A Journey Only
God Could Have Designed
The journey began a decade ago. Several staff and board members purchased a piece of property in the Sanctuary at Whitestone in Tennessee for a future retreat center. We had the land but no funds to build. Larry and Barbara Magnuson scheduled a meeting with Steve Green, President of Hobby Lobby, to see if their foundation would be interested in donating a million dollars for the construction of an east coast SonScape retreat center.
SonScape already had a relationship with Whitestone Country Inn and its founders Paul and Jean Cowell. We shared a common vision of caring for Christian leaders. What we did not see was the incredible journey that we would be taking together. A journey only God could have designed.
The Green Family Foundation did not give us the million dollars requested but instead they purchased the Whitestone Inn, the Whitestone Sanctuary, and some 200 acres of adjoining land and then gifted it to SonScape Retreats. We now had more land and an amazing Inn! The Cowells leased the Inn from SonScape, continuing to run both their for-profit Inn and their ministry to pastors and missionaries. While we used the Inn to hold retreats, the design was not optimal for our retreats, so we still hoped the day would come when we could have a retreat center uniquely designed for our SonScape program.
In June, after a long and sometimes painful struggle, SonScape Retreats sold the Inn, Sanctuary, and surrounding land. The new owner is working with the Cowell family to continue their passion for the Inn and its ministry to Christian leaders.
It took longer than expected but God provided a little more than what the Magnusons had originally requested from the Greens. SonScape Retreats now has the financial resources to begin planning for future expansion, seeking God’s design and timetable. What a journey! What an amazing God! Once again He made it clear that He is in control.
The board has decided to take the next year to prayerfully seek God’s next steps. There will be key staff positions to be filled and possibly new positions to be added as once again SonScape Retreats enters another phase of transition. Proceeds from the sale of Whitestone have been set aside for future expansion when God’s plan and timing are clear.
Transitions are a part of life and they are certainly a part of SonScape’s history. Across the years more than 25 people have served faithfully in a variety of roles helping make SonScape an effective ministry impacting thousands of couples and singles serving around the world.
Thanks, Rob . . .
Eighteen months ago Rob Lauer accepted the position of CEO for SonScape Retreats. He brought both passion and commitment to his new role. SonScape was in the middle of working out the details of the sale of Whitestone and all the pressures that go along with a transaction of that magnitude. In addition, Rob was faced with the challenges of raising funds for a small ministry with limited resources. In the end, Rob stated that this position was simply not a good fit for him. This was a painful decision as Rob had served 10 years on the board of directors and has a deep love for the ministry. Rob returned to Agora, the business he started 18 years ago. Thank you for all you gave to SonScape, Rob!
Thanks, Vicki . . .
In 2008 Vicki Ceass joined the SonScape team as retreat coordinator. Hundreds of Christian leaders experienced her care and compassion as she listened to their stories and did everything she could to get them to a SonScape retreat. Vicki has been the voice and the heart of SonScape for so many – loving, listening, and caring. Across the years Vicki pitched in whenever and wherever there was a need. In June Vicki retired from her role to spend more time with her family. She will be missed!
Welcome, Becky . . .
Becky VanHook has taken Vicki’s place. Becky has already displayed her gifts and talents as the head of our food service. Now she is taking on new responsibilities as our retreat coordinator. We are very grateful to have her!
New Retreat Leading Couple . . .
John and Becci Wood came to a SonScape retreat at our New York site in May of last year. They bring a wealth of ministry and life experience. Both are pastors serving over 20 years at Wesleyan Church of Hamburg in Hamburg, New York. John and Becci have four children, three of whom are in ministry roles around the world. Their youngest son will graduate from High School next year. They will serve as one of our part-time retreat leading couples guiding approximately six retreats annually. Welcome, John and Becci!
The Transformations Continue | 2018 Alumni
SonScape has created an incredible space for deep rest, profound reflection, and excellent possibility for self-care combined with wise counsel. We listened, prayed, laughed, played, talked, and walked the woods in silence. We felt encouraged, helped, equipped, and challenged to initiate small steps towards new life in Christ. It was a beautiful, life-giving, life-transforming opportunity.
• John Hamilton
We returned to SonScape after 10 years. The first time we were in a real crisis, completely misunderstanding each other. After gaining some self-knowledge and recommended tools and working to apply/use them, we returned! WOW – a new opportunity to grow and learn from a whole new vantage point! To go deeper in our understanding of our personalities and to interact with the group in a healthier mindset was a joy. Hope! Gives us a hunger to continue to grow emotionally and become who God has designed us to be even more. Thank you!!
• Lisa Hamilton
Coming to SonScape and breaking from the pace of ministry has been a great experience for me. I needed it much more than I realized. To see that I had allowed the demands and pace of my position in ministry (denominational leader) to keep me from the model that Jesus set. I also realized that the reason I had struggled with periods of depression and anxiety was because I was trying to meet all of the expectations of others as well as my own. I am excited to begin a new adventure with God as I will seek to live for an audience of one. One of the other great benefits of coming to SonScape with my wife was to see the freedom that she received in realizing that the person God created her to be was GOOD.
• Steve Hoffman
I often wished my personality was different. I would look at other women and ask “Lord, why can’t I be more like them?” While at SonScape, we had amazing and detailed teaching on our Myers-Briggs personality types. It was like my eyes were suddenly opened to the recognition and acceptance that God made me who I am – and it is good. I have strengths and weaknesses that make me a woman He can use. I plan to live in the blessings of who He created me to be – His beloved daughter.
• Jeanna Hoffman
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
The role of pastor can be both lonely and difficult. Pressure comes from all sides. Feelings of inadequacy can be overwhelming. An encouraging word – spoken or written – can have a profound impact. Your pastor needs you! Do something this October to let your pastor know of your appreciation.
If you need some ideas, get a copy of Pastors are People Too and check out Appendix C. And if they haven’t been already, make a week at SonScape Retreats possible for them.
The SonScape Team
2018 | 2019 domestic retreats being held in Colorado, New York, and Georgia.
Doug Stoner | Acting President
dougstoner3@aol.com
Larry and Barbara Magnuson | Program Directors and Retreat Leaders
larry@sonscape.org | barbara@sonscape.org
Rob and Shini Abraham | Retreat Leaders (Colorado and International)
rob.abraham@sonscape.org | shini.abraham@sonscape.org
Bob and Jeanne Blahnik | Retreat Leaders
bob.blahnik@sonscape.org | jeanne.blahnik@sonscape.org
John and Becci Wood | Retreat Leaders
john.wood@sonscape.org | becci.wood@sonscape.org
Becky VanHook | Retreat Coordinator
becky@sonscape.org
Perry and Jeanien Meyer | Operations
perry@sonscape.org | jeanien@sonscape.org