Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

What Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center does

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian retreat center located at 7415 E Elbow Bend Road in Carefree, Arizona, founded in 1993. It operates a single integrated campus offering overnight lodging, dining, conference facilities, chapels, meditation walking paths, and an outdoor area with a heated pool. The organization serves individual spiritual seekers, church groups and faith communities, and veterans through structured programs including personal retreats, group retreats, Desert Sojourn Retreats, the Healing of Memories Workshop for Veterans, Wednesday Respite contemplative services, Spirited Centering Prayer, Community of the Wild Goose gatherings, the Spirited Book Club, and one-on-one Spiritual Coaching. Spiritual content is produced by named leaders such as Rev. Steve Holm (Daily Devotions) and Henry Rojas (Touchpoints sermon-reflection series) and distributed via a WordPress website, YouTube channel, and segmented email newsletter.

The business model combines fee-based retreat accommodations and programming with charitable donations. Retreat fees vary by program, duration, and accommodation type and are not publicly disclosed; donations are solicited through an online form supporting one-time gifts, recurring contributions, text-to-give, and Thrivent member-directed giving, with tax-deductible receipts issued. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and community-led: individuals and groups book retreats directly through the website, and church and faith communities participate through group retreats and recurring community events. The underlying technology is conventional web content management with light streaming for online worship; no proprietary platforms, AI/ML systems, or data assets are disclosed.

Name

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

Legal name

Spirit In the Desert

Website

https://spiritinthedesert.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian retreat center in Carefree, Arizona, offering overnight lodging, contemplative programming, and trauma-healing workshops for individuals, church groups, and veterans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spiritual Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAGAMAB

Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness)

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Wellness, Spa & Health Retreats

SECONDARYTHAJAHAB

Wellness Retreats & Immersions (Multi-day, Digital Detox, Mind-Body Programs)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Wellness & Spa Experiences (Retreats, Thermal Baths, Yoga)

SECONDARYTHAGAMAI

Holistic & Alternative Therapy Retreats (Naturopathy, Energy Work)

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Wellness, Spa & Health Retreats

Keywords

• Spiritual retreat services
• Faith-based hospitality
• Contemplative programming
• Group retreat hosting
• Religious education

Headquarters

HQ city

Carefree

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Retreat Program Fees: Fees for structured retreat programs including overnight accommodations, meals, and spiritual programming. Personal retreats and group retreats generate revenue through facility usage and program delivery.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from supporters including one-time gifts, recurring giving options, and Thrivent member program. Website mentions multiple giving options including text-to-give and scheduled recurring contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is a nonprofit spiritual retreat facility in Carefree, Arizona that hosts overnight retreats, worship programs, and educational events for individuals and faith-based groups. The center provides lodging, dining, conference facilities, sacred spaces, and outdoor campus amenities, complemented by spiritual programming including personal retreats, group retreats, Desert Sojourn Retreats, Healing of Memories Workshops for Veterans, Spirited Book Club, and Spiritual Coaching.

Product overview

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is a spiritual retreat facility offering overnight accommodations, dining, and conference facilities in Carefree, Arizona. The organization provides worship programs including Wednesday Respite services, Touchpoints video reflections, and Daily Devotions. Additional programs include Desert Sojourn Retreats, Spirited Book Club, and Spiritual Coaching. The center features sacred spaces (chapels, meditation paths), an outdoor campus with a heated pool, and an online donation system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Retreats Individual retreat experiences allowing personal spiritual renewal, contemplation, and growth in a desert setting with overnight lodging and meals.
• Group Retreats (Plan a Retreat) Customized group retreat packages for churches, faith communities, and spiritual organizations seeking collective spiritual refreshment, fellowship, and shared retreat experiences.
• Desert Sojourn Retreats Extended spiritual retreat experiences in the Arizona desert setting designed for personal renewal and reflection.
• Spiritual Coaching One-on-one spiritual guidance and coaching services for personal spiritual development and growth.
• Healing of Memories Workshop for Veterans A specialized workshop designed to address trauma and promote emotional healing for veterans in a safe, supportive environment.
• Retreat Facilities & Lodging Overnight accommodations and dining services for retreat guests, including rooms, meals, and hospitality services at the Carefree, Arizona campus.
• Conference Facilities

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Canyon Ranch: A long-established U.S. wellness resort brand (historically anchored in Tucson, Arizona) offering multi-day all-inclusive stays with lodging, dining, fitness, and spiritual/wellness programming. Comparable as a destination retreat operator competing for the same wellness-travel guest in Arizona.
• Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa: A well-known Arizona-based wellness resort offering retreat-style programming, lodging, dining, and spa/wellness experiences in a desert setting. Broader and more luxury-oriented than Spirit in the Desert, but directly comparable as an Arizona destination for contemplative, residential wellness stays.

Direct peers

• Sedona Mago Retreat Center: An Arizona-based retreat center offering multi-day wellness, meditation, and spiritual renewal retreats with on-site lodging and programming. Closely comparable in mission, Arizona location, and retreat-center operating model to Spirit in the Desert.
• El Retiro Center for Spiritual Living: A spiritual retreat center offering contemplative and group retreats with overnight accommodations and programming. Comparable in lodging-inclusive, faith/spiritual retreat-center operating model and individual/group audience mix.
• St. Joseph Retreat Center: A Catholic-affiliated retreat center providing directed and private retreats, spiritual direction, and group programs on a residential campus. Directly comparable as a faith-based, lodging-inclusive retreat operator serving similar contemplative and small-group audiences.
• Living Water Retreat Center: A faith-based retreat ministry offering individual, directed, and group retreats with on-site lodging and spiritual programming. Comparable in nonprofit, faith-rooted, retreat-center operating model and target audiences.
• Dayspring Retreat Center: A Christian-focused retreat center offering individual and group retreats with overnight accommodations and spiritual programming. Highly comparable in faith-based mission, lodging-and-program delivery model, and nonprofit/governed structure.

Others

• Christian Retreat Network: A national association and referral network for Christian retreat centers and conference facilities. Relevant as an ecosystem connector and indirect peer that channels group bookings to member centers like Spirit in the Desert.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZNlM6qvHdIANitUMwAOYjA/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spirit-in-the-desert-retreat-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center