Deep Water Retreat
Where Deep Meets Deep
Psalm 42
42% of pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry nearly 4 in 10 in recent surveys.
65% report active burnout; feelings of loneliness have risen since 2015 (from 42% feeling frequent isolation)
Small churches, often defined as those with fewer than 100 attendees on a typical weekend, form the backbone of American Christianity. They represent the majority of congregations but face unique hurdles in sustainability, growth, and leadership. Based on recent data (primarily from 2023-2025 sources), the U.S. has approximately 375,000 churches, with small ones dominating the landscape. These churches serve millions but often operate on tight budgets, with limited resources for full-time staff or programs. Your ministry, Deep Water Retreat, aligns well with their needs by offering retreats for pastors and families (addressing burnout and isolation), pulpit supply (filling preaching gaps), and worship support (enhancing services without straining limited volunteers).
Small churches across America—mostly under 100 members—are disappearing at a staggering pace. In 2019, 4,500 Protestant congregations closed, outnumbering new openings for the first time ever, and the bleed has only worsened since COVID, with attendance stuck at roughly 85% of pre-pandemic levels. Experts now predict up to 15,000 closures in 2025 alone, hitting rural communities hardest—places where these little churches double as food banks, daycares, and the last real gathering spots left.
The root causes are brutal: soaring costs, aging members who can’t keep the lights on, and a tidal wave of “religious nones.” Church membership has crashed below 50% (Gallup), Christians have dropped from 78% of the population in 2007 to just 62% today (Pew), and younger generations are walking away for good. The result? Empty pews, historic buildings rotting beside unsellable cemeteries, and a profound hollowing-out of American spiritual and community life.
We are here to Help
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We're thrilled to be entrusted with stunning homes in the Green Lake Area—perfect sanctuaries designed to deliver the deep, much-needed rest your soul craves!
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We're here to craft an unforgettable retreat for your church—whether it's a powerhouse leadership getaway you design with our help, or we swoop in and run the whole show for you!
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As a pastor myself, I was ashamed to admit I needed help—but finding an older brother in Christ to confide in? It changed everything.
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Like Paul the Apostle, who gathered a band of faithful brothers for the long haul—evident in the heartfelt closings of his epistles—we're here to walk alongside you, fueling your strength to stay faithful all the way to the end!
Our Homes
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Tuleta Hills
4 bedroom / 10 guests
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Lawson Poolside
4 bedrooms / 10 guests
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Camerons Crest
2 bedroom / 4 guests
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Anne Hathaway Cottage
7 bedrooms / 15 guests
