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Shepherds Care Ministries, Inc.
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Retreat Info
Held at The Shack Country Inn 2263 W 14th St., White Cloud, MI 49349, Phone 231-924-6683
Coming Retreats
Pastors Retreats June 26-30 2023 and October 9-13 2023
What is a Spiritual Retreat?
It is a strategic withdrawal from the "world" in order to be alone with God.
Why take a spiritual retreat?
Jesus is the model – He routinely took his disciples away or went away by himself. God often speaks in a still small voice – we need solitude to hear Him.
What can we expect?
Let God set the agenda – be expectant. Be ready for peaceful, quiet and beautiful surroundings with plenty of uninterrupted time. God always shows up – He is true to his promise.
Why is there a Shepherds Care Ministries?
It was God’s idea and He called Ernie Hautala to start a ministry to reach out to full- time Christian workers. He is calling others as well. Our society needs Christian pastors who are close to God – ministry often leads them away. Weariness makes leaders lose their courage – rest restores courage. Pastors and their spouses are often separated from each other because of ministry pressure
What is done on a spiritual retreat?
Follow one of the program guides or design your own. Disconnect from the world by observing a media fast. Get proper rest. Listen more than you speak. Listen through God’s Word and prayer. Listen through music or by just watching His creation. Listen through the books provided to help direct this type of retreat.
Why are they Free?
This concept is fairly new to the protestant church in America. Many churches do not provide the time away or the money for a pastor couple to go on a retreat. Just as salvation is a free gift and evidence of God’s love, so these retreats are free so that pastor couples have more tangible evidence of His love for them.
Retreat dates for 2023
June 26-30 2023 and October 9-13 2023
Contact Information
Shepherd Care Ministries
Rev. Bob Pycraft - Executive Director
1765 Pinewood knoll
Kentwood, Michigan 49508
Cell 616-318-8972
Phil Jones - Board Chairman
Cell - 231-519 - 4510
Office - 231-689-0611
Shepherds Care Ministries, Inc
P.O. Box 2673
Midland, Mi. 48641
Check us out on Facebook at
Shepherds Care Ministry
Shepherds Care Ministries, Inc is a 501 (c) 3
nonprofit ministry. Donations are tax deductible.
If you would like to support us financially or with
prayer, please contact us so we can add you to our mailing list.
Strengthening Shepherds As They Serve The Shepherd
In 1999 the Lord began to burden Ernie Hautala's heart for a ministry that would reach out to full-time Christian workers. Through his experiences as a missionary and a pastor, he knew firsthand the need for Christian workers to have time away to receive encouragement through His Word and through encouragement from others. In 2000 Shepherds Care had its first retreat for pastors. Ernie went home to be with the Lord in November 2011 and Claudia in June of 2012. The prayer of the members of the Board of Directors is that we would be used by God to continue the work started by Ernie to provide rest, refreshment, reflection, renewal and redirection for pastors and full-time Christian workers.
Bob Pycraft was asked to be Executive Director and began in May 2016. Bob and Bette have spent the past 50+years in ministry. What a pleasure and blessing to continue this much needed ministry to God's servants.
Pastor retreats are held twice a year, in June and October. This is a great opportunity for pastors and full-time Christian workers to get away and spend time with the Lord. These retreats are offered at no cost to the pastor and his wife.
Year around we provide places for pastors and full-time Christian workers, along with their wives, to get away for a few days. We know there are times when those in the ministry need to meet with the Lord in stillness of solitude where God can provide rest, refreshment, reflection, renewal and redirection for their souls. If you or someone you know needs a personal retreat, contact us at Bobpy52@yahoo.com
These retreats are offered at no cost to the pastor and his wife. (Please give us at least two weeks' notice.)
" Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark6:31
SHEPHERDS CARE MINISTRIES