Who We Are
Deer Run is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian retreat center located 35 miles south of Nashville, easily accessible to churches, schools, universities, community leadership organizations, counseling ministries (including addiction groups), at-risk youth programs, and Boy and Girl Scout troops. Deer Run is strategically located within four hours of nine major metropolitan areas and is located on 100 acres of scenic, wooded property.

Deer Run is a member of CCCA

OUR MISSION
To transform the lives of children, teenagers, and families through a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and by connecting with one another in a retreat and camp setting.

OUR VISION
By partnering with churches, ministries, and community organizations, Deer Run Retreat seeks to create unforgettable retreat and camp experiences that reach, educate, and nurture the next generation of Christ followers by providing spiritual renewal, healing, restoration, inspiration, hope, and adventure.

HISTORY
CLICK HERE for a printable PDF of the History of Deer Run Retreat (1996-2008).

STAFF

Founder/President: DAVID GIBSON
Communications & Design: LIZ GIBSON

David & Liz were born and raised in middle Tennessee and love the culture, landscape, and outdoor activities in this area. They met at Columbia Central High School and married two years after graduation. After years of being on a road to achieve success in their careers, David and Liz felt called by God to do something more significant with their time, finances, and gifts. In 1996 God led David to this specific piece of property in Williamson County, which had been sitting untouched for 17 years, and gave him a vision, both powerful and humbling, of the ministry He wanted David to build. God immediately confirmed in Liz that this was the place to begin the ministry, and within two months they had sold their dream home in downtown Franklin and had begun to clear the land on weekends.

David soon sold his formal wear business and now owns a construction business building custom homes and doing remodeling and additions. Liz, who was an employee of LifeWay Christian Resources for 13 years, began working as a self-employed freelance graphic designer just 18 months prior to purchasing the property for Deer Run. She homeschooled their three daughters (Annie, April, and Allyson) through their high school years. David and Liz now have 5 grandchildren (Tristen, Isaac, Ezra, Riley, and Zoey) and three fabulous son-in-laws (Branden, John, and Nathan).

"We are passionate about sharing Christ and His love through this ministry and serving others by living out the Scripture which is Deer Run’s vision: ’As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God’ (Psalm 42:1)".

Director of Camps & Recreation: FRED REYES

Fred grew up in south Texas and over the last 20 years has served as Youth and Recreation Minister for several churches in Texas and Tennessee. For nearly 15 years Fred served in various ministry positions at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. Fred developed a love for camp ministry through children and youth camps he attended, and later he served on staff for these camps. Fred is married to Sharon and they have been blessed with three wonderful children who Sharon home schools: Ahnna, Caleb and Seth.

NEWS & MEDIA
CLICK HERE for a printable PDF of Deer Run Retreat's most recent newsletter.

Listen to hear founder David Gibson's story from his March 2008 interview with Debbie Alan, OnTheHomeStretch.com, a daily internet radio show. CLICK HERE

On May 14, 2008, Debbie & her crew broadcasted live from The Lodge at Deer Run. CLICK HERE to hear an opening session with David and CLICK HERE for interviews with David & Liz and about Deer Run Camps.

And, CLICK HERE for a call-out from the May 15, 2008, show of OnTheHomeStretch.com

COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mission teams from local churches come to Deer Run to do team-building on the challenge ropes course. They learn to communicate better, to accomplish a task together, and to maximize their ministry by discovering the specific skills/gifts of each team member including who has strong leadership skills in their group. Unity is developed. With encouragement from the group, an individual may overcome a personal fear. This experience better prepares teams for their mission trip.

Local counseling ministries testify that the experiential learning that takes place in this retreat setting and on the challenge ropes course can accomplish more in one day than a month of one-on-one office counseling.

FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes/www.fca.org) Huddle Groups from Middle Tennessee schools and universities participate in weekend retreats involving the challenge ropes course, which encourages integrity, character, responsibility, and incorporating their faith into everyday living.

Belmont University has retreat weekends for incoming freshmen and sports and leadership teams to build relationships with one another before the school term begins.

Teachers and staff from area schools meet at Deer Run Retreat for training, planning, and team-building before and during the school year.

Williamson County Youth Leadership, a community service group made up of high school youth, has an annual planning and team-building retreat.

Other retreats include marriage weekends, women's retreats, men’s ministries, Bible study class fellowships, father-son weekends, family reunions, and ministry teams.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Deer Run partners with the community ministries (listed below) and local churches for 2 summer camps: Camp Deer Run 1 & 2. These are mission camps reaching children and families who otherwise would not be able to have a camp experience. They enjoy an overnight camp at no cost which includes outdoor recreation, games, swimming, canoeing, mentoring relationships, and lots of fun memories! Single moms enjoy two nights at The Lodge at Deer Run which includes sessions, pampering, and building relationship with other moms.

Against the Grain
Bridges of Williamson County
CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocate
Christian Coparenting
Christian Women‘s Job Corp of Middle TN
Family Foundation Fund
Graceworks
Greenhouse Ministries
LifeCare Family Services
Nashville Rescue Mission
Prison Fellowship
Safe Haven Family Shelter
The Next Door
YWCA