Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Burnett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion is to help people break free from strongholds and defeated living. I know true transformation is possible and because of that, I am driven to see the peace and power of Christ empower every Christian. I have personally witnessed this possibility in my own life after surviving a very traumatic childhood. I found myself trapped in bad decisions I made that could have ended my life. Christ rescued me from an abusive relationship and put me on a course to finding true freedom in Him. Jesus set me free from a legacy of lies, pain, worry, and lack of trust. Over the last 20 years, He gave me the tools to learn to live in freedom and a way to bring them together so that others can grow deeper in relationship with Him. After working in ministry both on church staff and other non-profit ministries, God called me to create the SOULWELL Journey. SOULWELL Ministries was born out of my mission to lead others to discover that the key to freedom is Jesus Christ.
I lead workshops and retreats of all types with the Enneagram in Marriage, Parenting, and relationships. I’ve been teaching Bible studies and leading Christian retreats for over 20 years. I am available to speak at your event and love to share about pursuing freedom and soul care. I also lead workshops for businesses, churches, and nonprofit leadership teams. I will work with you to customize a presentation that suits your group.
My experience and training in para-church ministry span over 30 years. The most significant of these years that brought transformation in my own life and helped form some of the foundations of SOULWELL Ministries include:
Opening to Grace, Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky;
Certified in Spiritual Formation & Direction, Northern Seminary and Transforming Center, Wheaton, Illinois;
Certified Enneagram Life Coach and Instructor, iEnneagram, Motions of the Soul, Crossroads Church & Ministry, Marshall, Michigan;
Certified Enneagram Coaching and Leadership Intensive, Soul Care Institute and Crosspoint Ministries, Nashville Tennessee;
Certified Listen to My Life Facilitator, Spiritual Formation Training One Life Maps, Bartlett, Illinois
Level 1 & 2, and Immersed Cohort Inner Healing Prayer, Six One Ministries, Dallas, Texas;
Soul Care Conference Leadership Intensive Training, Dr. Rob Reimer, Brockton, Mass;
Enneagram Boot Camp Intensive training, Suzanne Stabile, Life in the Trinity Ministries, Dallas, TX.
Sacred Enneagram Intensive Workshop, Christopher Heuertz, Gravity Center of Contemplation Activism.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Make no mistake, ministry is not for the faint of heart. It is challenging and the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Starting a ministry from the ground up has been full of obstacles and roadblocks. However, by the grace, mercy and power of God, SOULWELL Ministries has overcome! In particular, SOULWELL kicked off our pilot invitation the week of Hurricane Harvey – talk about a challenging timing. And with less than two years of retreats under our belt, Covid hit.
Only Jesus could have helped us to be where we are today. Less than 5 years since we started, over 250 people have embarked on their journey and God has provided a way for us to minister in spite of Covid and all the challenges that life has thrown at us.
We’ve had to change the way we do ministry, the place where we do it and everything I’ve ever known about it, BUT GOD. He has made a way and has shown up and shown off at every step!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the Founder of SOULWELL Ministries, the joy of my life is the SOULWELL Journey.
The SOULWELL Journey is a series of three retreats that build upon each other to facilitate transformation in one’s spiritual life. Our goal is to come alongside you and help you become more like Christ. While on a journey a person can expect to have the following experiences:
- Learn Spiritual Disciplines
- Each retreat is designed with opportunities to experience Scripture in a personal way and learn contemplative practices that will help you navigate deeper into your interior terrain, as well examine the intersection of God’s story within your own.
- Walk in Community with Others
- True intimacy with Christ occurs incrementally, over time and through community with others. While on retreat, our participants will engage in large group teaching activities and will also have opportunities to process what they are learning in both small groups and alone with God.
- Experience God More Fully
In addition, each retreat allows you to explore a combination of spirit and body work through SOUL Stretching and SOUL Create exercises that tie in with the soul work, teaching you how to experience God with all five senses.
AWAKENING:
The first weekend focuses on awakening the life-giving presence of God deep within you. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of God’s movement in your story and a fresh perspective on the health of your spiritual life. We’ll provide tools such as silence, solitude and stillness to create a more vibrant prayer life and a heightened awareness of the voice of God.
This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16
ARISING:
The second weekend explores God’s design for your life through self-discovery. You’ll learn the intricacies of how God created you and how to allow Him to bring out your true essence. We’ll help you understand the emotions and thought patterns that distract you from experiencing life in the moment, so you can be more fully present with yourself, others and Christ.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
ABIDING:
The third weekend teaches you how to live earnestly in the presence of God and in His purpose for you. As you learn to create sacred rhythms, you’ll stay connected to Christ and protect your soul from burnout. You’ll look deeper into the calling of God in your life. And as you walk in the contemplative practices, you’ll experience the freedom and fullness of life in Christ.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is fortified, that you bear much fruit. John 15:7
Find rest and renewal among the beautiful piney woods of East Texas at the Lakeview Conference Center. Located outside Palestine, Texas, the center offers cozy lodging and ample space to connect with God and nature. You’ll be treated to your own room and served wonderful meals to nurture your physical, mental and spiritual needs.
While on retreat, our participants will engage in large group teaching and activities, as well as have time to process in both small groups and alone in solitude with God. Each retreat is designed to give you opportunities to experience Scripture in a personal way and learn Soul Tools that will help you navigate deeper into your interior terrain, as well as have time to examine the intersection of God’s story with your own. We value and expect that everyone will be on their own path.
The SOULWELL Journey is designed in a way that while everyone might hear the same teaching, each person might have a completely different experience…and this is the beauty of God working uniquely in each of us.
In addition, each retreat will have opportunities for you to explore a combination of spirit and body work in our customized Soul Stretching classes that correlate with the soul work of each retreat
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think everyone needs to have a mentor. In ministry, I believe a person should always work with someone that has more experience. I’ve always prayed and asked God to bring me a mentor and then I have kept my eyes open to other ministries and leaders that I aspire to be like.
When I feel God has shown me the right people to seek council from, that’s simply what I do. Then I trust His confirmation as to whether or not they are able to take on that role for me.
Pricing:
- $1850 for all 3 weekends, includes 10 nights lodging, food and supplies
Contact Info:
- Email: founder@soulwellministries.com
- Website: www.soulwellministries.com
- Instagram: soulwellministries
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulwellministries
