Have you been to a Pastors Retreat Network location? Are you remembering the week God spoke to you in a unique and powerful way? Do you want to be encouraged by the stories of others?

As you read the stories that follow, you will meet men and women of God who share the call to serve Christ through pastoral ministry. Each has a unique call, a unique story; just like you. Enjoy this journey of remembrance.

Comments From the Pew:

Reaping the benefits of our pastor's retreat ...

From the moment he stepped on the platform, it was obvious he'd had an encounter with God. He was more relaxed, more joy-filled, more focused. Then he told us that his wife had sent him on a five-day retreat to a nearby retreat center [Cedarly]. "It was a wonderful time with God, I wrote, prayed, walked, rested, and read." Many months later we in the pew still recognize the benefits of that retreat - the joy, the focus, the purposeful leadership remains. God took an excellent, educated pastor, refined his focus and reshaped our worship.
—Non-Denominational Church , Brookfield, WI

The work you are doing is felt in the pulpits and pews of our churches

One of our associate pastors was in a PRN week before last. I have noticed a change in his spirit, and his ease in approaching people. He is more confident, and assured within himself. Korby preached yesterday in our church for the first time in three months, and there was a remarkable difference in him. He was not self-conscious, but was assured and knew what he wanted to share with the church and did it well. What really was the most noticeable was the presence of the Holy Spirit. I told him after the service I really appreciated the time that he had been spending with the Lord, because it did show.The work you are doing is being felt in the pulpits and the pews of our churches. So THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOUR EVERY EFFORT.

--Non-Denominational Church, Weatherford, TX

We see a difference!

Thank you for the ministry you are providing for our pastors. So much of the time people feed off pastors to the point they are spiritually exhausted. Our pastor seemed to be at this point before attending pastor's retreat at Texas Stagecoach Inn in Vanderpool, TX. When he returned he was spiritually renewed with a new fire for serving the Lord. I witnessed a new excitement and commitment to spending time in God's word and in prayer. This experience is now reaching the laity through newsletters, sermons and personal relationships. He is sharing this experience with growth and spirituality study groups and Sunday school class. Thanks for furnishing fertile soil and new seed. We all wait expectantly for a new harvest.
—United Methodist Church , Utopia, TX

His sermons are becoming deeper and more challenging. I can tell he has been with God.
—Christian Church , Martinsville, IN

A year later, life is still different ...

I attended a retreat week at Cedarly a year ago. Today, in a casual conversation with my 14 year old son, he surprised me by mentioning that he thought the Cedarly experience had been good for me. I was surprised to hear this from him and asked him to elaborate. My son said that he sees me having more time for my family since I returned from the retreat. I am better disciplined in the use of my time and less consumed by the demands of ministry. Even a year later, my 14 year old son is aware of the change in me. I thank God for the lasting blessing PRN has been to me and my family.
—Chaplain Pat Newsum - Baptist (Sinai Experience), Germantown Hills, IL

A house of prayer ...

I was not sure what to expect when my wife and I signed up for a one week retreat. I came away with a confirmation that my church needed to be first and foremost a "house of prayer" I came back and shared that vision with the Session of my church. They were in total agreement and some actually wept as we discussed what that meant for our congregation. We have decided to remodel a room of the church that will be devoted for prayer. We are all excited and surprisingly in agreement. Even on spending the money necessary! :) Blessings to you all and thank you so much for the week of refreshment!
—Bill Little (Bethany Retreat), Elizabeth , PA

Thank You Kingdom Investor

New Year's Resolution

My husband and I attended the retreat in January 2008. As church planters with a four year old church family, we recognized the need for a intentional time of rest and refocus. The practice of Sabbath as a discipline had not been instilled in me in the way I believe was intended by God, so making this paradigm shift at 38 years old is not easy. However, I walked away from the week of rest with renewed energy, renewed vision, and a fresh sense of God's purpose for my life. I've developed a habit and a hunger for the discipline of Sabbath in my own life. God's voice is clearer to me now than ever before. Thousands of people are touched and changed as their pastors find strength to minister, due to the compassionate mission of Pastor's Retreat Network. I believe it's a genuine reflection of the abundant heart of God. Enternal thank yous to the financial partners, the retreat hosts, the retreat facilitators and everyone involved.
-- Melissa Hostetler - Assemblies of God (Sabbath Rest), Schertz, TX

Humbled by your gift of grace

I have been taking retreat time for about 15 years, beginning while I was in seminary. But this is the first time I have been gifted with a retreat free of cost, except for travel! I am grateful and humbled to know there are lay folks out there who are so gracious with their resources and their prayers. Please accept my thanks for a great week of rest, a renewed relationship with God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, and fun and uplifting fellowship. May God continue to bless this grace-filled ministry.
—Gloria F. Hernandez - Disciples of Christ (Sinai Experience), Carlock, IL

The blessing lives on

I can not express the difference that this retreat has made in my devotional and prayer life or the impact it made in stressing again the importance of spending quiet time with the Lord. Pastoral ministry often takes place over personal spiritual development and formation and I, like many, had allowed the busyness that I thought was part of being a pastor rob me of my own spiritual refreshment. Returning to the church was a stark reminder of my need for this spring of living water for it has been the only source of strength that keeps me serving. I greatly appreciate those who continue to pray for me after I have left this holy place and thank those who donated resources to make this opportunity a reality.
—George Stadler - Church of the Nazarene (Bethany Retreat), Richmond Heights, Ohio

Priceless!

Betty and I are so grateful that we were able to stay at A Valley View Inn. The information and the fellowship were wonderful and we will be ever thankful for the opportunity. Learning to listen to the voice of God in new ways was priceless. Thank you for this week of calmness and peace.
—Phil Moon - Church of God (Bethany Retreat), Franklin, Ohio

Passing it along

My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years and in the ministry for most of this time. During our stay at A Valley View Inn, the Lord ministered an incredible rest to us like we have never experienced before. No distractions and an opportunity to spend time with each other and the Lord without worrying about the phone, emergencies and other things; led to 5 days of peace and encouragement. We didn't realize how much we needed this until about day 3. On Friday we didn't want to leave. We're grateful for the time we had and have shared it with other pastor friends and encouraged them to retreat.
—Mike and Donna Carroll - Assembly of God (Sabbath Rest), Deland, Florida

Teaching what I've learned ...

John and I found a wonderful refuge filled with the comfort and peace of Christ. Our souls were fed with manna from heaven and we feasted daily at the table of the Lord. The quiet haven of rest allowed us the time we needed to reconnect with the Lord in prayer, adoration, thanksgiving, praise, confession, and supplication. Thank you for providing this safe haven and giving us these precious days to come to God for restoration. We now enjoy the presence of the Lord in prayer even more and currently I am preaching a series on "Kingdom Building requires Prayer".
—Barbara J. Anthony - A. M. E. (Bethany Retreat), Southfield, Michigan

Growing ...

It amazed me our first night to hear the other pastors vocalize how I have felt. "Like we are always running" and "always on the edge." I was a healthcare executive before I was a pastor, yet once I became a pastor I realized the pressures were far different and greater due to the eternal nature. Thank you so much for that week to be with God and just get refreshed and re-focused. Our church has grown since I have come back in quality and numbers.
—Chris Phillips - Non-Denominational (Bethany Retreat), Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Back home and applying what I learned

My husband and I had a wonderful time at Cedarly. So much so, that we didn't want to leave. When we left, we were asked what we were going to do in our daily lives to re-connect with God and how we would remember to do so. I was able to get a beautiful picture of the lake with my digital camera. I have it on my computer screen as the background and look at it almost every day. It reminds me of that beautiful place. Even more than that, it reminds me to return to the place in my mind where I remember the beautiful things God is doing in my life. Thank you again, so much, for the gift of a week on a beautiful lake in Wisconsin, and a chance to stop and remember how good God is!
—Sylvia Skinner - Baptist Gen Conf (Sabbath Rest), Tucson, Arizona

A feast of grace

I am thoroughly appreciative of the opportunity to spend five days in a Sinai Experience. These days have provided the gift of time to dwell in the presence of God in ways which are often unavailable to me in daily life. It's been a feast of grace to have time scheduled only by the nudging of the Spirit. What a wonderful ministry you are supporting with your gifts. The health of pastors is key in a healthy Church and you have a part in providing that health! Thank you!!
—Kurt Jacobson - ELCA (Sinai Experience), Eau Claire, WI

Falling in love again ...

It was so nice to be able to get away with my wife Melissa, and take time out of a busy schedule to be with her and our God. We found a renewed strength for our Youth Ministry while there and came to realize that we need to more often "Be still and know that he is God" Cedarly gave us that time to seek the face and glory of the Lord and not only fall in love with him again, but also with each other as husband and wife. Thanks for providing this wonderful, uplifting, and restful ministry.
—Randy Lankford - Disciples of Christ (Sabbath Rest), Paris, IL

Back on track!

I felt that I was at the end of my rope. In addition to my ministry, my personal life was becoming more challenging by the day. I needed a break before I broke. Pastors Retreat Network offered a wonderful experience that has set me back on track and has given me direction to keep from getting "burned out". Thank you to those who donate to make this opportunity available to the many ministers who are in need of something like this.
—Susan Jenkins - Church of the Nazarene (Bethany Retreat), Conover, OH

Better than a vacation or second honeymoon!

After several years of a stressful ministry (though one with many blessings), I needed a place of rest and renewal. From the first morning of my time spent in the spiritual disciplines, God began to do his work in my heart. And sharing the experience with my wife was an invaluable treasure for both of us. This was no vacation or second honeymoon--it was a wonderful spiritual experience that drew us closer together in spirit than any other time we've spent together. Thank you very much for your heart to serve those of us blessed to serve God's people.
—Rob McRay - Church of Christ (Bethany Retreat), Houston, TX

Why Come

This should be mandatory ...

These retreats should be made mandatory by all churches for their pastors.  It is invaluable to any person seeking to  do God's work.

—Jeff Combs - Church of God (Sabbath Rest), Farmington, MO

Rekindling the embers

My time at the Pastors Retreat Network was an wonderful time of reflection and renewal. It's as if the Lord Himself scooped up the scattered embers from my heart and gently breathed on them by his Holy Spirit. The result was a rekindling of that inner fire that is crucial to those of us in ministry. I came back, not only refreshed, but challenged to make my time with Him a priority. How easy it is to get burned out when we give and minister day after day to those to whom God has called us to serve.
—Duane Adams - Non-Denominational (Sinai Experience), Bridgeport, WV

The vibration stopped

I've had a pretty good spiritual journey. Even so, I get caught up reading my press clippings and thinking it is me that is making these things happen. I've had this vibration in my being that doesn't stop. It is fed by anxiety, stress and my deep need to please. I took a breath for a week and remembered who animates all things. For one week the vibration stopped and I recalled what rest felt like. It feels good, it's important. Try it!
—Mark Deaton - United Methodist (Bethany Retreat), San Antonio , Texas

He set me in a large place

Before leaving for A Valley View Inn, I teared up as I told my wife that"my fear was that I will get there and God will remain silent."  But God had me right where He wanted me.  As I read through Psalm 118:5 God spoke..."From my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place." It was from my distress that I called upon the Lord.  He heard my cry and He set me in a large place-a 42-acre farm in New Bedford, Ohio.  While there are times when God is silent, it was not the case for me.  God had not been silent.  I was just so busy that I couldn't hear Him.  I hear Him now and while I didn't come back on a spiritual high, I can say that I came back knowing that I had experienced a much needed Sabbath rest.

—Chris Brewer - Baptist (Sinai Experience), Smyrna, TN

A genuine blessing from God

The pastor's retreat was a grace-filled time of spiritually reconnecting with God. The setting, the guided readings, the time with spouse and new friends all lend themselves to a renewal of sabbath rest that is a genuine blessing from God.
—Mike Lowry - United Methodist (Bethany Retreat), San Antonio, TX

My room became a sanctuary, holy ground ...

It was a warm sunlit room on a cold day. A quiet place to kill some time and get some rest. It was so refreshing to have nothing to do but spend time with God. No one to speak to but my loving Father. As hour followed hour and day followed day, my room became a sanctuary, holy ground where the warmth of God's loving Spirit poured through those windows to warm my heart and feed my soul.
—Chris Norton - United Methodist (Sinai Experience), Friendswood, TX

...to hear the voice of my God

When I was first asked about going to on sabbatical get away to hear the voice of God, I questioned why I needed to go. After all, I was preaching four sermons a week informing others of what God was saying to them. Though I knew I needed the retreat for rest and gladly received the gift, I came with reservations. I learned a valuable lesson. There is a big difference between "handling" God's Word and "hearing" God's Word. I was handling the Word of God for others but not hearing it for myself. I was blessed by the Sinai Experience readings of Scripture and authors, meditation in the Word, and learning to pray with greater intent. Now I know why I was to come . . . above all else to hear the voice of my God. That I did! Praise Him for creating and sustaining Pastors Retreat Network.
—Bob AuBuchon - Baptist (Sinai Experience), Camdenton, MO

Come to the quiet...you won't go home the same!

If your world has been loud, come to the quiet. If your world has been chaotic, come to the calm. If your world has been crowded, come to the solitude.Here you can "go out to a deserted place" and be with God. The quiet, the calm, and the solitude will put you in the place where you can meet with God. It will put you in the place where He can do His work in you. You won't go home the same.
—Rick Brown - Church of Christ (Sinai Experience), Tomball, Texas

A highlight in our spiritual journey together

I am consuming books by Foster, Yancey, Webber, Peterson, McLaren, Buchanan, and any others with a greater interest in spiritual formation than in church management. The latter weighs me down and stifles creativity and growth. The former gets me pumped and ready to think, pray, write, teach, and preach. Last year at the Inn was a highlight in our spiritual and personal journey together.
—Rodney McGlothlin - Baptist (Bethany Retreat), College Station, TX

A new beginning

As a result of my time at Cedarly, I have decided to make my Monday dayoff a "true" sabbath and focus that day on "praying and playing". I have also decided to incorporate a short fast during that time (not all day) as a new beginning into that spiritual discipline. Overall, the time at Cedarly was very important to me because it allowed me to step back and look critically at my life and see if I was pursuing godliness "so as to win the race".
—Ladell Thomason - Independent Christian (Bethany Retreat), Kansas City, MO, USA

Every pastor needs a mini-sabbatical

As a teaching pastor, I spend so much of my time "consuming" God's Word only to "regurgitate" it on Sundays. That's why spending 4 days with the Lord -- just for "us" -- was so refreshing. Honestly, it was hard not to think, "This is great! The Church really needs to hear this!" But instead, I had to remind myself that the message of the week was, "Man, I really need to hear this." My opinion is that every pastor needs a "mini-sabbatical" such as this from time to time. In fact, I would be concerned for the pastor who thinks he doesn't need one. The whole experience and approach of the retreat was personally refreshing for me. Thank you!
—Jon Sherman - Bible Church (Sinai Experience), Weatherford, TX

Celebration of Discipline has become my friend

We weren't fully aware of how much we needed a respite for our body, soul and spirit until after we had left the retreat and been back "in the mix" for just a few days. Daily ministry just kind of takes you until you are where you never thought you would go, to the brink of despair. The Retreat was a miracle that was unplanned, unscheduled, and unkown until God miraculously pulled together the information, the time and the opening for us to attend. The book, CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE, from the retreat has become my friend. The retreat reopened the door of permission for us to take time to be alone with God before we are swallowed up in the good things we do.
—Roger & Gladys VanDonkelaar - Wesleyan (Bethany Retreat), Burton, MI

"Too busy to come?"

I greatly needed an emotional and physical rest from ministry. I love my church and my ministry, but through a busy spring of hiring staff, a church remodeling project, and not being mindful of my Monday Sabbaths, I was slowly becoming burned out. The Sabbath retreat in Ohio was one of silence, solitude, and rest. I felt the Lord restored me through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation. I would recommend this brief retreat especially to the pastor who is "too busy" to take time away from ministry... take time away for HIM to speak, it is worth it!
—Mark Green - Church of the Nazarene (Sabbath Rest), Portsmouth, Ohio