Welcome to Growth Encouragement Ministry. This is a dream we had 37 years ago and are excited to see God at work in it all. After experiencing the joys and hardships, and after watching ministry couples struggle to find a place to be restored, or rested, we have built our dream ministry home. We have planned financially and in our minds for many years of creating a peaceful, restful, place for those who serve in ministry. We paid for the home from our investments.  This retreat is in the Beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and is only one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It overlooks a stream and 300 acres of farmland and is visited with deer, and an occasional bear. If you are a person or couple in ministry, this is a place for you.