Broom Tree Ministries

Free Pastor Retreats

About Us

What can be expected?

Rest

Restorative rest does not happen when we do nothing. It comes when we do something significant. Broom Tree allows pastors to recalibrate and heal on multiple levels. Our retreats have no schedule, only an agenda that supports rest, reflection and experiences with beauty. Each guest has permission to sleep and reflect, finding real restoration.

Reflection

Many couples have referred to our retreats as the best week of their marriage. They remember why they fell in love. Pastors also remember why they were called to ministry. Reflecting on these “starting points” in our lives allows us to gain clarity about the future. Prayer, scripture reading and solitude are essential to fruitful reflection.

Beauty in God’s Creation

Rest and reflection are made complete with beauty. Broom Tree retreats provide optional experiences with hiking, lakes, canoes, swimming and bike trails. Guests have access to scripture, music, art, literature and movies. The retreat center properties are in beautiful natural settings. We provide an opportunity to stop the hurriedness of life and actually see the beauty of God’s creation.

Strengthening the Church One Pastor at a Time

Free 5-day Spiritual Retreats

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How do pastors benefit from Broom Tree Retreats?

“aha” Moments

Elijah’s “aha” moment came when he realized he wasn’t alone. Many pastors have the same realization at Broom Tree, but each person has a unique experience. Unique moments of insight and discovery are a highlight and goal of the retreat.

Clarity

Mental and spiritual clarity enable pastors to see things they couldn’t see before. This new visibility nourishes relationships, strategic thinking, and personal reflection, making it possible for pastors to confidently take the most beneficial next steps.

Challenge

Elijah’s broom tree experience stirred deeper questions about his purpose for the next season of his life. Our retreats are designed to stir pastors in the same way. Meaningful rest requires meaningful and intentional reflection. This is also where pastors hear restorative challenges and conviction from the Holy Spirit.

Photo of Dwayne and Rita HanonOur Calling

In 1997 Dwayne didn’t realize the significance and scope of what God had called him to do. But it was a clear call from God to develop a pastors retreat center. He and Rita ran that retreat center in Wisconsin for over 4 1/2 years. With God’s leading during this time they developed the self-directed, ‘non program’ that is being used today. Broom Tree Ministries, began in 2002 continuing to offer free retreats to pastor couples in various locations so that the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ may be strengthened.

 

 

 

Donate to provide for a pastor and their congregation

Broom Tree Ministries is a 501c3 public foundation and all gifts are tax-exempt

Explore the Retreat Location

Retreat

Clinical Observations

What Elijah experienced is also true of what many pastors experience today when the adrenalin rush of preaching the Word, intense ministry and revival is followed by depression on Monday. Sustaining a pattern of elation followed by depression is a formula for disaster. Current studies indicate that only one in ten pastors will retire as a pastor.

  • Pastors are called by God to lead people out of the morass and ever decreasing moral integrity of society and into the presence of Jesus.
  • Highly educated, but being the lowest paid of professionals, limits their ability to afford the Sabbath rest they need.
  • Congregants expect the pastor to be proficient in 16 major disciplines, which is also a recipe for disaster.
  • The call to shepherd a congregation is a driving force in the pastor’s nature and therefore they will often sacrifice their own personal time with God and their family to meet the needs of the people.
  • Broom Tree is here to redirect the pastor through intentional Sabbath rest where Jesus can and does challenge them to be a man or woman of God as well as a man or woman for God.

Church Governing Board Letter

For your convenience, we’ve drafted a letter that you may want to print and give to your Church Governing Board.