Our History

Hidden Springs' hosts, Neil and Barbara White were married August 2, 1975.

Barbara recalls, "We asked that God would lead us to land He had chosen for us. We planned to stay there forever, and do whatever tasks were placed before us.  We bought these160 acres just east of Winfield in 1976, and moved into a 40 year old log cabin on the property in May 1977. We loved our “simple” life and for seven years, the 700 square foot cabin was our wonderful home.

"When we came to this piece of land we knew its beauty and potential were to be shared. Without power, no running water, and barely a trail in from the highway, we spent many years learning that beauty and potential are gifts from God that only He can foster and fulfil.

"Our children are our greatest delight.  Skylar, born on Neil’s birthday, May 23, 1980; Ailen, born November 15, 1981; Jordan, born July 22, 1985; and Kelsey, born August 13, 1990.  Raising our family together on this land has been our greatest joy!

"In 1983, Neil built our farm house, using lumber sawn on our property.  Barbara taught in various schools in the area - most subjects and all grade levels. Neil served as pastor in two churches: Battle Lake Baptist (11 years) and Poplar Valley (1-1/2 years). 

"In 1999, Neil traveled to L’Abri in Switzerland to mark the completion of his MDiv studies. There he experienced the hospitality of an international retreat centre established by Francis Schaeffer in the 1950’s.

"We had farmed here in partnership for twenty years.  When our first sheep barn burned and the partnership ended in 2001, we needed to have a new vision.

"One day during that difficult period, Neil found water trickling out of a little place in the hillside he had never observed before. That small spring reminded him of the wonderful hope in life that God seems to have hidden right under our noses.

"Hidden Springs Retreat and Guest House became that vision:  we wanted to have a place where people from all over the world could come and be renewed and refreshed by the beauty of this landscape. 

"The chalet was built by Neil and opened for guests in 2004."

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