Experience God’s Love and Refuge at Family Retreat

By Joni and Friends|Published On: March 6, 2026|Categories: Family Retreats, News, News & Stories|

Carrie and Jayson pose with their son Collier, another boy, and a woman, all smiling at the camera.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

Throughout the Bible, God provides His people with refuge—places to rest and safe harbor when life gets stormy. Psalm 9 calls God a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 46 names God as His people’s source of strength.

How fitting, then, that Carrie, a mom of three children, including eleven-year-old Collier who lives with autism, uses “refuge” to describe her family’s experience at Joni and Friends^® Knoxville Family Retreat! 

“Family Retreat became a refuge for us,” Carrie says, “a place where Collier was celebrated for exactly who he is, where our family felt surrounded by people who ‘got it,’ and where we experienced joy, rest, and community in ways we had never known before.”  

Before Carrie and her husband, Jayson, brought their children to Family Retreat for the first time, they felt anxious. Carrie had doubts about entrusting Collier’s care to others. But when they experienced the love of Jesus in action through our Joni and Friends staff and volunteers, their anxiety gave way to deep peace and unexpected joy.

“Every one of our needs and expectations was met and surpassed,” Carrie says.

Jayson carrying Collier on his shoulders, posing with Carrie, another boy, and another woman, all smiling at the camera.

“We now look forward to Family Retreat each year,” she continues, “not only because of the break and encouragement it provides, but also because of the relationships that have grown and the healing and bonding that come from worshiping God alongside families just like ours.” 

Jayson carrying his son Collier on his shoulders, both smiling at the camera.

God’s Lovingkindness Showcased in Community

For Carrie, Jayson, and their children, Family Retreat provides a reminder that God offers refuge not only through His presence but through the lovingkindness of His people.

And today, the refuge Collier’s family first found at Family Retreat has grown to provide nurturing care all throughout the year. Because, with support of church training resources from Joni and Friends, their church has become equipped to fully welcome families living with disability.

“Now at our church,” Carrie says, “families like ours are fully known, fully included, and fully embraced.”

With your support, Joni and Friends offers refuge and belonging to families navigating disability through our Retreats & Getaways—and by equipping churches for disability ministry, locally and around the world!