Special Gift for Pastors and Ordained Ministers: A free night at the Oasis (book by Oct. 31) – click here
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A Place of Rest for Pastors, Missionaries, and other Christian Leaders.
Revitalize
A Revitalization Retreat is a 2 – 5 day getaway that allows space and time for rest and revitalization of your spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and creative life. Recover intimacy with God, restore your “margin,” take time to pray, meditate, read and study.
Refocus
Our passion and mission is to meet the specific needs of Christian leaders. Our Refocus Retreat typically incorporates LifeBridge Coaching along with other resources to assist you in restoring a high quality of life while in ministry. Get in closer touch with your own heart and your unique life-calling.
Renew
Our Renewal Courses and Retreats allow Church leaders, couples, men’s groups, or ladies groups to “renew the mind” (Romans 12:2) and “refresh the soul”” (Psalm 19:7). These course include Theology of the Holy Spirit, Theology and Practice of Calling, Worldviews and Apologetics, World Religions, and Love and Respect (a highly-effective marriage refreshment course).
WELCOME TO THE OASIS!
The BMI Oasis is a non-denominational Christian ministry serving Pastors, missionaries, ministry leaders and their spouses. We assist them in structuring retreats that meet their specific needs. We also provide our guests with optional Care Services, such as confidential coaching and spiritual enrichment resources, when they visit.
The BMI Oasis is a Clergy Resource recognized by Oasis Rest International, which provides hosted retreat centers for Christian leaders around the world. To each leader, Oasis centers offer R.E.S.T.:
- Retreat: Life in ministry can be all-consuming. The Oasis is a sacred space to get away for deep rest and personal/spiritual renewal.
- Encouragement: Pastoring can be emotionally and even spiritually draining. Being reminded that you have value, apart from your ministerial work, is critical for any Christian leader to flourish.
- Safety: Vulnerability requires trust and is often difficult for leaders to access within their own ministry contexts. We keep absolute confidentiality and have only one motive: helping you find true rest in Christ’s love.
- Transformation: Our expert coaching is designed for those in professional ministry. Our vision is for leaders to step back into ministry with their soul, calling, and body refreshed.
The BMI Oasis is located in the countryside about one mile from the quaint village of Richland, Michigan. Our 3-acre property incorporates a serene pond, an island (for reflection and bonfires), our Cattail Chapel (prayer hut), a hammock, and a walking trail, and a 6-stage prayer walk. Our resource library is available to our guests and contains over 2000 theological, spiritual, devotional and other titles. We provide a complimentary breakfast for those who desire.
The Oasis is very conducive for getting back in touch with the Lord, your spouse, and your own heart. Whether you need a time of solitude, a place to pray and study, a getaway with your spouse, or life-coaching, the Oasis is here for you. We will seek to listen to your story and accommodate your specific needs.
H.B. London’s book Pastors at Greater Risk reports that over fifty percent of pastors in the USA would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or another way to make a living. Also that 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure. In addition, they note:
80% believed their pastoral ministry affected their family negatively
33% said that being in ministry was an outright hazard to their family
50% felt unable to meet the needs of their job
70% said they had a lower self-esteem than when they started out
Testimonies
“In October 2013 I spent time with life coach Dr. John Studebaker at the BMI Oasis. The truths I discovered about myself have become essential for my life and ministry. Dr. Studebaker understands the enormous significance of holy calling as well as the importance of practical, Spirit-led, step-by-step processes for truly living out that calling in one’s personal life, relationships, and ministry. He will enable you to identify core truths about yourself that should guide your critical vocational and personal decisions. ”
Rev. Bill Johnson“BMI Oasis lives up to its name … ministry can sometime feel dry and parched, and a time of ‘Oasis’ can be so refreshing and life-giving. The combination of tranquility and ‘structured spiritual foundation focus time’ truly brought a renewed zeal for God’s kingdom. I also enjoyed time with John as he artfully facilitated and guided my wife and I through our Life Mission statements. He is gifted at getting right to the heart of each topic by asking great questions.”
Pastor Ben Crouse“My time at BMI Oasis was both restful and challenging. My surroundings were beautiful and very comfortable, but the Lifebridge process facilitated by John was like giving birth. . . hard work but with a joyous outcome! I would recommend it highly to anyone wrestling with God and with themselves!”
Rev. Jerry Kissling
Meet Our Team
John Studebaker, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Julie Studebaker
Facilities Coordinator
Cosmas Saturnino
Director of BMI, South Sudan
