Come to an Institute Retreat
You can go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving relationships on an immersive retreat.
Typical Christian activities and trying to believe and do what’s right are not enough to overcome your hurts and struggles 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.
About the
Soul Shepherding Institute
About the Soul Shepherding Institute
Life-changing community and learning in four, 5-day retreats.
The Soul Shepherding Institute was created in 2009 by Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, therapists and spiritual directors, who were personally mentored by Dallas and Jan Willard. With their staff they provide you with life-changing experiences and learning in gatherings of about 40 Christian leaders on five day retreats.
You will leave each retreat feeling drawn closer 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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Retreats are also available online through Zoom
4 Retreats
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual & Psychological Development
Soul Care Ministry
Relationally Healthy Leadership
Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!
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
Over 500 Christian leaders from twenty different countries have participated in the Soul Shepherding Institute retreats. This includes pastors, ministry spouses, spiritual directors, coaches, therapists, church planters, missionaries, member health providers, business leaders, and other leaders.
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 Retreat Dates
We expect to offer more than ten Institute retreats in 2024. We invite you to attend any retreat (for the first one you need to apply) or you can do all four retreats at one location in a cohort over 18 months.
Relationally Healthy Leadership
- Bells, TX
- January 22-26, 2024
- Led by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere
Soul Care Ministry
- Southern California
- February 5-9, 2024
- Led by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual Formation
- Phoenix, AZ
- March 4-8, 2024
- Led by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere
Spiritual & Psychological Development
- Franklin, TN
- March 18-22, 2024
- Led by Sr. Spiritual Director Todd Rodarmel
Spiritual Direction Certificate: Class of 2026 earning a certificate starts March 1, 2024. Attendance at required Soul Shepherding Institute retreats can start anytime.
Coach Training Certificate: Class of 2025 earning a certificate starts March 1, 2024. Completion of the Spiritual Direction Certificate is required. Attendance at the required additional (fifth) Institute retreat can be scheduled 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, and spiritual direction groups.
OR pay just $369 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats plus the online Spiritual Direction Training Program certificate.
*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 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:
- 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: $369 per month* for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats and the online spiritual direction certificate program.