Be Still Retreats is a product of many generations before us following Jesus Christ and guiding us toward putting Him in the center of our lives. We praise God for His faithfulness and for the leadership and influence of our parents. Be Still Retreats utilizes land owned by the Urban Family under Playinfield Farms, LLC that has been purchased prayerfully over many years of operating family owned businesses. It has always been the vision of Jesse’s parents to use the land in a way that brings glory to God. Jesse and Lindsay were given a passion from God to serve pastors and missionaries. After gaining the support of Playinfield Farms, LLC, Jesse and Lindsay left the life and luxury of a successful career and faithfully moved to Plainfield, WI to begin developing the retreat God has given them vision for. Jesse left his job on December 15, 2014 and Be Still Inc. was born on August 26, 2015. Our Heart
The world is not slowing down. The enemy has taken the lie of sin and made it as polished and vibrant as ever. It is tempting for the Church to feel we have to compete with it on the same levels with our own hands. Our pastors are in the thick of it, navigating us through the snares. We have many camps, conferences, support groups, and retreats for men, women, children, teens, moms and dads, carefully crafted and meticulously carried out by our pastors and their support staff all year round. The position of pastor in particular is one many of us will never truly understand unless having been a pastor. We can forget our pastor is human, with all the struggles and temptations the rest of us face. We hold our pastors to the highest standard, which comes with the territory (James 3:1), but often overlook the fact that our pastors and teachers need down time, support, encouragement and alone time with God too. It is no wonder pastors go on sabbaticals for extended periods. Pastors often find the ministry God called them to filled with people that can devour them if they’re not firmly planted on the Rock of Christ. Some even “burn out” or leave the ministry. One could argue being a pastor puts them nose to nose with more temptation than the average person. Falling into that temptation could ruin their family and/or dissolve the church. Lindsay and I thought about these facts and it broke us. We decided to create a place specifically for pastors that isn’t focused on the Church, but rather the leaders of the Church. Two scripture passages encompass what should be realized by guests of Be Still:
Exodus 20:25
“And if you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.”
Psalm 19
“The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
We encourage our guests to get into the unprofaned beauty of God’s creation, be still and call upon Him. Our goal is to give our guests a place free of distractions, encouraging relaxation and spiritual growth that can only come from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Our Impact
We realize that every pastor that visits Be Still impacts thousands of people through their home church as well as local, regional, national, and global missions. We have been called to help strengthen the ties that bind these. Be Still helps impact the world with the work that God does through the leaders that visit our retreat.
