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).
Across the United States, small churches—typically those with fewer than 100 congregants—are vanishing at an alarming rate, driven by decades of declining attendance, rising operational costs, and a surge in religious "nones." In 2019 alone, about 4,500 Protestant churches closed, outpacing new openings for the first time on record, with the trend accelerating post-pandemic as attendance hovers at just 85% of pre-COVID levels. Projections suggest up to 15,000 closures in 2025, particularly in rural areas where these modest houses of worship provide essential community services like food aid and child care but struggle with aging memberships and financial strain. Broader cultural shifts exacerbate the issue: Gallup reports church membership fell below 50% for the first time in 2020, while Pew notes Christians now comprise only 62% of Americans, down from 78% in 2007, as younger generations increasingly disaffiliate. This hollowing out not only empties pews but leaves behind historic buildings often tied to unsellable cemeteries, underscoring a profound reconfiguration of American spiritual life.— Quote Source
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
