B.C. pastoral renewal

Bellingham, WA

It amazes me how God has such perfect timing. He acts just when life seems overwhelming. Priscilla and I are in a place of transition. Our senior pastor has just finished his ministry in the church that we serve in, and the transition has been somewhat overwhelming.

It was in that state of mind that we came to the B.C. MB Conference pastors and spouses retreat May 5-7 at The Firs, Bellingham, WA. It seemed that our emotions were shared by many pastors and spouses as they came to the retreat. There is often a sense of defeat and a feeling of "Do I really want to be a pastor?" You may see many wounded warriors at a retreat like this. There is no more wind in their sails, and they are going through heavy times.

Don't get the idea that a retreat is just an opportunity for a bunch of pastors to get together and whine about our church troubles. We don't. But we do struggle in life in ways that our congregations can't always understand. When we get together at a pastors and wives retreat, it is amazing how God revives our hearts. We sing; we pray; we laugh; we joke; we share with each other; we cry with each other; we hear God's Word. Some of us play golf; others shop till they drop. We go for walks with our spouses and talk about the churches we serve in. We ask God to rekindle within us a deep desire to serve the body of Christ that He has called us to. Our hearts and souls are revived. Our perspective in life is renewed.

One of the highlights for Priscilla and me was Jim Westgate's message of personal renewal, marriage renewal and ministry renewal. It was challenging and timely. Another highlight was the Spirit-led worship singing directed by Ramsey and Shannon Unruh of the Willow Park Church in Kelowna, B.C. Another highlight was building new relationships with pastors, youth pastors and their wives. We had a blast.

Thank you to B.C. MB Conference minister Ike and Shirley Bergen for their desire to minister to the pastors and their spouses. I would encourage all churches to send their pastors and spouses to retreat. It is a time of renewal and refreshing. We are grateful that our body of believers allowed us to attend.

Russ and Priscilla Reid, associate pastor couple, Gospel Chapel Fellowship, Grank Forks, B.C.

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