Buoyed by the success of the first run last January, Jimmy Hanf of Camden has unveiled plans for a second Minister/Spouse Breakaway Jan. 19-21 at the Breakers Resort in Myrtle Beach.
Jeanette Hanf leads a breakout session for ministers’ wives during last year’s event.The Thursday-Friday getaway is sponsored by Kershaw Association, where Hanf is director of missions.
He gave the weekend retreat a test run earlier this year when “a couple of pastors” from Kershaw Association approached him about sponsoring a few days of relaxing and recharging their batteries accompanied by the spouses.
“These pastors said they had gone to the Shepherding the Shepherd Conferences that the South Carolina Baptist Convention had sponsored, but now because of budget cuts was no longer available.”
Hanf and his wife Jeanette attended many of the Shepherding the Shepherd Conferences themselves when he was a senior pastor. “It was a much-needed retreat,” he said, that enabled him and his wife to “get away from some of the stress of being in the ministry.”
Terry Corder, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Church in Kershaw Association, and his wife attended the first Minister/Spouse Breakaway. He called it a “great time to get away and relax both physically and spiritually.”
Terry and Debbie Corder enjoyed the 2011 breakway and look forward to the next one in January.He continued, “It came right after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and gave me the boost I needed for the spring months. The fellowship and worship with other pastors and their wives were refreshing and encouraging. My wife and I can’t wait for this year’s event.”
To make matters even better for the ministers and their spouses, practically all of the churches involved paid the $250 fee for the getaway and the deacons contributed an additional $100 for a “date night” for the couples on Friday.
Ministers attending the 2012 event will provide devotions, while the Hanfs will conduct breakout sessions. Ronda Smith from North, formerly music minister at St. George Church in Orangeburg when Hanf was pastor there, will lead in worship.
A concert artist, she also is headmaster for Livingston Christian Academy in North.
The breakaway is limited to 75 couples, who can reserve a place with a $100 deposit. The remaining $150 must be paid by Jan. 1. More information is available by emailing Hanf at jimmyh1956@hotmail.com or calling the associational office at 803-432-3028.