Couples in Ministry
October 21-25, 2024
This year Couples in Ministry, Small Church Pastor’s Retreat and the Art of Transitional Ministry will be offered all in the same weekend, known as Bread for the Journey.
“Mo-Ranch continues to be a place of renewal and connection that sustains my ministry life!”
A retreat for couples in ministry! Come together through worship and fun recreational activities!
A Week to Re-Couple
Relationship
Join us and others who have been called to ministry as couples for the opportunity for connection and conversation about the unique joys and struggles. Build relationships with others who understand what you are going through in ministry and life. And connect with your partner as you give priority to your most important relationship.
Reflection
There will be no lofty speeches, just time to consider and reflect upon your ministry together. Take time with us to review how God is at work in your life and vocation, and rediscover where God is seeking to grow each of you through your shared relationship and individual ministries.
Renewal
Relax in the beautiful Texas Hill Country as we make room for plenty of couple time to just be. Enjoy a built-in date night. Canoe, or don’t. Hike, or don’t. Play board games, or don’t. Just slow your pace and find refreshment and rejuvenation for your life together.
So come, rediscover why you were called together in the first place and Re-couple with us.
Leadership
Rev. Amy and Rev. Joshua Sutherlun
Amy and Joshua Sutherlun met in the library at Austin College, fell in love leading youth retreats in west Texas, and honeymooned for three years at Princeton Seminary. For eight years, they fostered and pastored a thriving community of youth and young adults in Huntington, West Virginia, while also growing their own family. Their four children, now 14, 12, 10 and nine, got to come along when they moved back to Texas in 2013.
Joshua and Amy co-pastor First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, Texas. In their ministry, Joshua is passionate about making things work better and authentic discipleship and Amy loves writing, preaching and cultivating intentional faith practices. Daily life is mostly a crazy dance between the church office and the kids’ schools, over piles of laundry and through endless soccer games, fueled by good tortillas and too much Dr. Pepper.
Special 75th Anniversary Guest: David Lamotte
David LaMotte is a songwriter, speaker, author, and activist. As a singer, David has performed over 3500 concerts and released thirteen full length CDs. He has toured in all fifty states and on five of the seven continents. His most recent album, Still, was in the top twenty on Folk Radio for six months, and his song, September Me, reached number one in September of 2022. David has been a featured performer at top tier music festivals worldwide, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, Lake Eden Arts Festival, Merlefest, the Auckland Folk Festival (NZ) and the Australian National Folk Festival.
David was a Rotary World Peace Fellow, which enabled him to study International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. As part of that study, he also spent time in rural Andhra Pradesh, India working with a Gandhian development organization. David and his wife Deanna are founders of the nonprofit Senderos, which supports Guatemalan children through education, music and mentoring projects. He also created the Let’s Be Neighbors campaign to encourage community-building at the neighborhood level. David has authored four books and presented two TEDx talks. The most recent, based on his book, You Are Changing The World Whether You Like It Or Not, was recently featured as a TED Editor’s Pick, enabling a larger audience to hear David’s message on movement work and meaningful change.
Cost and Housing
Hotel-style lodging accommodations will be available for reservation.
Price per couple: $350
Please call or email programs@moranch.org to inquire about childcare availability in advance
Scholarships are available! Click here to learn more.
Cancellation
Full refund minus administrative fee up to $75 per person will be made if cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the conference. There are generally no refunds for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the start of the event nor any applying of the amount paid toward other charges or future conferences.
What to Bring
Bring a Bible, notebook, flashlight, hair dryer and rain gear. Linens are provided. Bring shoes suitable for Mo-Ranch’s rocky, uneven terrain.
Transportation
Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event.
If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport.
Click here for directions to Mo.
Bookstore
Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir!
Questions
We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.
