HISTORY | Stillwater Refuge

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Our Story

In 1997, Jesse and Amy Easley met while doing Youth Ministry in Waco, Texas, and were married in 1999. The Lord has blessed them with four beautiful children. While living in Waco, Jesse and Amy were both involved in different aspects of ministry and attending college. Jesse graduated from TSTC with his Associates in Heavy Duty Mechanics, Diesel Ag Equipment, and Diesel Truck Equipment. Amy graduated from Baylor with a double major in English & Environmental Science with a Minor in Biology.

Jesse went to Haiti for the first time in 1997 and fell in love with the country and its people. The Easleys have been working there since that time.

In 2001 the Lord gave Amy a vision for building a Retreat Center that would honor and bless Christian Missionaries who would come to stay there. Their policy is, “You pay to stay today, and a missionary stays for free tomorrow.” Stillwater Refuge was established with a generous donation in 2002 and operates solely from financial contributions. This vision has grown and changed to reach youth, married couples, families, and hunters. The heart behind Stillwater Refuge is Amy's healing journey: "I came from a turbulent and unstable home, and nature has always been a safe place, full of comfort and healing. As our world keeps changing, I see the need for everyone to have the ability to access nature and the healing properties that it has to offer."

While battling a health crisis in 2020, I realized that my “self-management tools” weren't doing me any good. Diving into new practices such as breathing and mindfulness, I became aware that my toughest challenge was to sit quietly, gather my wandering thoughts, guide my body to feel safe and rested, and to listen for God to speak. I’d spent the last 45 years of my life running & doing to escape what I was feeling & thinking.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

How could I possibly know God when I couldn’t even be still long enough to know myself?

OUR STORY

I encountered Christ-Centered Restorative Yoga and knew I had found something I wanted to add to my growing skill set. The classes helped me deepen my practice of getting still and being in His presence with focused attention. I pursued and completed certification through Living Soul Institute, which offers a Christ-centered yoga program.

I am Yoga Certified RYT 200.

Christ-centered yoga offers a holistic approach that connects the mind, body, and spirit with God. It is founded on three pillars: movement, breathing, and contemplation. Contemplation means directing our attention to God. This can be done using various prayers, scripture, or imaginative traditions/techniques such as poetry. Lectio Divina and the Examen are two of the most notable traditions. Embodying faith transforms the mind, body, and spirit.

Being certified in Yoga and building upon a teaching background has enabled me to combine my gifts and love for art and nature into one experience:

To artfully and gently guide guests into the presence of God so that they may have a personal encounter with Him while developing the tools and confidence to continue the practice.

I love that it is called a practice, not perfection. “Practice” is a transitive verb, meaning it takes the action of the thing mentioned. To practice means to apply it to my life, perform it often, and build a habit.

I want to be still, contemplate scripture, and spend time with God as my daily habit.

Won’t you join me?

The family also owns Easley Does It Whitetails.

Jesse and Amy value covenant marriage, a Kingdom-focused family, and want to honor Christ in all they do.

Board & A- Team

Gary Adam

Gary is a native of Wharton, TX., graduated from Southwest Texas State University and received two BBA’s in Finance and Accounting. After graduating, Gary moved to Houston and began doing ministry with Turning Point Ministries while working as a Financial Analyst for The Minute Maid Company. He left this job to attended YWAM’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) on the Big Island of Hawaii. After completing DTS, he worked for 2 years, with YWAM while his love for missions, the local church and evangelism grew. Gary then transferred and graduated from YWAM School of Biblical Studies in Montana in 1996. After returning to Houston he began working with a group of believers to start a local church on the west side of Town. Not long after, Gary received a job as a Controller with The Minute Maid Company, in Waco TX where he worked for two years. Gary then attended Antioch Community Church Mission Training School. While at ACC he helped pastor the 20-somethings group and served as short-term missions coordinator for five years. For health reasons, Gary moved back to Wharton in December 2002, where he started a Job with Champion Technologies, as a Sr. Cost Accountant. Over the next nine and a half years, Gary has had eight different jobs with Champion, which required him to move to different parts of Houston, but he remains involved with short-term missions, the local church and small groups.

David Groce

David Groce is a native of Fort Worth, TX. A product of a loving, nurturing Christian home, David rejoices in the role of loving husband and father, leading his family in the fear and love of the Lord. David and his beautiful wife, Jennifer, have been married for 14 years, and have two children. David graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. David earned his law degree from Baylor Law School and his MTAX from Baylor School of Business. David and Jennifer have been long time supporters of Stillwater Refuge. David’s motto is to live a life of priority: faith, family and then work. David and Jennifer passionately believe in being active in their local church and various Christian organizations. David brings his skill and expertise as a tax attorney and small business owner to the board, adding applied knowledge and keen insight to provide motivational leadership, board development, fine-tune ministries and inspiring others to excellence.

Sic ‘em Bears

Chris & Chris

The dynamic duo - cousin & best friend. Hailing from the Dallas Area, these two men bring unique skill sets of superior marksmanship, woodworking, baking, & witticisms. Chris M has twin boys and is a job foreman for a construction company. Chris W is married and has 2 rambunctious boys. Chris W works as an investigator for a corporate security team.

Larry & Patricia Pierce

Larry and Patricia Pierce have been serving in some capacity at Stillwater Refuge for almost 15 years! Starting out with camp ministry for boys, they quickly became a part of the Stillwater Refuge family! They currently assist with hunts by guiding, cooking meals, and serving in ministry whenever they can plug in! The Pierces have been married for 37 years and are blessed with 2 wonderful sons, 2 daughters-in-law, & 2 grandchildren, not counting the fur babies. Prior to working at SR, Larry was involved in youth ministry for eight years & has years of outdoor skills. Patricia is HRIS & Analytics Specialist for Integis Health.

Neel & Kristi Warren

The Warrens have been married for 30 years and have 3 children. Neel is an Elder at Palestine Church, where he and Kristi are involved in marriage and family ministry.

For over 30 years they have been involved in various aspects of ministry, from youth, college to small groups. They have a heart to see the local church equip people to take the Kingdom into all domains of life.

Neel owns and operates Warren AC & Heat. Kristi is a professor at Stephen F. Austin, in Nacogdoches, Tx.

Axe ‘em Jacks

Board & A- Team

Our Beliefs

-We believe that all Scripture of the Old & New Testaments are verbally inspired by God and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life. 2 Timothy 3:16

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit. Isaiah 59:19-60:16, John 6:27, Rom 1:7, 1Peter 1:2, John 1:1, Rom 9:5, Col 2:9, Heb 1:8, 1John 5:20, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Cor 3:16

-We believe that man was created in the image of God; that all humans are born sinful and that the punishment for sin is not only physical death, but spiritual death –eternally separated from God in Hell. Gen 1:27, Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23

-We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ took the punishment for all human sin upon himself when he died upon the cross according to the scriptures. 1 Peter 2:24

-We believe that Jesus is the only Savior and that Covenant Marriage to Him is the one way to spend eternity in Heaven in the presence of God. John 14:6

-We understand that all who, by faith, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby become children of God through this eternal covenant marriage to Jesus. John 3:1-21, Ephesians 5:22-33, Jer 3:14

-We believe in the physical resurrection of our crucified Lord’s body, in His ascension into Heaven, in His present life there, and in His current ministry as our Bridegroom, High Priest, Advocate, and Meditator with God the father. Acts 1:1-11, 1 John 2:1-2

-We believe that once a person has entered Covenant Marriage with Jesus Christ, their purpose from that point forward is comprised of these three things, 1)Love God, 2)Love People, 3)Make disciples of all nations. Matt 22:36-40, Matt 10:7-8, Matt 28:18-20, Matt 24:14

Local History

The Pineywoods of East Texas have long been revered for its lush, natural beauty and diverse local history. Long before any of us ever traversed these woods, the pioneers & Caddo Indians already made their marks. Stillwater Refuge is located in Houston County, the first county established by the Republic of Texas. While you’re here, take time to explore the infamous Edens-Madden Massacre site, monument, & family cemetery, or maybe take a day trip to see the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, Mission Tejas, Texas State Railroad, or drive sections of the Camino Real.

“After this time of refreshment, we feel much more peaceful & focused on God & family.”

C Family

“After a very strange year, by chance, we found this place; we were able to recenter & reclaim sanity.”

the Rayfords

“I had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer before our family trip. This was the beautiful, healing spot our family needed.”