One of the critical lessons I learned through my burnout recovery is that it is so important for Pastors to get away from the daily grind of ministry on a regular basis. Read the Gospels and look for how Jesus stepped away from the crowds, and even the disciples, from time to time. You’ll quickly notice that He did it regularly.
Let me clarify that the retreat I am talking about is NOT vacation. I am talking about getting away from the every day trees so that you can see the forest again. Retreats like these should be filled with rest, and at some point I will post about what a retreat like this looks like for me, but in the big picture, it’s not vacation.
Different Pastors call it different names. There are even 3-4 different names I use for it myself depending on the type of retreat it will be. Could be a Study Break, could be a short Sabbatical, could be a Spiritual Retreat, and it might even combine all of those. The point is to begin to think about 3-4 times a year that you can plan into your calendar to get away regularly.
Since my run in with burnout, I’ve discovered a growing movement of people and places that are set aside to offer Pastors a place of rest, refreshment, and renewal.
- Some of them are free, others cost a little, some cost a lot.
- Some offer counseling with the experience and others just offer a place to retreat.
- Some will take singles, others take married couples only.
- Some offer a place to be pampered, others are rustic in nature.
This page is all about helping you find the right place(s) to rest and be renewed. The page will be updated from time to time as I discover more resources and locations, so check back periodically. It was last updated on October 26, 2025.
I also invite you to let me know if there are places you are aware of that are NOT listed here. I am always looking for places to experience myself and to recommend to others.
There are a couple of sites that offer a National List of retreat centers. They are:
| Intensive Counseling Centers: |
Self-guided and/or Guided Retreat Centers: |
| Safe Haven Relationship Center (Carlsbad, CA) |
Makahiki Ministries (Global) |
| Link Care Center (Fresno, CA) |
Oasis Rest Int’l (Global) |
| Oasis Retreats (Hope, BC, Canada) |
Arctic Barnabas Ministries (Alaska) |
| Shepherds Heart Ministry (CO, SC, AZ, WA, Canada, Israel, Mexico) |
Refresh Retreats (NAMB) (CA, FL, NC, MO) |
| CrossRoads Counseling of the Rockies (Buena Vista, CO) |
Word of Life Retreat Center (Cold Springs, CA) |
| Marble Retreat (Carbondale, CO) |
St Andrews Abbey (Valyermo, CA) |
| Center for Biblical Counseling & Spiritual Resource (CO Springs, CO) |
Kerith Creek (near Calgary, AB, Canada) |
| Potter’s Inn (Colorado Springs, CO) |
Shekinah Ranch (Fraser, CO) |
| Quiet Waters Ministries (Denver, CO) |
En Gedi Retreat (Steamboat Springs, CO) |
| Ranch of Hope Counseling Center (Westcliffe, CO) |
Beside Still Waters at Playa Del Sol (Anna Maria Island, FL) |
| SonScape Retreat Ministries (CO, NY & TN) |
Camp Gilead Pastor’s Getaway (Polk City, FL) |
| Care for Pastors (Leesburg, FL) |
Leahaven (Chickamauga, GA) |
| Blessing Ranch (Lutz, FL) |
Shepherd’s Refuge (Dahlonega, GA) |
| WinShape Retreats (GA & FL) |
Healing Springs Retreat (Franklin Springs, GA) |
| E.L.I.M Retreats (Midwest) |
Allison Ranch (Cascade, ID) |
| Alongside (Richland, MI) |
Deer Ridge Ministries (Freeport, IL) |
| His High Places (Jefferson, NC) |
Shepherd’s Gate Inn (Martinsville, IN) |
| A’nesis Retreats – specifically for women (Murfreesboro, TN) |
The Springs (Oldenburg, IN) |
| Fairhaven Ministries (Roan Mtn, TN) |
Buffalo Ridge Retreat Center (Ottawa, KS) |
| The Center (Edmonds, WA and Federal Way, WA) |
cleftRock Retreat Center (Mount Vernon, KY) |
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Sandy Cove Ministries (North East, MD) |
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Broom Tree Ministries (MI & WI) |
| Ministry Haven (Eckert, CO) |
Bridge Ministries Oasis (Richland, MI) |
| Mercy Mountain Refuge (Estes Park, CO) |
Rest Inn Rivendell (Branson, MO) |
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Anchor Retreat (Kimberling City, MO) |
| Peace Be Well (Navarre, FL) |
Mountain Top Retreat (Bozeman, MT) |
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Mission Mountain Ministries (Kalispell, MT, specific for missionaries) |
| Missionary Care Ministry (Bogart, GA) |
Ridge Haven (Brevard, NC) |
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Ridgecrest Conference Center (Ridgecrest, NC) |
| Stillwater Pastor Retreat (Arabi, GA) |
Eagles Rest (Brooktondale, NY) |
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Hephzibah House (New York, NY) |
| His House (Twin Falls, ID) |
The Parsonage House (Stone Ridge, NY) |
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Monarch Lodge (Ada, OK – Foursquare Pastors only) |
| The Shepherds House (KY, IN, MI, MT, CT & UK) |
Christian Renewal Center (Silverton, OR) |
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Spruce Lake (Canadesis, PA) |
| Hidden Hollow Retreat Cabin (Moravian Falls, NC) |
The Hills Abide & Rest (Rapid City, SD) |
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Red-Tailed Roost (Allardt, TN) |
| The Cottages at Pin Grove Plantation (Rembert, SC) |
Shepherds Haven of Rest Ministries (TN & MANY other locations) |
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Elijah’s Harbor (Greeneville, TN) – ask for pastor rate |
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Fairhaven Ministries (Roan Mountain, TN) |
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Lamb’s Tale (Comfort, TX) |
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BethNuah Ministries (Plano, TX) – Pastors Wives Retreats |
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The Woods Lodge (Northfield, VT) – ask for pastor rate |
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Zarephath Ministries (WI) |
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