This is not another executive conference.
It is curated space and time for
silence, spiritual direction, and encounter with God.
No talking heads. No content to consume. An interruption to the machine.
Why Attend?
Leadership doesn’t thrive on constant motion. Hope Rises International CEO and Accord Board Chair, Bill Simmons, shares why intentional rest and the courage to interrupt the daily grind is essential for clarity, resilience, and faithful leadership.
What To Expect
Guided Silence & Prayer
Spiritual Direction
Small Group & Formation Circles
Daily Offices & Unhurried Fellowship
About the Venue
Nestled along the Chattahoochee River in northwest Atlanta, Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center offers a quiet, wooded refuge from the pace and pressure of city life.
The setting is intentionally simple. Guest rooms are modest and uncluttered. Common spaces are functional, not flashy. Every element of the property is designed to remove distraction rather than impress.
Surrounded by forest trails and river views, the grounds invite unhurried walks and quiet conversation. Leaders accustomed to constant decision-making and external demands find room here to think deeply, pray honestly, and discern wisely.
FAQs
Who is this event for?
This retreat is designed for CEOs and senior leaders who carry significant responsibility and rarely step away from it. It’s for leaders who are making weighty decisions, stewarding teams and resources, and navigating constant demands—yet sense the need for deeper clarity and renewal.
What's the schedule?
**DAY 1 – Tues, Aug 25**
- 4:00–6:00 pm — Arrival, check-in, settling
- 6:00–7:00 pm — Dinner (full conversation)
- 7:15–8:30 pm — Opening session: "Why a Different Kind of Retreat?"
- 8:30–9:00 pm — Night Prayer & Examen (corporate)
- 9:00–10:00 pm — Fireside wine & cheese (optional, lightly curated)
**DAY 2 – Wed, Aug 26**
- 7:30–8:00 am — Morning Prayer (optional)
- 8:00–8:45 am — Breakfast (quiet by default)
- 9:00–9:30 am — Invitation to Prayer #1: "Being with God vs. Working for God"
- 9:30–11:30 am — Solitude, prayer, & spiritual direction
- 11:30 am–12:00 pm — Midday Office (short prayer before lunch)
- 12:00–1:00 pm — Lunch in silence
- 1:15–1:45 pm — Invitation to Prayer #2: "Interruption as Gift"
- 1:45–3:00 pm — Extended solitude / direction (core silent block)
- 3:00–5:00 pm — Small-group circles, Round 1 (formation issues only)
- 5:00–6:00 pm — Personal quiet / transition
- 6:00–7:00 pm — Dinner (conversation permitted)
- 7:30–8:00 pm — Night Prayer & Examen (corporate)
- 8:00–until — Fireside wine & cheese (optional, lightly curated)
**DAY 3 – Thurs, Aug 27**
- 7:30–8:00 am — Morning Prayer (optional)
- 8:00–8:45 am — Breakfast in silence
- 9:00–9:30 am — Teaching: "What Do You Really Want?"
- 9:30–11:30 am — Solitude & spiritual direction
- 11:30 am–12:30 pm — Small-group circles, Round 2
- 12:30–1:30 pm — Lunch (conversation)
- 1:45–2:15 pm — Midday Prayer & light teaching: "Consolation, Desolation, and Discernment"
- 2:15–4:00 pm — Retreat block (open / silent)
- 4:30–6:00 pm — Small-group circles, Round 3 (final seats & integration)
- 6:15–7:30 pm — Night Prayer (corporate)
- 7:30–until — Wine & cheese, unhurried fellowship
**DAY 4 – Fri, Aug 28**
- 7:30–8:30 am — Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Word & Anointing
- 8:30–9:15 am — Breakfast
- 9:30–10:30 am — Plenary debrief: "What Am I Taking With Me?"
- 10:30–11:30 am — Pack, personal goodbyes, departures
What does my registration cost cover?
Your all-inclusive registration covers:
- your meals Tuesday evening - Friday morning
- your sleeping room Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night at Igantius House
- event & administrative fees.
How do I get there from the airport?
To get to Ignatius House, take the RED line going NORTH on the MARTA train from the ATL Airport station to the Sandy Springs station (45 minute ride).
It is then a 10 minute Uber/Lyft ride from the Sandy Springs station to the retreat center (6700 Riverside Dr Sandy Springs, GA 30328).
Tell me more about the venue.
The Ignatius House is designed to be a place of peace and reflection. To learn more about what to expect, please visit their website.
