Come on Retreat
You can go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving relationships on an immersive retreat.
Typical Christian activities and trying hard to “believe and do what’s right” are not enough to overcome your challenges and develop healthy rhythms in your life, relationships, and work. To develop a flourishing life you need training in Jesus-centered psychology and spirituality, care from mentors and friends you can trust, and practical tools.
Register for a Retreat
Accepted applicants and returning alumni register here to attend a retreat
About
Soul Shepherding Retreats
About Soul Shepherding Retreats
Soul Shepherding retreats are a ministry of the Soul Shepherding Institute. You can choose to go to a single retreat (this is a great starting place) or complete the Institute by attending all four. The Institute also includes the option to earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Certificate in Coaching.
Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, therapists and spiritual directors who were personally mentored by Dallas and Jane Willard, created the Soul Shepherding Institute in 2013. Together with their staff, they provide you with life-changing experiences and learning in gatherings of about 40 Christian leaders on each five day retreat.
This includes pastors, missionaries, spiritual directors, coaches, counselors, ministry spouses, business leaders, and other Christian leaders. They’ve come from 28 countries around the world, including North America, the UK, Asia, Africa, China, and Central America.
Now it’s your turn to go deeper with Jesus and be renewed in an empathetic community of leaders like you!
You will leave each retreat more deeply connected to Jesus, supported by friends, rejuvenated, and equipped with the tools you need to flourish in your spiritual life, relationships, and ministry or work.
Can’t come in person? All retreats are also available online through Zoom
Retreat Benefits
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Jesus-centered psychology for emotional and spiritual growth
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Dallas Willard’s insights on spiritual formation and soul care
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Guided experiences in Scripture meditation and prayer
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Spiritual direction groups (and pastor only groups)
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Individual spiritual direction sessions
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Friends who listen, care, and pray for each other
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Rest and solitude in a beautiful location to help you hear God’s voice
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Option to participate online through Zoom
4 Retreats
Spiritual Formation
Soul Care Ministry
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Soul Care Ministry
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Register for a Retreat
Accepted applicants and returning alumni register here to attend a retreat
Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!
What Retreatants 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, along with many of our pastors, have been trained through their Institute retreats.
This ministry is truly a priceless gift of God to my life. The spiritual ambiance was so conducive to personal growth and drawing closer to God.
Through Bill and Kristi’s vast knowledge and readings, they take us to places where we can really go deep with Jesus.
I am thankful for five days at each retreat to be fully immersed in a Jesus-loving community, receive great teachings, and have extended space and time alone with Jesus to learn the unforced rhythms of his grace. These retreats have been truly life-changing!
I needed this retreat to be five days long—anything less wouldn’t have allowed me to truly rest, connect with Jesus, and uncover the deeper things stirring in my heart... Thank you for bringing together this safe loving community.
Churches and Organizations We've Helped
Lancaster, PA
Austin, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Wichita, KS
Global Community
Agoura Hills, CA
International Church
Gainesville, GA
Southern California Network
Orange, CA
Federal Way, WA
Owosso, MI
Brea, CA
Global Churches
Fort Wayne, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Tyler, TX
Denver, CO
Jacksonville, FL
Lake Forest, CA
Spiritual Formation
Colorado Springs, Colorado led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Jim Long & Lindsay Long
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Phoenix, Arizona led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Nicki Bradshaw & Wes Johnson
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Bells, Texas led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Amy Dalke
Soul Care Ministry
Calabasas, California led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: TBD
Spiritual Formation
Phoenix, Arizona led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Joan Graham
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Stoneville, North Carolina led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Directors: Anna Kimball
Certificate in Spiritual Direction: Starts March 1st of each year (late registration is open until May 31st). Attendance at required Soul Shepherding Institute retreats can start anytime.
Certificate in Coaching: Starts April 1st of each year (late registration is open until May 31st). Prior completion of the Certificate in Spiritual Direction is required. Attendance at the required additional (fifth) Institute retreat can be scheduled anytime.
Register for a Retreat
Accepted applicants and returning alumni register here to attend a retreat
Cost
$1,100* early bird price (60 days or more ahead) for each 5-day retreat
$1,200* regular price for each 5-day retreat.
$1,400* late registration price (30 days or less ahead, based on availability) for each 5-day retreat.
What’s Included: Training, lodging, food, digital notebook, and spiritual direction groups.
OR pay just $369 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats plus the online Certificate in Spiritual Direction program. (A late fee of $200 per retreat applies if registration for the retreat is received 30 days or less prior to retreat start, based on availability.)
*Additional costs for individual spiritual direction sessions, 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 training are available for church staff teams, missionary groups, elder boards, pastor couples, intensives, and Sabbaticals.
What Other Leaders Have Experienced
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.
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!
Certificate in Spiritual Direction 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:
- 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 community with other deep-spirited 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: $369 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats and the online Certificate in Spiritual Direction program.
