Wholehearted Connection is a transformational marriage enrichment intensive. This is a small, intimate event with 4-5 couples and two facilitator couples. We welcome couples serving in cross-cultural ministry. Whether you are seeking healing and reconnection or just wanting to retool and strengthen your marriage, this intensive will offer the space and tools you need to build a stronger, more deeply connected “us”.

Each learning session will be paired with an opportunity to practice and explore the content further both individually and with your spouse. You will have plenty of space to process what you are learning and have access to one-on-one time with the intensive facilitators.

You are invited to:

• Get away to a beautiful, peaceful setting to re-tool and reconnect with your spouse

• Have courage (cor – Latin for heart and means, “to speak one's mind by telling all one's heart”) and stay “all in”

You will learn:

• Keys to unlocking the recurring places of conflict, tension and self-protection

• Your pain cycle and your habitual coping strategies

• Your peace cycle: practical steps to vulnerability, compassion and authentic  connection

So that:

• We cultivate deeper intimacy with ourselves, others and God

• Our cycles of pain and conflict can be transformed into avenues for compassion and intimacy

• We can better know who we were created to be and pursue what we were created to do

• We can live wholehearted, deeply connected lives!

The Pain & Peace Cycle content is based on the works of Christian psychologists Dr. Terry and Sharon Hargrave, founders of Restoration Therapy and RelateStrong. The Hargraves have dedicated their lives and work to helping individuals better understand their own stories and emotions so that they can pursue wholehearted living and authentic connection.

This small group event provides opportunities for self-reflection and awareness of core issues and pain that are being activated in our marriages and models a way for you to be with your spouse that will build empathy, connection and peace to handle even the toughest conversations.

The Marriage Intensive includes a private practice session for each couple with a facilitator to help you better navigate conflict in your marriage and pursue intimacy. We also offer 1-2 practice sessions post-retreat.

The Marriage Intensive is psycho-educational in nature and not therapy or a substitute for ongoing therapy/counseling. While this intensive is designed for couples at a variety of stages and seasons in their relationship, we recognize that this content and the group setting are not always the best fit for certain seasons or issues. SentWell does offer individualized intensive options. To find out more, complete the Request for Services Form.

This event is not appropriate for you if you are currently facing domestic violence, separation, or other serious relational issues.

Spring Arrival: Sunday, 16th March 2025

Spring Departure:  Friday, 21st March 2025

Autumn Arrival: Sunday, 16th November 2025

Autumn Departure:  Friday, 21st November 2025

Location:  La Morada, SentWell’s care and development center located in Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga, Spain. This is a peaceful area just inland from the Costa del Sol, ten minutes from the Mediterranean and fifteen minutes from Málaga airport (AGP).

See more details about arrival/departure times and details under “Getting to the Retreat”.

The Marriage Intensive Full Board Fees 2025

Your registration fee includes:

• Full room and board (five nights’ accommodation in double room)

• Three healthy, tasty meals per day and all snacks and drinks during the day

• Content & materials

• Private practice sessions for each couple with a facilitator during the retreat

• 1-2 practice sessions post-retreat

There are three options for payment:

1) If you are part of Novo, you may pay by internal transfer. Contact Maya.gancheva@novo.org for details.

2) You may pay in euros by making a payment into our Spanish bank account. Contact maya.gancheva@novo.org for details.

3) You may pay by credit card in US dollars via the “Registration” tab.

STEP 1

We are delighted that you are ready to sign up for the Marriage Intensive! Please complete the application form via the button below. The event facilitators review all applications before inviting you to confirm your registration via payment. If you have any questions at any point, please email matthew.talley@novo.org and we will do our best to help you

The retreat is for couples only, no children.

STEP 2

Once we have reviewed and accepted your application, you will have three possible payment options. 

1) If you would like to pay by credit card in USD, please pay by clicking the button

2) If you would prefer to pay in euros by bank transfer, please contact Maya.gancheva@novo.org.  

3) If you are part of Novo, you may make an internal transfer to the following fund: 9806-04 SentWell Marriage Retreat.

STEP 3

Book flights or transportation. See “Getting to the Retreat” section.  

The Marriage Intensive will take place in Alhaurín de la Torre, about 15 minutes from Málaga airport (AGP).  Málaga is well-served by many international carriers and connects with dozens of European countries with good onward connections to cities outside of Europe.

Complementary transfers are available from the airport or Málaga’s Maria Zambrano train station on arrival day and departure day within the arrival and departure windows: 

• Arrivals on Sunday 16th November: 12p--3p

• Departures on Friday 21st November: 8a--12p

Please plan to arrive by 2pm at the Málaga airport or train station on arrival day.  If you are traveling by car, please plan to arrive at La Morada in Alhaurin de la Torre by 3pm. La Morada’s address: Av. el Alamillo, 13, 29130 Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga.

You are free to leave anytime in the morning on departure day and complementary transfers will be available from 8am--12p on this day.