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Retreating for 3-days approx every 3 months has been a pattern of mine at various times throughout my adult life.

I used to go to stay at my Grandma’s in my hometown of Burton-on-Trent before she passed away…

But more recently, I’ve sensed a nudge by the Spirit to go to a particular town or city without really knowing why, booking a B&B for 2/3 nights to seek God and explore the place in question.

The places I’m sent to may not be obvious choices –

‘The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’

Doncaster

In October 2025, I retreated to Doncaster!

Many look surprised when I name Doncaster as a place of retreat. But like most quirky episodes in my life, It came from the invitation of the Spirit. So I set off to spend 3 days in that city!

For most of my time here, it rained, with grey sky.

I moved around from cafe to cafe to pub whilst reading a book I had brought with me on the journey:

Wartime Sense of Urgency

First stop: Little Goat Coffee, where I sat pondering what God may have in store for me in this city…

I started reading: “24:14 A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World”

The main premise of the book is based on this:

‘Reach the unreached through DMM/CPM with a wartime sense of urgency in collaboration with others’

It argues that we need a new paradigm – Multiplying Movements and the DNA of  disciples who both Follow & Fish

The 72

During this time, I had this idea to send out a set of questions to those I’ve met over the past 15+ years who were/are practicing Multiplying Movements (DMM/CPM) in a Britain and/or European context.

I wanted to get a big picture perspective on where we are at in this context; an honest and frank evaluation with reflection.

I ended up contacting, largely via Facebook messenger, between 70/72 practitioners/strategy co-ordinators…

Approximately 50% responded and 12 gave more indepth feedback. (I may share the results of this informal survey at another point)

Art Bomb

On the third-day of my retreat I wondered into the The Wool Market where there is a selection of Street Food Stalls. I brought some food and sat down at one of the tables with my journal, Bible and book…

I saw a man watching me for some time before walking over to me. As he approached my table he asked, ‘Are you and author or writer?’

He explained that he’d never seen someone looking like I do sitting in Doncaster (it should be explained that I dress a little different – I’m known to where a Chinese jacket, brightly coloured woven scarf and fedora hat)  

His name is Mike Stubbs who leads an arts organization and festival in the city that goes by the name: Art Bomb

Mike has a new film out, see more on that HERE!

Ping-pong Church

Mike was sitting with some friends and Coworkers and invited me over to their table to sit with them. As we got chatting we discovered a few things in common.

We both have backgrounds in Live & Installation Art and are familiar with some of the networks of artists and arts organization’s spanning cities across the UK.

Mike invited me to join them that evening for what he termed Ping-Pong Church

I arrived in an old Unitarian Church Hall that was set-up with table tennis tables. I haven’t played in probably over 20 years!

Afterward, 4 of us went to Hallcross pub for a beer and discussed all sorts of topics ranging from bereavement and life-after-death, to art and film and Jesus.

The whole episode has made me question whether I should get back involved in Live Art work!

Have you ever thought of going on a retreat?