June 2026 Update

Looking Back

Hope City Church 

I recently had the joy and honor of providing a retreat and coaching experience for Hope City Church in Dearborn, Michigan. God has grown this church to more than 300 people, and the staff is doing an incredible job faithfully leading through this season of growth. Their fearless leader, Mark Essick, has been intentional and proactive in caring for and preparing his team so they can wisely steward what God has entrusted to them. 

Our time together created space for clarity, renewal, and honest conversations about long-term health in ministry. Much of that clarity centered around the heart of Ephesians 4 — equipping the saints to do the work of ministry. The team leaned in fully throughout our time together and wrestled with what this looks like practically within their church and leadership structure. 

As a result, they now have a healthier framework and a clear path forward for sharing the weight of ministry across both their staff and congregation. That shift is so important because ministry was never meant to rest on the shoulders of just a few exhausted people carrying everything alone. 

Please continue praying for Hope City Church as they pursue healthy rhythms of renewal, wisdom, and sustainable ministry while faithfully serving the people God has entrusted to their care. 

Mercy Road 

Mercy Road’s leadership team recently took a renewal retreat following Easter. They are currently in a season of prayer and discernment, seeking how they can best maximize discipleship within the ministries of the church. 

During this time, we spent intentional moments in prayer and reflection, giving their team space to breathe and place all they are carrying into the hands of our good Father. Their commitment to doing this for two years in a row is producing greater health within their team and, ultimately, within their church. 

They are truly modeling what it looks like to seek the Lord before serving the Lord. That matters. And I’m incredibly proud of their continued commitment to living this out. 

Would you consider praying for their leadership team as they seek wisdom and direction, and as they work to take discipleship to the next level in this season of ministry? 

Looking Forward 

Summer Retreats and Coaching 

We’re excited to host and care for the pastors who have scheduled coaching and retreats with us this summer at our retreat locations in Thorntown, Indiana, and Lake Chautauqua, New York. 

Summer creates a valuable opportunity for ministry leaders to rest, recharge, spend intentional time with family, and seek the Lord while recalibrating for the season ahead. Too often, leaders move from one demanding season straight into the next without slowing down long enough to care for their own soul. 

The pastors and leaders we’ll serve this summer are choosing to pause and honestly evaluate how they are doing spiritually, personally, relationally, and vocationally. Our assessment process helps identify areas that need attention, while our coaching and retreats provide the space and guidance to address them in healthy and practical ways. 

The goal isn’t just rest. It’s helping leaders return healthy, focused, refreshed, and better prepared for what’s ahead. 

We currently have only a couple of retreat spots remaining between June and August. If you know a pastor or ministry leader who could benefit from coaching, restoration, or intentional time away, we would love for you to refer them to be part of these experiences. 

Expanding Our Capacity 

We are incredibly encouraged by how God is bringing pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders to experience care, healing, and support through R3 Restoration. 

As the need continues to grow, our prayer is that this ministry will expand beyond our current reach so even more leaders can experience renewal and restoration. To help make that possible, we are asking you to join us in praying for the right people to come alongside this mission. 

We are looking to connect with pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders across the United States who may feel called to serve with us in this work. This could include retired ministry leaders, those in transition, or individuals with a deep passion for strengthening and restoring leaders in ministry. 

Do you know someone who would resonate with the heart behind R3 Restoration? 

We would love to start a conversation. 

Please have them email Neil at neil.hinders@r3restoration.org.