Two Night Retreat/Lake Placid August 28-30, 2026

Testimony from “The Encounter” Women’s Retreat

This past weekend, I had the profound honor of attending a one-day women’s retreat called The Encounter—and what I experienced there was nothing short of transformative.

During the retreat, Reverend Heather led us in a deeply personal, affirmational prayer. She invited us to repeat it after her, line by line, covering every area of our lives—past, present, and future. It was more than words—it was an invitation into healing, into truth, into freedom.

Midway through the prayer, I felt an overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. I was led to fall to my knees in complete surrender. In that sacred moment, I realized there were still areas of unforgiveness and hidden hurts I believed I had already healed from. But as she spoke, my heart was stirred in a way I could not ignore.

And as I repeated each declaration of release and deliverance, I could feel something breaking… again and again.

By the end of that prayer, I experienced a level of freedom I had not known before. I felt completely delivered.

Today, I can speak the names of those who hurt me with peace in my heart. Not only that—I can sincerely pray that God touches their minds, transforms their hearts, and leads them to repentance. That is something only true healing can produce.

I now understand that I was unknowingly holding up my own blessings because I had not fully released what God required me to surrender. I knew I needed to forgive—but I didn’t know how to get there.

But now… I have arrived.

And it feels magnificent.

I can now wait in glorious expectation for the NEW things God is preparing to bring into my life, because I have done what He asks of us—to forgive freely and completely, just as He forgives us.

Thank you for creating such a powerful, spirit-filled experience. It was truly fortifying. Whenever I am in town and able, I will absolutely be present for future gatherings.

With love and gratitude,
Dr. Sheri