| Reflecting with Gratitude | | | According to Psychology Today, gratitude improves physical and psychological health, enhances empathy and reduces aggression. Grateful people sleep better; gratitude improves self-esteem and increases our mental strength. God tells us to ‘give thanks in all circumstances’, so join us in giving thanks to God for all He has done. | | | | Ministry to missionaries and missionary families
is our priority. Since 2012, Excelling Leaders has focused on walking alongside, encouraging, and equipping missionaries and missionary families. For many years, it was traveling with suitcases full of resources and tools. Now it is hosting missionaries from all over the world at our Radiant Life Retreat Center on 3 Mile Lake here in Paw Paw, Michigan. Our 9 day Radiant Life debrief/wellness Retreat is an intentional time for missionaries to step out of their routine and into a quiet place to process the past season in order to gain His perspective, and then to be given tools to go into their next season of ministry. Because our heart is for missionary families, we have an awesome kids and youth program that walks side by side with the adult program at their level. | | | Not only did debriefs happen on our campus, but some of our staff also traveled to Albania, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jordan, Peru, and Romania. Some places we couldn’t travel to, so Zoom debriefing happened in sensitive countries. | | “Before we came, the time commitment of 9 days seemed undoable, but having the time to stop, reflect, process and revision has been rejuvenating. We would not have taken the time on our own, I know that we will go to the next country healthier and more prepared as a person and as a family. I am so glad we came!”
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“After these 9 days I feel lighter, clearer and more prepared to enter this next season. I feel more connected to God, with my spouse, kids and the broader body of Christ. Thank you so much for leading us!” | | | On November 10, the last beautiful 70 degree day in Michigan, four trucks, ten guys and two ladies pulled onto the property at 7:15am and started to strip the old shingles off six cottages. They left at 2:30pm having completed six brand new roofs. | | | | Keep reading to find out how you can rent these cottages... | | | | Campus Transformation: In May 2021, we purchased the 10 acre Radiant Life Retreat Center on 3 Mile Lake in Paw Paw, Michigan. It is hard to believe that in just 18 months, 6 cottages have been completely renovated and are being used year round, along with 5 RV sites. A new playground has been constructed and the Gathering House has been upgraded. And the list goes on. The cottages on the lake are a perfect place to relax, debrief and refresh. Adults and kids can walk, bike, fish, swim and kayak, or, in the winter months, cross-country ski during their free time. It is a beautiful and safe place to relax, refresh and process their story. | | | FAITH Cottage was a single story cottage before a tree fell on it during a storm. It is now a 2 story, 3 bedroom cottage that we are planning to use for an event in February. | | | Can you help us reach more missionaries
and missionary children? Nearly all of our Radiant Life Retreats have been full and many times we have had to say “We have no more room.” Our goal is to keep the cost as affordable as we can so missionaries who don’t have insurance or much financial support can afford to come to process a hard season of ministry. Your donations will help us keep our retreat costs down and to finish Faith cottage in order to house larger missionary families, along with renovating our pole barn into a missionary kid's debrief area. | | | Host your event You can help support the missionaries who come and bless yourself by renting a cottage or RV site for your church leadership or marriage retreats, family gatherings or personal reflection time. The rent money goes directly into our Excelling Leaders account and will help us reduce the cost for the missionaries who attend the Radiant life Retreats. Click here to reserve a cottage. | | | | |
