Mission Statement

The Refuge Retreat & Conference Center strives to provide a place for Christians to contemplate, learn and grow in their walk with the Lord.

About Us

The Refuge Retreat & Conference Center of Tennessee

When Richard & Donna Detwiler agreed to go on a retreat to the mountains of Tennessee, they were simply looking to have a good time in Pigeon Forge. They had no idea what God was about to launch them into. The Detwiler’s quickly became immersed in planning, preparing, and presenting as key speakers with many talented leaders of The Heart of Marriage ministry team.   Through this season of over ten years, The Detwiler’s used the skills God has given them to minister to marriages during and after marriage retreat weekends.

Over the years, many couples have attended retreats that Richard & Donna have hosted and helped lead.  Along with their God-given vision, Richard and Donna have used these weekend retreats to learn how God uses different couples to work together and walk along side other marriages.  No matter if they need  a bandaid or open heart surgery,  these retreats can provide God-centered focus that you can’t get with all the distractions of our everyday life. With God ~ ALL things are possible!   During the preparing and planning, it became clear that God was telling Richard & Donna that what was missing was a place of refuge that marriages, musicians, and church leadership could get away for a week of just a weekend and focus on what’s most important in the Middle Tennessee area.

We are not a Bed & Breakfast or a Camp