Pastor and Christian Family Retreat Center

~ The Elisha Room ~ 

"I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers."  Philemon 1:20-22

    Pastors and fellow Christians, would you like a place to get away to for a few days of rest, relaxation, personal study and prayer? David and Patricia Pence of Hillsboro, Illinois, have opened their home as a "Pastor and Christian Family Retreat Center" for God's special laborers and saints for a day or longer. 

    We also welcome anyone traveling across country who may need a place to stay overnight.

COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY

    The Elisha Room is also available to families who are in need of a quiet, restful place to stay while in town because of a death in the family or who have a loved one in the hospital.  We are sympathetic to those who are grieving and can provide a listening ear and tender heart.  Our semi-rural setting in the woods with ducks and Border Collie therapy dogs provides a nature-centered environment that ministers to the hurting soul.

    Located on a peaceful, wooded site in Hillsboro City Park, the Pence's spacious guest apartment, The Elisha Room, can accommodate families with up to four children; overflow is available if needed. The Elisha Room has a queen bed, sleep sofa, kid's room with bunk beds, and full bath with microwave, toaster, coffee pot and small fridge.  Meals are generally on your own. 

    The Elisha Room is TV-free to help our guests focus on God and His creation.  There is a radio/CD player that receives several Christian radio stations that provide a variety of music, news, preaching and programming.  You will need your cell phone as there is no telephone in the room.  WiFi internet is available at MacDonald's in town.

    Bible study and discussion are a favorite activity of the hosts.  Please see "Bible Questions Answered" link on the sidebar.
    
    The room rate is quite reasonable at $49.00 per night whether for one person or six.  For longer stays of five nights or more, the rate is $40.00 per night.

    The Hillsboro Lake Beach is across the street from us.  Activities beside swimming, sun and sand include a snack bar, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks, a pontoon boat, bicycle-built-for-two, sand volleyball and a basketball court.  The campground is within an easy walk and has a nice playground for children plus occasional concerts on the Bluegrass Stage.  The annual Fourth of July celebration is held at the Fourth of July stage overlooking the lake - a short walk up the hill - and the fireworks are set off practically in our front yard.

    The park offers excellent walking, hiking or biking, with swimming in the summer. A canoe is available, but please bring your own life vests. Fishing (license required) is available on either of Hillsboro's two lakes - Lake Hillsboro and Lake Glenn Shoals.

    The Hillsboro Area Hospital has a state-of-the-art fitness center for guests who have a personal fitness program they would like to maintain while on vacation.  Fusion Fitness and Aquatics Center has daily and family rates and has convenient operating hours.  See more at http://www.fusion4life.com/indexhillsboro.php.

    Central Park features the City Pool, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  There is also a Family Fun Center with mini-golf and a batting cage and a Skate Board Park.  The Hillsboro Sports Complex has several fields that are active most of the year plus Tennis Courts.

    H & B Bremer Sanctuary: Located just a mile north of Hillsboro, the 203-acre wildlife, bird and nature sanctuary is located on land that is a transition between the flat farmland to the north, which was formerly tall grass prairie, and the rolling hills of the Southern Till Plain. There are a variety of habitats within the sanctuary, including oak-hickory uplands, wooded ravines, transitional fields, grasslands and wetlands. Several large white and bur oaks, as well as hickories, serve as valuable mast trees providing food for wildlife.  
Website: http://www.prairienet.org/bremersanctuary/

    Hillsboro is located about 50 miles south of Springfield, IL and 65 miles north of St. Louis, 14 miles east of Interstate 55, so day trips to those cities are fairly convenient.  If you are interested in visiting those cities, we suggest contacting their Visitors and Convention Bureaus for tourist information. 

Internet links are:  http://www.explorestlouis.com/ and
http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/.