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Langley, B.C.
Pastors, missionaries offered help at Oasis


Pastors and missionaries experiencing the effects of ministry burnout or in need of a spiritual refresher have an opportunity to come to an oasis.

Fine dining in a lodge setting at Oasis Retreats.

Campus Crusade for Christ is sponsoring small group, five-day Oasis retreats for pastors and others involved in Christian ministry to address their spiritual, psychological, physical and leadership needs. The retreats are intended to be both curative (for those who have experienced a crisis such as burnout) and preventive (for those who want to avoid such crises).

Eighteen denominations and mission agencies, including the B.C. Mennonite Brethren Conference, are cooperating with this plan to minister to those who are ministering. In fact, Ike Bergen, B.C. MB Conference minister, was part of a fact-finding session held May 6 to determine the need for this kind of retreat. Bergen said he has been looking for a retreat of this kind for the pastors and leaders in his constituency, and he likes the balanced approach of the retreats.

The first retreat is scheduled for Nov. 7-12 at Cedar Springs Retreat Center, Sumas, Wash. A second retreat is already scheduled for Jan. 23-28, 2000 at Cedar Springs. Plans to hold similar retreats across Canada are also in the works. Eventually, such retreats may also be offered for lay leaders in churches.

The mission statement for the Oasis retreats is “to promote small group, week-long retreats for Christian workers in a safe, serene atmosphere, with a balanced schedule of teaching, personal counsel, rest and recreation.” Campus Crusade hopes the retreats will strengthen Christian workers so that they can be more effective in their ministries.

Pete and Shirley Unrau are the retreat directors. They have 42 years of pastoral and evangelism ministry experience. Unrau, formerly senior pastor of Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is now the director of pastoral care and church relationship for Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada.

The atmosphere of the retreats is designed to provide safety and confidentiality with a professional, experienced Christian staff who listen and offer counsel. Participants will be called at least six times during the year after the retreat as part of the accountability and follow-up plan. Also, each participant will use the Birkman Motivational/Self-assessment and Occupational profile tool to assess his/her own strengths, needs and stress behaviour.

Retreat staff for the Cedar Springs retreats include Michael and Lois Brown, pastor couple of Cornerstone Community Church, Surrey, B.C.; Ron Toews, a registered clinical counsellor; Bruce and Denise Gordon, director of human resources at Campus Crusade; Dave Beck, Campus Crusade; John Radford, clinical psychologist majoring in conflict resolution; and Rick Porter, pastor of Seven Oaks Alliance Church, Abbotsford.

Cost for the five-day retreat is $750 for a couple or $500 for a single participant. For more information, contact Campus Crusade for Christ, Box 300, Station A, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2X3, phone (800) 563-1106, ext. 211, or email punrau@direct.ca.  – from information supplied by Campus Crusade for Christ

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Last modified October 13, 1999.

© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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