The Need:
Numerous US studies have shown that pastoral ministry is one of the most stressful vocations there is. This is true even when pastors receive adequate training and have ongoing support networks. We know of no such surveys within Mexico, but years of observation indicate that effective church leadership is seriously affected by the lack of adequate pastoral care and support structures for Christian leaders. Healthy pastors produce healthy churches, which in turn have the potential to truly be salt and light in the culture. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. In most churches, the person least ministered to is the minister!

Purpose Statement:
The PASTORAL RENEWAL CENTER at EL Monte provides a safe haven where Christian leaders can retreat from the demands of ministry to receive hope, encouragement and renewal, biblically based counseling and healing, and be trained to take responsibility for their own life-long learning in order to “finish well” in their God-given calling.

The Impact:
The PRC will offer a variety of programs and formats throughout the year for Latin American church pastors and spouses, para-church ministry leaders, and cross-cultural missionaries. The PRC facilities are designed for a maximum occupancy of 48 leaders. Program formats will vary from 2-3 days to a couple of weeks. In addition to the most-common 2-3 day retreats or training events, who might need to stay for longer periods? Leaders needing more intensive counseling, extended rest or restoration, a sabbatical for reflection on the next stage of ministry, or Latino missionaries returning from service overseas who need a debriefing and “re-entry” program. The PRC will also sponsor larger events for up to 500 leaders focused on leadership development and effective ministry strategies, in conjunction with El Monte’s Christian Conference Center. The PRC is envisioned to be one component of a broader, decentralized support network for leaders. Ministry teams will be composed of both gifted Mexican colleagues as well as expatriate missionaries experienced in ministering to ministers.

All activities will be carried out with a participative, adult learning paradigm in mind. Focus will be on “prevention”—training, coaching/mentoring, and counseling to keep leaders healthy and assist in minimizing “crisis” problems. More intensive counseling and restoration will be needed for some leaders who are struggling with depression, addictions, life- dominating sins, serious relational conflict, or painful, confusing ministry transitions.

Three Program Areas

Spiritual Formation Renewed intimacy with the Lord Renewed ability to hear from God Strengthened spiritual disciplines and rhythms God-driven ministry and base of spiritual authority Coaching for Life and Ministry Focus Renewed sense of calling, mission, giftedness, and place and stage of ministry. Coaching in: -life planning and life-long learning habits -transformational servant leadership -the development stages and spiritual journey of a Christian leader -the typical blockages and plateaus at which leaders get stuck -how to focus and maximize one’s impact and legacy -principles of conflict resolution and reconciliation for one’s church/organization

Biblically Centered Counseling & Restoration Renewed marital intimacy Clarified and guarded priorities and boundaries Development of significant spiritual friendships and healthy accountability Renewed resistance to the unique temptations, pitfalls, conflicts, challenges, and pressures of ministry Healing and navigation of difficult ministry transitions and church conflicts Recovery from depression, stress or moral failure

The Investment:
This vision will be impossible without adequate prayer and financial partnership from churches, organizations and individuals within and outside of Mexico and ongoing networking with other experienced clergy care specialists. The physical installations of the PRC will include a cluster of duplex cabins for staff and longer-term guests. Most guests will stay in one of three mini-apartment buildings. Sessions will be held in a comfortable commons building combined with administrative and counseling offices. All this is supplemented by a kitchen/dining hall, small group break-out areas, recreation areas, walking trails, a pond, and a small prayer chapel cantilevered over the valley. The PRC is located at the top of the El Monte property, providing maximum privacy for guests and a panoramic view of the valley and opposing hills.