The Replenish Retreat served as a time of rest and refreshment, especially for pastors from western North Carolina who are recovering from Hurricane Helene.

The past year was a uniquely challenging season for many pastors in western North Carolina. In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, they led churches, served their neighbors and helped communities rebuild.

On Sept. 15-17, N.C. Baptist pastors and their families gathered at the Replenish Retreat at Fort Caswell to be refreshed and fellowship with each other. The retreat offered restful time and space especially for families from regions 7, 8, 9 and 10 — those most affected by Helene.

Twenty-seven couples participated, with 25 of them from western North Carolina.

The retreat featured messages from Dr. Ronjour and Annie Locke, times of worship and intentional opportunities to connect with other ministry leaders.

Ronjour Locke, lead pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Raleigh, said most of the couples have been through “a challenging season of regrouping and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.

“So this moment of rest in God’s presence was right on time. We were all reminded of the Father’s love for us, that He makes us His children now and ensures that we will be like Him in the future,” Locke said, referencing 1 John 3:1-3. 

“It was refreshing to have honest conversations, pray and worship our Lord together,” he said.

His wife, Annie, led a session for pastors’ wives and said that while their family came to serve, they left refreshed and encouraged. 

“The time of worship and fellowship were unique, as there was a tangible spirit of unity and desperate expectation that the Lord would renew our strength — and He did,” she said. 

“Getting to know our western North Carolina pastors and their families was our joy. We continue to pray Psalm 29:10-11 over them, their churches and all still affected by Hurricane Helene.”

On Monday, N.C. Baptist Convention President Allen Murray prepared a barbecue dinner. On Tuesday, couples enjoyed a date night out, thanks to one church contributing gift cards. Volunteers from multiple churches served the families by leading ministry to their children. 

“The retreat provided pastors and their families a valuable opportunity to evaluate where they are as a ministry family, be equipped for the work ahead and receive much-needed encouragement,” said Sandy Marks, N.C. Baptist pastoral ministry strategist. 

Timmy Burnette serves as lead pastor of Covenant Church in Weaverville, N.C., where several church members lost homes and their livelihoods in the wake of Hurricane Helene. But seeing the community come together and share resources made the weeks after the storm “one of the richest times of ministry,” he recalled.

“It was unbelievably encouraging to get phone calls, to get messages from pastors that I didn’t even know that were praying for you as you serve,” Burnette said. 

Ray Brickhouse is the associational mission strategist for the Green River Baptist Association in Rutherfordton. When the storm hit last year, he was in a transition from serving as a pastor in Fletcher to stepping into his role with the association. A tree landed on their home, crushed one car and damaged another. A tree also fell on the roof of the house they had just bought to move into, and two trees fell across their fence. 

Brickhouse quickly began coordinating disaster relief efforts for the county. Green River opened up a warehouse for supplies to be distributed. North Carolina Baptists donated supplies and volunteered to complete recovery work.

“N.C. Baptists have truly been ‘on mission together’ in western North Carolina,” Brickhouse said. “N.C. Baptists continue to be a huge help in our communities through the rebuild centers. … We are a family, truly.”

Volunteers with Baptists on Mission have helped complete 498 home rebuilds and have another 240 in progress. More than 1,200 rebuild requests remain. Baptists on Mission staff estimate the work to continue for another four to five years.

N.C. Baptists and other donors helped make this retreat possible through gifts to the ServeNC initiative. A portion of these contributions allowed pastors and families from the affected regions to have their registration fees fully reimbursed upon arrival.

Over the past year, N.C. Baptist churches have poured resources, volunteers and prayer into western North Carolina communities rebuilding from Helene’s impact. Funding this retreat is an extension of that care, aimed at sustaining the shepherds who have been tirelessly caring for others.

“This retreat was a beautiful opportunity for us as N.C. Baptists to express our appreciation and remind these faithful servants that they are not alone,” said Marks.

According to Lifeway Research, burnout was among the top three most common reasons (22%) former pastors gave for leaving ministry. Of pastors surveyed, 67% believed they must be available around the clock, feeling like they couldn’t step back from the demands of their responsibilities. That’s why N.C. Baptists provide opportunities for pastors to deepen their spiritual, emotional and physical health.

The next Replenish Retreat will be on March 9-11, 2026, at Fort Caswell.