Vacation/Leisure Resources & Retreats

for Ministers & Mates

Note: The following listings are not recommendations, but are supplied for informational purposes only.

Traveling Guidebooks for Christians

• The Christian Traveler’s Companion, by Amy Eckert & Bill Peterson. Published by Fleming H. Revell in 2000, the first volume details favorite Christian travel destinations in the U.S. and Canada. The second (2001) features vacation ideas in Western Europe, all of which will enrich your faith.

• The Christian Traveler’s Guide to Great Britain, by Irving Hexham. Published by Zondervan in 2001, this guide explores destinations in Great Britain of interest to Christians, particularly those with an interest in Christian history. Other volumes explore Germany and France.

Sermons of Interest

• “What Would Jesus Do…About Leisure?” based on Matthew 11:28-30 can be found at: www.cornerstonebc.com/sermons/wwjd/wwjd5/htm.

Books of Interest

• Redeeming the Time: A Christian Approach to Work and Leisure, by Leland Ryken. Baker Book House, 1995. Available at: www.amazon.com.

Bed and Breakfasts which offer a clergy discount

• The Lion and Lamb Bed & Breakfast
  Vinton, Iowa
  www.lionlamb.com

• Bayberry Inn Bed & Breakfast (welcomes children & pets)
  Falmouth, MA (Cape Cod)
  1-508-540-2962

• The Inn at South Harbour Village
  Southport, NC
  Fifty percent discount for clergy! (see website for details)
  Rooms to accommodate families
  www.bbonline.com/nc/southharbour/specials.html

• The Courthouse Inn
  Clinton, NC
  Can accommodate up to four children
  www.bbonline.com/nc/clinton/index.html

• The Little Tree Bed & Breakfast
  Taos, New Mexico
  Can accommodate children
  www.littletreebandb.com

• The Colonial House
  Weston, Vermont
  Can accommodate children
  www.cohoinn.com

• Fancy Free Bed & Breakfast
  “A service to those in full-time ministry”
  Burton, MI
  1-810-744-4691
  email: fancyfree@mymailstation.com

• The Hale House Inn Bed & Breakfast
  Jefferson, TX
  (903) 665-9955
  http://www.thehalehouseinn.com
• Innkeeper Ministries, Inc.
  Lewisburg, OH
  (937) 962-8312
  www.innkeeperministries.org

Destinations Which Specifically Provide Rest and Ministry to Ministers

All of the destinations listed below were found at www.pastorsnet.com/caregiver_ministries/coun_resources_retreats.html. Please view this wonderful site for more information.

• Blessing Ranch, Inc.
  Livermore, CO

• A Mountain Retreat
  Conifer, CO

• Candlelight Inn (for ministry couples)
  Warsaw, IN

• Eagle’s Nest Ranch
  Bigfork, MT

• Sunny Brook
  Branson, MO

Vacations for Pastors’ Families (Many offer clergy discounts)

The sampling below was found at: www.pastorsnet.com/caregiver_ministries/vacation_hospitality.html

• Antioch Ranch
  Mendocino, CA
  (707) 937-5570

• Buffalo Ridge Retreat Center
  Ottawa, KS
  (785) 746-5418
  www.hiswayministries.org/br/br.htm

• Fallen Goose Ministry
  Conner, MT
  (406) 821-1552

• Makahiki Ministries: “A network of over 100 homes around the world, offering Christian workers a place to rest and be refreshed”
  P.O. Box 415
  Mariposa, CA 95338
  (209) 966-2988
  email: makahiki@sierratel.com

• Pleasant Vineyard Ministries
  Camden, OH
  (937) 452-3347

• Religious Vacations, Inc.
  524 North East Sixteenth Ct.
  Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305-3095
  (305) 763-8400

• Shepherd Cove
  1925 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW
  Atlanta, GA 30327
  (404) 367-0597

• Triple Creek Ranch
  348 N. Snipe Hollow Rd.
  Elizabeth, IL 61028
  (815) 858-2435

For Women Only

• Spa for the Spirit
  Kansas City, MO
  Non-denominational Christian mini-retreats for individuals and groups
  (913) 888-2366
  www.spa4thespirit.com

Other Sites of Interest to the Christian Traveler

• Bob Neff Tours—“Enjoy the fellowship of other Christians” on one of their group bus tours. “Many destinations in the USA and several overseas destinations.”
  www.bobnefftours.com

• Hosanna Hotel and Spa
  St. Augustine
  Trinidad, West Indies
  (868) 662-5449
  www.hosanna.isfun.net

Really Desperate for a Break?

• “Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection.”

• “In the 2004 National Clergy Renewal Program, the Endowment anticipates awarding as many as 120 grants of up to $45,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor.” Congregations can seek more information at: www.clergyrenewal.com

Information compiled by Loralie Crabtree, Springfield, Missouri.