Our Story

The call to comfort others as we have been comforted comes from 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7. Verses 3-5 say, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

The vision of a retreat grew out of Michelle’s burden for her own kids and the missionary kids she taught at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya after the death of her husband, Chris. The many trials, transitions, and challenges of multiple international moves, constant change and adjustment, and the stress of cross-cultural living leaves workers and their families in need of a safe place to find refuge, resources, and comfort. As her own transitions played out, from married missionary to widowed mom in a support role, to mobilizer, she continued to see profound needs in both global workers and others in ministry. The dream remained in her heart as she wondered how she could ever develop such a ministry on her own.

When Brent and Michelle’s lives intersected at their home church and they entered into marriage, they realized that their dreams were in alignment. Brent only had a few things left on his “life list”: help others, do something for the Kingdom, and live in the mountains. Brent’s military background, many transitions, cross-cultural experience, and the pain of divorce were the trials that provided him with the need for comfort from God and he was eager to help make a difference.

When Michelle’s stacked up trauma, grief, and stress led to burn-out, they sought help at a counseling intensive retreat in Marble, Colorado. It was there that she finally experienced the powerful combination of therapy and rest. Through the shared experience, Brent gained a deeper understanding of trauma and grief, saw the power of the combination of rest and therapy, and received his own call from God to enter into full-time ministry with Michelle in the development of a restorative retreat ministry. Now, as associates with Paraclete Mission Group, their dreams and visions are becoming a reality. 

Who We Serve

We believe God has carried us through our trials and brought  beauty from the ashes of the hardest seasons of our lives in order to use those things for good in the lives of others. Our passion is to minister, serve, comfort, and help those who pour out their lives in the service of others. This includes missionaries, cross-cultural workers, ministers of the Gospel, those serving in pastoral roles, ministry leaders, adult third culture kids (ATCKs), and veterans. 

What We Provide