The Center for Spiritual Renewal |
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 While the challenges facing church leaders today are considerable, they are by no means unique to this generation. Spiritual leaders throughout history have faced similar obstacles, and God-given opportunities for personal and spiritual renewal have helped to sustain their lives and ministries as well. When Moses became so weary from leading the nation of Israel that he wanted to die, God provided a desert oasis and a team of 70 elders to help him carry the burden (Nu 11). When David was forced into exile and hunted down like an animal by King Saul, God provided a cave where he could find refuge with his friends and family (1 Sa 22). When Elijah found himself running for his life in order to escape Jezebel’s venemous death threats, God provided a mountain retreat where he could rest from the battle and find strength to complete his task, with a little help from his friends (1 Ki 19). And when Peter was overwhelmed by his failure to follow the call of Christ, God provided a seaside sanctuary where his hope was gently yet resolutely restored by the risen Lord in the company of his fellow disciples (Jn 21).
Like Moses, David, Elijah and Peter, every spiritual leader today needs a "cave," a place where he or she can retreat from the world and recover from the spiritual battle, a sacred and solitary place where physical rest, spiritual renewal and vocational realignment are readily available. The Center for Spiritual Renewal at Barclay College, located on the rolling prairie of south central Kansas, offers just such a place of rest and renewal for church leaders and their families. We are committed to honoring those who work hard on our behalf (1 Th 5:12) by providing opportunities for these leaders to experience personal and spiritual renewal in the midst of a supportive Christian community. Our goal is to alleviate the impact of stress and burnout among spiritual leaders and to help these men and women sustain effective, lifelong ministry in and through the body of Christ.
As you browse this website, we pray that you will find something that will encourage you to "press on" in your journey with Jesus. May the Lord bless you and keep you as you continue to follow hard after Him ... the best is yet to come!
 Agape,
Dave
David O. Williams
Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministries/College Chaplain
Director of the Center for Spiritual Renewal at Barclay College
607 N. Kingman Haviland, KS 67059
620.862.5252 Toll Free: 800.862.0226 Fax: 620.862.5242
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