Simple Life Missions

The Problem

Our modern world is anything but simple. In a fast-paced, digital age, how do we discover our true identity and learn to live deeply rooted in God?

We may genuinely desire to live wholeheartedly for Jesus and remain attuned to the Holy Spirit. Yet so many of us feel like we are drowning—gasping for air beneath the pace of life, digital distractions, fragmented attention, and the relentless noise of the modern age. We long for a life of deep communion with God, but the rhythms of our world often make that life feel nearly impossible.

But there is hope.

While our time may feel unprecedented, it is not altogether unique. For centuries, followers of Jesus have discovered practices, rhythms, and habits that help us slow down, become attentive to God, and live from a place of deep communion with Him.

These ancient ways of following Jesus offer us a path into the life He invites us to live: to walk in His light and easy yoke, to become more deeply formed by His presence, and to live from the secure identity of who we are in Him.

What if the way forward isn't simply doing more, but learning how to simply be with God.

Why Simple Life Missions Exists

In the Gospels, we see a pattern emerge in the life of Jesus.

Jesus withdraws to be alone with His heavenly Father (Luke 5:16). In that place of communion, the Father speaks His identity over His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). And from that place of unity and identity, Jesus lives and works in step with the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 5:19).

We believe this same pattern is at the heart of the Christian life.

It is in moments of silence, stillness, and rest that God often does His deepest work in us. We have experienced God's loving pursuit of us—a God who longs to be with His beloved. In quiet moments with Him, we are transformed by His love. He reminds us of who we truly are, and from that place of belovedness, our hearts begin to overflow with love for God and for those around us.

Again and again, we see this simple invitation:

Simply being with God

Simply receiving our identity

Simply loving others

Simple Life Missions was founded in Austin, Texas, in 2018 to help people slow down, become attentive to God's presence, hear the truth of their identity as beloved children of God, and live from a place of healing, freedom, and joy.

Through discipleship, pastoral care, retreats, seminars, small groups, and online resources, we walk alongside people as they meet with God, discover their true identity, and learn to live out their unique calling through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our mission is simple: to help people encounter God, discover who they truly are, and live lives transformed by His love and empowered by His Spirit.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Don’t our souls long for this rest? In our fast-paced, anxious world, don’t our hearts wonder if this promise is still possible today? It is. This invitation is available to all who desire to live simply and lightly. We can all come to Jesus and discover His light and easy yoke.

What we do

We help people slow down, encounter God, discover their identity as His beloved children, and learn to live from His presence. We do this in three primary ways:

• Formational Discipleship: (We walk with you)

We help people learn and embody the way of Jesus—a way of life centered on communion with God and shaped by His presence. We believe true formation happens through more than teaching; it happens as we practice, model, and embody the way of Jesus together.

We also come alongside pastors, church leaders, missionaries, and others who are pouring themselves out for others, helping them slow down, cultivate rhythms of Sabbath and rest, and rediscover the joy of living and leading from the presence of God.

• Resources & Formation: (We equip you)

  We create accessible resources that help people practice the way of Jesus in everyday life. Drawing from the spiritual practices embraced by generations of faithful Christians, we explore silence, solitude, simplicity, sabbath, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines that help us become more attentive to God's presence.

  Through our devotional podcast and other online resources, we offer encouragement and reflection that nurtures a holy imagination—helping people see God at work in their lives and learn to live more deeply in His presence.

• Retreats (We make space for you)

  In a noisy, hurried world, it can be difficult to live in quiet, unhurried communion with God. Sometimes we need to intentionally step away from the noise and create space to listen, rest, and remember what is true.

  Through day retreats, weekend retreats, and wilderness adventure experiences, we create spaces where people can step away from the demands and distractions of everyday life, slow down, and reconnect with God. In these places of rest and encounter, we make room to hear His voice, receive His love, and return to our lives renewed and transformed.

Future Dreams

The Hermitage or Abbey Dream:

When we began Simple Life Missions in 2018, we had no idea that the Holy Spirit was stirring a similar work in the lives of so many others. So many Christians are tired, weary, and searching for ways to slow down, observe Sabbath, rest, and truly abide in the Lord. Time and again, people have asked us where they can find a holy place to meet with God.

This has not always been easy. After leading solitude retreats in Airbnbs, campgrounds, and yoga retreats, and facing significant spiritual warfare, we began to realize just how important it is to have a consecrated space dedicated to solitude with God. In fact, during one silent retreat, a group of witches approached our campsite, leading to a powerful but unexpected encounter where our group ended up sharing the gospel and engaging in hours of spiritual warfare. It was powerful—but not exactly the peaceful rest we had envisioned!

Then, during a weekend retreat of silence and solitude in 2019, the Lord stirred a vision in our hearts: one day, we could own a quiet and beautiful place to usher people into deep rest with God. We pray that Simple Life Missions will one day own a hermitage, an abbey, or a monastery—a consecrated, holy space where people can find refuge from the noise of modern life.

Since then, we have been actively praying and connecting with others who share this dream. Until that vision is realized, we move forward with the assurance that the light of Christ is stronger than the darkness, and that Jesus is victorious over sin, Satan, and death.