The services
Alongside providing a suitable venue for people to retreat to, there are two main services that would be offered: pastoral support and spiritual reflection.
We would look to offer pastoral support to those staying in the form of either biblical counselling sessions, or time to talk and pray together with those who have also been in ministry.
We would also provide opportunities for spiritual reflection through directed quiet days and a structure for reflection for those staying, tailored to their specific context and needs. These could be offered to individuals or groups, such as a church staff team or a group for those dealing with loss.
There is also a possibility of providing children’s activities for those wanting to come as a family and have their children safely cared for while they rest and receive support.
The venue
We are looking to purchase a property that is accessible for as many as possible and therefore we are focusing our search on the midlands, within reach of both the M1 & M6 motorways. This location would provide the more rural setting we desire, whilst also being good value for money. We want to acquire a property which can provide overnight accommodation for all people, including families with children, but also to maintain a ‘homely’ feel which is in keeping with biblical hospitality. The site would potentially include:
- Grounds that contain quiet spots in nature with seating
- Individual pods to sit/read/pray/sing in privacy
- A chapel type space for personal reflection or small gatherings for corporate worship
- Gym facilities, possibly including a pool and spa
- A space for children while adults enjoy the quiet.
- Individual rooms with catering included for those wanting just a room.
- Self-catering accommodation for families or groups for those requiring space.
Support Rock and Refuge Retreat
The request
We are requesting that you prayerfully consider partnering with us in a number of ways.
- We are looking for churches and individuals who are willing to partner with us by praying for, promoting and giving to the ministry to enable those in ministry to come for respite through the support of churches.
- We are looking for one-off gifts to purchase a suitable property for the charity to own and use, to cover the overall set-up costs of approximately £1.5million.
- We are also looking for those willing to give to the ongoing ministry, to help provide bursaries for those struggling financially in need of respite care.
If this is something you think you would support or you know of others that you think might want to support it, we would love to hear from you.
We would also like to invite you to join our regular prayer updates.
Contact us through.
We would love to share with you our plans for Rock & Refuge, an evangelical retreat centre, and to request that you might prayerfully consider supporting this new ministry. The plan is to establish a venue which provides biblical rest for Christians at an affordable price, especially aimed at those in ministry, in the form of getaway breaks and quiet days.
The need
Mark 1:35 shows us that Jesus regularly withdrew from his disciples to spend time with his Father in prayer. He often found a desolate place, away from the distraction and demands of ministry. This was his regular pattern and shows the importance of withdrawing in order to spend time with the Lord. Jesus highlights how we are often weary and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28-30) and that we need to come to him to find rest for our souls. We want to provide both a space and a service to help people regularly come to Jesus in their ministry weariness, refreshing spiritual patterns that can be taken back home.
There are significant numbers of evangelical ministers burning out and there is often a lack of support or places to rest for those overwhelmed and exhausted through ministry. In the UK evangelical church, we tend to be stronger at providing conferences with biblical teaching but weaker at offering biblical respite. This would be an opportunity to slow down, gain perspective, recharge and consider our own spiritual walk with the Lord. Our own personal story includes becoming overburdened and exhausted in ministry, and struggling to find anywhere suitable for rest and support, the Lord has laid on us a growing desire to help others in this need.
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