Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove

Events

Pastor Renewal Retreat

Pastor Renewal Retreat: Standing Strong in Challenging Times

with Don Wilton

Worship Leader, Mark Christian
April 6-8, 2026
Unavailable

This event is now closed. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Cove.

Please Note: Lodging is full for this event. However, space is still available, but you must obtain offsite lodging. To be added to the Lodging waitlist please call our reservations department Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at (828) 771-4800. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at The Cove.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be actively serving as a lead/senior pastor or associate pastor. Assistance is limited to one actively serving lead/senior pastor and one actively serving associate pastor, per church, per year. Spouses are included.

Resource Assistance: Covers meals and two-night’s lodging for each pastor and spouse. Lodging assistance is limited to those living outside of Buncombe and Henderson counties. A materials fee of $30 per person is required.

Additional Church Ministry Staff Opportunities: While we welcome senior and associate pastors to our Pastor Renewal Retreats, we realize these events can benefit those serving in other areas of pastoral ministry. For this reason, we may offer the opportunity for them to attend these retreats, providing space is available.

Because funding is designated specifically for senior and associate pastors, other ministry staff members wishing to attend will be responsible for paying their own way. No application form will be required for these individuals.

To inquire about registering additional ministry staff from your church, please contact our Reservations department at 828-771-4800 after March 6th.

Every minister of the Gospel needs to be encouraged and strengthened. Despite the challenges of serving the Lord Jesus and the reality of spiritual warfare, Paul points God’s servants to the “eternal encouragement” (2 Thessalonians 2:16, NIV) given by the grace of Jesus Christ. As you spend time in Scripture, you’ll be encouraged to re-discover your God-given purpose and fortify your commitment to follow Christ by ministering to those around you even when tough times come.

Don Wilton

Don Wilton served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for nearly three decades and was the founder and president of The Encouraging Word broadcast ministry. Don has been a faculty member for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Schools of Evangelism and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and continues to teach on university and seminary campuses. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Don is an accomplished author; his book Saturdays with Billy details the 20 years he served as Billy Graham’s pastor and friend. He has written other books such as The Absolute Certainty of Life After Death; See You at the Finish Line; Totally Secure; When God Prayed; A Hope and a Future: Overcoming Discouragement; Praying for a Miracle; Defying the Odds: Standing Up When You Want To Give Up; Undefeated: God’s Strategy for Successful Living; and Forgiven: The Power of the Cross.

Don continues to host Christian tours of the Holy Land every year and has currently hosted 42 to date. He and his wife, Karyn, have two sons, a daughter, and ten grandchildren. All of their children serve in ministry.

Mark Christian

Mark Christian is the Lead and Worship Arts Pastor at First Baptist Charlotte in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. He has led worship and hosted at various events with the BGEA and at Will Graham Celebrations domestically and internationally. A modern worship artist and leader who has received award nominations, Mark won a Golden Award for his album, “Ozark Mountain Christmas.”

Downloads

Schedule