Our STORY

After ten years of college discipleship ministry at universities across the U.S., we observed that the most profound transformation occurred when people intentionally took time alone to be with God. While we were busy with various ministry activities, it was in moments of silence, stillness, and rest that God did His deepest work in people's lives. This was true for us as well. We felt God's loving pursuit, and His call to us was that of a lover yearning to be with His beloved. In those quiet, still moments with the Lord, we were transformed by His love. He reminded us of our true identity, and our hearts would overflow with love for those around us.

This pattern emerged time and again: Simply being with God, simply knowing our true identity, and simply loving God and loving others.

In 2018, Simple Life Missions was founded in Austin, TX, with a mission to help others slow down, create a 'Rule of Life' that centers their lives around the pursuit of God’s presence, and live from a place of freedom and joy.

Since then, we have sought to embody the teachings and way of Jesus through loving others and equipping the church. We offer discipleship, spiritual friendship, marriage enrichment, tools, podcasts, resources, and silent retreats—all designed to help others discover the availability of the Kingdom of Heaven found in Jesus.

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

• Spiritual Friendship: Jesus calls us to love one another, and through that love, the world will know Him (John 13:35). We are committed to loving those entrusted to us—our family, friends, neighbors, strangers, pastors, and leaders. One of the greatest sources of poverty in our world today is loneliness, and we seek to address that need by embodying the love of Jesus in our lives.

• Formational Discipleship: We aim to see generations of disciples who walk closely with God and follow Him wholeheartedly. We help others learn how to create a "Rule of Life" that orients their entire lives around God. We believe in equipping not just through teaching, but through modeling and embodying the way of Jesus. We also offer training and support for church leaders, pastors, missionaries, and others, helping them slow down, build Sabbath rest into their rhythms, and prioritize the presence of God in their lives.

• Resources and Podcasts: We offer resources that teach the practices modeled and taught by Jesus to His disciples—practices that have been lived out for centuries by monks, nuns, and mystics. Silence, solitude, simplicity, Lectio Divina, Sabbath, and other spiritual disciplines are available to equip believers to enjoy the presence of God more fully. Our bi-weekly devotional podcast also nurtures a Holy Imagination, offering reflection and encouragement to deepen one's spiritual life.

• Silent Retreats: In our noisy, fast-paced world, it can be difficult to live in quiet, unhurried communion with God. To experience true rest and peace, we must intentionally step away from the distractions around us. Like Jesus, we need to find “desert places” to be alone with God. We facilitate this by offering day-long and weekend retreats, providing space for others to slow down, rest, and reconnect with God in a deeper way.

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.