Accomplishments 2025

2025 — NEWIM’s 40th Anniversary year

During 2025, in celebration of God’s goodness, we intentionally remembered how the Lord ministered to thousands of women through the various ministries of NEWIM.

Have we completed the mission? Forty years ago, God called NEWIM to strengthen women in their walk with God, provide safe spaces for women to connect with peers, and to provide resources for ministry. Have we completed the mission? We don’t think so. Women in ministry are feeling lonelier today than in previous decades. The pace of ordinary life leaves many with very little margin and they are often serving even though they are exhausted and depleted. There is still a need to encourage women to retreat so they can serve out of the overflow of their love for Jesus; women continue to need to connect authentically with small groups outside of their local churches and sometimes outside of their denominations and local communities; and women need to have easy access to excellent resources as they seek to lead retreats for their churches.

This fall we dreamed together about what the future might look like for NEWIM. One of those dreams is that we’ll be able to hire administrative help and pay a part-time executive director. Hiring staff has been a dream for at least twenty years, and it seems that God is fulfilling that dream now. We’d love to have more retreats around the country offered at an affordable price. We also desire to host pastors’ wives retreats and expand opportunities for women to connect in person and online. NEWIM is God’s ministry. He brought it about to serve his dearly loved daughters and he’s not finished with us yet.

We find ourselves smiling at the future because we know he is with us.

Luann Budd, President

<< Add list - Watch Luann’s message at the 40th Anniversary Founders Luncheon>>

Three Year Goals

 The NEWIM Board discerned five areas that we wanted to focus on in 2025-2028

1. Invest in the women on our teams

Accomplished In 2025:

• Developing handouts and a workshop for those who want to do a half-day retreat

• Offered life coaching grant with Erin Schwab coaching and organizational mentoring for women forming new teams

• Offered NEWIM-Fuller cohort for women to grow in their spiritual formation

• Traveled to France, Humbolt, South Africa, and hosted a team from Brazil - to help local teams lead retreats alongside NEWIM leaders

2. Increase diversity with natural relationship building

3. Organizational structure and creation of succession plan (and increase fundraising to be able to fund our dreams)

Accomplished In 2025:

• Traci Martin and Luann Budd attended the Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes conference. They formed relationships with women in other organizations and have shared their learning with the Board.

• We received insight from Ministry Transitions, a Christian nonprofit organization designed to help organizations thru a successful transition. Read and discussed Lost in Transition. Developed an emergency succession plan and have a solid start on a transition/succession plan.

• We are working with iDonate (Brittany) and Venture 1:9 (Heather Hicks) to learn more about fundraising.

4. Coaching for Women who want to begin a Springs Retreat or one-day retreats in their Area

Accomplished In 2025:

• Luann coached Heidi Glynn as she is preparing to host a Springs Retreat in Arizona. The Three Rivers Team hosted the AZ Springs Team at their October retreat

• Betsy Sanford is making plans to host a Springs retreat in Upper New York State.

• Luann and Sarah Budd met with a team of women from Visalia who are exploring starting a team to offer one-day retreats in their area.

5. Increase marketing, branding, and networking efforts

Accomplished In 2025:

• Attended Christian Leadership Alliance conference and networked with women there. Consulted with Fervor to get help in growing our social media engagement.

• Janet Lee Royal shared NEWIM’s promotional postcards and NEWIM pens at the NE Nevada womens conference - several interested in continuing to get together

• Nancy Vance - Washington State/Olympic Pennisula

• Maria Valesquez - Westmont College

• Ashly Nation - Fuller Seminary’s Center for Spiritual Formation

• Kristy Howard, The Honest Pastors’ Wives Facebook Group with 1500 members came under NEWIM’s leadership

2025 Top Priorities

Advance our Dreams: Safe Spaces, Contemplative Retreats, Local Group Gatherings, Marketing and Exposure

Celebrate our 40th Anniversary

Fundraise for the Future Dream of hiring an Executive Director and Create a Plan

Safe Spaces

Pastors’ Wives Retreat - Balboa Island, California April 25-27, 2025

One participant wrote: “This weekend provided the perfect opportunity for me to move, be visually inspired, and also sit quietly with my addled brain and burdened heart to seek the Lord. When I couldn't focus, I hadn't missed my window of opportunity to meet with Him (like at home). I simply took a walk or did some other activity and came back to it again, without guilt or frustration, there was more time and that allowed me to relax with the Lord. That was so powerful for me! The other factor that is the most important one for me to share with you, is that I know what I received from the Lord had so much to do with the prayers poured over me. I cannot emphasize this enough! Please know your prayers have been so very effective!!!! And I am so grateful to have been one of the women you banged heaven's gate for! No amount of me seeking Him alone would have yielded the same fruit as being so deeply prayed over. I cannot thank you enough for praying so deeply and sincerely for me - a stranger to your world even if we are sisters in Christ. The emotional/spiritual breakthrough came and my heart hasn't been this light or free in so very long. Thank you for saying "Yes" to Jesus in this ministry and thank you from the bottom of my heart for ministering to me!!!!

Another pastor’s wife wrote: “In your opening prayer while washing my feet on Friday morning you said: “The heavens are rejoicing over this moment” — and I knew deeply in my spirit that this was true. I have not ever been *this* refreshed, blessed, served, loved on, and filled until full. I have probably not been this loved on in all of my years as a pastor’s wife … but the last 3.5 years have been a deep kind of “hard”, and I was deeply in need of refreshing. Watching me being blessed like this has also been deeply impactful for some of the people that are closest to me, praying over and watching our struggles. One of the dear women in our congregation who faithfully prays for me said it encouraged her in her prayers for me, knowing they were heard! I know it left an impact on our oldest daughters, whom I often tell that God vindicates and rewards me when they feel like I “do” or “love” too much. They loved watching me being “spoiled” like that. My deepest and most sincere thanks to both of you. I feel like I found kindred spirits for eternity. “

Pastors’ Wives Retreat - Northern California, April 25-27, 2025

The Spring 2025 NorCal Pastor's Wives Retreat was a lovely gathering of 9 Pastor's Wives and 4 hosts. The goal of our time together was to refresh and encourage the women in their individual journeys with the Lord, but also to foster a safe and structured environment to build bonds of friendship and support between the women. NEWIM volunteers understand the uniquely challenging and wonderful roles of women married to church leaders, so this weekend was offered to the women at no charge to themselves. This retreat is structured as a balance between rest, fun, guided individual and corporate prayer times, and connecting activities.  We hope they felt loved on, cared for, and valued just as they are - Not because of what they do, but because of who they are. NEWIM leaders believe that Pastor's Wives who serve Jesus out of an overflowing of love can have far more impact on the Kingdom of God than a woman serving out of duty and expectations. Please consider joining NEWIM in the mission of encouraging Pastor's Wives through this annual retreat. All donations to NEWIM marked "NorCal Pastor's Wives Retreat" will go directly toward the rental fees, travel expenses, food, and meaningful retreat experiences offered to these amazing women. (-written by Christy Wold)

Pastors’ Wives Retreat - Balboa Island, November 2025

<<Pam will send photos and text>>

NEWIM-Fuller Spiritual Formation Cohort 2024/2025

Twenty-four women joined the cohort this year. Luann Budd, Heidi Glynn, Traci Martin, Lindsay Baldwin and Janet Lee Royal are the small groups leaders. Luann, Heidi and Traci facilitate the retreat.

The cohort began with a full, two-day Virtual Retreat in August. We then began reflecting on our Calling, our strengths, and how the two go together. Listening Prayer practices came next, followed by another virtual retreat on LISTENING. Gratitude, Two-Minute Prayer were our practices over the holidays and at the beginning of February, the group gathered for their only in-person retreat in conjunction with the Springs Retreat Santa Cruz. Twenty-two women were able to join us.

Lament prayer followed the retreat.

One small group leader wrote about her small group’s experience with the practice of lament: “This was deep, powerful, emotional, heart-wrenching. My group shared so freely. I believe this practice was life changing for each of us. The unity shared in our safe space was amazing, and each expressed that this was deepened because of our time together in Santa Cruz. We prayed for one another with words of scripture and encouragement. Spirit-filled time together.”

<<Luann Add the final lesson topics, final retreat, photo>>

Life Coaching

Erin Schwab partners with NEWIM to offer life coaching for women in ministry.

<<Add an update from Erin>>

Be Amazing (Portuguese) Retreat

We held our first NEWIM Portuguese retreat in Atlanta in August. Predominantly attended by women from Brazil, the retreat brought a time of refreshing, equipping, and resting. Based on Jeremiah 12:5, the focus of the retreat was tending to the condition of our hearts. Each of the women reported experiencing the Lord in a meaningful way.

<<Traci add more if she’d like>>

Online Book Discussions

Reading Books with Friends—A Quarterly NEWIM Book Club

 Anger Management—Jesus Style | Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, 3:30 - 4:30 PST

Kathy Collard Miller led nine of us in a discussion of her latest book, Anger, Jesus Style. Each of us had the opportunity to consider what was underlying our anger, in order that we may spot what was truly going on in our hearts that was preventing us from living in the fruit of the Spirit. Throughout the conversation, Kathy reminded us to look to Jesus, who didn’t respond in anger as we naturally would. She showed us that Jesus knew the Father, he knew his character, and could trust him in all circumstances.

“Thank you, Kathy for writing this book. It will be something I’ll refer to often. I so appreciate this time and the work you have done that we have/are benefiting from. God bless you!” - Amy

The Deepest Place online Book Discussion | Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, 2-3 p.m. PST/ six women attended

HOPE, Curt Thompson says, is an ever-deepening attachment to Jesus and awareness of God's loving-kindness to us -- he is with us -- I have been declared right with God and he has joy in who we are. With the help of counseling, perhaps, and a vulnerable group of friends who can show us (embody for us) the grace of Jesus, we can live into our true identity and allow him to redeem our suffering for good. I love the idea that as I am willing to share my vulnerable self, I feel known and loved and grow deeper friendships that allow others to do the same.

The New Loneliness online Book Discussion | Sunday, June 29, 2025, 2-3 p.m. PST/ Zoom |

Cindi McMenamin facilitated the discussion taking the group through her book and revealing the “epidemic” that loneliness is today. In her book, Cindi discusses how being involved in NEWIM provides friendships and opportunity to get to know others, and be known, on a deeper level which ministers deeply.

Bully Pulpit—Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church Online Book Discussion | Sunday, August 10 | 2-3 p.m. PDT/5-6 p.m. EDT |

Luann Budd facilitated the discussion. While many people may call a negative experience “spiritual abuse” the author provides the definition and helps leaders to put into practice safe guards.

Circles of Connection

Circles of Connection, A Small Group Just for Pastors’ Wives | Thursday evenings, June, July & August | Zoom

<<Luann and Erin Add Text and PHOTO and some evaluation comments>>

NEWIM Connects- monthly Zoom small group

NEWIM Connects met monthly January-June, took a break for the summer, and redesigned the monthly meeting to interview the woman who wrote the lead article in the NEWIM newsletter (with an earlier start time so the women on the East coast can attend.)

January - In our January session, we engaged in a discussion about navigating friendships. After sharing devotional thoughts based on John 15:12-17, we discussed times that we've taken a risk to befriend or welcome someone.

February - We explored the question "What's the unexpected blessing of blessing others?"  After being challenged by the story and example of Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43), we discussed the impact of being blessed when we were focusing on blessing others.

March - We discussed how regrets often feel monumental and unforgettable because they represent a sense of loss for what could have been, and they trigger strong feelings of self-blame, disappointment, embarrassment, and shame. We focused on putting our regrets into perspective to see how God is using them to refine us and bring us closer to him.

April - We discussed the challenges we face in starting gospel conversations within the current anti-gospel culture.  We discussed the importance of knowing a person within their own culture before sharing the gospel. 

May - We discussed ways to avoid becoming a toxic person as well as formulas, such as forgiving without enabling and seeking God’s guidance on how to establish the right boundaries, for dealing with toxicity in others.

June - We discussed ways we can carve out time for rest and restoration with God. We identified that when we become overloaded and find ourselves lacking joy, peace, love, gentleness, and patience, it may be pointing us to the need for a fresh dose of God to restore our spiritual lives. 

October - Traci Martin interviewed Tessa McGilbra

November - Luann interviewed Kristy Howard about her journey from burnout into grace and how she has learned that “she doesn’t have to do everything.” Listen to the conversation on NEWIM’s YouTube Channel.

December - Betsy Sanford interviewed Monica Brislawn about the promises of Christmas and how God has “shown up” for her.

<<Traci - I added the text. Do you have photos?>>

Contemplative Retreats

The Springs Retreats 2025

The Springs - Santa Cruz, CA

The Springs Retreat (2 nights/6 meals) Santa Cruz, CA | Tues - Thurs, Feb. 4-6, 2025 | Learn More

Thirty-six women gathered at Villa Maria Del Mar for a lovely retreat. Twenty-two women from the NEWIM-Fuller Cohort made this their in-person retreat. The theme for the chapels was looking at the women in the New Testament who knew Jesus. The theme for the Cohort was Confession and Forgiveness. The two came together in a really beautiful way. Women wrote:

“The Lord drew me close to him and refreshed me with all of the silence and solitude. He showed me how important it is to have this time. The solitude and silence in the beautiful surroundings, along with the worship in the chapel allowed me to clearly hear the Lord calling me into a deeper relationship with him.”

“God really met me here. I feel centered again in his love for me. I was reminded to trust in him.” - Leah

“I consider this retreat as the Lord’s invitation to come to him and sit at his feet. He has refreshed me through Scriptures, chapel worship, and fellowship with other women.” - Ann

The Springs - Toccoa, Georgia

March 12-14, 2025: The Toccoa (Georgia) Springs Retreat was a time of restoration. Focused on the living water in John 4:1-42 (the woman at the well), we enjoyed worship, devotionals, times of silence and solitude, small group discussions, and beautiful early spring weather. 

A few thoughts from the participants on the impact of the retreat:

• I feel more connected to the Lord, more than I have been in awhile, and I am so grateful for this time.

• When I took time in silence, I truly felt God all around me...in nature, in my journal writing, in my praying, in my worshiping, and just sitting in all God's glory all around me.

• It is hard to be still and in silence and solitude, especially in ministry and at home with kids. The Lord has breathed on me and reminded me of deep breaths and delight in his creation.

• The moment I laid down on a small clearing by a quiet stream listening to "I Believe for It," a strong gust of wind blew all around me, and I truly felt God's presence. It was so warm and loving, I immediately began crying tears of joy knowing my Savior set this exact moment up for me.

  Team Members: Traci Martin, Patricia Arps, Cindi Switzer, Cathy Seo

The Springs - Montipouret, FRANCE

In March 14-16, 2025, Kristin Isaac and Traci Martin hosted a Springs (Le Source in French) Retreat in the quintessential town of Montipouret, FRANCE. The rural town was built in the 1100s and was the perfect location for the 12 women attending. The theme of The Springs—France was based on Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). For all but 3 of the women, the idea of a guided silent retreat was new. The women arrived after work on Friday, exhausted and apprehensive. By Sunday, they were asking for another day. Each met with Jesus and was refreshed. 

These translated comments demonstrated how impactful The Springs was for these women.

• He reaffirmed truths in my life. He gave me clarity on a situation. I have reconnected with God and been encouraged in my identity and purpose. And I rested. As a church leader and a mother of a small child, I was able to rest.

• He gave me a hug and allowed me to cry a lot in his arms. And empty 45 years of repressed and swallowed tears (and now there are many more to come). I was able to make peace with who I am because I always thought I was such a disappointment.

• The Lord was present with gentleness and through His creation. I have been refreshed, which reaffirms and anchors my trust in the power of our God, relinquishing to His will, with a call to yield to the way he has prepared for me. The moment of confession allowed me to be fully available to God.

Springs Retreat - Three Rivers, California Wed - Friday, April 2-4, 2025

“I have a precious testimony to share with you. I was on the phone this morning with a woman who came in April with a friend. The retreat was transformational for both of them. They are planning to come in October, but one just received some news that makes it uncertain, and she wanted to share it. Years ago, she had breast cancer, and it was taken care of. She just found out it has returned and may have been there for a while. They want to see if it has spread, so tests are starting, and then appropriate treatment will begin, including surgery. 

She can clearly see how the Lord has been preparing her for this new challenge. 

She shared how she discovered the Springs through an online search, and she thought it was her idea. But she quickly realized it was God's invitation. She said it was one of the most impactful and life-changing things she's ever done, and it has changed her relationship with the Lord. She said she now knows without a doubt that the Lord is with her and cares for her. She does the prayer practice every day, writes in and refers back to her journal often, and the Lord gives encouragement and strength through it. She quoted specific things that were shared at the Springs and how they still minister to her. It was so special to hear her express the very heart and goal of the Springs: That women would draw closer to the Lord and know deeply of his love and care. and to be equipped in ways that foster that growth.” — from a member of the Springs Team.

The Springs (Three Rivers, CA) In-Person Retreat | Oct. 22-24, 2025

Twenty-four women met for two lovely days at St. Anthony’s retreat center. The theme for our time together was Psalm 23, The Lord is our Shepherd. Lindsay Baldwin, Luann Budd, Rachel Dutcher, Elaine Russell, Betsy Stowe and Christy Wold facilitated. Lindsay Baldwin has been asked to become a permanent member of the Three Rivers team.

<<Elaine add photos and testimonies>>

Local Group Gatherings

Half Day Retreats

Bakersfield, CA | Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30-3:30 p.m. PST | Hosted by Sue Sabaloni | $15

The day was absolutely wonderful. The weather could not have been better and everybody found a spot that they were very comfortable with. The property is beautiful right now with all the green and that was the highlight for many to be outside. We had four new ladies.

Marketing and Exposure

Getting the word out about NEWIM

Social Media

E-Newsletter - There are 1,133 people who receive our e-newsletter and 36.8% open rate, meaning that about 419 people open the e-newsletter to read it. Many NEWIM leaders and friends wrote lead articles. Patricia Arps and Luann Budd have been editing the newsletter. See 2025’s newsletters here.

Facebook

The Honest Pastors’ Wives Facebook Group

South Africa Beautiful Day Retreats

NEWIM continues to raise funds and donate $3,000 to help provide scholarships for women who attend these retreats in South Africa.

Retreats This Year

Glenda writes: God has pressed into my heart that we need to do a Pastors Wives Retreat as well as our Young Adult (single) Ladies which has become very popular here as young women who attended in the past would now love to bring their friends to experience a retreat. With this change, we have all received in unison this confirmation that this is to be it. Women who are in those categories, NEED to be in a safe place together. This is our challenge, but we are trusting God for His provision and that you, our donors will be able to support us again this year. Sadly, some of our usual venues have mentioned to us that they can no longer accept our total weekend cost of R1850 per woman. We are very grateful that our April venue has accepted this. We realise that cost of living is increasing globally.

April 11-13, 2025  RENEW weekend retreat

June 27-29, 2025 Pastors Wives weekend retreat

August 22-24, 2025 Young Adult Single Ladies weekend retreat

November 7-9, 2025 Traci Martin was the keynote speaker for this retreat.

The theme: NO TURNING BACK was a powerful and encouraging theme for many of the ladies who attended. 

We had 15 FIRST TIME EVER attendees included in the 31 attendees and the retreat team of 9 members including our speaker Traci Martin. For many of the ladies who attended, it was evident that it took a lot of courage for them to register to attend a retreat. One lady, in particular, after she paid her deposit sent a message with her proof of deposit payment, saying: "I am giving God one more chance to let me know He is there.” A second lady, who had been suicidal the entire month of September, indicated that she wanted to come,  and when she wanted to withdraw her decision, we offered to sponsor her balance, thank you to an individual, who made it possible for us to sponsor her to be able to come. This was indeed meant for HER. 

The sponsorships we received enabled us to sponsor 4 attendees and 4 team members who are unemployed. Traci's mission was simple: to convince these women that they MUST NOT TURN BACK, but instead they should look for him. We are all grateful that God’s Word was shared so carefully, clearly and beautifully. By the time Sunday came, there were the usual tears and fears (yes we all had those) about going back to our realities. But EVERY single one of the women were SO happy that they had come! —Glenda McMinn

Writers’ Getaway

Writers’ Getaway NEW! in 2025 Pam Farrel led the Getaway with Cindi McMenamin (1 night, 4 meals) Three Rivers, CA | Tues - Wed, April 1-2, 2025

<<Elaine Add text and photos>>

The Quest - A new Men’s Retreat offered by Traveling Together Ministries based on NEWIM’s Springs Retreat was held Feb. 26-28, 2025. The retreat was held at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center and facilitated by Dave Larson (Gena Larson serves on the Springs Team) and Kevin Budd (Luann Budd’s husband). Eighteen men attended—all but two are pastors. Over the three days, the men were walked through a contemplative retreat. The feedback was great. They are hosting their second retreat in the Sacramento area in 2026 and have received contributions to reduce the cost to $250 for men to attend.

40th Anniversary Luncheon and Celebration

Thirty-five women gathered at Beach Bible Church (Huntington Beach, CA) on Thursday, September 11 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for NEWIM’s Founders Luncheon, Return to Celebrate. We gathered to honor our Founder and first president, Susan Kimes, President Ginger Bertoni, and President Jackie Rettberg. These women inspired us and poured their hearts into serving women in ministry. The program gave us opportunity to remember how the Lord has used NEWIM in our lives, to celebrate God’s goodness, and dream about the next 40 years. Anne Barbour led us in worship. Luann Budd (current President) shared her heart from Colossians 1:9-12 and how God is leading. Traci Martin compiled photos for a slide show. Sunflower arrangements and a variety of NEWIM swag were given away and everyone received a NEWIM luggage tag to remember the day.

“THANK YOU SO MUCH for the 40th celebration in Huntington Beach. What a gathering! Telling stories and reminiscing about so much good, and so much blessing that NEWIM has given to so many of us!  Thank you, thank you! I remember long ago, overhearing our women's ministry director at Grace Brethren Long Beach tell about NEWIM beginning to have meetings. I was still doing college ministry as a young pastor's wife, but I remember clearly that I wished with all my heart that I could be involved in something like that one day... and who would have guessed that 35 years later, I still am involved. This truly changed my life and kept me from going under! I am so grateful.” — from Betsy Stowe

Luncheon Team: Susan Booker, Monica Brislawn, Jill Austin, Barbara Willett, Traci Martin

Go to the webpage with all of the photos and testimonies.

Three hours of joy!

Fundraising

<<Add Text about Matching, goal $40K by Sept. 11, final goal $20K by Dec. 31.>>

Total received as of Nov. 11, 2025: $50,517.

Board Members

June Chambliss completed her three-year term on the Board of Directors (2022-2025). She served as Chair for 2 of those years and was an invaluable support to Luann. June oversaw a complete update of NEWIM’s policies and procedures and spearheaded the initiative to create a succession plan. June is adamant that NEWIM needs to be in a financial position to offer a part-time salary to the Executive Director stating, “times have changed.” To attract a strong pool of experienced women leaders, NEWIM will need to be prepared to offer a salary.

Patricia Arps began her three-year term on the Board of Directors. Patricia has served on the Springs Retreat Team in Georgia and has been editing the NEWIM newsletter every month since Kim Bagato stepped down in June 2023.

Leadership Changes

Kathy Collard Miller stepped down from leading NEWIM’s Writers’ Group in June. She has been leading the Writer's’ Group monthly since its inception eight years ago. Monica Brislawn agreed to facilitate the group. She holds a master’s degree in theology and enjoys talking about the Scriptures with others. While serving as the Director of Women’s Ministries for a church, she was introduced to NEWIM and found a place to share with others the rewards and challenges of ministry. There she has also been encouraged by the many role models who serve God’s purposes, no matter what age or stage of life.