791 Valley Crest Drive, Vista, California 92084, United States
A Day Away to Pray
Individual Retreats
Individual Retreats
“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” (Psalm 51:15)
We invite you or your family to come away for a day or an hour, all day or just part of the day, to meet with your Lord. Stroll the grounds, pray in the angel garden, and relax on the patios adjacent to Shekinah House and Disciple House.
During your visit, we will open the door on the east end of Disciple House so you have access to a bathroom, but note that it is not wheelchair accessible. To spare us the expense of sanitizing entire buildings after each person’s visit, the rest of Disciple House and the other buildings will not be accessible during this time of pandemic.
Before submitting your request, please check our calendar to make sure there is not already a conflicting event at the time you would like to schedule your coming. Our grounds are large enough for three or four individuals or families to come at the same time for A Day Away to Pray, but it is preferable to avoid times when a group is using the facility.
Even if you’re coming for only an hour, we ask that you use the form below to let us know you’re coming so we know when we need to open and sanitize the bathroom, and so we can make sure we don’t have too many people coming at the same time. Thank you very much.
Individual Retreats
Individual Retreats
Individual Retreats
Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray (Matthew 14:23).
Christians have long recognized the need to periodically be alone for thought and prayer, to come away from all of life’s distractions and duties in order to focus on one’s relationship with God. It is a time for spiritual renewal, for listening to the Lord, for setting goals, or for making major changes in one’s life. The Branches of the Cross campus provides a comfortable and peaceful place for such retreats from the world. Stay overnight in our Shekinah House guest lodge for one to five nights between Monday noon and Saturday noon. Stroll the grounds, pray in the angel garden, and relax on the patios adjacent to Shekinah House and Disciple House.
At this time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our individual retreats will be limited to one person or one family unit at a time. You will have our entire grounds and Shekinah House with its five bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms to yourself. Until the pandemic ends, Disciple House and the Chapel will not be available due to the high cost of disinfecting them before and after your visit.
Before submitting your request, please check our calendar to make sure there is not already a conflicting event at the time you would like to schedule your retreat.
Shekinah House
Individual Retreats
Small Group Daytime Meetings
Shekinah House is our guest lodge where people stay overnight. Each of the five bedrooms in Shekinah House has two twin beds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, each is suitable for two members of the same household, but is not recommended for members of different households.
Shekinah House also has a kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms. It is air-conditioned.
Until we can develop or contract for food service, you will need to provide your own meals. Shekinah House has a fully equipped kitchen for food preparation and cleanup. And there are a variety of eateries within fifteen minutes or so.
Small Group Daytime Meetings
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
Small Group Daytime Meetings
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD… “(Isaiah 1:18a)
We invite your group to use Disciple House for your single-day meetings where overnight accommodations are not needed. The downstairs meeting room can accommodate up to 55 people. Under COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, 8 couples and 7 individuals (23 people) or 15 individuals can be safely accommodated.
The dining room upstairs can accommodate up to 20 people in a more family-like setting around the big table.
It is not clear whether the public health restrictions recently announced by the governor of California allow indoor meetings like this. We look forward to hosting your group after those restrictions are lifted.
Before submitting your request, please check our calendar to make sure there is not already a conflicting event at the time you would like to schedule your retreat.
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
“On their return, the apostles told (Jesus) all that they had done. And He took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida.” (Luke 9:10)
We offer a restful, quiet, and well-equipped setting for small group sessions, leadership meetings, ministry retreats, and other Christian group functions. The site is attractive, flexible, and budget-friendly. Stay overnight in our Shekinah House guest lodge, hold meetings and group meals in Disciple House, and worship in our Chapel. Our campus features abundant and inviting outdoor space for relaxation, meditation, and fellowship. Stroll the grounds, pray in the angel garden, and fellowship on the patios adjacent to Shekinah House and Disciple House.
We have lodging accommodations for 10 to 15 guests and meeting space for up to 55. All facilities are fully air-conditioned.
It is not clear whether the public health restrictions recently announced by the governor of California allow indoor meetings like this. We look forward to hosting your group after those restrictions are lifted.
Before submitting your request, please check our calendar to make sure there is not already a conflicting event at the time you would like to schedule your retreat.
Disciple House
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
Small Group Retreats and Conferences
Disciple House is where we host meetings, prayer ministry, and group meals. It is air-conditioned.
The downstairs meeting room can accommodate up to 55 people. Under COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, 8 couples and 7 individuals (23 people) or 15 individuals can be safely accommodated.
The dining room upstairs can accommodate up to 20 people (6 with COVID-19 social distancing) for meals or meetings in a family-like setting around the big table.
The downstairs meeting room and upstairs dining room each have a large screen TV and DVD player for computer presentations or videos.
The downstairs conference room with whiteboard and conference table accommodates eight people (three with COVID-19 social distancing).
The patio outside the kitchen is partly covered and has two umbrella tables for outdoor dining by up to 20 people.
The living room provides casual lounging for up to eight people. Bring in a couple of chairs from the adjacent dining room to seat more people.
To augment the overnight accommodations provided by Shekinah House, we can move a rollaway bed into each of the three prayer rooms, and two rollaway beds into the large room off the living room.
The Chapel
Guest Comments
The Chapel
The Chapel can accommodate up to 55 people. 9 couples and 8 individuals (26 people) or 17 individuals can be accommodated under COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. It is air-conditioned.
Ceiling-mounted projector and retractable screen provide audio-visual presentations controlled from the counter at the rear of the chapel. A large-screen TV in the corner provides computer hookup to display such things as song lyrics.
Grounds
Guest Comments
The Chapel
The angel garden behind the chapel is a lovely place to sit and pray. Wander the grounds and enjoy the wide variety of flowers and fruit trees.
Both Disciple House and Shekinah House have both open and covered patio areas for outdoor meals, meetings, or to pray and enjoy the environment.
On our grounds is a singles tennis court. Unfortunately, the space isn’t large enough for a regulation size doubles court. If you would like to play tennis during your stay, let us know and we will set up the net for you. Bring your own rackets and balls.
And if you’d like to shoot a few baskets, we do have a backboard, hoop, and basketball.
Guest Comments
Guest Comments
Guest Comments
“Thank you for providing an environment that is conducive to seeking the Lord. I appreciate the efforts you made to ensure that my retreat was a good one. This was my fifth retreat and I look forward to coming back next year.”
"My retreat was a powerful one. God is always so gracious and faithful to meet me in a personal way."