Providing pastor couples a gift of space and time for

Sabbath rest and spiritual renewal

Shepherding the people of God is a high and holy calling. It is a spiritual work first and foremost. Leading the church requires men and women of character, character that has been forged in the furnace of meeting face to face with God. Regular time alone with God allows His holiness and His fire to singe the hearts and the faces and the minds of spiritual leaders.

The pace of life in the 21st century wreaks havoc on the spiritual disciplines of busy pastors and leaders. But the need to “be still and know that I am God” has not changed from King David’s time to today. Zarephath Ministries is all about calling spiritual leaders to put aside busyness, to put aside meetings, and step into the presence of God both for an extended time, and in a regular rhythm of rest.

In the past, the cornerstone of Zarephath Ministries was to offer pastor couples (or singles) a 5-day spiritual retreat, free of charge to the couple, in a glorious mountain setting in Southern California. We have retired from full-time pastoral ministry and relocated to Central Wisconsin. The precise shape of Zarephath Ministries is yet to unfold in this new location. But whatever shape it takes, our passion is to provide space and time for Sabbath and spiritual renewal for ministry leaders.

What is Zarephath?

In 1 Kings 17, Elijah prophesies that there will be no rain for the next few years. God sends him to Brook Cherith where the ravens feed him and he can drink from the brook.  But then the brook dries up and God sends him to Zarephath, where he lives with a widow and her son. There he experiences a never-ending supply of flour and oil, nourishment that sustains him and prepares him for future ministry. When the widow’s son dies, Elijah brings him back to life. The widow of Zarephath then makes a most significant statement: Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth. 1 Kings 17:24). 

It is our passion and desire that pastors come to Zarephath Ministries and meet with God and rediscover that He is the never-ending supply of nourishment and renewal. A rediscovery of regular rhythms of rest and time alone with God will forge the character and personal holiness that creates the character and the heart needed to be effective spiritual leaders in the 21st century.

Come to Zarephath, where the oil and the flour never run out.