Excerpts of Letters from Retreat Participants
". . . my husband's bouts with hypertension ran parallel to the anxiety he still experienced over the loss of his ministry position . . . When we returned . . . six months later for our 'reunion' the comments of our newfound friends were an extra boost to our spirits. 'Your countenance reveals that you are healing and have found new freedom.' . . . I wonder what might have happened to us if we had not had the privilege of attending one of these seminars . . . The seminar was very well done - no time wasted - and the genuine concern is very evident. I don't know how they do it . . . maybe I should say I don't know WHY they do it, but I'm glad they did!!!!"
minister's spouse, TN
"As you know a forced termination is devastating. I came to the retreat more in need of help than I realized at the time. Time spent with the professionals you assembled as well as with peers was revitalizing in several ways . . . I left with my head held high for the first time in months. Along with this came a renewal of hope. This has continued through these weeks following the retreat."
pastor, TN
"I was somewhat saddened to realize that so many of God's people -- God's servants -- had been hurt by other professing Christians, seemingly without any consciousness or concern or any regret . . . Yet, for the most part, those dear people, God's servants, with all of their hurts and bad experience, still had their faith in God. I appreciate the love and acceptance I experienced among them."
pastor, VA
"Without your work and the work of the state [denominational] office we would have been overwhelmed with helplessness and a sense of failure . . . As for our calling we are sure it is real and we are sure there is a place and a time for us in full time vocational ministry. But knowing we can never live up to people's expectations we have a hard time seeing the point. It is very liberating volunteering in ministry and working secularly. You can see that we still have some issues to work through."
pastor and spouse, TX
"While some healing had taken place before that week, I was still feeling the pain of my losses. It was very good for me to be able to tell my story and have others share their insights and wisdom in an effort to help me."
pastor, MS
"I was very uptight, angry, hurt, disillusioned, depressed, and without hope or direction. I just knew that when I started to share I would totally break up and fall on the floor an emotional disaster! . . . this week has changed my life and ministry as nothing else ever has! My outlook on myself has changed - I feel much better about myself. My outlook towards ministry has changed. You have loved me and encouraged me but you have also gently corrected me . . . You also gave mea new direction in ministry."
pastor/evangelist, IL
". . . Let me express my appreciation to you for putting together a program that allows the opportunity for hurting ministers and their wives to gain a sense of direction as they seek to deal with serious disappointments and build a bridge to future ministry."
pastor, TN
"In the midst of this horrible situation, we can't begin to express how much the encouragement and support of the retreat helped us. It helped to know that we aren't alone and that there are others out there suffering the same kinds of problems. Being able to talk and share with the other participants meant so much. It was amazing how total strangers could become so close in such a short period of time."
pastor and spouse, VA