“Give a person a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”

In February 1998 a small group of believers gathered to talk about starting a new non-profit organization to create a live-in recovery center that would provide a Christian environment and help clients develop a strong connection with a loving God.  Rogue Retreat was born.  “Rogue” for the Rogue Valley and the types of people the organization would serve.  “Retreat” for the need to help people get a reprieve from life to put their lives back together. It was a good idea, but as many non-profits discover it is hard to raise funds with just a good idea.

From the start those involved with Rogue Retreat were dreamers who don’t give up easily.  When God puts a dream on hearts He promises to help those dreams become reality or He adjusts the dreams along the way.

Rogue Retreat was soon approached by a Christian man wanting to start a men’s recovery house. He wanted to be under an umbrella of Christian leaders who could mentor him and run the organization.  In June 1999 the first men’s house was opened under Rogue Retreat.  Soon there was a woman’s home, a second men’s home and eventually a third men’s house.  Rogue Retreat wasn’t a hand out…it was a hand up.  Those early years were filled with learning opportunities.  Many mistakes were made and lessons learned.  Compassion is good, but without clear boundaries, no lasting benefit is gained. Money was tight to non-existent.  The organization was run by volunteers often very overworked and lacking necessary resources to do the job.

In 2004 Rogue Retreat was operating two recovery houses in a residential area.  A complaint to the city over zoning issues threatened to shut the ministry down.  We were told Rogue Retreat needed to be in a commercial zoning area to continue its work without any problems.  An 11 unit apartment complex on North Riverside was discovered and an agreement to purchase agreed upon in December.  The agreement was between the owner and a third party loaning the down payment.  Rogue Retreat was instantly nearly $700,000 in debt.

It was soon discovered that running 11 apartments with men in recovery couldn’t work without paid staff and close surveillance.  The volunteer staff couldn’t maintain it.  Rogue Retreat was spiraling in debt and frustration. In March 2006 the recovery work was shut down and Rogue Retreat scrambled to redefine God’s purpose.

Dreams often come face to face with mountains. It drives leaders to pray and seek God’s leading. It humbles them and reminds them that God will never fail…just seek and watch Him lead.

In the summer of 2006 Rogue Retreat reopened their program with helping the homeless who wanted a hand up and showed signs of making real change get a chance.  Rogue Retreat took those who no one else would take.  Many came from addiction backgrounds, but there were those coming from domestic violence, those who had burned their bridges financially and some from criminal backgrounds that others didn’t trust.  As the months pass with Rogue Retreat eeking out an existence there were more and more stories of success.  People came to Rogue Retreat homeless and broken, but left with stability…a job, schooling, restored relationships, etc.  They were able to move on to their own apartments, town houses, etc and continue their lives.

The volunteers at Rogue Retreat knew they were on to something, but finances continued to threaten the program.  A balloon payment was coming December 2009 that couldn’t be paid.  Repairs couldn’t be made.  Prayers were daily for help from God.

He came through in amazing ways. He introduced Rogue Retreat to a new grant from the State Housing Department called Housing PLUS. It was designed to create places exactly like Rogue Retreat. It was a one-time trial program that came just in time. God’s time.

In May of this year Rogue Retreat received a grant to pay off the mortgage of the building and provided funds to remodel the 11 apartments.   The dream of a program will now continue for many years to come.  God receives all the glory.  The volunteers who have worked hard for over 10 years will now get a break since there is enough in the monthly budget to pay employees.

God wants believers to serve others.  We all are willing to give a hand out from time to time, but giving a hand up is hard work. It takes time. It takes commitment. It takes a vision, a dream. It takes prayer day after day.

In June. Rogue Retreat was given a second grant from the State of Oregon.  Now there are 19 apartments.  More people to serve. More people to teach how to fish. It is truly a miracle.

Rogue Retreat is a great example of what believers can accomplish as they come together to create a plan, pray through it, sweat through it, seek God’s leading and His guiding and never give up. 

The end result?  Ongoing ministry giving people a hand up.  Teaching people to “fish” so they can live life and live it more abundantly.

For more information about Rogue Retreat go to rogueretreat.com or call (541) 773-4004. If you’d like to help Rogue Retreat with it’s mission there is a need to help cover the costs of the remodel.  An additional $100,000 needs to be raised. You can donate on the website or send a donation to: Rogue Retreat, 1032 W Main, Medford, Oregon 97501.  All donations are tax deductible.