REST Ministries / Shepherd's Gate Cottage

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REST Ministries / Shepherd's Gate Cottage Christian ministry with retreat home

Personal Retreats:
- Any Christian adult seeking to grow in their relationship with the Lord

Group Retreats:
- Elders
- Church staff
- Sunday school classes
- Study, mentoring and accountability groups
- Couples (marriage retreats)
- Worship teams
- Prayer ministry teams

Thank you so much for all of the bday love you showered upon me (Becka) yesterday! In October 1976, we got married on th...
10/16/2026

Thank you so much for all of the bday love you showered upon me (Becka) yesterday!

In October 1976, we got married on the 9th and celebrated my October 15th bday while on our honeymoon. That was 50 years ago!

Today we pack our bags for our 50th anniversary celebration cruise!

On a personal note from life at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage…Today I’m celebrating 70 years of God’s faithfulness! 🎂 Birthday...
10/15/2026

On a personal note from life at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage…Today I’m celebrating 70 years of God’s faithfulness! 🎂 Birthdays are a blessing!

Every decade brings significant changes. Each season of life teaches us something new, shapes us in ways we never expected, and reminds us of what truly matters.

At 20, I was a young bride dreaming about the future. At 40, I was pouring into the lives of our 2 young children. At 60, I was experiencing the blessings of full time ministry. And at 70, I’m reminded that God is still writing my story! There are still people to love, lessons to learn, beauty to discover, and ways to serve Him.

Looking back, I can see His hand in the joys, the challenges, the unexpected turns, and even the heartaches. Not every chapter has been easy, but every chapter has been part of my story.

Today, I’m not just celebrating another birthday. I’m celebrating 70 years of life, the people God has placed in my path, the memories I cherish, and the blessings still waiting to be discovered.

Seventy years is a gift. Growing older is a privilege. And walking with Jesus through every season is the greatest blessing of all. 🙏💕

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” — Isaiah 46:4

Here’s to 70—and whatever beautiful things God has planned for this next chapter! 🎉❤️

🐑 BAAAAAA… PASTORS, LISTEN UP! 🐑I may be a sheep, but I know a good shepherd when I see one! ❤️ And shepherds need a lit...
10/13/2026

🐑 BAAAAAA… PASTORS, LISTEN UP! 🐑

I may be a sheep, but I know a good shepherd when I see one! ❤️ And shepherds need a little care, too!

That’s why I’m here to remind you that REST Ministries’ Pastor Appreciation Retreat Giveaway is coming down to the wire!

Only 18 DAYS LEFT to register before the winner is drawn!

Whether you’re a church member who wants to bless your pastor OR a pastor who needs a little time away with the Good Shepherd, this giveaway is for YOU!

Your pastor spends so much time caring for others. Imagine giving them a chance to step away, breathe deeply, soak in God’s Word, and be refreshed at with a 2 night stay at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage for them and their spouse.

🐑 Here’s your nudge from one sheep to another:
🐑 Nominate your pastor!
🐑 Pastors, enter for yourself!

Don’t let this opportunity wander off! The deadline is approaching, and we’d love to bless a pastor with some much-needed time to REST, RENEW, and RECONNECT with the Lord.

📣 TAG a pastor who deserves this gift, and register TODAY!

Because even shepherds need time with the Good Shepherd. ❤️

Link to register in first comment.

There’s something extra special about welcoming return guests to Shepherd’s Gate Cottage—knowing they found rest here on...
10/07/2026

There’s something extra special about welcoming return guests to Shepherd’s Gate Cottage—knowing they found rest here once and chose to come back again feels like such a sweet blessing to us. ❤️

Meet Michelle. She’s a guest who’s returned multiple times to retreat at The Garden Suites of Shepherd’s Gate Cottage.

After Michelle returned home, she emailed us the following post retreat update, which with her permission we share.

“I returned home last night, grateful for another opportunity to unplug. After arriving home from my retreat, it makes me want to simplify my life. How valuable it is to pause and be surrounded by the lovely landscape you've provided. And this season the extra blessing of your 2 sweet kitties!! They visited me Tuesday morning, when I was out writing in the sunshine. Watching them frolic, stretch in the sun and rub up to me for a scratch brought me great joy. It sure was a sweet addition to this visit. Thankful for the people God has woven into my life journey.”

Thank you, Michelle, for choosing Shepherd’s Gate Cottage as your place to strategically withdraw from your busy life to unplug and meet with God.

Photo credits to Michelle from her recent time at the Cottage.

I absolutely love it that plants / gardens contain so many life lessons for us as Christians! The gardens here at the C...
10/06/2026

I absolutely love it that plants / gardens contain so many life lessons for us as Christians! The gardens here at the Cottage are full of learning opportunities!

Here’s what I was pondering today as I surrounded this newly planted, bright yellow mum, with a layer of mulch, preparing it for the winter season ahead.

Mulch doesn’t stop the cold—but it protects the roots. It helps hold in warmth, shields what is underneath, and gives the plant a better chance to survive the harsh season so it can grow again when spring arrives.

Isn’t that true for us as Christians, too?

We can’t always prevent the cold seasons of life. We will face storms, disappointments, uncertainty, and days when we feel spiritually dry. But we can protect our roots by staying planted in God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with godly people, spending time in prayer, and making space to simply be still with Him.

Strong roots matter most when the weather turns harsh.

A reminder for you today: Don’t wait for the storm to strengthen your roots.

Get rooted now. Stay close to Jesus.

And if your soul feels like it needs a little shelter from the noise and cold of life, maybe it’s time to retreat.

There’s a quiet place waiting for you at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage—a place to slow down, breathe deeply, get alone with God, and let Him strengthen what’s underneath.

Protect your roots.
Nourish your soul.
Stay rooted in Christ. ❤️

Register your pastor to win!!!October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we want to honor the pastors who spend so much o...
10/05/2026

Register your pastor to win!!!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we want to honor the pastors who spend so much of their lives serving God, caring for people, and shepherding hearts.

So, we’re giving away a FREE retreat at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage to one pastor and spouse!

A place to step away from the demands, quiet the noise, breathe deeply, and simply rest in God’s presence.

Because pastors need to be poured into, too.

🙏 Nominate a pastor who could use a little time to REST. Register your pastor for a chance to win at www.rest-ministries.org

Help us remind a pastor that they are seen, appreciated, and loved.

Shepherd’s Gate Cottage — where pastors can come away to be renewed, restored, and refreshed.



🐾 From tiny kittens to official Cottage staff…Max and Millie have apparently decided that growing up means it’s time to ...
10/05/2026

🐾 From tiny kittens to official Cottage staff…

Max and Millie have apparently decided that growing up means it’s time to take their ministry roles seriously.

They’ve moved beyond simply exploring the waterfall pond, chasing bugs, finding the best shady spots, and keeping us entertained.

Now they’re accepting their calling at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage.

Their official responsibilities include:

🐾 Welcoming guests
🐾 Supervising the gardens
🐾 Taking frequent naps
🐾 Reminding everyone to slow down
🐾 And, of course, making sure there’s plenty of joy around the Cottage

Max & Millie — growing up, showing up, and serving the Lord… one nap at a time. 🐈

🐸 The frogs at our pond have a little something to teach us.They don’t worry about tomorrow.They don’t try to control wh...
10/03/2026

🐸 The frogs at our pond have a little something to teach us.

They don’t worry about tomorrow.
They don’t try to control what’s next.
They simply sit and wait.

Maybe that’s why I love seeing them around the pond at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage.

F.R.O.G.
Fully Rely On God.

Sometimes God invites us to slow down, get quiet, and stop carrying everything ourselves.

To release the worry.
To surrender the plans.
To trust the One who already knows what tomorrow holds.

Maybe your reminder today is sitting beside a pond…or maybe it’s waiting for you at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage. 🐸

Fully rely on God.
He’s got this. ❤️

Meet Diana; a recent retreat guest at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage, with a great idea! Diana is not in a position to take a s...
10/01/2026

Meet Diana; a recent retreat guest at Shepherd’s Gate Cottage, with a great idea!

Diana is not in a position to take a sabbatical which involves time away from her job. She shared something that deeply touched us. Thinking outside the box, Diana has intentionally chosen to use the next 6 months to be what she calls a “working sabbatical.”

During these months, she’s learning to slow down, honor the Sabbath, spend more quiet time with the Lord, and trust Him to meet her needs instead of living under pressure to always do more.

She’s also making time to return to Shepherd’s Gate Cottage, where she can rest in His goodness.

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is create space to hear God.

Diana expressed it beautifully:

“What a difference it makes to seek His face, listen, and truly rest in His loving promises!”

Maybe your soul is longing for that kind of space, too.

Come away.
Be still.
Listen.
Let God renew you.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Address

Shepherd's Gate Cottage, 60721 Whitethorn Lane
Goshen, IN
46528

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17653277157

Website

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