The Wild God: Five-Day Exploration of the Masculine Spiritual Journey
A five-day, four-night retreat led by Jim Taylor and Marc Oehler · Sponsored by West Side Presbyterian Church
What if the parts of yourself you've spent a lifetime hiding are actually the doorway to freedom?
Join us for a five-day immersion into the masculine spiritual journey. Through wisdom teachings, men's council, ritual, wilderness experience, silence, drumming, storytelling and sacred companionship, we will explore what it means to become more fully ourselves before God.
Led by Jim Taylor, a seasoned Weaver, Wisdom Elder and Wilderness Guide, together with Marc Oehler, pastor, poet and spiritual companion, The Wild God invites men to step away from the demands of daily life and enter a sacred space of reflection, renewal and transformation.
Over five days, we will journey through the archetypal landscape of the masculine soul, exploring innocence, shadow, longing, courage, grief, joy, and the deeper wisdom that emerges when we listen to the voice of God within and around us.
🗓️ Registration Is Open
Wednesday, April 28 – Sunday, May 2, 2027
Arrival and registration begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, dinner is at 6:00, and our opening gathering starts at 7:00. We conclude at about noon on Sunday, after the closing gathering and lunch.
$500
Includes four nights of lodging, meals, and all retreat materials, rituals and programming. Scholarships are available. Space is limited.
The Retreat Experience
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Wednesday evening
Sacred Gathering
We begin with shared meals, storytelling, drumming, fire circles, and the creation of a sacred community where every man is welcomed and known.
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Throughout the retreat
Wisdom Teachings & Men's Council
Jim and Marc will offer teachings drawn from myth, poetry, spirituality and the lived experience of men. Daily council circles provide opportunities for honest reflection, deep listening and authentic connection.
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Throughout the retreat
Ritual & Contemplative Practice
Through guided rituals, silence, prayer, journaling and time in nature, we will engage the deeper dimensions of spiritual growth and personal transformation.
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Friday evening
The Sweat Lodge
We enter a traditional four-round sweat lodge ceremony, a powerful ritual of purification, surrender, prayer and renewal.
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Friday night into Saturday
The 24-Hour Solo Wilderness Fast
Following the sweat lodge, each man enters a 24-hour wilderness vigil that includes a period of fasting, silence and solitude. By setting aside for a time the usual comforts and distractions of daily life, we create space to listen more deeply to God, ourselves and the world around us.
In the simplicity of the wilderness, we encounter the wildness of God, the truth of our own lives, and the wisdom waiting beneath the surface.
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Saturday evening
The Return
We gather around the fire to share what we have seen and heard during our vigil. Through feast, story, drumming, laughter and celebration, we honor the journey and welcome one another home.
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Sunday morning
Becoming Wild
We conclude with a final blessing and commissioning, carrying what we have discovered back into our families, communities, work and daily lives. Having stepped beyond the familiar and listened for the voice of God in the wilderness, we return not as different people, but as more fully ourselves.
No previous wilderness experience is necessary. You will receive thorough preparation and support throughout the retreat, and accommodations can be made for medical or dietary needs.
Who Should Attend?
This retreat is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and become more fully the man God created you to be. Whether you are in a season of transition, grief, discernment or renewal, or simply longing for a deeper connection with God, you are welcome here.
This retreat may be especially meaningful for:
- Men who desire a deeper spiritual life.
- Men seeking clarity, healing, renewal or purpose.
- Men longing for authentic connection with God, themselves and other men.
- Men willing to step into the wilderness and discover what is waiting there.
Come discover what God may be longing to awaken in you.
The Venue & Logistics
Location: Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, 822 Route 519, Johnsonburg, NJ 07825
A camp and retreat center in the highlands of northwest New Jersey, about ten minutes from the Hope and Hackettstown exits of I-80. Visit the camp's website.
Your registration includes:
- Five days and four nights of lodging, Wednesday through Sunday.
- Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday.
- Breakfast on Sunday, and a closing lunch (optional).
- All retreat rituals, materials, council circles and program activities.
Friday evening and Saturday follow the rhythm of the sweat lodge and the 24-hour fast, which ends in Saturday evening's feast. When you register, you can ask for a single room (if one is available) or name the man you'd like to room with.
If the Fee Is a Barrier
We never want finances to be the reason someone cannot attend. If the cost presents a hardship, please write to Marc at moehler@westside.org for a confidential conversation.
If you're able to give beyond your registration, the form also offers a gift to the Men's Ministry Scholarship Fund, which supports the men attending on scholarship.
Your Retreat Guides
Jim Taylor is a seasoned Weaver, Wisdom Elder and Wilderness Guide, and a member of the Choosing Presence leadership team.
Marc Oehler is a pastor, poet and spiritual companion.
Questions?
If you'd like to join us but need more information first, write to Marc at moehler@westside.org.
Space is limited. Step into sacred space. Enter the wild. Return whole.
Register Now$500 · lodging, meals and all programming included · scholarships available
The Wild God is sponsored by West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey, which handles registration and payment. Choosing Presence is glad to share it with our community.