The Family Church at Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations

Saying “a pastor walked into a bar on Christmas Eve” sounds like the start of a joke, but in the case of Pastor Phil Derstine, it’s a true story. 

The leader of the Family Church at Christian Retreat, along with several parishioners, have faithfully bar hopped for the last 35 Christmas Eves. In this case, though, bar-hopping means something different.

Four groups of carolers have covered open bars all over Manatee County. 

“When I first started, I wasn’t sure if they’d let us come in, so I was respectful and asked permission,” Derstine said. “Well, the effect of our coming has been that we fill up the bars on Christmas Eve. They come to hear us sing.” 

The pastor said the bartenders love the carolers so much that they advertise for them now. Each group brings an instrument. Derstine always chooses his accordion. 

It’s the first time some of his parishioners have ever stepped foot in a bar, but they don’t go to drink. They go to deliver the gifts of hope, scripture and chocolate. 

“At first, you’re apprehensive because you’re going into a bar and people are intoxicated,” parishioner and recent staff member Laurie Houston said. “If they're in a bar on Christmas Eve, things might not be going so well for them. I was surprised at the receiving of it and the tears that were shed. Seeds are planted, and that’s the beauty of it.”

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

Derstine said the most common reaction is that people want to know why he and the other church members would give up time with their families to help them because they don’t feel worthy of the help. 

“Some of them are crying in their beer,” Derstine said. “It’s amazing to me because until they turn the music back on, it’s such a change in culture in that bar to see everybody in prayer. It’s so well received because people are looking for hope.”

Derstine compares some churches to country clubs because they don’t go out into the world. The Family Church has about 300 local members, but Derstine spreads “the good news” to many more and encourages others to do the same. He also has a podcast and television show.

The Christian Retreat sits on 110 acres overlooking the Manatee River. Derstine’s father, Pastor Gerald Derstine, founded the retreat in 1968. He died in 2022 at age 93. 

“He had a vision for establishing a conference center for people of all denominations to use,” said Joanne Derstine-Curphey, Pastor Gerald Derstine's daughter and the director of communications for the retreat. 

Derstine describes the church as “interdenominational” because there are so many denominations represented among its parishioners. The conference center attracts all denominations, as well. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

The retreat was designed and functions to offer a place, where those who visit feel the presence of God. 

It’s easily spotted from Upper Manatee River Road because the entrance to the drive has landscaping features on either side that both prominently display the word, “Blessings.” 

When entering on Glory Way Boulevard, drivers cross over the nine fruits of the spirit, which are painted on the pavement: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The conference center holds the church, the Kids Zone, a prayer room and 27,000 square feet of meeting space. The campus includes private housing, two hotel buildings, an RV park, a youth center and amenities, such as a swimming pool and basketball courts.

There are 135 hotel rooms and suites on the property, which are used to host the groups using the conference center, youth camps and students of the Institute of Ministry, which is a 10-week Bible leadership training school the church offers on site.

The permanent residences on the property are split between 76 mobile homes for families and 64 condominiums for ages 55 plus. 

Until 2016, the church gave tenants 99-year leases on the residences. Derstine-Curphey said it took several years to switch over, but all the mobile homes and condos are privately owned now. Parishioner Barbara Hollister owns a condo. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

“It’s peaceful,” she said. “You can walk around and feel and experience the atmosphere. I live right across from the big cross. I step out in my front yard, and it’s right there. It’s a constant reminder of the presence of the lord.” 

Derstine is hoping to add more housing at the retreat. The goal is to build a 100-unit assisted care living facility. 

“It’s so needed in Manatee County,” he said. “We’re looking for a partner who’s done this many times before. We’ll provide the land, and we’ve done a lot of the preliminary engineering reports and such. We’re just looking for someone we can trust.” 

The property is already zoned as Planned Development Mixed Use, which allows for a facility to be built. Once built, the support services to provide for residents already are in place. 

There’s security on the property. The church offers a multitude of programs for assistance and socializing. Plus, family members could come visit and have a place to stay. 

"COVID put the breaks on (plans for an assisted living facility)," Derstine said. "I'd like to see something move on this in 2025."