Grow in Grace is excited to invite you to the Celebration of Ministry in 2024!
April 3 – 5, 2024
- Begun in Grace for pastors & spouses from the WLS graduating classes 2021
- Renewed in Grace for pastors & spouses from the WLS graduating classes 2014
- Excelling in Grace for pastors & spouses from the WLS graduating classes 1999
- Remaining in Grace for pastors & spouses from the WLS graduating classes 1989
Pastors who were originally part of the anniversary classes but who graduated a year or two later because of a year spent elsewhere in school or emergency calls are also welcome to attend with their original class.
“It was absolutely wonderful to be with all the pastors and their wives. It is so encouraging!”
Registration Information
Registration is now OPEN! Click here to register. During October keep an eye out for your postcard invitation to arrive by mail.
Early bird registration is only $399 per couple or $199 for single pastors. Early bird registration closes February 2, 2024. After that date, the price of registration is $449 per couple or $249 for single pastors. The final date for registration is March 1, 2024.
View this year’s unique agenda for your retreat!
Agendas
We have crafted four unique agendas for the 2024 Celebration of Ministry retreats. We pray these agendas will be beneficial to each pastor and his wife for their specific ministry milestone. It is our hope that those who attend will:
- have the opportunity to take advantage of presentations aimed at your specific season in the called ministry (as couples and individually);
- have the opportunity to consider challenges and opportunities you may face in the future; and,
- celebrate God’s grace on your ministry and the ministry of your classmates.
The retreat begins at 2pm on Wednesday, April 3 and concludes on Friday, April 5 by 12:15pm. Retreat highlights include joint worship services, couples and individual workshop selections, multi-part Bible studies, free time for fellowship and more.
Worship
Two joint worship services are held – one opening communion service and one closing service that includes an affirmation of ordination vows.
Bible Study and Workshops
Each retreat has three Bible study sessions and different presenters speaking on about various topics. For those attending 10, 25, and 35 year retreats, there are multiple workshops form which to choose. The Bible studies, workshops, and plenary presentations for each group are geared toward their specific stages in ministry and life.
Location Information
Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
Retreat attendees are responsible for making and paying for their own lodging arrangements at the historic Drury Plaza Hotel. Hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel online or over the phone at 1-800-325-0720.
If reserving online, make sure to click under “Add special rate or code” and add our group number 10020186. Refer to that group number if making reservations by phone. Reservations need to be made by March 1st to secure the reduced group rate. Reservations made after that are subject to the prevailing rate and availability.
The reduced rates are also available before and after the retreat should you choose to enjoy beautiful San Antonio on your own time.
Parking
Hotel parking is available at a cost of $36.00+tax per car, per night for overnight guests only.
Meals
The Riverwalk is home to a variety of restaurants of many tastes. The Drury provides daily breakfast as well as a Kickback event starting at 5:30pm. The Kickback event provides a generous amount of appetizers as well as adult beverages that are included in your room rate.
Children
On-site Childcare
Grow in Grace has received consistent feedback on what a blessing this retreat has been for husband and wife to attend together alone. Since the retreat remains focused on strengthening pastors and their wives, we strongly encourage making arrangements for childcare for the duration of the retreat. However, we do welcome infants under the age of one year to attend with parents if necessary, as we will be making onsite childcare available for those who can find no other option.
Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to bring your infant with you to the retreat and plan to make use of the free onsite childcare.
Transportation and Travel Costs
Arrival time and transportation to/from airport
In the past we have had attendees miss the opening session and even the entire first day due to weather and flight delays. Please allow yourself enough time for travel and possible delays in order to make the most out of this celebration opportunity.
For those flying into San Antonio, the most economical transportation to the Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk is to use a taxi/Uber/Lyft or VIA Metropolitan Transit bus. Those who happen to arrive with others attending the retreat and are looking for a taxi to the hotel can often find minivan-size taxis that allow up to six riders for the same cost, thus considerably lowering the per-person cost. It may be even easier to coordinate such joint rides as the retreat ends. Those wishing to include the cost of the taxi/Uber/Lyft/bus in their travel reimbursement request are encouraged to request a receipt.
Estimated cost of ride: approximately $35 each way with some variation depending on traffic.
**Make use of this spreadsheet when it comes to arrival and departure times to/from the airport.**
Please note: There is another Drury on the Riverwalk within two blocks of our hotel. Be sure to tell the taxi driver that you are staying at the Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk.
Reimbursement
Explanation Sheet
Transportation costs will vary depending on distance from San Antonio. Transportation costs in excess of $700 per couple ($350 if traveling alone) may be reimbursed by the seminary up to 50%.
We have provided an explanation sheet that provides a few more details on how this transportation reimbursement will work. Eligible travel costs may include airfare and taxi or car rental reimbursement and parking.
Congregational Support
Grow in Grace sends encouragement to your congregation to mark this anniversary by making it possible for you (and your wife) to attend the retreat. In early June, an email will be sent to you asking for contact information where this encouragement should be sent. If at any time you would like the letter resent, please contact the Grow in Grace office and we’d be happy to send information to your congregation.