“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
THE DETAILS
The Quest is a retreat for men who are Pastors and Leaders to gather together and encounter Jesus in an intentional time of slowing down. This is not a conference or a seminar, but time away to find rest for our souls. With so much in life and ministry clamoring for our attention, this retreat is an invitation to walk in the “good way.”
The Quest is unlike most retreats in that our time is not about activity and adventure, but a journey on the quiet paths of a reflective experience. There are times for worship, prayer, and short devotional thoughts from God's Word. There are also times of silence and solitude for you to draw near to the Lord in ways that are most meaningful to you. Whatever your role… pastor or leader… you can lay that aside and simply be with Jesus and other men who understand the challenges of ministry.
Jesus is our wise leader, and our profound teacher, and He knows what abundant life looks like. The Quest retreat is where we can learn to follow and become more like Him in ever-deepening ways. By the end of the retreat, you will have a clearer picture of how to join WITH Jesus in life and ministry as He invites you to begin
from a place of rest.
THE QUEST
“When was the last time you stopped long enough to hear God speak?”
Wednesday - Friday
February 18 - 20, 2026
Cost: $250
A pastor and leader RETREAT
(includes private room, private bath, 5 meals)
Dave has served as the Lead Pastor of a large church in California's Central Valley for over 30 years. He received his M.A. from California Theological Seminary and also is certified in Spiritual Direction and Coaching from the Soul Shepherding Institute.
LEADERS
The Quest
DAVE LARSON
Dave and his wife Gena are the leaders and founders of Traveling Together… a ministry that provides soul care, Spiritual Direction, and Sabbatical coaching for pastors, missionaries, and leaders. In a season of weariness and spiritual dryness, Dave went on sabbatical and the Lord led him to a healthier way of doing life and ministry WITH Jesus, not just FOR Jesus. Today, more than ever, he is passionate about helping pastors and leaders move one step closer to Jesus and find healthy rhythms of ministry for the long haul. He loves to engage with others who are serving the Lord, and in his downtime enjoys mountain biking, golf, reading, and runs in the early morning. Dave and Gena, live in Turlock, CA and have four grown children and one amazing grandson.
Dave has served as the Lead Pastor of a large church in California's Central Valley for over 30 years. He received his M.A. from California Theological Seminary and also is certified in Spiritual Direction and Coaching from the Soul Shepherding Institute. Dave and his wife Gena are the leaders and founders of Traveling Together… a ministry that provides soul care, Spiritual Direction, and Sabbatical coaching for pastors, missionaries, and leaders. In a season of weariness and spiritual dryness, Dave went on sabbatical and the Lord led him to a healthier way of doing life and ministry WITH Jesus, not just FOR Jesus. Today, more than ever, he is passionate about helping pastors and leaders move one step closer to Jesus and find healthy rhythms of ministry for the long haul. He loves to engage with others who are serving the Lord, and in his downtime enjoys mountain biking, golf, reading, and runs in the early morning. Dave and Gena, live in Turlock, CA and have four grown children and one amazing grandson.
Kevin is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church. He retired from pastoral ministry in 2023, serving in two small churches for a total of forty years. He grew up in Seattle, where he also graduated from the University of Washington, and has lived in Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, Southern California, where he served his first church, and San Jose, California, where he served his second church and where he still resides with his wife Luann. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1997. Kevin first found Spiritual Direction and a contemplative understanding of walking with Jesus several years into pastoral ministry when the struggles of ministry brought him to a place where it seemed that he "needed to go deeper or die.” He was trained and assisted in training others in Spiritual Direction at the Journey Center in Santa Rosa, California. He has provided Spiritual Direction with pastors, staff, and other seekers for 25 years. He finds great meaning and joy in sitting with others and reflecting together on how and where God is at work in their lives. Kevin enjoys bicycling, walking, conversations, being outdoors, and as much time with Luann and family as possible. Most recently this includes weekly visits to Manteca, where the latest grandchildren live--his daughter's one-year-old twin boys. Kevin has been married to Luann for 48 years. They have five children and ten grandchildren. He understands his life's work to now be helping others experience the grace and presence of God in a more intentional and life-giving way.
Kevin is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church. He retired from pastoral ministry in 2023, serving in two small churches for a total of forty years. He grew up in Seattle, where he also graduated from the University of Washington, and
Kevin Budd
has lived in Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, Southern California, where he served his first church, and San Jose, California, where he served his second church and where he still resides with his wife Luann. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1997. Kevin first found Spiritual Direction and a contemplative understanding of walking with Jesus several years into pastoral ministry when the struggles of ministry brought him to a place where it seemed that he "needed to go deeper or die.” He was trained and assisted in training others in Spiritual Direction at the Journey Center in Santa Rosa, California. He has provided Spiritual Direction with pastors, staff, and other seekers for 25 years. He finds great meaning and joy in sitting with others and reflecting together on how and where God is at work in their lives. Kevin enjoys bicycling, walking, conversations, being outdoors, and as much time with Luann and family as possible. Most recently this includes weekly visits to Manteca, where the latest grandchildren live--his daughter's one-year-old twin boys. Kevin has been married to Luann for 48 years. They have five children and ten grandchildren. He understands his life's work to now be helping others experience the grace and presence of God in a more intentional and life-giving way.
