conference, the Abide Retreat creates space to slow down, receive from Jesus, and reconnect with what matters most.
Through biblical teaching, personal reflection, meaningful conversations, and times of rest, you will connect with God, your ministry team, and leaders from other churches. Rather than focusing primarily on programs, performance, or outcomes, we will explore how abiding in Christ leads to:
Cultivating healthy leaders and flourishing churches
Staying rooted in God’s love
Experiencing freedom and fruitfulness
This 4-day Discipleship Retreat Hopes to Minister to:
Shepherds carrying the weight of teaching, care, and church direction who need to be shepherded themselves.
Pastors & Elders
Ministry Leaders From Pulpit to Preschool
Directors and team leads serving adult, youth, and children's ministries who desire a unified, holistic discipleship framework.
Frontline servants navigating cross-cultural strain and pioneers laying new foundations who need space to step back, exhale, and be replenished.
Church Planters & Missionaries
We were never meant to carry the weight of the ministry alone
Jesus commands us to make disciples—but in the noise of endless priorities, programs, and performance metrics, disciple-making can feel complex and exhausting.
We measure outcomes, adopt best practices, and still wonder why something feels missing.
Pastors and ministry leaders can struggle with the demands of ministry, the challenges in their marriage and family, not to mention the struggles within their souls. Churches can struggle with how to disciple members to know and experience Christ in ways that bear gospel fruit.
What if the key is not doing more, but abiding more?
What if God designed life with Jesus—not strategy—to be the key to ministry and mission?
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Our Keynote Speakers
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Robert Cheong
Keynote Topic:
“Held Fast: Experiencing More of Jesus in Life and Ministry”
Executive Director, Gospel Care Ministries, Louisville, KY -
Rob Futo
Keynote Topic:
“Seeing the Savior: Experiencing More of Jesus in All the Scriptures”Senior Pastor, Sarokko, Budapest
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Johnny Pereira
Keynote Topic:
“The Bullseye of Successful Ministry”Senior Pastor, Salem Chapel, Winston-Salem, NC
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Kike Torres
Keynote Topic:
“Resurrection Power: Living From the Life Jesus Already Gave Us”Senior Pastor, Horizonte, Querétaro, MX
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Les & Alison Groce
Keynote Topic:
“Learning the Abiding Life from Jesus: A Day in the Missional Life of Christ”Global Catalytic Trainers, UK
Retreat Schedule
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3:00 PM - Retreat Check-In
4:30 PM - Worship & Welcome
5:00 PM - Main Session 1: Robert Cheong
6:30 PM - Closing
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8:30 AM - Coffee Fellowship
9:00 AM - Main Session 2: Rob Futo
10:30 AM - Break
11:00 AM - Workshop Round 1
12:15 PM - Offsite Lunch
2:30 PM - Main Session 3: Johnny Pereira
4:00 PM - Break
4:30 PM - Workshop Round 2
6:00 PM - Group Debrief & Testimonies
6:45 PM - Dinner at TCC
7:30 PM - Evening Stories, Panel Discussion, & Testimonies
9:00 PM - Dismiss
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8:30 AM - Coffee Fellowship
9:00 AM - Main Session 4: Kike Torres
10:30 AM - Break
11:00 AM - Workshop Round 3
12:15 PM - Offsite Lunch
2:30 PM - Main Session 5: Les Groce
4:00 PM - Break
4:30 PM - Workshop Round 4
6:00 PM - Group Debrief & Testimonies
6:45 PM - Dismiss
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8:00 AM - Coffee Fellowship
8:30 AM - Guided Team Debrief before Returning: Reimagine Life & Ministry
10:00 AM - Worship
10:15 AM - Abide Time — Robert Cheong (Praying & Living God's Word)
11:30 AM - Dismiss
Ticket Pricing
Early Bird Rate
$215
Purchase your ticket between September and December for $25 off the Standard Rate ($240)
Group Rate
$190
Expires in April. Groups of 5+ get a discount of $50 off the Individual Rate
Individual Rate
$240
Expires in April.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conferences often provide valuable content. The Abide Retreat creates intentional space for communion with God.
Through the Main Sessions and Workshops, you won’t simply receive biblical teaching—you’ll have time to meditate on God’s Word, pray, reflect, and respond to what Jesus is inviting you to experience and change in your life and ministry.
Our hope is that you leave not overloaded with more to do, but refreshed by Jesus, strengthened for ministry, and better equipped to abide in him together. Come not simply to learn more about Jesus, but to experience more of Jesus.
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Rather than filling every moment with more content, the Abide Retreat builds in intentional space to slow down, meet with God, process with your team, and connect with leaders from different churches, cultures, and backgrounds.
We know four days is a meaningful investment of time and resources. That’s why we want to give you the margin to move beyond taking notes—to listen well, process together, and discern how God is calling you to respond. Come prepared to slow down, make space for God, and leave with greater clarity and shared direction for your team.
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The Abide Retreat will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 2027 and conclude on Friday, May 21, 2027.
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Two Cities Church- Winston Salem Campus, located at 1001 N Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. There will be parking on site at Two Cities Church- Winston Salem Campus located at 1001 N Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. (Parking Lot D)
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The nearest airport is Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), which is approximately 30 minutes from the church. If you choose to fly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), your drive to Winston-Salem, NC, will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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No, accommodations are not provided — guests are responsible for arranging their own lodging.
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Kimpton Cardinal Hotels IHG (5 min from Two Cities)
51 fourth St E, Winston Salem NC 27101Fairfield Inn by Marriott (4 min from Two Cities)
125 S Main St Winston Salem NC 27101Hotel Indigo ( 5 min from Two Cities)
104 W Fourth St, Winston Salem NC 27101
Embassy Suites (7 min from Two Cities)
460 Cherry St N Winston Salem NC 27101
Hampton in Downtown (6 min from church)
235 Cherry St N Winston Salem NC 27101
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Yes! If you have a group of 5+ attendees, please email assist@gospel.care to receive a discount code.
More questions? If you have any additional questions, please contact assist@gospel.care for more information.
A 4-Day Discipleship Retreat to Experience How Jesus Still Makes a Difference in Life & Ministry
Join leaders from around the world as we slow down, draw near to the Lord, and rediscover how abiding in Christ restores our souls, renews our relationships, and reshapes our lives and ministry.
Come be refreshed.
Come with your team to learn together.
Come back to the ways of Jesus.
Come be equipped to lead from overflow, not exhaustion.