Our Retreat Ministry keeps us busy during the year, especially during the summer months as we serve campers from mid-June through mid-August. We provide the meeting space, lodging, facilities, activities, and food — you provide your own program and people. Our busiest months are February, August, and September, so book early for those months as well as holiday weekends.

Our philosophy of retreat ministry is to minimize distraction so our guests can maximize their experience with God. We try to "get out of the way" by thoroughly preparing before groups arrive, and quietly serving while they are here. As a facility serving multiple guests during a weekend, we must often be creative in scheduling and housing so that retreat groups have their own space and equal attention from our staff. Early in the planning stages, group leaders are encouraged to get their group outside to enjoy the woods, fields, or just a quiet bench. With 880 acres of land, it is easy for guests to find solitude whether deep in the woods, by the cross at Prayer Rim's overlook, or sitting on a shady bench at main camp.

Retreats are important to church ministry. Jesus implored His disciples to "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31). Choosing to retreat, offers groups an opportunity to grow into a deeper relationship with each other and with their Lord.

Many types of retreats are held here each weekend. Some groups come to challenge themselves through extreme activities and to bond through late night bonfires. For these groups, we offer rock climbing, paintball, snow-tubing, 24/7 gym time, and night hikes.

Other groups come for an "Advance" instead of a retreat. Their purpose is to wake up sleepy Christians and motivate them to repentance or ministry. For these groups, we step back and give them space to preach or reflect. Often, these groups worship late into the night and wake up still singing! As a staff, we are sensitive to God's work in their services and understand that worship does not always follow our schedules.

Some groups come to learn how to be leaders together. For these, we facilitate team-building activities and guide them through the Low Ropes Course. Our trained program staff are able to discuss group dynamics, communication, and problem-solving from a Christian perspective.

We have many types of groups — from leadership retreats to marriage conferences to 30-hour famines. But our ministry is the same to all: to serve without distraction while demonstrating God's grace.

For information, please contact Vickie Gerardi, the Director of Retreat Ministry at info@retreat.org or call 1-866-RETREAT if you would like to bring your next retreat to Pinnacle or schedule a tour of the facility.