Well of Mercy – Where faith, peace & healing intersect
Our foundation was honored to partner with Well of Mercy in Hamptonville, North Carolina, to support a unique opportunity for personal renewal and reflection. Through this partnership, five of our grantees participated in two-day personal retreats on the organization’s beautiful 100+ acre rural campus. During their stay, each individual was able to create a retreat experience that met their own needs while exploring the intersections of faith, peace, and healing.
In addition, our team was grateful for the opportunity to participate in a day retreat at Well of Mercy. The experience provided valuable space and time to step away from the demands of both professional and personal life, reconnect with ourselves, and find restoration in nature.
Well of Mercy offers a peaceful environment designed to help individuals step away from daily distractions and reconnect with nature and themselves. The property features a chapel, labyrinth, prayer trail, and sitting room, all of which are available to guests to use. In addition to their two night retreat, grantees were able to select a therapeutic service tailored to their needs (massage, healing touch, or spiritual direction).
The special connection to this partnership is that our co-founder, Jen Pagani, was a beloved guest at Well of Mercy and enjoyed several personal retreats during her breast cancer treatment. We are grateful for our grantees who were able to experience Well of Mercy and shared reflections of their time there.
Mary | Recharging, Reflection, Reconnection
“This retreat was giving myself quiet time after cancer treatment. I was able to recharge in ways that I’m not able to do in the same way at home. I love nature and being able to walk and sit in nature was restorative. Quiet time in nature and meals provided for me let my nervous system rest deeply. It allowed time for contemplation in a loving, positive environment without the daily living distractions. I could hear myself think in a different way than at home. I journaled with gratitude for the experience as well as trying to make sense of this crazy, life altering experience that I’d been through.”
“I had my first massage post cancer diagnosis! Such a wonderful gift to get this compassionate touch for my changed and pained body. The massage therapist had provided treatment to Jen Pagani (Go Jen Go co-founder), and talked about what a remarkable lady she was. I never had the opportunity to meet Jen, but I thought about her a lot while I was there and how her embracing her own life and healing rippled out to support people like me. I can see why Jen loved Well of Mercy so much.
I also brought my camera and took it with me on walks around the grounds. Giving me the opportunity to reconnect with my love of photography which feels like reconnecting with myself. I hadn’t pulled my camera out much while going through cancer treatment; I was focused on survival. They had an art room, filled with supplies, and I spent time painting. I sat for a good while at different spots on the trail and at the bridge, simply listening and watching the stream run underneath. There were a couple of deer on the trail which felt magical.”
“I’ve never seen so many butterflies in one place in my life! It was absolutely delightful to see them everywhere! The butterflies felt like a message for me. To live in a new way, in a different body after being holed up in the cocoon of treatment. Embrace transformation after going through the life altering experience that is breast cancer.”
Christa | Pause, Exhale, Appreciation
“Attending the Well of Mercy Retreat was a gift that came at exactly the right time. My life is normally spent taking care of others—as a mother, caregiver, teacher, advocate, and someone who is constantly juggling responsibilities. This retreat gave me permission to simply stop. From the moment I arrived and received my massage, I could feel myself beginning to exhale. It wasn’t just a getaway; it was an opportunity to rest, reflect, and continue healing in ways that extended far beyond my physical recovery from breast cancer.”
“Something that surprised me was the silence. I never realized how much I needed it or how much I would come to appreciate it. Aside from conversations during meals, the retreat was intentionally silent, and I found it incredibly peaceful. In a world filled with constant notifications, conversations, and responsibilities, the quiet allowed me to slow down, think clearly, and simply be present. I left realizing that silence isn’t something to avoid—it can be one of the greatest gifts we give ourselves.”
“The retreat reminded me that while I am resilient, I also need to make space to care for myself with the same intention that I care for everyone else. The massage upon arrival was the perfect way to begin the retreat and immediately helped me relax. I also loved walking the nature trails and spending time outdoors. The peaceful surroundings and the quiet gave me an opportunity to notice and appreciate the beauty around me in a way I don’t often experience in everyday life.
“Breast cancer treatment eventually ends, but recovery is a much longer journey. This retreat reminded me that emotional and mental healing deserve just as much attention as physical healing. It gave me the opportunity to slow down, reflect on everything I’ve been through, and recognize how far I’ve come. I left feeling refreshed, grounded, and reminded that caring for myself isn’t a luxury—it’s an important part of continuing to move forward with strength, gratitude, and purpose.I left feeling rested, renewed, and incredibly thankful for the opportunity.”
Marie | Peace, Slow Down, Blessing
“It meant a lot to be still, find peace, and hear God speak in the quiet. Something that is hard to find in the midst of diseases, appointments, bills and life. I thought time would drag on without technology and my phone. Actually, I found joy in nature, painting, crafting and some community time. I also learned that I could slow down and still make it.”
“This opportunity was such a blessing in a hard time thanks to Go Jen Go and Well of Mercy. The constant demands of society and cancer can feel overwhelming, but this retreat proved once again, that the goodness and greatness of God should not be overlooked or ignored. We ought to appreciate all our blessings with humility and gratitude.”
Tasha | Rest, Healing, Uninterrupted Time
“Attending this retreat meant everything to me. At that point in my life, my stress level was through the roof, and I desperately needed rest, peace, and quiet. This retreat came at the perfect time and gave me exactly what my mind, body, and spirit needed. I realized I was still grieving in some area that I thought I had healed from. It was eye-opening, but allowed me to process those emotions in a healthy way.”
“During my time there I learned that I genuinely enjoy my own company and appreciate spending quiet, uninterrupted time alone. It reminded me how important those moments are for my well-being. I really enjoyed hiking through the woods, even though I was scared at first! I also loved sitting in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee and my word search book. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed the art station as well.”
“The retreat gave me the opportunity to slow down, sit quietly, and reflect on my breast cancer journey. I was reminded of how God carried me through every challenge, faithfully provided for me, and surrounded me with support. Experiences like this retreat and organizations like Go Jen Go and Well of Mercy are truly a blessing, and I am incredibly grateful. I left feeling relaxed, refreshed, rested, and at peace. The staff was wonderful, the food was delicious, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have attended this retreat. It was an experience I will never forget.”
We are so grateful for Well of Mercy offering this partnership to our foundation. It was special for all of us to walk the grounds, sit in the spaces, and connect with nature – the same spots that our co-founder Jen once spent time herself reflecting, processing and healing through her own breast cancer journey.
