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Refresh: Pastors and Spouses Retreat 2025

“So… who pastors the pastor?”

 And just as important,  “Who pastors the spouse of the pastor?”

May 25-27, 2025  Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba

Over the final weekend of May, more than 60 pastors and their spouses came together for the Refresh: Pastors and Spouses Retreat. This special weekend was all about supporting and caring for those in ministry. With the theme "Who Pastors the Pastor?" we experienced a warm space for spiritual rest, connection, and meaningful reflection.

Provincial Director John Neufeld shared some thoughtful, biblically grounded teaching that touched on the emotional and spiritual aspects of being ministry leaders. As he spoke, Lloyd Letkeman brought the experience to life with his live painting, adding a wonderful visual element that helped everyone engage more deeply with the messages. We also enjoyed uplifting worship led by Ryan Waschuk.


One of the highlights of this year's retreat was welcoming pastoral interns. Their presence brought a refreshing sense of connection and shared purpose to our time together. It was a heartwarming reminder that, no matter how time passes, we remain a vibrant, growing community united in faith and fellowship. Laughter, prayer, and heartfelt conversations flowed freely, making this retreat a truly memorable experience.

"For me, those three days were a time of rest, rejuvenation, and spiritual renewal. Although I am not a pastor, I received so much from his messages, and I appreciated discovering what it is to be shepherded through his personal stories, the Scriptures, and group discussion. I was able to identify who has shepherded me in my past, and I was encouraged to reach out to those people to let them know how they impacted my walk with Jesus. These three days were also a time of fellowship and community, and it was such a joy to connect with pastors from churches around the province. Meaningful conversations were held around the supper table, and friendships were formed over board games in the evenings. I received so much encouragement from everyone I spoke to about my role and my next steps, and I really appreciate all of the conversations I shared and the prayers spoken over me. A highlight from the retreat was the communion we shared at the last session; we each had our own, regular-sized cup of grape juice and a bun, and we went around the room sharing communion in small groups. I partook in communion with several different individuals, and it was an intimate experience with Jesus and the people next to me. It was so special to honour Jesus through a more personal expression of communion as we prayed for each other and remembered Jesus’ death on the cross." Olivia Hudson, Ministry Intern, Crossway Elm Creek
"For me, those three days were a time of rest, rejuvenation, and spiritual renewal. Although I am not a pastor, I received so much from his messages, and I appreciated discovering what it is to be shepherded through his personal stories, the Scriptures, and group discussion. I was able to identify who has shepherded me in my past, and I was encouraged to reach out to those people to let them know how they impacted my walk with Jesus. These three days were also a time of fellowship and community, and it was such a joy to connect with pastors from churches around the province. Meaningful conversations were held around the supper table, and friendships were formed over board games in the evenings. I received so much encouragement from everyone I spoke to about my role and my next steps, and I really appreciate all of the conversations I shared and the prayers spoken over me. A highlight from the retreat was the communion we shared at the last session; we each had our own, regular-sized cup of grape juice and a bun, and we went around the room sharing communion in small groups. I partook in communion with several different individuals, and it was an intimate experience with Jesus and the people next to me. It was so special to honour Jesus through a more personal expression of communion as we prayed for each other and remembered Jesus’ death on the cross." Olivia Hudson, Ministry Intern, Crossway Elm Creek

As a community, we had the special joy of praying over one of our interns from La Salle Community Fellowship and her husband as they prepared for their upcoming trip to missionary school. Surrounded by love and support, we lifted them up in prayer, asking for God's guidance and blessings on their journey. It was a beautiful moment of unity and encouragement.

"The Refresh Pastors' Retreat was a wonderful experience for me. This was my first time attending, and I felt so welcomed into the community there and really enjoyed getting to know others within the field of ministry. The theme for the event, “Who Pastors the Pastor?” dove into what it means to be shepherded and who our shepherd is. I was led to reflect on my own view of Jesus as my shepherd, and as we were led in prayer and worship. I feel I got a deeper understanding of the ways in which I am merely a sheep, and though there are others in my life, I feel as though I am shepherding. My need for Jesus to use his shepherd's crook and continually pull me back towards him is something that will never change. I also appreciated getting to glean from others’ knowledge of being in ministry, and seeing as I am quite new to the ministry field, I appreciated the insight that more seasoned pastors poured into my life. On the other hand, I also witnessed long-time pastors experience renewal and gain important takeaways for their own lives. I appreciated the mutual vulnerability the conference encouraged among all of the people there, and I feel that the nature of the conference really levelled out the room in a sense that we were all there to learn and sit at the feet of Jesus together as part of the same flock, no one above the other." Savanna Rice, Summer Intern, La Salle Community Fellowship
"The Refresh Pastors' Retreat was a wonderful experience for me. This was my first time attending, and I felt so welcomed into the community there and really enjoyed getting to know others within the field of ministry. The theme for the event, “Who Pastors the Pastor?” dove into what it means to be shepherded and who our shepherd is. I was led to reflect on my own view of Jesus as my shepherd, and as we were led in prayer and worship. I feel I got a deeper understanding of the ways in which I am merely a sheep, and though there are others in my life, I feel as though I am shepherding. My need for Jesus to use his shepherd's crook and continually pull me back towards him is something that will never change. I also appreciated getting to glean from others’ knowledge of being in ministry, and seeing as I am quite new to the ministry field, I appreciated the insight that more seasoned pastors poured into my life. On the other hand, I also witnessed long-time pastors experience renewal and gain important takeaways for their own lives. I appreciated the mutual vulnerability the conference encouraged among all of the people there, and I feel that the nature of the conference really levelled out the room in a sense that we were all there to learn and sit at the feet of Jesus together as part of the same flock, no one above the other." Savanna Rice, Summer Intern, La Salle Community Fellowship

In addition to the planned sessions, the retreat provided ample time for relaxation and enjoyment. Attendees enjoyed a lively night of board games, a thrilling waterslide championship, fishing outings, and golf activities that brought laughter and lightheartedness to our gathering.


To wrap up the weekend, we held an engaging communion service, reminding everyone that pastors are not just leaders; they are cherished followers of Christ. For many, Refresh was more than just a break—it was a fantastic opportunity to calibrate our hearts and remind us that each one of us deserves care and support.

 
 
 

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