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Where it all began...

Servant Song Ministries

Retreat House & Spirituality Center

Where it all began is really difficult to say. But the “seed” of an ecumenical retreat house and spirituality center in Waynesburg—planted in our hearts over 20 years ago—began to germinate around New Year’s Day 2005. The thought of it all just wouldn’t go away. So with much prayer, reflection, spiritual direction, and discernment, we stepped onto the new path that would lead us to Servant Song Ministries.

We had stepped onto this path three times in earlier years, but each time doors closed before us and we knew the time was “not yet.” So we waited....and waited....and waited. This time was different—God literally made a way where there was no way! Each day God made us aware of what needed to be done, and how we ought to do it. Sometimes we just had a sense that we should do something— not really understanding why—only to find it to be a necessary piece of the whole plan. Daily we marveled at the unfolding!

On Ash Wednesday, February 9, 2005, Larry and I filed incorporation papers creating Servant Song Ministries. On February 14, 2005, Servant Song Ministries became a registered PA nonprofit corporation. A board of directors and a core ministry team was assembled. The next task at-hand was to find an appropriate facility to call “home.” In May, through a very generous sales offer and equity donation from the property’s previous owners, Tom and Gretel Smith, Servant Song was able to purchase the house that would become its retreat house and spirituality center. With the sale completed in early July, renovations began to transform the 105-year old Victorian home into a facility that would accommodate a number of overnight retreat guests and provide meeting and quiet spaces needed, while maintaining the home’s traditional appeal.

In November, seven months after our initial application, we received IRS designation as a tax- exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, retroactive to February 14, 2005, our date of incorporation. As a public charity, Servant Song could now receive charitable contributions that are tax-deductible to donors.

While renovations took longer than originally anticipated, with God’s grace, guidance, and His gifts of unbelievable strength and endurance in family and friends who helped, the house was finally ready to open. The New Year was busy with final preparations to actively begin the “work” we’ve been called to.

With great rejoicing, Servant Song Ministries officially opened its Retreat House and Spirituality Center with a blessing service and dedication on January 28, 2006, followed by an open house and catered reception that continued Sunday, January 29. It was awesome! The first prayer in the service began “Almighty and everlasting God, grant to this home the grace of Your presence . . . “ God certainly answered that prayer as we heard comments throughout the weekend, “you can feel the presence of God when you walk in the door!” Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and delicious refreshments too.

Our regular weekly ministry events began immediately, and overnight retreats soon followed. People who come to Servant Song are met with welcome, listening hearts, compassionate understanding, love, and acceptance. Many have said that during their time here, they have experienced profound peace, joy, forgiveness, and a fresh realization of his/her preciousness before God. Others have experienced improvement/healing in physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Our name “Servant Song” comes from the First Song of the Servant, Isaiah 42:6-8. This is our call—this is our vision. Our logo symbolizes a heart afire—we are “servants” with hearts afire to serve God and one another.

The very existence of Servant Song itself is witness to the power of God as described in Ephesians 3:20, “Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”

All for the Glory of God!

Donna Koller, President & Co-Founder

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Servant Song is an ecumenical, collaborative ministry of like-minded individuals who seek to further the message and mission of Jesus Christ for the betterment of humankind and the world. This ministry encourages and promotes spiritual growth and enrichment through prayer, silence, retreats, education, and spiritual direction in the Christian tradition.