History

Spanning more than three decades, cleftRock Retreat is a testimony to several facets of God’s leading and faithfulness through His people. It is also a testimony to the vision, perseverance and hard work of a small, but mighty group of dedicated people through whom God has worked over the years.

Bob and Eddie (Edwina) Fields with their children, Tamira, Todd and Valarie had served for ten years as missionaries. Bob went away for a weekend to fast, pray and study God's Word. God spoke very clearly and gave the call to "return to Kentucky and build a retreat." In 1972, they served at Georgetown College for two years while preparing for this "call." A Board of Directors was formed that included Bob and Eddie, Marty and Milton Murphey, E.B. and Sylvia Smith, Dan and Barbara Stone. And shortly thereafter, the Wayne Moores joined in place of the Stones. The work began, which included purchasing land, constructing buildings and pursuing the vision that had been planted in them by the Lord. It was a time of prayer, dreaming, planning and fun that stands out as very special for those original pioneers.

The first retreats were held in a different location in the early 1970's on the Rockcastle River at LaBriute. In 1974, the Fields moved to cleftRock and the Reed house was built. Over the next few years, First Baptist Church  in London, Kentucky, became “family” to cleftRock. Supportive individuals, work teams, prayer partners and financial supporters emerged at the Lord’s bidding.

In 1976, three other foreign missionary couples, Lee and Sarah Bivins, Martha and Norman Lytle, and Anita and Dale Thorne, were prompted by the Lord to build family homes at cleftRock. Lee Bivins took an entire year before building their home to volunteer his help with the various construction projects that were under way. In 1978, Don and Nora Putnam moved to cleftRock with their family from New Jersey . Don worked to file the charter for cleftRock and achieved our “not for profit” organization status. In 1983, Bill and Loraine Brooks generously donated the necessary money to build the Brookfield Lodge. Marty and Milton Murphy funded a picnic shelter and many others donated time and finances to keep the ministry developing and moving forward.

 

The Fields moved back overseas in 1988, serving as associates to Directors Dale and Anita Thorne, again with the SBC. The Lord called out faithful followers of Jesus to lead the ministry of cR during that time. Jim and Jo Markham served as Directors in the mid 1980’s with the help of Dusty and Phyllis Hinds. Larry and Kitty Keaton were Directors in 1987 followed by Matt and Jenny Beck. In 1989, Lee and Sarah Bivins became Directors with the administrative help of Jenny Beck and served for five years. Bob and Jane Larkey served from 1994 until Randy and Kathy Corry took over as Directors in 1996. The Fields moved back to cleftRock in 1994, and in November of 2000, Eddie became the interim Director following the Corrys. Foreign missionaries Ray and Bev Hicks built a home at cleftRock in 1995 and in 1999, E.B. Smith introduced Kingdom Life Retreats as a cleftRock Discipleship Study. Faithful and founding supporters of cleftRock, Ken and Joanne James, built a home near cleftRock and named it “The Sanctuary” that same year. The Sanctuary was built specifically with rest and renewal for missionaries in mind. In May, 2002 Jeff and Mary Nita Thompson became Managers of cleftRock, and in May, 2003, Sue and Chuck Clark joined the ministry as Ministry Directors. Currently, Bob and Eddie Fields are Directors with the help of Operations Managers Robin and Becky Botkin of Georgetown, Ky. Ruby Norton, our cook, has blessed us in many ways as a dear friend and neighbor of cleftRock, providing wonderful meals for our guests for many years!

The ministry of cleftRock Retreat tells the story of God planting, watering and causing a vision to grow. It also shows the Body of Christ working together to build and carry out God’s purpose, for His pleasure. As with all visions that come to fruition, the most appropriate response available is:

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.