Hello friend …
and welcome to our website. If you are being introduced to our ministry for the first time, allow me to introduce ourselves.

Our ministry was launched in the fires of revival when God supernaturally visited our small Mennonite church in northern Minnesota. The unusual happenings of these early days date back to 1955 and are chronicled in my father, Gerald Derstine's autobiography, "Following the Fire." Our family traveled together in tent revivals for some years, singing, preaching and starting churches around the world.

Today our headquarters is a 100 acre campus in Bradenton, Florida which facilitates our local church and weekly conference programs. Our church is "alive" in the Spirit of God with inspirational preaching, vibrant praise and worship, and special activities for children and youth. Many nationally known speakers frequent Christian Retreat, providing balanced Bible teaching for our 10-week Institute of Ministry and various theme conferences. Other churches and religious groups are invited to rent our facilities for their own events. The beautiful Manatee River runs through our property creating a natural peace and serenity that many consider the perfect setting for prayer retreats or family vacations.

We also have Christian Retreat facilities in Minnesota, New York / Canada, and Manitoba.

We have become known for our creative outreaches and "Unconventional Soulwinning." Check out our "Extreme Outreach" page under Christian Retreat Family Church or tune-in to our weekly telecast, REALITY.

Our missions objective is to mobilize the church into the harvest. These are exciting days to be living in. Uncertain and perilous, but exciting. I hope you agree. if you're ready to step out of your comfort zone and into the will of God for your life, then look further into our website and plug-in to your area of interest.

I hope to meet you personally someday, either here in this world or in heavenly places with our Lord.

Your Servant for Souls,

Phil Derstine
Pastor, Christian Retreat
President, Gospel Crusade, Inc.