Our mission

To serve our guests with the graciousness and hospitality displayed by Christ himself.

The BMI Oasis is a service of Bridge Ministries, Inc., which has helped thousands of people find and fulfill their God-given life calling since 1998.

The BMI Oasis is also 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.

Your hosts: John and Julie Studebaker

I’m John Studebaker, Ph.D., Executive Director of the BMI Oasis. I experienced intense ministerial burnout in 1985-87. It began after conducting an evangelistic event on a college campus. After the event I realized I did not care about the responses of those in the audience. I had lost interest in ministry and meaningful relationships. You can watch my story here (less than 3 minutes).

I was able to recover from burnout with the help of a skilled Christian coach. I then developed the LifeBridge Coaching model as part of my Ph.D. course work and based on the principles I learned in my recovery.

Soon after this, the Lord called me to coach Pastors and Missionaries. Since 2001, I and my Bridge Ministries team have coached over 200 clergy, assisting them in overcoming burnout and in restoring divine calling, mission clarity, margin in life and ministry, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I am a former Professor of Theology with Hillsdale College. I am now on staff with the LEMA Seminary, where I teach and disciple Pastors and teachers in Uganda and Nigeria.

I’m Julie Studebaker, the Facilities Coordinator of the BMI Oasis and the host of a popular Southern Gospel radio show, Hymntime Country Style.

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.