Hospitality Ministry: Puerto Rico
Jim and Stacie run a hospitality ministry for pastors and missionaries. Guests struggling with a crisis or burnout enjoy a tranquil place to regroup. Many opt for some time aboard the sailing vessel “Renewal,” an ocean-capable, three-cabin sailboat ideally suited for soul care ministry.“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest – Jesus”
Mark 6:31
As fellow missionaries, we know the value of taking time for personal refreshment. If you’re needing a break from full-time ministry, welcome to Puerto Rico.
Included
Comfortable, private lodging for couples or small families (two bedrooms / two baths). Relaxing ocean view near the small port town of Fajardo, 45 minutes from the San Juan airport.
Prepare your own meals, American-style grocery, and restaurants nearby. Near beautiful Caribbean beaches, mountains, and rainforests with year-round tropical weather.
Available option for single or multi-day sailing adventures.
Sailing region:
Day sailing and youth sailing training take place right in Fajardo Bay and in the harbor of the abandoned US Naval base. Nearby islands (3-5 miles offshore) Icacos, Palominos, and Piñeros are great places to anchor and explore.
More distant destinations are the Spanish Virgins’ two main islands, Culebra and Vieques.
Even the US and British Virgin Islands are accessible without having to make an overnight passage.
Current sailing-related ministries:
In connection with their hospitality ministry, visiting pastors and missionary couples/families often enjoy an overnight sailing excursion. Most guests have opted for a sailing getaway for the past few years.
Jim takes men’s groups on overnight fishing trips aboard S/V Renewal about once a month, where 6-10 men spend quality hours together offshore and at anchor in remote fishing coves among small islands and in the naval base harbor.
God has opened doors for a variety of opportunities not part of organized ministry programs. Jim, Stacie, and their daughters have spent time at sea and at anchor (often overnight) with Puerto Rican families, groups of teens, father/son retreats, and visiting “mission trip” groups, etc.
Proposed future Sailing Related Ministries.
Couples retreats – The Bowers hope to schedule regular small-group sailing retreats where struggling couples can enjoy mutual encouragement with other couples who need marriage enrichment.
Missions trips – S/V Renewal is perfect for hosting other ministry sailors, specifically our coworkers with Maritime Ministries. Sometimes for joint ministry outreach in the islands and sometimes for fellowship/strategizing aboard.
Also – Gap-Year high school or college students training for foreign missions are welcome to come to Puerto Rico to learn to sail and liveaboard Renewal as they learn about and experience cross-cultural ministry.
If you are in full-time ministry or missions and need a break or would like to talk with Jim & Stacie about a sailing marriage retreat, missions project, or gap year:
