Institution-new - Soul Shepherding

Five Days That Can Change Your Life

You pour out for others but your soul needs care too.

At a Soul Shepherding retreat, you’ll step away from stress to rest in God’s presence, receive care and training, and be strengthened. You’ll experience renewal that transforms your life, relationships, and ministry or work.

Already accepted? Register for your retreat.

99%

feel encouraged in their relationship with Jesus

98%

say they have grown emotionally & spiritually.

92%

of participants agree their retreat was life changing.

Watch our video to learn more!

What the Retreats Offer

Soul Shepherding retreats are 5-day immersive experiences of soul care and learning in a community of about 40-50 people like you. They are led by Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere and are designed to help you rest, renew, and grow.

Retreat features:

Teaching sessions with opportunities to ask questions
Guided Scripture meditation, prayer, and community sharing
Spiritual direction groups and optional individual sessions
Extended time for solitude, rest, and reflection in a beautiful setting
Learning to lead and care for others from a healthy soul

What Makes Soul Shepherding Retreats Different?

Jesus-centered psychology for emotional and spiritual growth
Dallas Willard’s insights on spiritual formation and soul care
Safe, supportive community with fellow leaders and
shepherds
Practical tools for emotional and spiritual health
Flexibility to attend one or all four retreats in any order — online or in person

Is This Retreat for You?

Yes! These retreats are for Christians who want to grow deeper with Jesus in order to live and lead from a healthy soul.

You’ll find yourself in community with leaders and learners who serve Jesus as pastors, missionaries, spiritual directors, coaches, counselors, ministry spouses, business leaders, and other Christian leaders.

Whether you lead a congregation, a small group, clients, your workplace, or your family — you belong here.

Meet Your Guides

Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are psychotherapists and spiritual directors who were personally mentored by Dallas and Jane Willard. Over the last 35 years, they have spent over 120,000 hours caring for people like you. Together, they founded the Soul Shepherding Institute in 2013 to train Christian pastors and leaders in Jesus-centered psychology and spiritual formation.

Since then thousands of participants from 28 countries have joined our retreats.

people have completed Soul Shepherding Retreats

Stories of Life Change

"Soul Shepherding helped me find rest in Jesus when I was on the brink of burnout. The support I received renewed my passion for ministry."

The Difference it Makes

Without a retreat like this you risk:

Running on empty

Struggling with stress and discouragement

Losing your personal intimacy with Jesus

Losing joy in your ministry and relationships

With this retreat you’ll:

Return home spiritually refreshed

Be emotionally supported and renewed

Gain clarity and practical tools for your life and ministry

Experience the joy of serving others from overflow, not exhaustion

Retreat Topics

Soul Shepherding offers four unique retreats. You can attend any one retreat as a starting point, or complete all four for a deeper journey.

Spiritual Formation

This retreat focuses on becoming the kind of person who naturally lives and loves like Jesus. You’ll explore how stress, family patterns, and sin affect your spiritual life and how God’s grace brings healing, wholeness, and lasting emotional and spiritual health.

Spiritual & Psychological Development

This retreat helps you understand where you are in your journey with God and what to do when you feel stuck. You’ll learn how to grow emotionally and spiritually in the stages of faith, including when you’re in a challenging season.

Soul Care Ministry

This retreat equips you to care for emotional and spiritual pain with love and wisdom. You’ll experience Jesus’ empathy in your own life and learn how to walk with others through shame, addiction, grief, and healing without burning out.

Relationally Healthy Leadership

This retreat helps you lead from connection with Jesus rather than pressure or self-reliance. You’ll learn how Jesus forms leaders who are emotionally aware, grounded under pressure, and able to lead with love, clarity, and resilience.

Upcoming Retreat Dates & Locations

Soul Shepherding offers 8 retreats each year in various locations across the United States. Click below to see all of the upcoming dates and locations.

View All Retreat Dates

March 23-27, 2026
Phoenix, Arizona
Spiritual Formation
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Joan Graham, Ron Thompson & Kim Thompson

June 15-19, 2026
Stoneville, North Carolina
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Anna Kimball & John Ware

July 13-17, 2026
Malibu, California
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Ron Thompson & Kim Thompson

September 28-October 2, 2026
Bells, Texas
Spiritual Formation
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Joan Graham, Amy Dalke, & Jon Jenz

October 19-23, 2026
Phoenix, AZ
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD

November 2-6, 2026
St. Simons Island, GA
Soul Care Ministry
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD

April 5-9, 2027
St. Simons Island, GA
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD

March 14-19, 2027
Phoenix, AZ
Soul Care Ministry
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD

October 10-15, 2027
Phoenix, AZ
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD

View All Retreats by Location/Cohort →

Retreat Pricing

$1,225

Early Bird (120+ days ahead)

$1,425

Regular Price

$1,625

Late Registration (45 days or less)

Optional add-ons:

Single room: $250
Individual spiritual direction appointment at the retreat: $70

Special discounts and scholarships:

Your spouse can get 25% off by sharing a room with you.
Pastors and missionaries with financial need can apply for scholarship assistance.

The Cost of Your Retreat Includes

Lodging for 4 nights, 5 days

Meals and snacks

All teaching sessions, spiritual direction groups, guided practices, etc.

Retreat manual

*Attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the retreat.

Payment Timeline

To reserve your spot for a retreat, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required or you are welcome to pay in full. Full payment is due 45 days prior to the start date of the retreat.

Enrich Your Experience with a Certificate in Spiritual Direction

The 4 retreats are included in Soul Shepherding’s Certificate in Spiritual Direction program. This program is an optional next step for those who want advanced training.

Take Your Next Step

Step 1: Apply for a retreat

We require an application to our retreats so we can safeguard your retreat experience. Institute retreats are places of deep and authentic community and we want to provide a safe environment for everyone.

Step 2: Our team will reach out to you

As soon as we receive your application and hear back from your reference, we will email you for the next step.

Step 3: Register for a retreat and pay the $250 deposit

Once your application has been accepted, complete our registration form to reserve your spot at a retreat and pay your $250 deposit. You can choose from any of the dates or locations you prefer.