Hot Time at TX RefRESh
The RefRESh ‘25 attendees took in the Fort Worth Stockyards famous longhorn cattle drive on their Saturday outing.
About 50 Seminary students, staff, and their families enjoyed the warm Texan hospitality of their hosts, All Saints Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, at the 2025 RefRESh Retreat. The ASPC community provided most of the meals and welcomed the Seminarians into their church facilities and homes during the Retreat, Wednesday, June 25, through Sunday, June 29.
The Retreat kicked off Wednesday evening with an opening reception at the church fellowship hall. ASPC Pastors Steve Jeffery and Geoff Shaw welcomed the RES students and staff who came from as far away at central British Columbia, Canada, Omaha, Nebraska, and Chicago, Illinois. Several RES students who attended the Retreat live in or near the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. A number of the ASPC Deacons also joined the attendees for fellowship and discussion at the opening event.
Rev. Dr. John Dekker (foreground) leads student discussion in “Pastoral Wisdom from the Old Testament.”
On Thursday and Friday, the Seminarians were treated to a short course on “Pastoral Wisdom from the Old Testament” taught by the Rev. Dr. John Dekker, pastor of Christ the King Church, Eugene, OR. He is also the Seminary’s OT Area Coordinator. While the Seminarians were in class, the RES families enjoyed some of the local sights and recreation venues in the Fort Worth area.
Thursday evening’s social, hosted at the home of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Steve Jeffery, featured grilled pork loin prepared by Pastor Chef Jeffery himself.
The Rev. Dr. Chef Jeffery
The Thursday evening RefRESh meal at the Jeffery’s home in north Fort Worth
Following the Pastoral Wisdom course, lunch at the ASPC fellowship hall, and family outings on Friday, ASPC Pastor Geoff Shaw and family hosted the RefRESh attendees for an evening of food and fellowship at their home in Benbrook, TX.
Some of the Seminarians learning how thick the steaks are in Texas at Friday evening’s social at the Shaw home
Saturday morning the Seminarians were invited to the ASPC regularly scheduled Men’s Prayer Breakfast at the church and the ladies were invited to Nicole Jeffery’s home for a “Tea.” The RefRESh attendees then went sightseeing in the late morning to Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards to watch the famous longhorn cattle drive down “Main Street” and to enjoy lunch at a nearby Tex-Mex taco restaurant.
The Netzel-Wood family at the FW Stockyards, with the Rev. Dr. John Dekker and more students in the background
Saturday evening the RefRESh attendees were welcomed to fellow-RES-student Tyler Turner’s home in Lipan, TX, for specially prepared smoked meats and all the “fixins.” The Rev. Dr. John Dekker officially closed the 2025 RefRESh Retreat with a devotional and singing.
Closing devotional offered by the Rev. Dr. John Dekker at the Turner home in Lipan, TX
Some of the RefRESh ‘25 attendees at the final social Saturday evening, hosted by the Tyler Turner family.
Several Seminarians and their families who were able to stay, worshiped at our host congregation, All Saints Presbyterian Church, Sunday morning. Dr. Roy Atwood, RES President, preached at both ASPC services.
A special thank you to Pastor Steve Jeffery, Pastor Geoff Shaw, Allie Dealy, and the ASPC Deacons and staff for their extraordinarily warm hospitality and generosity to the RefRESh attendees. Thanks also to the Rev. Dr. John Dekker for his class and devotional, and to Lauren Shearer and Rev. CJ Bowen, both RES staff members, who organized the Retreat, logistics, devotions, and singing.
We hope to see you at next year’s RefRESh Retreat — at a yet-to-be-announced site.
