The Retreat Experience

Fun
 Our goal is to have honest conversations that are helpful, real, and positive. We believe the best conversations take place when couples are having fun.  So, the couple decides the schedule of fun activities for the retreat!  Our leadership believes when couples are experiencing a crisis, they need time away to relax and have fun.   

Encouraging
Our goal is to encourage each couple during the retreat.  At the retreat, each couple with have a Shepherds Rest ministry couple to help facilitate a conversation.  We call them 'Encouragers'.  Encouragers are seasoned ministry leaders who have the background, understanding and ability to guide a struggling couple in their crisis.  

Personal
We treat every couple as a 'VIP on the retreat'.  There will be no other couples at the retreat.  We know each couple has a unique set of struggles, concerns and challenges that need to be shared and understood.  We want every couple to feel heard, appreciated, cared for and loved. At Shepherds Rest, we know a 'cookie cutter' approach is insufficient.  That's why we prioritize the customized approach to each couple.

Intentional
Our retreats are centered around confidential, coaching conversations. The retreat is not designed for counseling as it relates to exploring dysfunctions and long-time personal issues. The goal of the retreat is to help each couple understand the complexity of their ministry crisis (Perspective) and then to develop a specific strategic plan of action to work through their situation (Plan).  

Confidential
We do not disclose the personal nature of the crisis a couple may be experiencing.  We want each couple to know that there is safe space to share very personal information.   

Cost
The ministry couple must pay for their travel to the retreat.  Once a couple arrives at the location of the retreat, there is absolutely no cost.  Lodging, meals, activities, and travel during the retreat are underwritten by generous donors who love and value ministry couples. 

Selection Process and Acceptance
Limited scholarships are available for retreats.  Shepherds Rest prioritizes senior pastors or senior leaders of non profit ministries that reside in the United States.  Unfortunately, we do not consider ministry lay leaders for our retreats.  As a key criteria for selection, we look at years of faithful ministry service and the severity of the hardship/crisis endured (being endured) .