Revitalize your ministry
In the journey of following and serving Jesus we all get weary, experience spiritual dryness, or hit a wall of burnout. For instance, Barna research reveals that 40% pastors are at risk of burnout. The Soul Shepherding Institute helps you grow in intimacy with Jesus, emotional health, and loving relationships with people you care for and lead.
Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!
About the Soul Shepherding Institute
Life-changing community and learning in four, 5-day retreats.
Designed for pastors, spiritual directors, coaches, missionaries, ministry spouses, and other leaders, the Soul Shepherding Institute is a joyfully hospitable and Christ-centered learning community 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 spiritual and emotional health
- Guided experiences in Scripture meditation and prayer
- Spiritual direction groups
- Conversations with friends
- Opportunity for individual spiritual direction sessions
- Rest and solitude in beautiful places to help you hear God’s voice
You’ll leave each retreat feeling drawn closer to Jesus, rejuvenated, encouraged, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive in your spiritual life, relationships, and ministry (or work).
We’d love to have you join an exclusive community of about 30 to 40 pastors and leaders from around the world 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 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.
Churches and Organizations We've Helped
Chicago, IL
San Jose, CA
Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Liberty, MO
Turlock, CA
Grass Valley, CA
Savannah, GA
Omaha, NE
Brea, CA
Jacksonville, FL
Marion, Indiana
West Coast
Southern California Network
Lake Forest, CA
Upcoming Dates
Midwest Cohort 13:
- Colorado Springs, CO
- October 23-27, 2023
Southern Cohort 14:
- Bells, Texas
- June 5-9, 2023
Southeast Cohort 15*
- Kennesaw, Georgia
- October 2-6, 2023
- *Lead by Sr. Spiritual Directors Jim and Lindsay Long
West Cohort 16:
- Southern California
- July 17-21, 2023
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 2025: Certificate training starts March 2023; late start through June (see below). Attendance at required Soul Shepherding Institute Retreats can start anytime.
Coach Training: Next Coach Training Certificate Program cohort starts March 1, 2024. Attendance at required Soul Shepherding Institute Retreats can start anytime.
Cost
$1,100* early bird price (60 days ahead) for each 5-day retreat
$1,200* regular price for each 5-day retreat.
What’s Included: Training, lodging, food, digital notebook, spiritual direction groups, and coaching.
OR pay just $349 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats plus either the online certificate program in spiritual direction ministry or certificate program in coaching. If in the spiritual direction training program, the coach training program can be added for an extra $50 per month for 24 months.
*Reflects new pricing as of February 1st, 2023. For questions, please contact Sue Wood at sue@soulshepherding.org.
**Additional costs for individual spiritual direction sessions, network resources, books, and private room on retreats.
***Pastors and missionaries can apply for partial 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 Certificate Program
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:
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- Equips you to serve as a Spiritual Director
- Gives you monthly groups that feature live teaching and discussion
- Teaches you empathy and 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: $349 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats and the online spiritual direction certificate program.
*Reflects new pricing as of February 1st, 2023. For questions, please contact Sue Wood at sue@soulshepherding.org.