Led by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Imagine yourself preaching, listening to someone who is hurting, or even driving your car in traffic while “rejoicing with inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8), because you’re with Jesus and you’re doing what you’re doing with him in God’s kingdom.
Pastors and ministry leaders who are living from the heavenly realms don’t burn out, “fall” into moral failure, live life disappointed, or put burdens on the people they serve. They are blessed to be a blessing.
Instead they have placed themselves and their families in their Father’s world where they experience the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and are filled with the fullness of God, empowered by him to do great works of love. They are bringing glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. Paul’s great prayer is realized! (Ephesians 3:14-21).
To Love Christ
The vision of TLC is “To Love Christ” in daily life, leadership, and ministry.
We (Bill and Kristi Gaultiere) help you to unhook from the stresses and noises of your ministry and daily life to be immersed for five days in the beauty and grace of God and a community of pastors and leaders. By listening to and caring for your soul we show you how to make space to hear God’s voice, be renewed spiritually, and engage in soul training activities that will transform your life and ministry.
The TLC Program is inspired by what we’ve learned from years of being personally mentored by Dallas and Jane Willard, also Ray and Anne Ortlund. We limit each cohort to about 15 pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, counselors, spiritual directors, and other ministry leaders. All teaching, guided experiences, and spiritual direction is personally provided by us. (You can learn more about us here.)
Instead of merely teaching the content — as life changing as the ideas are! — we guide you into experiences with those ideas that facilitate greater intimacy with Jesus — not just on retreat, but in daily life, relationships, and ministry.
TLC is especially helpful for couples to experience together, but you can participate without your spouse or as a single person.
Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Ministry
TLC is a two-year program of experiential learning that features four retreats (five days each) and personalized spiritual mentoring in between retreats. We personally assist the Lord Jesus in caring for and guiding you through extended blocks of time for solitude and silence, interactive teaching, guided experiences, individual spiritual direction, and small group sharing/prayer.
The curriculum of four retreats forms a progression of learning and transformation for your soul and ministry:
- Spiritual Formation: Living as an apprentice to Jesus in the Kingdom of the Heavens today and developing a personal rhythm of life and VIM Plan for transformation.
- Spiritual and Psychological Development: Growing in spiritual and psychological stages of growth, including navigating Dark Nights of the Soul.
- Soul Care Ministry: Understanding people, their problems, and how to assist Jesus in helping people through counseling, healing prayer, spiritual direction/mentoring, and small groups.
- Spiritual Leadership: Hearing God’s voice and being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit in ministry, including implementing spiritual formation in Christ into your ministry.
Testimonies
Since we launched this training program in 2013 over 30 pastors and leaders have experienced renewal and growth through our TLC Retreats. People have come to us from across America and overseas.
“TLC is the most helpful leadership training program I’ve participated in and it’s a bargain!”
Ron Thompson
Senior Pastor
Twin Cities Church
Lake Tahoe, CA
“TLC has transformed my entire life! It is totally ‘out of the box.'”
Susan Wood
Leader of 30 Bible Study Leaders
Community Bible Study
Seattle, WA
“I like the team teaching that Bill and Kristi do. It models shared leadership, male and female. It also opens up different pathways to apprehend the presence of Christ.”
Rev. Jeff McCrory
Little Brown Urban Mission Hub
Long Beach, CA
“The last thing I wanted was another ministry conference/training. My wife and I were enticed by TLC for one reason: we saw in Bill and Kristi a vibrant, authentic, transcendent life with Jesus. Two years later we are walking with Jesus in a level of intimacy that has transformed our marriage, family, and ministry.”
Steve & Cathi Phillips
Lead Pastor and Children’s Pastor
Journey Christian Church
Irvine, CA
“TLC brought my theology from my head to my heart… It has slowed down my hurried life and thoughts. Today I am a more loving, giving, kind, and patient person.”
Mark Harvey
Business Owner and Mission Team Leader
Irvine, CA
“I couldn’t keep going in ministry. The teaching and vulnerable sharing helped me press in closer to Jesus. I am renewed!”
Linda Gawthorne
Missionary
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Colombia
“If you’re hungry for Jesus and want a community of like-minded Christ-followers to journey with you in spiritual transformation TLC is specially designed for you. It will satisfy your soul!”
Mildred Gerner
Pastor’s Wife and Spiritual Formation Teacher
King of King’s Church
Omaha, NE
“I felt like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon… The learning practices help me into a deeper walk with Christ and soul deep connections with others in their journey.”
Patricia Niednagel
Missionary
South America
Locations
In the spring and fall of each year we offer TLC retreats at an large home in the mountains of Lake Arrowhead, CA. (Here are some photos.) We also offer a TLC retreat in January each year at a large home in the hills of Coto de Caza, CA. Each venue is beautiful, hospitable, spacious, relaxing, and features delicious and healthy home cooked meals and snacks (not so healthy!). For dates and specific topics of upcoming TLC Retreats see our list of upcoming Events.
Certification
For no additional cost you have the option to earn a certificate in “Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Ministry” from Soul Shepherding, Inc.
Cost
Only $850 per person for each five-day retreat covers everything — lodging, food, materials, and spiritual direction. $3,400 is the total cost for the two-year certificate program. Payments are made to “Soul Shepherding” and you can pay in four installments or monthly. (If needed you can apply for a partial scholarship.).
To RSVP
To reserve your spot for a TLC retreat: (1) Contact us and tell us about yourself, your ministry, and why you believe God is leading you to TLC. We’ll tell you if we have space for you. (2) Make your payment in one of the ways described on our Donate page. (We’re sorry, but because of the small size of each retreat we are not able to offer refunds.)
Priority for registration will be given to pastors and missionaries, especially when participating as husband and wife.
Other Soul Shepherding Retreats for Pastors
About three times per year we offer “Still Waters” day retreats for pastors and other ministry leaders. These are posted on our Events/Calendar.
We also customize retreats for pastors with their spouse, church staff team, or other ministry leader groups.