Our Retreat Leaders
Larry & Barbara Magnuson
The Magnusons lead retreats at our Colorado location.
Larry and Barbara came to SonScape Retreats after serving 25 years in the local church. In 2002, they were chosen to lead SonScape Retreats when our founding couple, Bob and Sandy Sewell, began their transition out of the leadership role. Bob and Sandy retired in 2006.
Larry’s pastoral career took them from the inner city of Chicago to the suburbs of Minneapolis. He served in a variety of roles, beginning as a youth pastor, then associate pastor, followed by church planter, and finally the lead pastor over a growing suburban church and large staff. Barbara was at his side, as they always saw themselves as a team in ministry. In 1990, a crisis in their extended family brought them to a place where they questioned if they wanted or even could stay in ministry. Their journey brought them to SonScape Retreats. During their week on the mountain, God did a profound work in their lives.
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Larry’s passion is to bring health to the individual lives of those in full-time Christian leadership. Having walked this path, Larry recognizes that, “We in ministry can become masters of self-deception, which can negatively impact both our families and our ministries. Jesus’ call to come away with Him to a quiet, restful place is an essential part of living a purposeful, resilient life.”
Larry’s ability to listen and discern well has helped many to find hope and healing. Barbara brings compassion and depth to the team. Her life has been a series of long, intense journeys with the Lord – the journey of self worth, grace, obedience, trust and living a radically thankful life – to name just a few. Barbara adds a fresh perspective in relating to others that flows out of her reflective, spiritual walk with God. In addition to leading retreats, they have shared the SonScape experience with those serving on five continents as well as speaking at many conferences here in the USA.
Larry and Barbara both graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Larry went on to receive his Masters of Divinity degree from North Park Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
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After 20 years of ministry, I was tired and I needed rest and I needed to hear the voice of the Lord. It all happened at SonScape Retreats. The Lord God met me and He spoke to my heart. The entire SonScape experience has been incredible. Without any reservations, I recommend that ministry leaders take a week “off” in the mountains of Colorado. I pray that the Lord God will speak to your need as He spoke to my need. Lord willing, I will have another opportunity to find “rest” at a SonScape retreat in the future. The “lessons” about rest, life, ministry will be incorporated into my walk with Jesus.
Our thoughts go to the deep counsel received in that ‘room’ with you, Larry and Barbara. We had never thought “I am a spoken word of God” before . . . but hearing it from you set off waves of new thoughts, new perspectives, new paradigms. Your sweet counsel and your perceptive spirits turned that room into a sanctuary . . . a refuge. . . a safe haven of true rest for the weary soul.
Rob & Shini Abraham
Rob and Shini lead our international retreats, as well as lead an occasional retreat in Colorado.
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Giles & Angel Armstrong
Giles and Angel work on a full-time basis for SonScape Retreats and lead our retreats in Colorado.
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Bob & Jeanne Blahnik
Bob and Jeanne Blahnik work on a part-time basis for SonScape Retreats and lead retreats in Colorado.
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Ken & Sandy Moore
Ken and Sandy Moore work on a part-time basis for SonScape Retreats and lead retreats in Colorado.
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John & Becci Wood
John and Becci Wood work on a part-time basis for SonScape Retreats and lead retreats in Colorado and New York.
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