Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
How God Shows up in Mens Retreat
In the quiet hills and late-night conversations of men’s retreat, God moves in ways that words can barely capture; through laughter, repentance, and brotherhood that lasts long after the weekend ends.
We asked David Aguilar to share his experience at The Well’s Men’s Retreat, and his response said it all. For him, it’s not just a weekend away, it’s a sacred space where men encounter God and each other in real, life-changing ways.
It’s a tearful, Spirit-filled, and joyful experience. Man, it’s one of those things I would literally sacrifice anything to attend. Last year, I was so bummed because I had to be out of town for a film shoot. I remember telling my disciple group, “Hey guys, I might not make it to the men’s retreat—pray that the video shoot gets canceled.”
Two weeks before the retreat, my phone buzzed. A text flashed across the screen: “We’re changing the day of the shoot.” I just sat there grinning—God had cleared the path. Honestly, I would have turned down that job just to go, because the blessing and community I experienced there lasted far beyond the weekend. That’s part of why I’ve been at The Well so long; these men’s retreats have helped build a true brotherhood.
On Sundays, you might nod at someone across the aisle. At retreat, that same guy is praying with you at 2 a.m. Watching men live out their faith—seeing it, not just hearing about it—sharpens you like iron striking iron. Those moments often spark deeper engagement, like joining a CG or a serving team. Meeting someone walking faithfully inspires you to do the same. The camera’s usually in my hands, but the real moments happen after midnight—when the lights dim, laughter fades, and the room fills with quiet voices and honest prayers.
We talk about struggles, we cry, we pray, we encourage each other. “What are you struggling with?” becomes more than a question; it’s a lifeline. Somewhere in those late-night talks, the conversation always turns to family. We share stories about our kids, our mistakes, our hopes—and it feels like a circle of fathers learning to love better.
The world keeps shouting through newsfeeds, deadlines, opinions, and distractions. But then you step into retreat, and it’s like walking into still water.
The world keeps shouting through newsfeeds, deadlines, opinions, and distractions. But then you step into retreat, and it’s like walking into still water.
I often find myself weeping the whole time—tears of joy, repentance, or compassion—as I pray with a brother who’s confessing something deep.
You can feel the Spirit moving there. One afternoon, I wandered into the woods with my Bible. The breeze was still, and somewhere between Corinthians and the quiet, the tears just started to fall. Thomas came up behind me, and together we prayed. God knew exactly what I needed. I realized how tightly I hold everything—and how little space that leaves for Him to move.
I’ve watched men crumble in tears and rise in worship, stunned by grace, saying, “I didn’t know I could follow Jesus like this.” They thought faith was all about following rules, but then they meet Spirit-filled men who are real, honest, and passionate.
It breaks down false ideas of what a Christian—or a man—should look like. Let’s be real: men in church can seem disengaged. We’ll shout for a football game with our hands raised and faces painted, then in worship we stand with our hands in our pockets.
But at the men's retreat, something breaks open. Every time I leave, I feel more grounded, more alive in my faith, and more connected to my brothers. It’s a vivid reminder that we’re not meant to follow Jesus alone. We need each other, and weekends like this help us remember who we are and who we’re fighting for.
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