Eden Project

These are the words of Christian leaders — pastors, ministry workers, marketplace leaders — who spent a year in Eden Lead. "I was in desperate need of rest and I needed something to help me break free from my heart's relentless, tiring default of performing to earn God's love. The Eden Lead year was that gift to my soul." "I came dry and distant. I left realizing that God is not still-faced toward me, but responsive and delighted to spend time with me. That changed everything." "Eden Lead helped me move from knowing God's love to truly experiencing it." "This Eden Lead Cohort was the year that my belief that God is disappointed with me died." Eden Lead is a year-long spiritual formation cohort for Christian leaders built around one conviction: that many of us have developed a deep knowledge of God without a corresponding experience of his love. Through theologically grounded teaching, experiential practices rooted in scripture, and a community of leaders on the same journey, Eden Lead creates space to encounter who God actually is. Applications open April 1st for two new cohorts launching in July 2026 — Eden Lead #6 in Stoneville, NC and Eden Lead #7 in Little Rock, AR.  If something here resonates, we'd love to start a conversation: theedenproject.com/lead

Christian leaders, most leadership training adds more to your plate. Eden Lead does the opposite. Instead of teaching you new techniques or giving you another framework to implement, Eden Lead reshapes how you live, lead, and love from the inside out. It's a year-long journey focused on three things: encountering God as better than you believed him to be, embracing who you are as his beloved, and establishing a sustainable pace for your life. This isn't about adding more. It's about coming home to your first love with Jesus. If you're curious whether Eden Lead might be right for this season of your leadership, join us for a Discovery Call on Tuesday, March 24th, 7pm (CST). It's just a space to connect, ask questions, and explore together—no pressure, no commitment required. Sign up: theedenproject.com/lead Applications for our 2026 cohorts (in North Carolina and Arkansas) open April 1st.

You believe God loves you because that’s what the Bible says. But are you experiencing that love — in your prayer life, when you open the scriptures, while at work? Whether you've been feeling the weight of a performance-driven faith, or you simply want unhurried, intentional time with God away from the noise, the Journey Home Retreat is for you. The Journey Home is a three-day, two-night retreat built around theologically grounded teaching and experiential practices rooted in scripture — not just learning more about God, but actually encountering the heart of the Father. Join us next month for this unique experience at La Palmilla Resort in Glen Rose, TX. 📅 April 27–29, 2026 | Mid-Week Retreat Don't come alone. Bring your spouse. Grab a couple of staff members or church leaders. The Journey Home tends to go deeper when you're surrounded by people already in your life. 10 spots to fill. 10 days to left register. Deadline is March 27th. Learn more at: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho…

We’re Hiring: Eden Project Administrative Assistant (Part-Time) Eden Project is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Administrative Assistant to support the Eden Lead team with our growing retreat ministry around the country. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in organization, financial analysis, systems management, and relational support. We are looking for someone passionate and willing to uphold the Eden Project’s mission and values. This part-time, hybrid position (20 hours/week) plays a key role in operations, financial modeling, CRM support, digital content coordination, and facilitator care, ultimately providing high-level administrative support to the Eden Lead Director and team. The Eden Lead office is in Aledo, Texas. Details: Part-time: 20 hours/week Pay: $20–$25/hour Location: Hybrid (remote & in-office) Employment Type: Non-exempt If you are highly organized, trustworthy, comfortable working independently, and excited to contribute to meaningful work, please submit your resume to Becca Zepeda at bzepeda@edenteam.org.

Here's why you won't regret coming to a Journey Home Retreat: Jesus will be there waiting for you. And Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. He has better dreams for your life than you've dared to hope for. He loves you more than you even love yourself. A Journey Home Retreat is extra time to follow Jesus one-on-one and see what he has for you. Luke 5 says Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness to be with his Father—and we all need that from time to time. Space to let him guide you exactly where he wants you to go. You can expect Jesus to surprise you. Because he knows exactly what you need in this next season. Learn more: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho… 2026 Retreats: March 16-18 | Stoneville, NC (Register by Feb 13) April 27-29 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by March 25) Oct 19-21 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by Sept 16)

A Journey Home Retreat is for two groups of people. The first: you're stuck in your spiritual life and can't figure out why. Most of us are stuck because we don't actually believe God is as good as Scripture says, or we don't believe we're as beloved as he says we are. A Journey Home Retreat helps you slow down, identify what you're believing, and discover the freedom that comes from getting the story right. The second group: you're not stuck—you're hungry. You want more with God. You want to stop being a stranger to yourself and live fully into your identity as his beloved. Whether you're stuck or hungry, the Journey Home Retreat is for you. Learn more: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho… 2026 Retreats: March 16-18 | Stoneville, NC (Register by Feb 13) April 27-29 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by March 25) Oct 19-21 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by Sept 16)

So what actually happens at a Journey Home Retreat? You'll spend three days grounded in Scripture, focusing on two foundational truths: God is way better than you believe Him to be, and you are more beloved than you've dared to dream. But here's what makes a Journey Home Retreat different—you won't just learn about these truths. You'll rest. Long walks. Guilt-free naps. Time to take care of yourself. You'll experience guided spiritual practices that help you see what living at home in God's love could actually look like. And you'll leave with practical rhythms to sustain that life when you go home. Learn more: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho… 2026 Retreats: March 16-18 | Stoneville, NC (Register by Feb 13) April 27-29 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by March 25) Oct 19-21 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by Sept 16)

Most of us could pass a theology exam about God's love. But in our real lives—when we're stressed, when we've failed, when we're alone—we often don't experience that love personally. We experience a God who feels angry, distant, or critical. That gap between knowing and experiencing is tragic, and it's exactly why the Journey Home Retreat exists. Over three days, we create space for you to notice this gap in your own life—not as evidence of your failure, but as an invitation into something deeper. You'll understand why the gap exists, then discover a clear path forward: a way to experience a deeper connection with God, yourself, and others than you might have ever realized was possible. Finally, we’ll send you home with practices and routines to continue a life of relational flourishing. Learn more: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho… 2026 Retreats: March 16-18 | Stoneville, NC (Register by Feb 13) April 27-29 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by March 25) Oct 19-21 | Glen Rose, TX (Register by Sept 16)

Christian leaders, most leadership training adds more to your plate. Eden Lead does the opposite. Instead of teaching you new techniques or giving you another framework to implement, Eden Lead reshapes how you live, lead, and love from the inside out. It's a year-long journey focused on three things: encountering God as better than you believed him to be, embracing who you are as his beloved, and establishing a sustainable pace for your life. This isn't about adding more. It's about coming home to your first love with Jesus. If you're curious whether Eden Lead might be right for this season of your leadership, join us for a Discovery Call on Wednesday, February 11th from 12-1pm CST. It's just a space to connect, ask questions, and explore together—no pressure, no commitment required. Sign up: theedenproject.com/lead Applications for our 2026 cohorts (in North Carolina and Arkansas) open April 1st.

Here's what I know about you: Your soul is hungry and thirsty for more of God. More of his love, more of his joy, more of his peace. If you want more of God, The Journey Home Retreat is designed for you. The Journey Home Retreat helps you embark on a fresh journey to living more and more at home in the love of God. Not as a concept, but as a daily reality you experience. Two upcoming retreats to choose from: 1) February 27 - March 1 | Ferncliff Retreat Center, Arkansas Register by January 23, 2026 2) March 16-18 | St. Francis Retreat Center, North Carolina Register by February 13, 2026 Early bird pricing: Save $100 with code SAVE100NC (valid through January 13) What if 2026 could be the year you move from knowing about God's love to actually living in it? Learn more and register: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho… ——————————————— The Eden Project Newsletter Sign up to receive weekly emails with: • Practical teaching on how to have a deeper and more healthy relationship with God, yourself, and others. • Stories of transformation from people being changed by Jesus through the Eden Project • Ways to connect through upcoming retreats, seminars, and events You’ll also get a free copy of our Triad Guide and How to Pray the Psalms resource — two simple tools to help you grow with God and others. Sign up here: theedenproject.com/newslettersign… or through our Linkinbio

As we close out 2025, my heart is full of gratitude for what God has been doing through Eden Project. Hundreds of Christian leaders have had deep encounters with God that transformed their lives. Pastors rediscovering joy. Leaders breaking free from performance-based faith. Marriages restored. Burnout healed. Congregations led by men and women more deeply connected to God than ever before. Stories like Charlie's, Lindy's, and David's don't happen without partners who believe in this work. Right now, we're asking for your help to finish 2025 strong. Can you step into the gap with us and help us cross the finish line? We have just hours left before midnight tomorrow, and we need a few more monthly partners to reach our goal. When you commit to $25, $50, or $100 per month, you're becoming a long-term partner in raising up a generation of healthy Christian leaders. What your monthly partnership makes possible: - More Journey Home and Eden Lead retreats - Scholarships for pastors and leaders - Expansion of Eden Chapters nationwide - Launching Nathan's God Image Diagnostic Assessment If the Lord is prompting you to partner with us, now is the time. Become a monthly donor: theedenproject.com/give (One-time year-end gifts also help us start 2026 strong.) Thank you for being part of this mission. Let’s press on together.

Over the past three years, we've seen hundreds of Christian leaders have deep, meaningful encounters with God that have transformed how they see themselves, the world, and what they can receive from God. These leaders represent congregations all over the world—tens of thousands of people being led by men and women who are more deeply connected to God than they've ever been. That's what we're working toward: a generation of healthy Christian leaders. The need is great. And we're going to keep going—keep ministering, keep pouring into the lives of leaders. Would the Lord have you partner with us? If you want to be part of this work, one of the ways you can engage is financially. Go talk to the Lord about it. And if he would have you jump in the boat with us, we'd be grateful. Give at: theedenproject.com/give

"Lord, with all the things wrong in my life—all the oppression, pain, and evil—how do I know you're going to make this right?" The answer is: Just look at Jesus. He is the sign. The concrete sign of the movement of God among us. The kingdom that is coming and has already come. What we celebrate at Christmas isn't just any child. It's the child. The warrior child who lands in force in enemy-occupied territory to push back the darkness. Watch Nathan's full Christmas devotional on Isaiah 9: youtube.com/watch?v=3utV4t… Want content like this in your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at theedenproject.com/newslettersign… —biblical teaching, stories of transformation, and resources for Christian leaders delivered every week.

We hope you're enjoying December as we celebrate this Advent season leading up to Christmas.   As we look ahead to the new year, we wanted to remind you that our next Journey Home retreat is January 26-28 at La Palmilla Resort in Glen Rose, Texas, just outside Dallas and next Thursday the 18th is the deadline to register.    This is a mid-week retreat, which means you can attend without using weekend time with your family.   If you haven't been to a Journey Home Retreat yet, this is your opportunity.   What if there's a life available to you that's better than you could have imagined?   A life where you're deeply connected to God, to yourself, and to others each and every day.   That's what Journey Home is designed to unlock.   Here's what you need to know: Dates: January 26-28, 2026 (Monday-Wednesday) Location: La Palmilla Resort, Glen Rose, Texas Registration Deadline: Thursday, December 18 Important: There's limited availability and spots are filling up. It only takes a few minutes to register and secure your spot. Register now: theedenproject.com/the-journey-ho…   We hope to see you there!

“We were created in the image of God, who is inherently relational. As such, the quality of our lives is the quality of our relationships.”   Last week we established that God is triune—eternally existing as a community of love. This week’s tenet follows naturally: if God is relational by nature, and we’re made in his image, then we are inherently relational, too.   The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships. Not your achievements, not your knowledge, not your performance. Your relationships—with God, with yourself, and with others.   This is why isolation hurts. Why loneliness is so destructive. Why you can have everything the world defines as success and still feel empty. You weren’t designed to flourish alone. You were designed for connection because you bear the image of a God who is connected. This shifts everything about how we think about spiritual formation. It’s not primarily about information transfer or behavior modification. It’s about restoring and deepening relationships . ——————————————— The Eden Project Newsletter Sign up to receive weekly emails with: • Practical teaching on how to have a deeper and more healthy relationship with God, yourself, and others. • Stories of transformation from people being changed by Jesus through the Eden Project • Ways to connect through upcoming retreats, seminars, and events You’ll also get a free copy of our Triad Guide and How to Pray the Psalms resource — two simple tools to help you grow with God and others. Sign up here: theedenproject.com/newslettersign… or through our Linkinbio

Paul wasn’t praying for people who didn’t know God loved them.   He was praying for Christians who already knew the theology. They’d heard it. They believed it.   But Paul wanted them to be rooted like a plant in soil. To feel in their bones that God is nourishing and dependable. To swim around in the vastness of Christ’s love.   Steve Porter writes: This is experiential knowledge. Not just facts about God, but personal encounter with God.   Spiritual growth is slow because receiving God’s love is slow.   From “Experiencing the Transformational Love of Jesus”: theedenproject.com/reform-article… ——————————————— The Eden Project Newsletter Sign up to receive weekly emails with: • Practical teaching on how to have a deeper and more healthy relationship with God, yourself, and others. • Stories of transformation from people being changed by Jesus through the Eden Project • Ways to connect through upcoming retreats, seminars, and events You’ll also get a free copy of our Triad Guide and How to Pray the Psalms resource — two simple tools to help you grow with God and others. Sign up here: theedenproject.com/newslettersign… or through our Linkinbio

Here’s something most of us have experienced:   Years of Bible study. Sermons. Theology. We know the facts about God’s love.   And yet—we’re not deeply transformed.   Steve Porter explains why: The facts haven’t become experientially real.   It’s like knowing everything about the Grand Canyon but never standing at the edge.    The information is true, but it hasn’t impacted you the way the actual experience would.   Spiritual formation isn’t just about learning more. It’s about experiencing the God we’re learning about.   From “Experiencing the Transformational Love of Jesus”: theedenproject.com/reform-article… ——————————————— The Eden Project Newsletter Sign up to receive weekly emails with: • Practical teaching on how to have a deeper and more healthy relationship with God, yourself, and others. • Stories of transformation from people being changed by Jesus through the Eden Project • Ways to connect through upcoming retreats, seminars, and events You’ll also get a free copy of our Triad Guide and How to Pray the Psalms resource — two simple tools to help you grow with God and others. Sign up here: theedenproject.com/newslettersign… or through our Linkinbio

Last week: Transformation doesn’t happen through magic, earning, or willpower. It’s relational.   This week: Steve Porter helps us understand why it’s not just knowing more about God that transforms us, but experiencing his love in our daily lives.   The Grand Canyon analogy: You can study it your whole life, but standing at the edge is different. That’s the gap between factual and experiential knowledge.   Job knew about God, but everything changed when he said: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”   Paul prayed for Christians who already knew God loved them—that they would experience it more fully. To be “rooted and grounded in love.”   Here’s the problem: We can have “Christianity from the neck up”—lots of biblical information but not much inner transformation.   Spiritual growth is slow because receiving God’s love is slow. And that’s okay. Read Steve’s full article: theedenproject.com/reform-article…

What if there’s a depth of connection to God, to yourself, and to others that you didn’t even know was available?   That’s what The Journey Home Retreat helps unlock.   This isn’t about quick fix platitudes or trying harder to be holy. It’s about discovering a way of living you previously didn’t know was possible. A life where you’re actually at home in God’s love, experiencing his presence in ways that transform your real daily life.   If you’re looking for way to make 2026 your best year yet, this is it.   March 16-18, 2026 St. Francis Retreat Center, North Carolina Mid-Week Retreat   Register by January 13 and save $100 (code: SAVE100NC). Registration closes February 13th.   Swipe for details. Link in bio to register. theedenproject.com/st-francis-ret…

There’s a way to live that most of us haven’t discovered yet.   A life where you’re deeply connected—to God, to yourself, to others. Where you’re not just going through the motions of faith, but actually experiencing the transformation you’ve been longing for.   The Journey Home Retreat helps unlock that potential.   Over two nights at Ferncliff in Arkansas, you’ll move beyond what you thought was possible. Through teaching, guided practices, and spiritual direction, you’ll discover what changes when you learn to live at home in God’s love.   This is a weekend retreat, which means you can come without taking time off work.   What if 2026 could be the year everything shifts? February 27 - March 1, 2026 Ferncliff Retreat Center, Arkansas Weekend Retreat   Register by December 25 and save $100 (code: SAVE100AR). Registration closes January 23rd.   Swipe for details. Link in bio to register. theedenproject.com/ferncliff