Author: Tiffany Pardue

A Nation at 250, A Remnant at 25

Written by Tiffany Pardue on July 1, 2026. Posted in Prayer, Serenity Blog.

250th Anniversary, America, be still, come and see, gospel, healing, hope, Prayer, Remnant, Serenity Retreat, transformation, Transformation Prayer Ministry, USA

by Tiffany Pardue, Retreats Director

I can’t help but see the math.

250 years since Independence Hall. 250 candles on a cake none of us were there to watch as they began being lit, one by one. And somewhere in the middle of the fireworks and flags this year, a quieter number kept surfacing in me.

25.

This fall, Serenity Retreat turns 26. A tithe of our nation’s history, given back to the One who gave it. One-tenth. It felt too specific to ignore.

So I did what I tend to do when a number won’t leave me alone—I went looking for what it means.

Here’s what I found, and it spoke to me: British historian Sir John Glubb spent his later years studying roughly a dozen empires—Assyrian, Roman, Ottoman, British among them—and found that most lasted around 250 years, or ten generations, before the weight of their own success caught up with them. He traced a shape to it: Pioneers, then Conquest, then Commerce, then Affluence, then Intellect, then Decadence—that last stage marked less by weakness than by wealth without character, spectacle replacing conviction, and a fraying willingness to sacrifice for something bigger than ourselves. Historians still argue over whether Glubb’s pattern is destiny or coincidence. I don’t need it to be either. I just need to ask what it’s pointing at.

We are standing on it.

Not behind it, looking back at what was. Not past it, coasting on what’s certain. On it. The precipice. The place where a nation either becomes the exception or becomes a paragraph in someone else’s history book.

I don’t say that to alarm. I say it because I believe the Lord puts numbers like this in front of us—250, 25 to 26, one-tenth—not necessarily as omens or prophecy, but as an invitation to ask of Him.

What is required of us now? As a nation. As the people of God living inside it. As individuals kneeling in our own kitchens at 6 am or/and midnight, wondering if our prayers are doing anything at all.

I’m not sure how much the answer changes from age to age. It rarely does. Though that doesn’t mean His response—His Word isn’t still all we ever need.

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14

Humble. Pray. Seek. Turn. Four verbs standing between a nation and its healing, and not one of them requires an election, a headline, or anyone else’s cooperation. They only require us.

The Lord has never needed a majority to move a nation. Scripture is a long, quiet argument for the power of the remnant—the few who actually listen, actually agree, actually worship Him in spirit and truth while everyone else argues about who’s right. Gideon’s army was cut down to three hundred before God would use it. Elijah, certain he was the last faithful man standing, was told there were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee. He just couldn’t see them yet.

Is that still true?

I wonder if the remnant God is gathering right now looks less like a movement and more like scattered rooms—retreat centers and living rooms, houses of prayer and prayer closets—full of people finally still enough to hear Him.

I keep coming back to that tithe. One-tenth of a nation’s life, and Serenity has spent every year of it doing one thing: making space for people to reconnect and realign with the truth of God. Twenty-five years of retreats, prayer sessions, tears at the pond, walking the land, freedom that didn’t show up in a headline but showed up in a marriage, a mother, a father, a mind finally quiet enough to hear its Maker.

If a remnant is what heals a land, I believe Serenity and Transformation Prayer Ministry are positioned for exactly this hour—not just for our nation, but for the nations beyond her, who are watching what America does with what she’s been given. No other nation in history has been used to carry the gospel further or faster than this one. That is not a boast about us. It’s a stewardship placed on us. We have been blessed to be a blessing—that’s true of America, and it has always been true of this ministry.

Which is part of why I’m asking you to pray with us in a very specific way right now.

Serenity’s Board and staff are in the process of discerning our next Executive Director—the one who will carry the mantle into whatever this unprecedented next chapter holds. We don’t know everything that’s ahead for this nation. Only God knows that. We don’t know everything that’s ahead for Serenity either. But we know the same God who has carried us for twenty-five years is the one entrusting this next leader to us, and us to them. Please pray over that process with us. It matters more than most people watching from the outside will ever realize.

What is ahead for America? Again, only God knows.

What is ahead for Serenity? We are in the midst of discovering that week by week, confident that He who began the good work will carry it on to completion in Christ Jesus. Otherwise, all I can tell you is what I told you back in February when I was wrestling with the Serenity Prayer and its centennial: we cannot quiet the nations, the news, or the naysayers. We can only quiet our souls, humble ourselves, and let Him do what only He can do.

So this Fourth of July, as you watch whatever fireworks light up your sky, I hope you’ll do a little math of your own. Count the years you’ve been given. Pause and give thanks to our Savior. Count the years this nation has been given. Pause and thank Him again. And then ask the only question that has ever really mattered:

Lord, what do You require of me, in this hour, on this precipice?

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8

We are exceedingly blessed to be a blessing. May we spend the next 250 years—and the next 25—responding rightly to the calling and favor of the Lord.

Happy Independence Day, Family of God. We love you, and we’re praying for you as you pray for us.

My favorite spot in one of my favorite places in the world — Serenity Retreat Bellville — a little slice of heaven right here in Texas.

If it’s been a while since your last Transformation Prayer Ministry session or retreat, perhaps it’s time? Click to schedule your One-Hour Session and inquire about a Respite or Personal Healing Retreat today. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer as we search for our next Executive Director and continue to grow our team in preparation for more.

Walking In Serenity

Written by Tiffany Pardue on July 1, 2026. Posted in Community Support, Hospitality, Prayer Ministers, Serenity Blog, Transformation Prayer, Transformation Prayer Training.

by Daniela Greer

I’d like to say I found Serenity Retreat but Serenity totally found me.

My first experience with Serenity Retreat came through my amazing friend, Cynthia Wenz. She invited me to play piano and help lead worship for a Table Host event before Serenity’s annual fundraiser. I had originally declined because I was supposed to be on vacation in New Mexico, but my travel plans fell through. At the time, I was deeply disappointed and honestly embarrassed by the circumstances and the reason. Looking back, I can see God was redirecting my steps and I ended up going!

I couldn’t have imagined the Romans 8:28 story He was already writing… on 8/28.

I had no idea what Serenity Retreat was or what Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM) even meant.

That night, I ran into another dear sweet friend, Tiffany Pardue. As she explained TPM, she said something that woke me up.

“It’s a prayer process that honors your emotions. The starting point is simply asking, ‘What are you feeling?’”

Immediately, something inside me responded.

“Oof… this is why you’re here.”

It felt like my body was finally getting an answer to cries for help my mind kept ignoring for years.

As I listened to people’s “ringing the bell” stories, I couldn’t help but wonder if this “effortless transformation” was too good to be true.

Another part of me more loudly thought, “But for real… I NEED this kind of breakthrough.”

Although I’m generally a positive, optimistic person, I was carrying an unbearable emotional load from all the trauma, betrayal and abuse in the last six years. That wasn’t a part of my life prior and I couldn’t stop ruminating on the all daily injustices and offenses that kept piling up. Forgiveness always felt like a shallow work. No matter how hard I kept trying to forgive, it never felt lasting or permanent… I HATED that. Eventually the emotional weight began showing up physically. I had become so accustomed to suppressing my emotions that I didn’t know what to do with them anymore.

Then came TPM.

Over the next few months, I began receiving prayer sessions, joined Serenity’s hospitality team, enrolled in the TPM 201 course, attended my first immersive retreat, and began serving as an intercessor. I just recently finished the 8 week 301 course and training to be a mentor! And I’ve been getting LOTS of breakthrough!! Too much to say.

Somewhere along the way, Serenity stopped feeling like a place I visited.

It became family.

One concept from 201 has stayed with me ever since I heard it: “We perceive what we believe. We feel what we believe. We do what we believe.”

I remember thinking, “Ooooh… we feel what we believe!”

Instead of asking, “How do I stop feeling this?” I began asking, “What am I believing?”

As all of this growth was taking place, I was also navigating a separation that would eventually lead to divorce.

Looking back, I can clearly see God’s kindness.

Before I ever knew how desperately I’d need community, He had already provided it. He had already introduced me to TPM, surrounded me with people who loved Jesus, and began teaching me how to bring my emotions to Him instead of burying them.

I often say God knew I’d be going through a major life surgery, so He prepared everything I’d need ahead of time to stay ahead of the pain.

TPM gave me tools.

Serenity gave me community.

Together, they carried me through one of the hardest seasons of my life.

It took about eight to ten prayer sessions before I really felt the needle begin to move.

One of my greatest breakthroughs came when I realized I hadn’t been honest with myself about where my anger was actually directed (or that I was even angry). Being angry with myself felt much safer than admitting I was angry with God.

Then, during one prayer session, after finally admitting it, I sensed the Lord gently say, “I want an honest relationship with you.”

That changed everything for me. Including my relationships with others.

Instead of striving to fix myself, I learned to slow down, become curious, and ask, “Jesus, what do You want me to know here?”

Again and again, I found Him faithful.

Today, I have the privilege of serving as both an intercessor during TPM sessions and as a Mentor in Training. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to watch God speak personally to His children.

When I look back over this past year and my involvement with Serenity, the thing that stands out the most is God’s kindness faithfulness to me…

If you’re considering visiting Serenity Retreat or beginning your own journey through Transformation Prayer Ministry, my encouragement is simple: come with an open and honest heart.

The more honest I’ve been about what hurts, the more room I’ve given Jesus to heal and transform me. And I’m happy to report ruminating thoughts are very rare for me now! My heart and mind is a SIGNIFICANTLY more enjoyable place for me, and I legit enjoy the overwhelming majority of my thought life. I’m so full of gratitude for the countless ways this ministry has and continues to bless my life!!

Would you like to schedule a One Hour Prayer Session? Click here to see our Greater Houston locations or schedule Transformation Prayer Ministry today.

When My Son Was Losing Hope

Written by Tiffany Pardue on June 4, 2026. Posted in Prayer. No Comments on When My Son Was Losing Hope

by David Mitchell

As a dad, there’s not much worse than watching your kid lose hope right in front of you.

My son is 20, and he had gone through some deeply painful experiences. For a time, he didn’t know how to move forward. Like weeds, those wounds were spreading into other areas of his life.

About 25 years ago, a pastor walked me through Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM), and God has used it to greatly impact my life many times since then.

So when I watched my son struggling recently, I couldn’t help but think: if God could meet me like that, I know He can meet my son like that too.

So I reached out to Ed Smith, the founder of TPM, and asked if he’d meet with my son. He told me he mostly works only with family and close friends these days, but he recommended a specific ministry in Texas.

After talking and praying together as a family, we all felt peace about making the trip. Within two days, I had booked a week at Serenity Retreat Bellville for my son and me, and we had plane tickets to Houston.

We had a plan: four in-person sessions at the retreat center, followed by Zoom sessions once we returned home. It was a great start for him.

By the second or third session, I could already see hope beginning to return. Even though the core beliefs holding him back weren’t fully resolved yet, something had shifted. He had experienced God personally and was beginning to believe that healing was actually possible.

This story is still being written, so I don’t have a final chapter to share yet. But I can honestly say things are moving in the right direction. Hope is returning.

And after all these years, my wife and I are now planning to go through TPM Training with the team at Serenity.

What I experienced with my son wasn’t unfamiliar to me. Over the years, I’ve watched God use TPM to help dozens of people in ways that nothing else seemed able to help.

Emotional wounds from abusive childhoods, sexual assault, toxic relationships, memories from war. People who dealt years with anxiety, shame, rejection, confusion, guilt, feeling tainted, self hate. All set free.

Why does TPM help people so deeply?

I think it’s because it creates space for God to reach the wounded places in a person’s heart with His truth. It’s more than just reminding ourselves what’s true or trying to “think better.” There’s something powerful about God Himself communicating truth into the exact place where pain, fear, shame, and lies have taken root.

God is a genius. He knows how each of us is wired. He understands our stories better than we do. And when we open our hearts to Him, He knows exactly how to help us.

The men in Scripture that I respect most weren’t perfect men. But they were men who had been deeply impacted by God. That’s what I want for my son—not just relief, but a life truly changed by God.

I’m grateful we found a place that creates space for God to speak so that a life can be transformed—even when someone wonders if anything can really help.

Would you like to schedule a Personal Healing Retreat for or with a loved one? Consider Serenity Retreat Bellville — our 26-acre property set apart for time with the Lord. Click here for more information on our individual and group retreat opportunities located just west of Greater Houston. If you’re in the area, email [email protected] to schedule a tour today! “Come and see” — John 1:39.

50 Days Together: From the Empty Tomb to the Upper Room

Written by Tiffany Pardue on June 4, 2026. Posted in Prayer. No Comments on 50 Days Together: From the Empty Tomb to the Upper Room

by Tiffany Pardue, Retreats Director

As we reached the final day of our 50 Day Journey from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost, our hearts were filled with gratitude.

For fifty days, a growing community gathered around Scripture, prayer, and worship with a simple request: “Lord, open our minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Together, we sought to retrace the footsteps of the disciples between the empty tomb and the Upper Room, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal what they may have experienced as Jesus prepared them for the promise to come.

And He answered.

Throughout the journey, participants consistently testified to fresh revelation, renewed faith, and a deeper understanding of God’s Kingdom. Skip reflected, “Christ via His Spirit is opening the Scriptures up to us on the Road to the Upper Room and the Road to His Return.” Kelsey described seeing “darkness turning to light and the scales coming off my eyes” as the Lord illuminated His Word.

The most beautiful gift in this holy season was the experience of walking together with expectation in pursuit of the Lord. Eyrerhonda described discovering “the power of togetherness in Him, being of one accord for one purpose: the Kingdom of God.” She went on to write, “I cannot live life alone, apart from His children, regardless of our location, culture, or status, because He is the Creator of all.” Her reflections continually returned to the conviction that abiding in Christ and remaining connected to His people is where true fruitfulness is found. As we gathered day after day, the Lord knit hearts together, bringing healing, encouragement, and hope through the fellowship of His people.

Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of this year’s journey was the participation of Mishael, who joined us from Nigeria. In a war-torn region where many believers face hardship and persecution for their faith, his daily reflections reminded us that God’s Kingdom knows no borders. As the journey unfolded, Mishael repeatedly testified that God was meeting him in places of weakness, doubt, pain, and brokenness, revealing afresh that Christ’s Kingdom comes with a peace that truly passes understanding.

Reflecting on what the Lord was teaching him, he wrote, “…my Heart is Reinformed and Repositioned today that in the place of waiting God gives Strength, Direction and one thing that stands out for me is: My God is not weary and insufficient in hope, thoughts and Patience like me, and He never will be weary, And He has been the one sustaining everything so far so good… I just feel like bursting into tears and Praising His Holy and Awesome Name and I’m Grateful for what God is doing to me in the THRESHOLD THE PLACE OF WAITING.“

Mishael’s worship and praise dimmed the intense difficulties of his circumstances, stirring all of our hearts to gratitude, intercession, and deeper revelations of the Kingdom. His vulnerability was a powerful reminder to us that the same risen Christ who restored His devastated disciples to birth the Church is still actively restoring and empowering His followers to share the gospel of the Kingdom today.

The impact of the journey was not confined to those who were present for the daily readings or prayer calls. Participants began noticing the Lord carrying what He was teaching into their homes, workplaces, churches, and relationships. Ella Grace reflected, “This journey, it’s extending out—seeds are being planted in my heart and then I go get in the spheres of influence that God has put me in and they’re released there. It’s wild watching it happen.” The revelation, encouragement, and hunger for fellowship with the Lord and one another that spread through our community was just so sweet—and contagious.

As we followed the disciples from Resurrection to Pentecost, we found ourselves not merely studying their story, but entering into its invitation. We learned to linger in His presence, listen more carefully to His voice, and trust the work He is accomplishing even when it is unseen.

To every person who led, prayed, read, reflected, shared testimony, and journeyed with us—thank you. Your hunger for God enriched this community and strengthened our faith.

I will never be the same.

Most of all, we thank the Lord, who continues to open the Scriptures, reveal His Kingdom, fulfill His Word, and pour out His Spirit. At Pentecost, we did not simply celebrate the completion of a journey. Like the disciples leaving the Upper Room, we’re stepping forward with renewed expectation that the same Spirit who empowered the early Church is still at work in and through us today. May what began as a season of seeking become a lifelong pursuit of His presence, His Word, and His Kingdom for the glory of Jesus’ Name.

“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” —Matthew 6:33

A Soundtrack for the Journey

One unexpected gift of the 50 Days journey was how our worship that continued long after each day’s call ended. Participants shared moments and songs that deepened prayer, reinforced the Scriptures we were studying, and helped carry the themes of the journey into everyday life. Among them were several songs shared by Ella Grace and her father, Eddie—a beautiful reminder that the Lord was stirring hearts across generations as He drew us deeper into His presence. Enjoy!

Father & Daughter Playlist

• All to Bless You — Kory Miller
• The Narrow Way — Steffany Gretzinger
• Wonder (Spontaneous) [Live] — Bethel Music & Amanda Cook
• Take Courage — Kristene DiMarco

**“May His Kingdom come and will be done today in me and in us!” ❤️‍🔥**

For the complete journey from the Empty Tomb to the Upper Room, including all 50 days of readings and reflections, visit https://thekingdomis.life.

SRH Team Spotlight: Living Life on Purpose

Written by Tiffany Pardue on June 3, 2026. Posted in Prayer, Serenity Retreat. No Comments on SRH Team Spotlight: Living Life on Purpose

Lenore Bush, Serenity Retreat Hospitality Team

by Lenore Bush

I feel incredibly blessed to volunteer as part of the Serenity Retreat Hospitality (SRH) Team. A few years ago, while attending a Personal Healing Retreat, Serenity Retreat became a transformational part of my healing journey in ways I never expected.

Originally, I simply wanted to spend a weekend at the Bellville retreat center — a chance to step away from the busyness of life, spend time with God, and connect with friends. I invited a friend who I knew was struggling, believing it would be a meaningful opportunity for her to find rest and healing.

But God had a different plan. He met me there in a deeply personal and life-changing way. During the retreat, I attended several TPM (Transformation Prayer Ministry) sessions, and through those moments, I experienced a breakthrough I didn’t even realize I needed.

The Lord revealed areas of hurt and brokenness I had unknowingly carried for so long. Through the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit, the lies I had been believing began to dissolve, and I was finally able to embrace God’s truth, love, grace, and healing for my life. That encounter changed me. Because of the impact Serenity Retreat had on my heart and spiritual journey, volunteering became my way of giving back and serving a ministry that truly creates space for healing through an encounter with the living God.

To join Lenore and learn more about the upcoming Serenity Retreat Hospitality Team Invitational, please register here. Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. We hope to host you — and host with you soon!

A Mother—and Daughter’s—Restoration Journey

Written by Tiffany Pardue on May 7, 2026. Posted in Serenity Blog, Serenity Retreat, Serenity Retreat Center, Transformation Prayer. No Comments on A Mother—and Daughter’s—Restoration Journey

by Claire Benington

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

In the dark days of marriage, abuse, divorce, and motherhood through it all, I can now see that even when I felt completely alone, God was moving — putting people, resources, and invitations in my path. This is an excerpt from my life’s story, one in which Serenity Retreat has provided hope and a safe place to heal for me and for my most cherished gift — my daughter.

A Dear Friend, Stephen Ministry, and Serenity Retreat

In the last months of 2024, God sent me a new friend, Ava Foster, a lifelong Episcopalian, who became a lifeline. She listened, believed me and in me, and served as my Stephen Minister — a trained lay caregiver who walked beside me through my pain and acrimonious divorce. She sat with me, prayed with me, and gently reminded me that God’s heart was for my freedom, not my bondage. Through Ava, God gently and persistently called me to come into the light. It was she who opened the door to Serenity Retreat and to Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM).

“For at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

Serenity Retreat Bellville is a place set apart — quiet, beautiful, and saturated with prayer and the grace and glory of God and His son, Jesus Christ. It is a place where God speaks and transforms through TPM. TPM is Serenity’s gentle, Spirit-led process that helps uncover the lies we come to believe and hold about ourselves, others, and God, and invites Jesus to speak His truth into those very places.

As I began TPM, God’s light started to shine into places I had kept in shadow for years. Bit by bit, the fog lifted, truth was revealed, and clarity grew. What I had been living through was not “normal conflict”; it was calculated and deeply harmful—and God’s heart was not in it.

Even after my first experience with TPM, which was at The Preserve, Serenity’s Houston location, I knew something profound had shifted. I heard God’s truth and felt the power of His love and light in a way I had not in years, so I went back a second time.

I shared with Barbara Rolen, Program Director of Serenity Retreat, how I felt transformed by hearing God’s truth and feeling His love. I thirsted to learn more. She told stories of people of all ages—including teens—who had experienced the healing work of TPM. In that moment, I then knew Serenity Retreat was not just for me. It was also for my daughter, Wren.

A Mother–Daughter Retreat

“Mothers pass down faith, strength, and love.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

As a deeply spiritual mother, one of my deepest wounds was seeing someone diminish God and His glory in my child’s eyes.

I wanted her to experience something completely different: a place where God’s presence felt gentle and safe, where questions were welcome, where tears were honored, and where truth and faith did not come with fear of punishment or manipulation.

So I invited Wren to come with me to Serenity Retreat Bellville. Like many teenage girls, she gave me a bit of an eye roll and wasn’t thrilled about being away from friends and missing dance, but after thinking it over, she agreed.

At Serenity Retreat, I stepped back, focused on my own healing and relationship with God, and gave her space to have her personal experience. Just being there — in the natural beauty of the property, the thoughtful spaces, and the presence of warm, Godly people, there seemed to be an instant sense of peace about her. A peace and perhaps serenity, that I had not seen in years.

In the stillness of that private place, during TPM, she had space to be her authentic, vulnerable, whole self. She could bring her fears, hurt, confusion, and questions — everything she carried on her heart — to the Lord. She didn’t have to perform or be “the kid in the middle.” She was allowed, and in fact encouraged, to be simply Wren, deeply loved by God through and through.

True to her nature, afterwards, she didn’t share in detail with me, but I could easily see that God was whispering His truth into her heart. I imagined His words:

You are not the problem…

You are not too much…

You are enough and perfect as you are…

I, your Father, am not like the version of Me you’ve been shown — I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. (Matthew 11:29)

As a Christian mother, there is nothing more sacred than watching your child encounter the true Jesus — the One who protects, heals, and restores — who never condemns and controls.

This is where — in this still, divine, appropriately-named place — God whispered His truth into both of our souls. As His daughter, and especially as a mother, I am deeply grateful for the sanctuary we have found in Serenity Retreat.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

To every woman and mother who needs encouraged today — He is faithful. If you need space and a place to connect with Him — consider Serenity. May God bless you and your precious children.

Happy Mother’s Day!

A Mother’s Day Blessing

To every woman who has ever mothered a child, a friend, a dream, or a hurting heart, including her own,
To the mothers who are joyful and the mothers who are exhausted,
To grandmothers, spiritual mothers, stepmothers, foster and adoptive mothers,
To the women who long to be mothers, and the women who have lost children,
To the women quietly holding families together in the shadows of confusion, conflict, or hidden abuse.

May you hear this: God see you. God hears you. God values and loves you.

*all names have been changed for privacy

One Hundred Years of Serenity

Written by Tiffany Pardue on February 18, 2026. Posted in Serenity Blog, Transformation Prayer. No Comments on One Hundred Years of Serenity

A Prayer for an Age of Extremes

by Tiffany Pardue, Retreats Director

I have been saturated in the news lately.

Massacres, wars, civil wars, imminent wars. The release of files implicating world and pop culture leaders. More prominent Christian leaders exposed in sin and betrayal. The polarity surrounding immigration, ICE, Israel, Iran. Unending reports of sex trafficking, gross perversions, murders. The double-talk and lack of justice — especially for children.

And beneath the headlines: the traumas, griefs, heartaches, and uncertainties of my own life. The same true for those for whom I care, and those we serve at Serenity Retreat. Likely also for you?

As I journaled my wrestles to the Lord this week, I found myself repenting — not for caring, and not for being informed, but for overconsumption. For receiving and attempting to sift truth from a dozen voices before first being still with Him. For allowing the volume of information to reduce my ability to hear what He has to say.

I committed again to bring my thoughts and questions first to Him before diving deeper or processing with others. To remember that discernment is born not from endless input, but from intimacy.

In those moments of turning, something unexpected surfaced. The first line of the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

So I looked up the prayer and read it in its entirety. Tears.

At the bottom of the page was the author’s name, Reinhold Niebuhr.
The year: 1926.

One hundred years ago.

What a decade. What a century.

Curious, I read about him and returned to the 1920s. He penned his prayer in a time described as “an age of extreme contradiction.” Unmatched prosperity and cultural advancement existed alongside intense social unrest and reaction. A decade marked by women’s suffrage and the Great Depression, that bore urbanism and modernism, as well as the Ku Klux Klan, Prohibition, nativism, and religious fundamentalism.

Extreme contradiction. Cultural advancement alongside deep corruption. Religious fervor alongside profound moral compromise.

It all feels sadly familiar.

Notable reports — and notable silences — from mainstream and alternative news sources regarding everything from global trafficking rings to local and international conflicts.
Notable reports — and notable silences — from church leaders, ministries, denominational heads, and influencers regarding perversions within the Church.
Notable reports — and notable silences — from governments at every level.

Everyone seems to be pursuing a moral or religious high ground. Whether the issue is familial, political, scandal, or cultural upheaval, conviction is loud. Humility is rare.

Many of us are in-our-bones tired.

Rocked from the last bombs.
Weary of sorting truth from manipulation.
Grieving what has been lost or defiled.
Watching love grow cold.
Wishing those in authority would do more.
Considering what more we could have done or can do.
Angry as deception, lethargy, evil and injustice persist.

Lord, have mercy.

The full Serenity Prayer goes beyond its familiar opening. It speaks of living one day at a time. Enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Identifying with Jesus. Trusting that God will make all things right if we surrender to His will. Then it speaks of happiness — reasonable and supreme, forever.

Just, yes. Amen. Such a simple, infinitely profound prayer. What I think I appreciate most about returning to it and digging a little deeper now is understanding that this prayer was forged in turbulence.

Serenity, then, is not denial, disengagement, or indifference.

Serenity is ordered trust.

It is the refusal to let darkness dictate the condition of our inner world. It’s the courage to act where God assigns responsibility, and the humility to release what He has not. It’s heavenly wisdom formed not by acquiring knowledge, but received by sitting-walking-standing with Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

This psalm wasn’t written in a holy vacuum. In it, the nations are raging, and kingdoms, tottering. Stillness, then, is not escapism. It’s allegiance, choosing where to anchor when the earth shakes.

And that is where I find myself in this season, anchored at Serenity — serving, learning, and healing every day. To retreat is not escape from reality, it’s returning to Truth. It’s receiving when the enemy is doing its most to take. It’s a military strategy, but I’ll save that for another time.

The world in 1926 needed this prayer, and we need it now. To mark its centennial, how about reading the Serenity Prayer aloud:

The Full Serenity Prayer

by Reinhold Niebuhr (1926)

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Now will you join me in practicing it?

To limit our intake.
To guard our inner lives.
To endure hardship and expect happiness.
To confess where we have partnered with fear.
To acknowledge our thoughts and take them to the Lord. Our feelings, too — TPM is amazing for that.
To take courage and act as He speaks.
To accept where He asks for surrender.
To trust that justice ultimately rests in His hands.

We are living in an age of extremes, also an age of salvation. Perhaps the most courageous thing is to respond and say “yes”. Yes to His leadership. His limits. His wisdom. His peace. His way.

We cannot quiet the nations, news, or naysayers, but we can quiet our souls.

And we can be happy.

Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever —Psalm 146:5-6

For help with unrest, frustration, or pain, we invite you to take time away at Serenity Retreat in Bellville, and/or a cost-free hour at a time in Transformation Prayer Ministry. Click here to schedule a session or retreat today. Be blessed!

**Jesus-loving Ladies of 2026 looking like the 1920s — celebrating the 4th Anniversary of The Gathery in Bellville, Texas.**

Honoring New Leaders As We Welcome the New Year

Written by Tiffany Pardue on December 29, 2025. Posted in Serenity Retreat. No Comments on Honoring New Leaders As We Welcome the New Year

by Cynthia Wenz, Board Member and Interim CEO

One of the greatest gifts of a healthy ministry is the people God brings to steward it. Board members play a vital role in the life and ministry of Serenity Retreat. They pray with us, help guide and shape vision, provide accountability, and lend wisdom so that our mission remains strong, focused, and faithful.

A board isn’t about control, it’s about care. At Serenity Retreat, governance is committed to seeking and listening to the Lord together, and ensuring that the ministry continues to be a place of encounter, healing, restoration, and transformation for generations to come.

With great joy, we welcome three new members to the Serenity Retreat Board.

Skip Koshak brings a wealth of business insight and steady leadership to Serenity where he has volunteered as a TPM® mentor for the past 2 years! Skip has a long history of serving organizations with integrity, operational excellence, and a genuine heart for people. With a reputation as a wise counselor and stabilizing presence, we are grateful for the experience and discernment he brings to our board.

Dr. Emi Barresi is a transformational leader with a deep background in organizational development, spiritual formation, and human flourishing. Emi carries both professional expertise and a pastoral heart. She has a unique gift for helping people and teams step into greater wholeness, and her voice will meaningfully strengthen our vision and future.

Reverend Debra Hill is a seasoned minister, counselor, worship and community leader with decades of faithful service to individuals and families. She brings spiritual depth, compassion, and pastoral wisdom that aligns beautifully with Serenity Retreat’s mission of healing and renewal.

It is a gift to welcome leaders who love God, love people, and are committed to stewarding this ministry with humility and faith. I am deeply grateful for each of them and excited for what lies ahead as we continue walking together in obedience to God’s calling.

Please join me in welcoming Skip, Dr. Emi, and Reverend Debra to the Serenity Retreat Board of Directors.

If you would like to send a New Year’s message to our team or Board of Directors, we’d love to hear anything you have to share! Email us at [email protected] and we’ll make sure it gets to your intended recipient(s).

Collaborating For More: Group Retreats, Now With TPM®!

Written by Tiffany Pardue on November 25, 2025. Posted in Prayer Ministers, Serenity Retreat, Serenity Retreat Center, Transformation Prayer. No Comments on Collaborating For More: Group Retreats, Now With TPM®!

by Tiffany Pardue and Barbara Rolen, Retreats and Program Directors

While Christian groups have gathered to experience the Lord at Serenity Retreat Bellville for years, God is doing is something new and exciting with Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM).

Here’s What’s New

This fall, in planning meetings with group retreat leaders, discussions about what it might look like to incorporate TPM sessions increased. Leaders began showing an interest in our prayer ministers providing TPM to their groups—from 10, to 15, even 17 at a time! With our typical Personal Healing Retreat format, that’s just not feasible.

So, we sought the Lord and began to book group retreats that include one TPM session per participant. The response has been extraordinary—Serenity Retreat partnered with church small groups and ministry teams to provide TPM during group retreats is a Kingdom match made in heaven!

The Experiment

Our first group, Dream Makers, had ten participants, seven of whom received prayer. We scheduled two prayer minister teams to serve them, and when illness hit mid-retreat—we didn’t cancel, we pivoted. Four sessions were provided via Zoom to the group gathered at Bellville. Thank God that the Holy Spirit is not constrained by space or screens!

Then came our second group, Restored Wives with 17 ladies. We brought in three all-star prayer minister and intercessor teams to provide TPM to 16 young mommas and wives over the course of 24 hours. You should have seen it!

By the end of the retreat, they stood facing the pond, hands clasped and lifted high in celebration of Jesus and what He had done among them—collectively and in each of their hearts. So much restoration and love.

The Lord has moved in ways we’ve never experienced through these group retreat collaborations. With all our hearts turned to the Lord for wisdom and guidance, 23 women have experienced TPM through this new format, almost all of them for the first time. That’s 23 women who have given the opportunity to have an encounter with the Lord resulting in more freedom and transformation.

Why This Matters

Here’s what we’re discovering: this format makes TPM accessible to groups who might not otherwise experience it.

Let’s say your men or women’s ministry wants to introduce TPM to your leaders, but asking everyone to commit to a full individual retreat isn’t realistic. Maybe your small group has been walking through increasingly difficult circumstances and you know you need to create space for everyone to lean in together—a space where all can gather, and also experience quiet, sacred moments with the Lord, including a TPM session—you’re wondering how you can make this work for a larger group? Or perhaps the Lord is inviting your group of friends or ministry team to go deeper together in Him—and one TPM session per person feels like the perfect starting point.

This new option? It’s opening doors and so many possibilities.

It Takes a Small Army (of Prayer Ministers)

I need to tell you something: this only works because of our prayer ministers’ hearts for this ministry. They want as many people as possible to encounter the Lord and walk in freedom! When we asked prayer ministers to serve these two groups—first two teams for the group of ten, then three teams for the group of 17—many said yes without hesitation. They all agreed it was such a joy to come together and serve so many women at once. Their willingness to serve, their hunger to see people set free, their faithfulness to show up—that’s what makes this kind of multiplication possible.

Is This for Your Group?

If you’ve been thinking about how and when you can bring your ministry team, small group, even family or friends to Bellville, and what it might look like to receive ministry together—this might be exactly what you’re looking for.

We are thrilled to collaborate with you to create a Group Retreat experience tailored to your needs, with or without our new one-session-per-participant option. Email [email protected] to start the conversation and see what the Lord has in store for you and your people in2026!

Grateful for All That God Is Doing

This Thanksgiving, as we think of these 23 women, many whose lives have been deeply impacted and changed, we say THANK YOU.

Thank you to our powerful, big-hearted prayer ministers, and thank you to every person who makes the space, investing time and resources to step out in faith, believing that God will encounter you with His truth. Thank you to all who are praying for Serenity Retreat, supporting this work, or cheering us on—thank you for being part of what God is multiplying here. And thank you, Jesus, for doing what only You can do!

We have so many reasons to be grateful and so many to whom we give our thanks. God has been good to Serenity Retreat this year, and we are excited and expectant to see how He leads us through the holidays and into the new year, together. Happy Thanksgiving, Family!

PRAYER MINISTERS – One prayer minister was so inspired by reading this post that she is ready to sign up to join the TPM explosion happening in Bellville. Anybody else want to join? Don’t let 16 sessions scare you, or even 5 sessions for one team. Prayer teams are not always compiled of the same ministers. Mentors and Intercessors serve as they’re available and then tag the next team.

Contact [email protected] to be added to the “Ready Retreat Team”. When the need arises, you’ll be contacted. If you can serve, great—if not, we’ll call you the next time. Thanks and we hope to hear from you soon!

For Whom My Bell Rings (It’s Jesus)

Written by Tiffany Pardue on July 30, 2025. Posted in Prayer Ministers, Serenity Blog, Serenity Retreat Center, Spanish Ministry, Transformation Prayer. No Comments on For Whom My Bell Rings (It’s Jesus)

By: Dr. Emi Barresi

I rang the bell.

The Serenity Retreat property is a tranquil and holy plot of land, situated close to the city, yet with such a (beautifully) distant atmosphere. In this space, God’s kingdom meets earth. Its grounds are much what I envision when praying the Lord’s Prayer, ‘thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Between the serene landscape, delightful food, and genuinely hospitable servants of Christ, who were a profound blessing on my healing retreat, 24 hours left me with the location’s namesake… serenity.

Initially, I heard about TPM when seeking deliverance on my journey to healing from a life marred by the weight and hurt of sin, both my own and that which was a shadow over my early life. I had not previously heard of TPM until I came to the foot of the cross, crumbling, looking on the internet for a ministry that could reach my soul more deeply than I had ever needed to go before. Christ has already healed and delivered me from so much in the years I’ve spent following Him, sometimes in just a touch. But my heart still had straggling weeds of anxiety, discontentment, and frustration, leaving heavy rocks on days I desperately wanted peace.

During my prayer sessions, I set down the shields of lies related to a performance-based perspective of measuring myself, and exchanged those rocks in the pit of my heart for peace and the shimmer of Christ in me. The new sheen was guided by prayer ministers who led me through the process with gentle care, and His presence in those moments was palpable.

I rang the bell because of that moment, where I could set down the weight of the false armor, hand it over to the Lord of all, and cry at His feet in gratitude for His beauty. Even after years of tearing down the walls of lies I had amassed from a worldly life lived far from Him, there was residue deep within that needed to be yanked from the bitter root. I could not be more grateful for and inspired by this place, for the people who lit the hours with their souls in conversation and gracious love.

Serenity Retreat helped restore parts of my soul, providing an inner ambience of joy and a glimpse of paradise. Where else can you feel in just 24 hours as if you’d walked in the glory of Eden for years? I’m not sure, but this is one of those places.

When you step into peace, freely given in exchange for our sorrow, anxiety, and earthly wounds, you can be reminded that it is by grace and His blood alone that such deeply transformative experiences with our creator exist. Through prayer, through communion 1:1 with the Lord, through contact with His beauty in the greenery and still waters of His creation, and the fellowship with those we will one day call sisters and brothers in the majesty of eternity, we find spiritual nourishment and connection.

For now, until that eternity is at my hands (by His sacrifice!), I know I can find serenity right here.

And so I rang the bell, a symbolic act of surrender and gratitude. It was my way of acknowledging the healing and transformation I had experienced, as well as my commitment to continue on this spiritual journey in relationship with my Savior.

It is indeed for Jesus Christ that my bell rings.

“It shall come to pass

That before they call, I will answer;

And while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬