The Retreat at Bear Chase

10/13/2026

❤️ October is Pastor Appreciation Month ❤️

Let’s celebrate the pastors who love, lead, pray for, and pour into us week after week.

👇Tag your pastor in the comments below and tell us why you love them and why you think they’re the best!

And here’s the thing…www.retreatatbearchase.com would love to show them some appreciation, too! Our retreat exists to give pastors a place to rest, recharge, and rethink. All at no cost! 👍 We would love the opportunity to host your pastor and remind them that the one who pours so much into others deserves to be poured into as well.

Let’s make sure our pastors know they are loved, valued, and appreciated!

Please consider supporting this life-giving ministry. It’s making a huge difference in the lives of pastors and their spouses. 🙌

10/03/2026

very pastor who comes to The Retreat @ Bear Chase has their own unique experiences and stories! We love hearing them all, rejoicing with them and listening and cheering them on during the hard times! Our vision for pastors is to Rest, Recharge and Rethink, while they are here!

This couple came back in June and we hit it off immediately! They shared their hearts and burdens. The next day, on the porch of the Red Barn, they heard very clearly from the Lord that He has another assignment for them. One that would require them to go home, put their house up for sale, speak to the elders about an exit plan and begin to make big plans to specifically work with Bosnian Muslims, stateside!

We had the joy of catching up with them over coffee yesterday and hearing the update! They are moving to Bowling Green, KY soon, and beginning a new chapter of their life, where a large population of their beloved people reside. He will be the first full time donor supported stateside missionary to this people group in the US! Currently 361,000 Bosnian refugees live in America, with over 99% unreached with the life changing gospel!

This is sometimes why the “Rethink” part of our vision can be so important!

We are so honored to be just a small part of this story of what God is doing through Steve and Deanna Freels!

09/26/2026

09/26/2026

>>Who cares for the pastor? Pastors spend their lives, caring for others. They stand beside families and their hardest moments, celebrate their joys, carry the weight of leadership, and faithfully pour themselves into their churches week after a week.

>>But pastors need care, too. That’s why we provide the www.retreatatbearchase.com. It’s a place where pastor’s and their spouses can step away from the demands of ministry, breathe deeply, reconnect with each other and with God, and simply rest, recharge, and rethink.

>>And here’s the important part, this ministry is completely donor-supported. We don’t charge pastors for this retreat. Instead, we depend on people who believe pastor’s matter, and who want to invest in their health, their marriages, their families, and their ministries.

>>Would you consider making a donation to help us continue providing this retreat? Your gift doesn’t just help provide a place to stay. It helps give a pastor a place to breathe. It helps a husband and wife reconnect. It helps a weary pastor. Remember that they aren’t alone.

>>Every gift matters. Every gift helps. And every gift is an investment in someone who spends their life investing in others. Thank you for loving pastors and believing in what God is doing through this ministry.

By Retreat at Bear Chase

09/26/2026

The impact that the Retreat at Bear Chase is having!

08/21/2026

A recent review for The Retreat at Bear Chase! We love to hear of the experiences we hear from our pastors and wives! 🥰

The Retreat at Bear Chase
Sevierville, TN

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and cared for. Every detail of this pastoral retreat reflected genuine hospitality and a peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to relax, reconnect, and enjoy the experience.

The welcome sign, the fresh muffins, and beautiful decor oozed country charm and made the space feel inviting.

The generosity of Rick and Cindy was truly above and beyond. We were treated to dinner out with them on Monday night with some great conversation and connection, complimentary drinks, dinner, and dessert at Cracker Barrel, along with a $100 Community Cash gift card to help with gas or groceries. We reconnected on Thursday with a coffee stop at Black R***e Coffee Co, a jeep tour in the National Park, and lunch. These thoughtful gifts demonstrated such attention to detail and kindness.

The peaceful pastoral setting created the perfect environment for fellowship, encouragement, and spiritual renewal. It was evident that every detail had been carefully planned with love and excellence.

This retreat was a wonderful reminder of what Christian hospitality looks like in action. We left refreshed, encouraged, and deeply grateful for the incredible generosity and care shown by everyone involved. We highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking for a meaningful, uplifting, and welcoming experience.

08/01/2026

I am blown away by how God is using the Retreat at Bear Chase to strengthen, encourage, and bring hope to pastors and their spouses. We have seen those who needed rest, counsel, and a time to getaway to rethink. We have seen pastors recharged to go back to their current ministry and serve their church well, those who were called to plant new churches, and those who stepped out into missions.

Just a couple of examples: “Hey Rick, just an update. We started a church called ——-, we have 28 covenant members and lots of kids. We had all the people walk through the forgiveness resource you introduced us to. In fact I have been encouraging everyone to revisit the book this month of July. God used your retreat to help us heal and reset.”

Another: “I was able to refocus and think about the next steps and our ministry in western New York. I can’t imagine the impact that this little red barn is going to make on pastors around the U.S.! What a blessing that God has used you both, who have gone through so much yourself to see the need and be the ones to turn around and bless others.”

This is not possible without generous donors who love pastors and believe in this ministry. Please pray and consider becoming a partner of this non-profit, tax exempt ministry that is making a difference in the lives of pastors and their spouses.

PR

The Retreat at Bear Chase exists to provide a refuge for pastors to rest, recharge, and rethink at no charge.

06/10/2026

Pastor, the weight of ministry was never meant to be carried without the strength of God’s presence.

06/08/2026

Pastor, keep preaching Christ, loving people, and trusting God. The outcome belongs to Him.

PR

06/07/2026

What a great day at Bethel Church!

Not only has the entire campus been transformed for VBS this week, but we’ve presented multiple new members for 3 weeks in a row, including our new Worship/Family Director and family!

And the cherry on top was baptisms of these 2 new members! 🙌🏻

We invite you to come and be a part of the new work that God is doing here!