Frequently asked questions

Retreats fill up at different rates, depending on the specific dates you are looking at. It’s best to register and reserve your spot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  Please note that registration is not confirmed until a $500 registration deposit has been received.

The total cost to run a retreat is approximately $5000per couple, but Focus on the Family Canada’s donors generously cover more than half of your attendance fees. As a result, each couple that comes pays only $1700, while individuals pay just $1150 to attend.

Yes, we ask that guests pay a $500 registration deposit to reserve their room for the retreat. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, in the case of emergency we may be able to reschedule. Please contact the office immediately. 

As our own funds allow, we may be able to provide some assistance through the Registration Assistance Fund. Please contact the Kerith registrar ([email protected]) to discuss this option further. We also encourage churches and denominations to financially support the members of their ministry teams desiring to attend a retreat. Our goal is that no one would be turned away for financial reasons.

Yes! If you would like to help us make it possible for someone in need to attend a Kerith Retreat, donations are gratefully accepted for our Registration Assistance Fund (RAF). If you are sending in a cheque, please make it payable to "Focus on the Family Canada", but be sure to include a note or memo that the donation is for “Kerith - RAF”.  It would be very helpful if you could also let us know via email ([email protected]) so we can watch for the funds.

Please note: CRA regulations require that any donation toward registration fees must be freely given and cannot be tied to a specific retreat guest in order to qualify for a tax receipt. If you wish to pay for the registration of a specific person, we will happily apply funds toward their account, but the funds cannot be considered a “charitable donation” for income tax purposes.  

General donations to the Registration Assistance Fund are tax deductible.  A committee will determine how and to whom funding is allotted.

Yes. We want to work with you to make this possible. Please contact the Kerith registrar ([email protected]) to discuss this option further.

Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. In the case of an emergency however, our staff can work with you to reschedule your retreat for a later date. Please call the office as soon as possible if something unexpected comes up. Each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Our program directors are experienced pastoral couples, having served in church ministry for 25+ years. They bring a wealth of experience to the table, and offer is support and understanding from their own journeys in ministry. They know what it's like to go through the ups and downs of ministry life, and teach within an atmosphere of grace. They have had their own faith stretched by facing personal and ministerial losses, and found hope and healing despite life’s challenges.   

Our program directors are not certified counselors, but approach the retreats as coaches and mentors in personal, spiritual, and professional development based on their own extensive experience. All of our program directors are certified to administer, interpret, and discuss the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. They are also trained to do the same for the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis®.

We strongly prefer that you choose a time when both of you can attend a retreat since many issues clergy face affect a couple as a whole. We choose to work with clergy in a setting that will provide support for both men and women, so we ask that both husband and wife be in attendance. Exceptions can be made however. Please call our office at 1/800/550-5655. 

We ask that you choose a time where you can attend the full retreat. Part of the blessing of this retreat is that guests have a full seven days of rest and reflection. We don’t want to skimp on the time we allow the Lord to bring healing and replenishing to our lives. There are times when a guest needs to leave the final night (Monday) which is their choice since we have finished all our teaching and personal times at that point.

We define "clergy" quite broadly. It includes full-time, part-time and self-supporting pastors, missionaries and those in vocational ministries – especially those who are carrying a spiritual responsibility. Camp directors, church staff, music directors, youth pastors, church administrators and mission directors also fit this definition. We also accept those in transition in ministry, which includes those who are between churches, just finished a church but uncertain about future, or those who are trying to recover from experiences in the ministry. If uncertain where you fit, simply call our office at 1/800/550-5655.

At this time we do not.

We do make exceptions to the “both must attend” rule. We understand that there are times when it is not practical for some couples to come together and we wish to support people as they work through difficult situations. Feel free to call the office at 1/800/550-5655 to chat with the registrar. 

While our primary audience is Canada, we do accept people from other countries. We cannot provide assistance with helping guests obtain a visa to enter Canada, but we do accept them as guests should they be able to attend. We do all of our retreats in English, so guests should be fluent in this language. Unfortunately, we cannot provide scholarships to people outside of Canada.

Our retreats are designed to be a week of rest and refreshment for those in ministry. If you have need for personal help or counselling, you might want to start by calling our Clergy Care Line at 1-888-525-3749. This network provides counselling, resources and encouragement to families in full-time ministry across Canada. 

We regret to say that we do not provide the opportunity to rent our Kerith Retreat centres for any length of time for any purpose other than for the scheduled retreats/programs that we provide. 

Yes, we have beautiful private suites with a fireplace, sitting area and private bathroom. You will have lots of privacy and personal space during your week. We provide all the bedding, towels and other amenities you would usually find in a nice hotel. Your suite is set up in a way that we hope will give you privacy and make you feel at home.

Yes, we do have a suite on the main floor for people who have difficulty with stairs. Our lodge is a multi-level structure so some stairs may be necessary if you wish to take advantage of all we offer. You can discuss your needs with our program directors who will accommodate you as much as possible. Please ensure you make note of this at registration. 

We ask guests to arrive anytime after 4 p.m. on opening day. This allows you to settle in before we have dinner together as a group. Checkout time is no later than 10 a.m. on closing day.

While we do have WiFi at our retreat centers, we encourage people to unplug while they are at a retreat. If it is important for you to use internet for personal reasons, our hosts do have the password for the WiFi.

There is cell service at our retreat centres, so your cell phone can be a point of contact. There is also a main phone at the lodge that will be given to you in the information sent to you when you register. 

We've provided a helpful calendar of events for you. Please CLICK HERE to view or print.

Your program directors can recommend a professional counsellor in your area who may be able to assist you. For more intensive support we would invite you to call our Clergy Care line (1.888.5.CLERGY).