Revitalize your ministry.
Barna research reveals that 1 in 3 pastors are at risk of burnout, and 75% of pastors know at least one fellow pastor whose ministry ended due to stress. We started the Soul Shepherding Institute to help pastors and leaders just like you avoid burnout through soul care training, spiritual direction, and coaching.
At the Soul Shepherding Institute, you’ll:
- Have space to hear God’s voice
- Engage in soul training that will keep you from burning out
- Be renewed spiritually to thrive in all you do as a pastor, spiritual director/coach, or leader
About the Soul Shepherding Institute
Life-changing community and learning in four, 5-day retreats.
Designed exclusively for pastors, ministry leaders, spiritual directors, missionaries, and business leaders, the Soul Shepherding Institute is led by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere:
- Doctors of Psychology, Spiritual Directors, and authors
- Personally mentored by Dallas and Jane Willard
- 25-year history of coaching and mentoring pastors and leaders

Each retreat features:
- Dynamic teaching on soul care
- Spiritual direction groups and soul friend conversations
- Rest, solitude, and silence in beautiful surroundings
- Guided experiences for spiritual formation
- Customized spiritual and psychological coaching
You’ll leave each retreat feeling rested, rejuvenated, encouraged, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive in your life, relationships, ministry (or work), and leadership.
Join an exclusive community of about 25 pastors and ministry leaders at one of our upcoming retreats! Or join any retreat as a guest to receive the soul care you need now.
*Great news! The Soul Shepherding Institute is now available to you online via Zoom!*
4 Retreats
Spiritual Formation
Soul Care Ministry
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Relationally Healthy Leadership

What Institute Graduates Are Saying…
Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere have brought a monumental impact for Christ to me, my marriage, my family, my staff, and my church. My wife and I were trained together in their Institute and have made it a required training for all our pastoral staff.
The design of the retreat included… an effective organizational strategy session that Bill helped plan and facilitate. Bill’s love for Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and collaborative spirit are a tremendous encouragement to our executive team.
Through Bill and Kristi’s vast knowledge and readings, they take us to places where we can really go deep with Jesus.
Upcoming Dates
Midwest Cohort 13:
- Colorado Springs, CO
- October 10-14, 2022
Southern Cohort 14:
- Bells, Texas
- June 6-10, 2022
Joining a cohort includes 4 retreats over 18 months or you can join one retreat as a guest (if there’s space).
Spiritual Direction Class of 2024: Certificate training started March 2022 with late registrations accepted through May 25th, 2022 (see buttons below).
Cost
$900 early bird price (60 days ahead) for each 5-day retreat
$1,100 regular price for each 5-day retreat.
What’s Included: Training, lodging, food, digital notebook, spiritual direction groups, and coaching.
OR pay just $299 per month for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats plus the certificate program in spiritual direction ministry.
* Additional costs for spiritual direction sessions, books, and private room on retreats.
** Pastors and missionaries can apply for scholarship assistance.
*** We offer a 25% discount for a spouse attending the same retreat.
Custom Retreats/Training
Customized retreats and trainings are available for church staff teams, missionary groups, elder boards, pastor couples, intensives, and Sabbaticals.
Cost:
$500 per hour or $3,000 per day for Drs. Bill and/or Kristi Gaultiere.
$300 per hour or $1,800 per day for another Soul Shepherding staff speaker.
Contact us for more information.
Grow Your Ministry!
Spiritual Direction Certification
Take your learning one step further with our popular 2-year certificate program in the ministry of spiritual direction.
This online training program builds on the Institute retreats and:
- Equips you to serve as a Spiritual Director
- Gives you monthly groups that feature live teaching and discussion
- Teaches you the foundations of soul care ministry through experience and practice
- Provides you community with other leaders and support from Soul Shepherding supervisors
The program is led by Drs. Bill & Kristi Gaultiere and a team of Sr. Spiritual Directors they’ve trained. It meets the qualifications of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association.
Cost: $299/month for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats and the spiritual direction certificate program.