Return to Eden (RTE) is not a Bible school or academic course. It is an intentional spiritual journey designed to help participants reconnect with God, nature, and each other.

RTE creates space away from the noise and pressures of everyday life so participants can slow down, be present, and rediscover life-giving connections that bring new strength and peace.

RTE is not an escape from life, but a reorientation toward a better way of living. Our hope is that the practices you learn and the experiences you have here will go with you for the rest of your life.

This program is for anyone who desires to know God more deeply and is willing to step away from everyday life for a short time to pursue that desire. While the program is grounded in the Christian tradition, it is open to anyone who is sincerely searching for truth.

Demographically the program is most suited to young people in their mid 20’s or early 30’s but beyond this the participants backgrounds vary greatly.

These may include:

• College graduates wanting to reconnect with their faith or seeking direction
• Ministry leaders and volunteers who feel spiritually burnt out, disillusioned, or disconnected from the source of their faith
• Anyone longing for a life of deeper connection with God, and the peace, and purpose He offers. What all our participants share is a desire to step away, slow down and connect to life.

Yes. RTE is grounded in the Christian faith and its theology and philosophy is informed by the Bible. While it draws on many Christian practices, it is not tied to a specific denomination and welcomes participants from all denominational backgrounds.

No. RTE is not focused on academic instruction, assignments, or exams. Teaching is based on the Socratic method with an emphasis on group dialogue, questions, and discovery. The focus is on experience, practice, and presence, rather than information.

While the rhythm of each week at RTE may vary, most days will include:

• Meditation and stillness
• Prayer and Scriptural reflection
• Group worship
• Time outdoors, with a range of activities
• Shared meals and community life
• Group discussions

There is no pressure to perform at RTE. This is a space intentionally free from demands, and expectations.

Saturdays are largely unscheduled, offering generous time for rest and play. On Sundays, the only planned gathering is a shared community meal in the evening, with the remainder of the day kept free to attend local churches, rest or explore the many outdoor activities that New Zealand offers.

At RTE one of our many teachers is the beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes that surround us. Being in nature has been shown to be healing both to the body and the mind. It quiets distressing emotions, boasts our immune systems, and improves our health. Time in nature also opens space to encounter God presence and hear His still quiet voice.

RTE strongly encourages limited use of phones and devices during the program, but we will not be taking them from you. Creating distance from digital noise is essential to what we are trying to achieve and your willingness to let go of these devices will determine your outcomes for this program. This program is about making the right choices to change your life and not about following rules. All this will be discussed during the program.

While we do not believe that we have all the answers to everyone’s life, we do hope that when people leave our program they will go with:

• A more intimate and personal connection with God
• A deeper and lasting peace
• A desire for true community and the understanding of its importance
• A new appreciation for nature and its ability to renew us
• A clearer understanding of the divine purpose and direction for their life
• Sustainable spiritual practices

If you are longing for deeper connection with God, space to breathe, and freedom from constant noise and striving, RTE may be for you. You do not need to have everything figured out, only a willingness to step away, slow down and reconnect.

Yes, people from all over the world are welcome to join our program, and specific visa information and options are provided here to help you.

Return to Eden does not currently offer student scholarships, but we hope to establish a scholarship fund soon. If you are struggling with the cost of this program, then we recommend that you talk to the leaders of your faith community or family and see if they will help sponsor your journey.

If a participant decides to leave the program, or circumstances beyond their control require them to withdraw, then we will look at how best we can assist them in that process. While our refund policy does not allow for refunds after the program has started, we do understand that every situation is unique and we will do the best we can to support our participants and do what is fair for all concerned.

Details about dates, and applications can be found here. If you still have questions, we welcome you to reach out to us and begin a conversation by going to our contact page.