From July 11–16, 2026, 13 pastors and their wives from the Association of Baptist Churches (ABC) participated in a very special milestone: the first Pastors’ and Wives’ Renewal Retreat in the history of our Association.
For six days, our pastors and their wives were given something that can be difficult to find in the midst of faithful ministry: time to rest, reflect, pray, reconnect, and be renewed in the Lord.
The retreat was intentionally held outside of Israel, allowing participants to step away from the constant responsibilities of pastoral ministry and from the pressures and effects of war that have marked life in our country. For some, it was the first opportunity in years to truly step away and rest.
We prayed that these days would bring encouragement and refreshment.
God gave us even more than we expected.
A Place to Rest—and a Community to Lean On
Pastoral ministry is a beautiful calling, but it can also carry burdens that are rarely seen by others. Pastors walk alongside people through celebrations and crises, preach and teach, counsel families, lead churches, respond to needs, and continually carry responsibility for the communities God has entrusted to them.
Their wives and families often carry much of that journey alongside them.
That is why this retreat was designed not around another ministry program or conference, but around renewal.
From the very first day, a genuine spirit of unity developed among the pastors and their wives. Fellowship was not simply something discussed—it was experienced.
Friendships were strengthened. Burdens were shared. Hearts were encouraged.
There was freedom to talk, listen, laugh, pray, and simply enjoy being together as brothers and sisters in Christ. In a season when many have carried significant responsibilities and pressures, this fellowship became a gift in itself.
Beginning Each Day in Prayer
Every morning began by gathering before the Lord in prayer.
Pastors and their wives prayed for one another, worshipped together, and carried each other’s needs before the Lord. These times of worship and intercession became one of the greatest blessings of the retreat.
They reminded the participants of a simple but important truth: those who regularly pray for and care for others also need a community that will pray for and care for them.
The retreat created that space.
Healthy Pastors, Healthy Churches
Each evening included a 90-minute workshop focused on pastoral health, burnout, and sustainable ministry, facilitated by the ABC General Secretary Rev. Rani and his wife, Rasha.
These sessions opened the door to meaningful and honest conversations about the realities of ministry.
Pastors and their wives were able to reflect on the pressures they carry, recognize signs of exhaustion and burnout, and consider healthier and more sustainable ways of serving Christ over the long term.
The openness that emerged during these conversations was deeply moving. For some participants, the retreat provided an opportunity to recognize just how much they had been carrying.
But recognizing those burdens was not the end of the story.
They also received renewed hope, practical tools, encouragement, and a fresh desire to continue serving Christ faithfully.
This is important not only for individual pastors and their families, but for the churches they serve.
When pastors are spiritually, emotionally, and relationally healthy, they are better equipped to shepherd healthy churches. When their marriages and families are strengthened, their ministries are strengthened. And when pastors know that they are not carrying their calling alone, they can continue serving with greater resilience, wisdom, and joy.
Caring for Those Who Care for Others
By the end of the six days, the pastors and their wives expressed a strong desire for the Pastors’ and Wives’ Renewal Retreat to become an annual gathering.
They returned home refreshed and encouraged, with practical tools and renewed strength to serve their congregations, families, and communities.
For ABC, this first retreat confirmed something we have long believed:
Caring for those who faithfully care for others is essential for the health of the Church.
Pastors spend much of their lives pouring into others. They preach, disciple, counsel, visit, pray, lead, comfort, and serve—often while carrying responsibilities and struggles of their own.
Creating intentional opportunities for them to rest and be renewed is therefore not a luxury. It is an investment in pastors, their families, their congregations, and ultimately the future of the Church.
Partnership That Strengthens the Church
This historic retreat was made possible through the generosity of faithful partners who believe in strengthening pastors and their families.
We are deeply grateful for those who prayed, gave, and stood alongside ABC to make these six days possible. Their partnership did more than help provide a retreat—it created an opportunity for faithful servants of Christ to step away from the pressures of ministry and return home renewed.
This is what partnership can accomplish.
When churches and friends stand with the Association of Baptist Churches, they help us strengthen local churches, equip leaders, invest in families, develop the next generation, and care for those who faithfully shepherd God’s people.
The fruit of such an investment reaches far beyond six days. It returns with every pastor to a congregation, a family, and a community.
As we look toward the future, we hope to continue developing opportunities like this and to strengthen partnerships with those who share our desire to see the Church in Israel healthy, united, and faithfully serving Christ.
Together, we are not simply supporting pastors—we are strengthening churches and investing in God’s Kingdom here in the land where it all began.
