On February 15 and 16, 2026, ministry couples from across Missouri gathered in Branson for the annual Missouri BBF Ministry Couples Retreat. Attendees also traveled in from Arkansas and Kansas, making the retreat a regional time of encouragement, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.
The weekend began Sunday evening with dinner together at White River Fish House, providing a relaxed setting for couples to reconnect with one another before the formal sessions began. The retreat sessions were held at the Hilton Promenade, a convenient and welcoming venue overlooking the Branson Landing.
This year’s speaker was Jim Berg, professor of biblical counseling at BJU Seminary. Berg holds a Master of Arts in Theology from BJU Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He is also the founder of Freedom That Lasts, a ministry dedicated to equipping churches to welcome, evangelize, and biblically counsel those who are hurting or battling addictive patterns.
Missouri BBF covered the cost of the conference and speaker, demonstrating once again a commitment to investing in the health of ministry families across the state.
Time Together, Time Away
Kevin Kolb, Missouri BBF State Representative and State Chairman, emphasized the heart behind the retreat.
“Ministry couples need time together and time away to refresh,” he shared. He noted that the spirit of fellowship is especially sweet when wives are able to attend. “Branson is a fun place to come together, but more importantly, it provides space for meaningful connection.”
Several attendees echoed that sentiment.
Dennis Mays expressed appreciation for the relational aspect of the retreat, sharing that he always values the opportunity to step away with his wife and reconnect with ministry friends.
Tim Auten highlighted the importance of including wives in gatherings like this. He noted that it was encouraging to see ministry wives connect with others who understand the unique challenges of serving alongside their husbands. The opportunity for shared fellowship reminds them they are not alone in their calling.
Biblical Counsel for Ministry and Life
Berg delivered two primary sessions focused on helping people navigate anxiety and despair. His teaching was both doctrinally grounded and deeply practical. Rather than offering surface solutions, he guided attendees to examine the thoughts behind their emotions and to evaluate those thoughts in light of God’s character and Word.
Keith Buttram shared that their staff greatly benefited from hearing both Jim and Patty Berg. He noted the clarity they brought to understanding how our internal thought life influences our emotions and actions, and how Scripture must ultimately shape our responses.
Kevin Carson expressed gratitude for the vision behind the retreat and the quality of teaching. He reflected on the thoughtful planning of Kevin Kolb and the blessing of sitting under Berg’s seasoned biblical exposition. Carson remarked that the sessions combined solid theology with practical suggestions and helpful resources for ongoing ministry.
Dean Hughes described the retreat as a wonderful time of fellowship paired with practical, encouraging instruction. He and his wife, Elaine, left already discussing specific ways to implement what they learned in their local church ministry.
“God Is More Than Enough”
The retreat concluded with a message anchored in Philippians 4:11–13. Berg reminded attendees that contentment is not circumstantial but Christ-centered. His final emphasis was simple yet profound, God is more than enough.
For ministry couples who regularly pour themselves out for others, the reminder was timely. The truths shared were not only applicable for those they counsel and shepherd, but also for their own homes, marriages, and personal struggles.
As couples departed Branson, they left encouraged, refreshed, and refocused on the sufficiency of Christ for both ministry and life. The Missouri BBF continues to demonstrate that caring for pastors and their wives is not an afterthought, but a priority. Investing in healthy ministry families ultimately strengthens healthy churches.The 2026 Missouri BBF Ministry Couples Retreat served as a reminder that even those who shepherd others need space to rest, reflect, and be reminded that in every season, the Lord is more than enough.
Be the first to comment