Calling Clergy, Lay Leaders & Seminary Students of Color!
You Constantly Pour into Others,
Let Us Pour into You!
Calling Clergy, Lay Leaders & Seminary Students of Color!
You Constantly Pour into Others,
Let Us Pour into You!
Men and Women of faith Get Renewed Here!
Come enter a world of awe and wonder. Shake off stress among the nation’s tallest trees, soaring over 100 feet high, in forest as far as you can see. Or splash in the coastal waters of Lake Michigan at the retreat’s private beach. Celebrating 100 years offering sanctuary to clergy, Tower Hill offers guided nature hikes, a labyrinth for quiet reflection, 30 acres of winding trails, bar-b-Que grills at every building and fire pits with wood for laugh-out-loud conversations, roasting smores and more.
Do you...
- Find yourself putting your needs at the bottom of an ever-growing to-do list?
- Are you depleted at the end of the day exhausted by the demands of your calling?
- Do you feel siloed? Overwhelmed?
WE'VE BEEN THERE. That’s why we created the Brush Harbor Retreat
Less than a 90 Minute drive from Chicago
And you are a world away
It’s less than a 90-minute drive from Chicago. No long plane rides. No Customs check. The only passport you need is the willingness to celebrate yourself, connect with like-minded clergy and refresh body and mind in the beauty of the natural world.
Why Brush Harbor? A Callback to Our Ancestors
Brush Harbors, also called Hush Harbors were secret places deep in the woods built by Black-American slaves to honor the ancestors and practice their faith. Worshipers risked all- torture, being sold away from their families, and death to share sacred space. Inspired by this brave holy practice, we return to the woods, away from the gaze of institutional-ism to honor our ancestors and fortify our souls.
Rev Michelle Hughes
Rev. Michelle Hughes has served in ministry for over 25 years as a pastor, educator, and denominational officer in the United Church of Christ. She knows first-hand the pressures of pastoring with the added stress of leading within Euro-eccentric institutional settings. She is a seasoned trainer, certified Interim Minister and founder of Hughes Church Consulting specializing in lay leadership training, revitalization workshops, clergy coaching and mentoring. Rev. Hughes also serves as a Virtual Coach for Bricks and Mortals providing resources to maximize church properties to support their missions, benefit the community and continue their good work.
Eyvette Jones Johnson
Eyvette Jones Johnson, is an award-winning empowerment educator, community innovator and story strategist. A network TV producer for 15 years, she delivered stories for the world’s largest media outlets including CBS, NBC, Paramount Pictures and more. She also founded Urban Possibilities, in the nation’s largest homeless community, doing both jobs at the same time. Initially, the high demands of dual roles fed her workaholic nature. Yet, after a dozen years exhaustion, overwhelm and burnout became her new normal. After learning to heal herself and live in wholeness again, she has dedicated her life to helping other purpose-driven leaders learn powerful practices to thrive and create impact from the inside out. She is the recipient of the Hero Award from The Center for the Advancement of Non-Violence, Agape International Spiritual Center and the Life Changer award by the Rainbow P.U.S.H. Coalition.
Our Sponsors
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Tower Hill Retreat Center offers a place to step away from everyday life and enjoy a private, peaceful get away from home. We provide top-notch facilities with comfortable sleeping accommodations, spacious meeting rooms and rooms for activities. We are open all year round and offer many opportunities for religious retreats, men’s and women’s retreats, family reunions, yoga retreats, bridal parties, support groups and other adult and inter-generational gatherings.
Advocate Health Care
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Tower Hill Camp & Retreat Center
Advocate Health Care is a faith-based nonprofit health system in Illinois. We’re dedicated to changing patient expectations by giving you easy access to all you need to stay well, live well and achieve outstanding treatment outcomes.
In 2018, Advocate Health Care merged with Aurora Health Care of Wisconsin to form Advocate Aurora Health. And in 2022, Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health combined to create Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the U.S.
Advocate Health Care’s Faith and Health Partnership program works side by side with faith communities to promote health equity by mobilizing the transforming power of social connectedness and spiritual wisdom.
Learn more about us and how we can work together.
Testimonials
“The Brush Harbor Retreat has been one of the most powerful moments in my life.”
“The facilitators skillfully created moments of reflection, learning, and the release of tension experienced by clergy — particularly clergy of color. The intentional reminders of culture combined with the gifts of those present crafted unforgettable moments that not only blessed us, but those to come.
“I found a new voice within myself and a new way of expressing.”
“It was the time and place in nature that I needed. I have yearned to sing, dance, and pray in a circle in the woods ever since I watched Beloved. This was that moment for me. I am grateful.”
“When I arrived, I was afraid that it would be difficult to focus and engage; however, that wasn’t the case. Each exercise moved me deeply. Soul work I have not been able to slow down enough to do. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
