MEDIA LEADERS RETREAT
A Texas Hill Country retreat for church media leaders who need focus, stillness, and a clear path forward in their calling.
Two sessions: February 4–6, 2026 & May 6–8, 2026
Just outside the Austin, Texas area, this small group retreat is designed for media leaders and creatives serving in the local church who want to step away from distraction, hear God clearly, and sharpen their craft. Across three days you will capture real testimonies, interviews, worship and teaching coverage, and a short film, while learning simple, repeatable workflows you can take back home. You will leave with usable footage, practical systems for Sundays and special events, and a renewed vision for how your media team can serve your pastor, your people, and what God is doing in your church.
Retreat Setting
A private property in the Texas Hill Country near Wimberley, Texas. Each student gets their own private room, plus shared indoor teaching spaces, real bathrooms, and outdoor locations to shoot. The exact venue details are provided to confirmed participants after booking.
What You Will Create
During the Media Leaders Retreat you will work on real ministry-driven pieces that translate directly back to your church and city.
Examples of what you will create and practice:
- •Testimony and interview setups
- •Multi-camera worship and teaching coverage
- •Street-level stories and b-roll sequences that capture the feel of a town
- •A short, one-minute retreat piece, built live from the footage you capture together
The goal is not just "practice", but real workflows you can take home and repeat with your church and community.
Who Will Be Leading This Retreat
The Media Leaders Retreat is led by filmmaker and camera operator Edward Parker Stroop, a faith based storyteller with nearly a decade of experience across TV, documentary, motorsports, and narrative work. Parker grew up in the local church and has spent much of his career capturing testimonial interviews and long form stories that highlight real people and what God is doing in their lives.
His credits include work with major TV networks and brands, docu follow series, reality and lifestyle shows, and fast paced motorsports projects, alongside faith driven projects. That mix means your media team will be learning from someone who understands both the technical demands of high level production and the heart behind telling honest, God centered stories.
As a leader, you can expect your team to be coached by someone who:
- •Speaks the language of directors, camera ops, and editors, while honoring pastors, elders, and church leadership
- •Builds simple, repeatable systems for testimonies, multi camera services, and community stories that can work on normal Sundays
- •Gives clear, practical feedback on framing, movement, audio, and pacing without shaming or overwhelming your team
- •Cares as much about your team's spiritual health and sense of calling as their technical skill set
Alongside Parker, a trusted local pastor will be part of the retreat to provide spiritual guidance, teaching, and pastoral care. This gives your media leaders space to process what God is doing in them, not just what they are doing with a camera. Sessions, prayer times, and conversations are anchored in Scripture and a local church perspective, so you can trust that what they receive here will support the discipleship and culture you are already building at home.
For senior pastors and church leaders, the heart of this retreat is simple: send your media team away to be invested in, challenged, and refreshed, and they will come home with clearer vision, healthier rhythms, and practical tools that directly serve your people and your Sunday gatherings.
What To Expect
This is an immersive working retreat, not a conference.
You can expect:
- •Morning time in Scripture and prayer
- •Short teaching blocks that lead straight into action
- •Small crews rotating roles on set so everyone gets time directing, shooting, and assisting
- •Guided edit sessions where you get feedback as you work
- •Honest conversations about calling, money, and what it means to build a life as a Christian creative
- •A private retreat property where each attendee has their own room, with shared spaces designed for teaching, meals, editing, and lingering conversations
You will stay on a private property in the Texas Hill Country near Wimberley. Rooms are simple, quiet, and comfortable so you can actually rest between full days of shooting and learning. Exact location details are shared after your booking is confirmed.
The facilities are intentional without being distracting, giving you space to step out of your normal routine, breathe, and focus on God, your craft, and the people you are called to serve.
The pace is full but intentional. The goal is not to crush you with work. The goal is to stretch you in a setting where you feel safe to try, miss, adjust, and grow.
Ready to Join the Media Leaders Retreat?
Space is limited for this focused, small group experience. Explore the full itinerary and secure your spot today.