Help Renew, Refresh, and Restore Ministry Leaders
Chris & Wyndy Penner
Raised
We have been blessed to serve in hosting camps for families and couples since 2002, before helping found Renewing Grace Together in 2016. Since 2016, our primary focus has been hosting retreats for families and couples in ministry. Having helped coordinate volunteer groups, including ones brought by pastors, colleges, corporations, and national organizations from all over the U.S., to help in disaster areas, gratitude flows from our innermost beings for each of you as you participate in eternally impacting, while still here on earth, truly amazing Kingdom work, transforming lives. During these efforts to help those in need, individuals like you have made a incredible difference, having helped host them with lodging, meals, locations, activity options and opportunities, has been a joy, while at the same time providing emotional, mental, and spiritual comfort for those affected by trauma – all very similar to hosting retreats! So grateful for all those who volunteer and give of their time, resources, and sweat equity! Today, Wyndy enjoys serving as Director and (usually!) loves watching how Holy Spirit unwraps each day to minister to those in need. Hosting retreats is more work than one can imagine, but truly eternally rewarding, as so often tears flow from guests in gratitude to you all who pour into them with your support. Their tears also flow when they don’t want to leave! Chris serves within Renewing Grace Together on the Board, makes delicious meals when hosting retreats for those in ministry and their families, and is currently receiving boots-on-the-ground, intense training via Pastoral Chaplaincy Education (PCE) at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The journey began with, "We see you hosting retreats for pastors and their spouses." The vision was propelled forward with hosting retreats for families. This led to a movement that gave birth to a haven, now known as Renewing Grace Together.
Pouring into the leaders highlighted an important factor among pastors, ministry leaders, and non-profit professionals alike: Stress and Burnout play a huge role in the balance of work and family life.
Having seen the impact of previous retreats, Renewing Grace Together introduced camps and retreats for the families of those who serve others. Beginning in 2016, with the help and support of people like you, the organization began focusing on healing relationships and pouring into families, establishing them with the essentials needed to support the wellness of the families who serve others.
Kyle and Becca have both served tirelessly as leaders in organizations that serve people with special abilities. As their anniversary approached, Kyle knew he wanted to do something for his bride, but had little funds and no idea what to plan. In Kyle’s words, “Jesus stepped in and said 'I’ve already got it planned for you!' ” Becca’s comment in our retreat guest book tells the rest of the story this summer of 2021:
"My husband and I haven’t been on a date in over a year! I was at work on Friday, teaching preschool all day, and it was just one of those days that had me almost in tears. I love my job, but in preschool, we just have those days. I got home tired, but thankful it was the weekend. Kyle surprised me and told me he had a trip planned out! We never do anything like that, so I was shocked and so happy to be getting away for a few days. The surprises kept coming throughout the weekend...God showed us His love to us over and over again. The house is perfect and cute with so many fun details. We loved all of the outdoor areas! We enjoyed the best meal ever at Rogue Manor and shopped in a lot of the cute little shops downtown. God knew we needed this getaway and He used His children to make it happen! I’m excited to go home and love my family better because I feel rested and refreshed!"
And from Kyle: "There is a reason why God calls us to rest, to lie down in green pastures beside the still waters...He knows what our souls are in need of, time at the sanctuary at Eureka Springs helped me to find some rest for my weary soul. What an amazing escape to be alone with Him away from the chaos and noise of life."
"We had such a wonderful time! … Thanks again so much for the wonderful opportunity!"
(Statistics above are from before the events which have challenged the world the last two years!)
In the last year, Renewing Grace Together has hosted ministry leaders at 17 retreats in Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri. Your partnering with this mission has enabled the organization to pour into 54 individuals seeking a period of solace and restoration, impacting the leadership of 26 ministries with improved mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Together, with your support, Renewing Grace Together has been able to help pastors, ministry leaders, and nonprofit professionals to return to the frontlines better equipped to serve others.
To highlight and minister to the importance of mental and spiritual health, your help is needed to pour into the lives of pastors, ministry leaders, and nonprofit professionals, and their families, who help serve others within their communities.
By taking care of the shepherds who tirelessly pour out, you can help encourage community leaders in fulfilling the responsibilities of their role in a healthy manner.
Your gift of any amount will help Renewing Grace Together to host more people to Renew, Refresh, & Restore, thus impacting our world for good.
- Kindest.com Online Platform for Nonprofits has been an incredible encouragement for us, as two prior attempts at helping reach more to bless pastors and their spouses, were single-day events that were shut down by world events and health challenges.
- In partnering with us, you are also given the opportunity to help EVEN MORE NONPROFITS AND MINISTRIES, as Kindest offers an OPTION TO TIP, after your generous donation. This OPTIONAL TIP is very special, as it helps OTHER small nonprofits to help have an online platform to reach out to support their vision and service for free. We understand that some may not desire to do this, and if that is so, simply choose "OTHER" and put in $0, as we do not want anyone to feel obligated. Alternatively, if you'd like to factor this amount in, you can decrease your gift to Renewing Grace Together to accommodate the tip. We are happy to help support other nonprofits and ministries in this additional way.
- Kindest.com offers after your blessing gift to Renewing Grace Together, and after the tip that goes to Kindest to support other nonprofits and ministries, an ADDITIONAL HELP of covering the transaction fee, which goes directly to STRIPES to pay for the transaction.
Again, neither of the above are mandatory, nor obligatory, and we do not want anyone to feel nickeled and dimed. You are valued and appreciated for any and all support you provide, and especially prayer support!
Want to donate via another mobile device? Text-to-donate allows users to make donations by texting "RENEW" to phone number: 50123 and click on the link sent in reply!
To find out more, check out RenewingGraceTogether.org
As of October 29, 2021, two GENEROUS DONORS are offering a $1,000 matching grant to double your gift up to $1,000!
Desiring to provide a delightful evening out with an exquisite dinner for at least 10 pastoral couples on a Renew, Refresh, Restore Retreat, these gracious donors are giving you an opportunity to have your gift double its impact to minister to even more ministry families, and in turn, reaching the world around them.