Connie Helm
2009-09-22

Englewood, OH

It was great spending time with the Lord, David and Louise, and the other pastors and wives at Pinehill this past week.  Again, we came back refreshed and rested after our time there. 

What a wonderful safe atmosphere was created for our enjoyment!  And the food was so awesome both in appearance and taste!  David and Louise, you are truly a God send!  We love you and pray that your ministry will grow and others will benefit from your wonderful hospitality!

Thanks so much for all you do for the Lord's kingdom!

Ralph and Connie Helm

Fred
2009-06-24

Zephyr Hills, FL

We were blown away by the entire experience!  It was a fantastic opportunity to kick back! (Which is generally something not easy to do)   David and Louise made this especially easy for us.  They have the gifts and personality for this special ministry.  They understand the struggles pastors deal with every day.   This was a great time to relax, reconnect (with God and with each other), refocus and recuperate.  Thanks to those who support this ministry.  We were ready to get back on the front lines when we left. 

Richard H. Coleman
2009-05-05

Eagan, MN

What an honor and privilege to write in this guestbook!  Mary and I were blessed to take part in the retreat that began on April 19, 2009. After more than 36 years of marriage and 35 years in ministry, this was our first sabbatical rest.  Had it not been for Louise's extraordinary gesture of encouraging us to apply, we would still be without this life-changing experience.

I contacted Deer Ridge a few weeks earlier on behalf of other pastors who we see as in desperate need of a break.  The thought of applying for ourselves had not crossed my mind, but the Spirit of God searches all things, and Louise tapped into the Spirit. "Why don't you and your wife be our guest at an upcoming retreat?"  Although I had not considered the notion, it resonated in my heart. When I checked the website again, and discussed the opportunity with my wife, we quickly contacted the Deckers.

We took part in the self study track for Marriage, and found it to be enlightening, challenging, refreshing, and inspiring.  I can even see value in doing it again.  I'm sure, though, that if we were blessed to visit again, we would eagerly experience one of the other great tracks.  Every suite was fitted with a small library of wonderfully relevant books that connected to the various study tracks. 

We loved spending time with the other couples around meals, and in the nightly, spontaneous fellowships centered in praise and worship.  Two of the pastors were blessed with wonderful music talent.  Not only did we enjoy sharing in praise and worship, but we also had a great time trying to remember the lyrics and tunes of several songs from eras gone by.

 David and Louise Decker run a Kingdom class ministry.  They are skilled listeners and communicators who are filled with love for each other, the ministry and the retreating pastors.  I cannot imagine any serious couple not leaving Deer Ridge knowing their lives have been enriched. 

We are standing in prayer with Deer Ridge and looking forward to the Lord supplying the funds to acquire the new retreat facility.  Let it be, dear Lord!

Jerry Bush
2009-03-07

Olney, IL

Wow! What else can I say? At first I thought, does a ministry like this really exist? Are there strings attached? After our week of rest, I am thinking, did a place like that really exist?

We want to go back!

Thank you David and Louise, for a great week. We laughed together, slept, went for a beautiful walk in the snowy woods, read, found a quirky shop that sells soap, worshiped, ate wonderful food, and enjoyed conversation with good friends.

When Dianna refers back to our week there, she jokingly calls it "heaven." But really, she is not too far off, as Deer Ridge gave us a glimpse of what heaven will be like. I felt like the recipient of total grace. All our needs were met in a beautiful setting. That sounds like at least a sample of what heaven will be like.

Thank you for your wonderful gift! The week we received has not only benefited us, but will benefit our children and church family as well.

May God bless your work there, and may He bless all those who make these retreats possible for the Shepherd's and spouses of churches everywhere.

Jerry and Dianna Bush

Aaron Parks
2009-03-01

Rogers, AR

Thank you so much for a week of sabbath rest!  Kelly and I had an amazing week together getting to focus on each other and on Christ.

We have young children and have quite a few unfinished conversations.  It was great to be able to reconnect and have an abundance of time to talk with one another.

You both do an amazing job of serving the people that are at the retreat.  Kelly and I felt very cared for and loved.  From asking about our family to encouraging us to simply rest, you were sensitive to each of the couples specific needs.

Thanks so much for providing the study tracks to do during the week.  It gave us great starting points for discussion.  We really enjoyed taking some time after breakfast to read through and discuss the given chapters/questions.  We had a chance to learn a couple of things about each other that we hadn't learned before.

It is obvious to us that everything during the retreat was well throught through and purposeful.  You two are very good at what God has called you to do.  Thank you so much for having a passion for providing much needed rest for pastors.  You are influencing many congregations throughout the country by caring for their pastors.  Thanks again for all you do!

Aaron & Kelly Parks