Healthy churches need healthy pastors.
By providing a place where a busy urban pastor can step away, the opportunity for restoration and refreshment becomes a reality. The daily demands of ministry can drown out the quiet a pastor’s heart needs to hear the voice of Jesus. David Carrillo, pastor of Iglesias de Cristos Victorioso, asked a while back when the personal retreat house at Morning Star Ranch would be ready. “I would schedule a day a month there,” he said.
This summer Pastor David and his church gathered at Morning Star Ranch for a family camp weekend and they were a great reminder of what a healthy urban church can look like. They were able to spend that time in worship and teaching along with fun activities. David and his wife Lauren have both been involved in events at Morning Star Ranch and have seen God change lives. Bringing their church family for family camp certainly proved that to be true again!
That Sunday morning this group of believers gathered under a canopy of walnut trees. It was a refreshing time to worship, sing, listen to God's Word, and share with each other. There was a new sense of God's presence in their midst. The families drew closer to each other as the sharing increased. They heard God's Word in a different way as the bugs and the birds chattered and chirped. There was time to enjoy the sense of community which is what church should be. They were here, not focused on time, being together in a special setting, and in some ways, able to be completely present in the moment! Distractions faded away and relationships were strengthened.
As our staff faded into the background, we were encouraged to observe the beauty of this time, to listen to the conversation and the laughter. We watched and listened as this group of believers was becoming healthier as a community that cares for each other. What a blessing to see the Kingdom of God in the interaction, the praying together, the sharing, the games, the laughter. This church was able to “come to a quiet place” and set aside all the details and demands that press into their lives on a day-to-day basis.
Healthy churches need healthy pastors… that can happen in a weekend family camp at Morning Star Ranch!
