Who we are
During 2020 our family experienced different types of losses and death, which led us in a path of grieving. In this journey we learned that something was missing to grief well our losses. Our grief is connected to a very deep sorrow that connects us to God’s love and a deeper love with our family. After going through some grief programs, we found the need for experiential grief retreats where people can meet and process their grief in ways they would not normally do. The crossing was born in 2021.
The Crossing combines traditional grieving techniques with experiential hands-on activities and life skills to help you understand and express your thoughts, emotions and body sensations in a unique and powerful way.
Tim Broe
He is married to Ellie Broe and has 3 children, 2 granddaughters and 6 grandchildren, 3 boys and 3 girls.
He is a Licenced Professional Counselor by the University of Michigan. He has a large experience as he has worked in trauma centers. He has worked with individuals with trauma and loss. for over 50 years.
We Believe
We believe people can share their stories, not as weakness but as testimonies of their love they shared with their beloved connecting that love to God.
As a Christian retreat, we believe the purpose of existence is ultimately relational:
God created us not only to behave or evolve, but to experience Him, to reflect His image, to share in His joy and love, and to be transformed into His likeness.
In that light, our experiential retreats — the Joy Retreat and the Grief Retreat — are not merely therapeutic events or emotional releases. Rather, they are sacramental entrances into deeper realities: opportunities to let grief and joy enlarge our souls, prepare our hearts for God’s presence, and allow our inner and outer universe to expand toward Him as our true and holy identity.
Our Team
Will provide you compassionate and confidential support tailored to your needs.
Christian-based
This is a Christian-based experiential grief retreat and training, so compassion, love and forgiveness of self and others are encouraged. The retreat welcomes women and men of all faiths.
We value
Bringing people together to share their grief in a very safe, kind, loving, and tender way with others. To bond together as companions as part of their grief journey. We value togetherness to share stories together. Grieving in a healthy way.
Our retreats have three goals:
How grief and joy function — psychologically, spiritually, and existentially — as pathways to meaning, growth, and deeper relationship with God.
How empirical research on “meaning in life” and “purpose” resonates with (and differs from) a Christian-theological understanding of suffering, joy, and divine encounter.
How Scripture and Christian theology frame joy and grief as sacred, purposeful, and life-giving — not only for the individual, but for community, healing, transformation, and ultimately, eternal hope.
By weaving psychology, theology, philosophy, and personal reflection, we wish to show that grief and joy are not contradictory ends — but twin doorways through which God draws us deeper into Himself.
Goals for Grief and Joy Retreats
Christian Theological Perspective of Joy & Grief as a Divine Encounter
From a Christian standpoint, joy and grief are not merely emotional experiences — they are invitations into encounter with God.
Suffering as Refinement
Scripture teaches that suffering is not meaningless. Through hardship, God refines us, deepens faith, and awakens compassion. Grief makes the soul soft and receptive to grace. When integrated, grief produces empathy, clarity, and transformation.
Joy as a Divine Gift
Jesus said:
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full.” — John 15:11
True joy is not circumstantial — it is rooted in union with Him. It is spiritual, eternal, and resilient, even in suffering.
Testimonies
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When my mother passed on, I was emptied. My grief weekend was an answer to a prayer. Finally, life took a seat, and I could focus on missing my mother. I could comfort my hurt and confusion. The best pieces are ones that, if I told you, I would spoil the hard work those trainers put into making this space transformational. And I did grief therapy, but that weekend, I began to heal, and I learned what I need to support my grief.
Raven
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I share with a grateful heart that this grief experience was life changing. I learned that grief isn’t just about death, but that of a caretaker, pain of divorce, anxiety of stress, loss friendships or relationship and the emotional weight of things beyond our control. I did not have one single picture of my loved one hanging up in my house until after this retreat. The team was empathic, loving, and most of them with experience. I learned how to channel all the hurtful pain into joyous pain. I now want to be able to continue to assist others. I am grateful that this weekend has changed my view on grief and the path to healing with God’s helping hand.
Tajuana
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“I came from South America to do this retreat in 2022. I was stretched to be quiet and pay attention to my emotions and do something about them. The burden that I had accumulated in my different grief in my life was emptied during this weekend. I was able to see the lies I believed about grief. I was set free. I was transformed.”
Luis Pérez
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I didn’t know what to expect at first. I went with a lot of hesitation. But once I got there, I was welcomed by everyone, I expected to be welcomed by the team, but I was also welcomed by the other participants. After the first meeting I decided to let my guard down, opened up my heart, I was all in. I was so stuck in my grief, my thoughts, feelings and emotions were all over the place. Throughout the very busy weekend, doing the hard work, I can honestly say I came home a change individual. I can say it was very well needed. I’ve been able to share the different things I learned to help others. Especially my children and grandchildren.
Chonita Johnson
Do you want to know more about the Joy and Grief experiential retreats?
Contact us
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