Soul of a Pastor Retreat
For Pastors of UMV Network/Alliance of Reformed Churches
SEPTEMBER 22-26, 2027
MINNESOTA'S DRIFTLESS REGION
$950 / person
Ministry moves fast. Between sermon preparation, pastoral care, staff leadership, family life, and the steady needs of your congregation, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s happening within your own soul. You keep leading, serving, and showing up for others—even as your connection with God, yourself, and the people who matter most can quietly begin to drift. Sometimes you need to step out of the current long enough to notice what’s happening beneath the surface.
SOUL OF A PASTOR is an invitation to do just that—to step away from the demands of ministry, slow the pace, and pay attention to what God may be saying to YOU. Through intentional teaching, guided reflection, honest conversation with other pastors, time outdoors, and plenty of room to breathe, you’ll have space to reconnect with God, gain perspective on your life and leadership, and consider your season ahead.
And the retreat doesn’t end when you return home. Altar is committed to walking with you beyond your time away, providing practical resources and rhythms for continued soul care, healthy ministry, and lasting growth—because the health of your soul shapes the way you live, lead, love, and serve.
Booking Your Retreat
Your time away matters. Reserve your spot today!
Your retreat fee is $950.
It includes your accommodations, all meals, fishing guides and equipment, and your retreat guidebook.
**$500 of your retreat is generously being covered by the Alliance of Reformed Churches.
You will need to provide a $250 deposit at registration which reserves your spot, with the remaining balance of $200 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
4 nights/3 days lodging in southeastern Minnesota in an area known as the Driftless Region. All meals provided by our in-house chef including hearty breakfasts, great lunches on the stream, and delicious home-cooked dinners around the table together.
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 ahead.
The Fishing & Adventure
Your retreat includes 3 days of fishing the famous Driftless Region—an area of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and spring-fed streams known for its world-class trout waters. With stream-side instruction, you’ll not only fish these beautiful waters but also deepen your skills in an unforgettable setting. All gear (as needed) and guide fees are included, and all skill levels are welcome!
What is the Driftless?
In the middle of fly over country sits an ancient landscape that stand out for its unique geology and incredible trout fishing.
During the last ice age, glaciers surrounded the Driftless Area but never plowed up and deposited materials (known as drift) as they receded. This left the area with fractured limestone and sandstone. Water percolates through this rock into the ground and is filtered, cooled, and given an excellent PH level. The water then comes out as springs and seeps and gives it incredible and abundant trout fishing.
Take in the Driftless Region in the Root River Valley this spring.
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
