Soul of a Pastor/Ministry Leader Retreat
OPEN REGISTRATION
AUGUST 2-9, 2027
ECHO RANCH | Haines, Alaska
$1,750 / person
Ministry is a life of pouring out. You invest your time, energy, gifts, and heart in people, teams, churches, organizations, and a mission you deeply believe in. But in the midst of caring for others and responding to what ministry requires, it can be easy to overlook what is happening within you. Your own relationship with God, your closest relationships, and the health of your inner life can quietly take a back seat.
SOUL OF A MINISTRY LEADERcreates space for you to do just that. To step away from the demands of ministry, slow the pace, and give attention to your own life with God. Through intentional teaching, guided reflection, meaningful conversation, time outdoors, and plenty of room to breathe, you’ll have space to notice and name what is happening within you, listen for what God may be saying, and consider how you want to respond.
Altar’s team brings more than 75 years of combined vocational ministry experience and a deep understanding of both the privilege and the challenges of ministry life. We’ve created an experience where you can simply come as you are—to rest, reconnect, experience adventure, and return with greater clarity and renewed vitality for the life and work God has entrusted to you.
And the retreat doesn’t end when you head home. Altar is committed to walking with you beyond your time away, providing practical resources and rhythms for continued soul care, healthy leadership, and lasting growth—because what happens beneath the surface shapes the way we live, lead, and serve.
Booking Your Retreat
Your time away matters. Reserve your spot today!
Your retreat fee is $1,750
This includes your accommodations, all meals, fishing guides and equipment, and your retreat guidebook.
A $500 deposit at registration reserves your spot, with the remaining balance due 30 days before your retreat begins.
Once you register, we’ll send everything you need to prepare for your time with Altar—including travel details, fishing license information, a packing list, and other helpful retreat information.
Guests are responsible for travel arrangements and expenses to and from the lodge.
Before registering, please take a moment to review our Cancellation Policy.
The Accommodations
Retreat guests will arrive in Juneau on August 2 and stay overnight at a local church, The Chapel By the Lake. The next morningm August 3, we will take a spectacular 4.5 hour ferry ride through the Inside Passage, the largest fjord in North America, to Echo Ranch near Haines. Our five-night stay at Echo Ranch will include meals provided by the camp staff. On August 8 we will return by ferry the Juneau flying home the next day, August 9.
The Retreat
An Altar retreat is a unique blend of rest, intentionality and adventure. You will engage retreat materials, take part in teaching sessions with Altar's team, enjoy great conversations and return to your 'home waters' equipped for the next season of life and leadership.
The Fishing & Adventure
Your retreat includes 3 days of fishing for pink salmon on the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers. You will received stream-side instruction as needed. The fourth day can include more fishing or a day of hiking/sight-seeing depending on the interest of our guests. All gear (as needed) and guide fees are included, and all skill levels are welcome! It is not uncommon that half or more of our guests have never picked up a fly rod.
How Beautiful is the Haines Area?
John Muir was one of the first non-natives to explore the region in 1879. After his visit he advised young people not to come to the area because if they did, they would have to stay or know that every other place they would ever see for the rest of their lives would be a disappointment.
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Chilkat & Chilkoot Rivers
The Chilkat Valley is characterized by its biodiversity, pristine braided glacial rivers, old-growth, Sitka spruce forests, and multiple large mountain ranges. The Chilkat River runs south and southwest through the Chilkat Valley to the head of the Chilkat Inlet.
The Chilkoot River is home to all five species of wild Pacific salmon, steelhead, and Dolly Varden char. It boasts an abundance of thriving wildlife, including moose, brown bear, the second largest coho run in southeast Alaska, and the world's largest gathering of bald eagles.
–Courtesy of Chilkat Forever
More Than A Retreat...
"As a church leader, my soul was more tired than I realized. The unique combination of fly fishing, fellowship, food and faith talks began to refuel my heart and soul. The length of the trip was long enough for refreshment, but short enough to allow me to take the step of faith to free up my calendar."
~ Kevin | Soul of a Pastor
“The fellowship, food, and fishing were fantastic, altogether offering a life changing, transformational experience.."
~ John | Soul of a Man
"I haven’t had an experience like that in my entire life and won’t ever forget it. "
~ Eric | Soul of a Pastor
"With all the demands on my time and attention, I hadn’t realized how depleted I was, or how often I wasn’t showing up fully present. Altar opened my eyes to the need to pause, rest, and recharge. It was an “aha” moment for me..."
~ Gregory | Soul of a Leader
