| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Odyssey in Christ |
| Type | Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership Ministry |
| Headquarters | 309 New Orleans Blvd., Morganton, North Carolina 28655, USA |
| Primary Focus | Spiritual renewal, spiritual formation, leadership development, retreats, and seminars |
| Founder / Director | Dr. Larry Hinkle (D.Min., DASD, ACS) |
| Affiliation | Closely connected with Grace Communion International though its retreats are open to believers from many churches. |
1. Founder and Leader
The ministry was founded and continues to be directed by Dr. Larry Hinkle.
According to his biography:
- Over 45 years of pastoral ministry
- Elder Emeritus of Grace Communion International
- Graduate professor in Spiritual Formation
- Community Spiritual Director for the Walk to Emmaus ministry for approximately 16 years
- Professor at the Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies and the Philippine Missionary Institute in Cavite, Philippines
- International speaker on Christian spirituality and leadership formation.
His ministry emphasizes helping Christians move beyond merely learning biblical information toward experiencing transformation through a deeper relationship with Christ.
2. Core Doctrine
Odyssey in Christ affirms orthodox evangelical Christian beliefs.
Their published statement of faith includes:
God
- One God
- Father
- Son
- Holy Spirit
They affirm the Trinity.
Jesus Christ
They teach:
- Jesus is fully God
- fully man
- Virgin Birth
- Sinless life
- Atoning death
- Bodily resurrection
- Ascension
- Future resurrection hope
Scripture
They affirm:
- The Bible is inspired.
- The Bible is infallible.
- Scripture is the final authority for faith and salvation.
Salvation
They teach:
- Salvation is by grace.
- Not by works.
- Received through faith in Christ.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit:
- convicts
- leads believers
- transforms believers into Christ's image
- assures believers of forgiveness.
These beliefs are broadly consistent with mainstream evangelical Christianity.
3. Primary Advocacy
Unlike many ministries focused primarily on evangelistic crusades or church planting, Odyssey in Christ focuses on spiritual formation.
Their emphasis includes:
- Deepening intimacy with God
- Hearing God's voice through Scripture
- Spiritual disciplines
- Prayer
- Contemplation
- Personal holiness
- Emotional healing
- Healthy Christian leadership
- Soul care for pastors
- Discernment
The ministry seeks to help Christians become spiritually mature rather than simply increasing biblical knowledge.
4. Ministries
Their major ministries include:
- Spiritual Formation Retreats
- Leadership Retreats
- Pastor Renewal Retreats
- Spiritual Direction
- Retreat Seminars
- Online Courses
- Leadership Coaching
- Teaching in seminaries
- International conferences
Participants are encouraged to cultivate:
- meditative prayer
- spiritual reading of Scripture
- discernment
- Christ-centered leadership
- rhythms of grace.
5. Headquarters
Official address:
Odyssey in Christ
309 New Orleans Blvd.
Morganton, North Carolina 28655
USA
6. International Ministry
Although headquartered in North Carolina, Odyssey in Christ has ministered internationally.
Countries include:
- Philippines
- United States
- various Asian nations
- other international ministry partnerships.
The ministry has conducted leadership retreats in the Philippines in cooperation with Grace Communion International.
7. Ministry Length
Based on available information:
- Larry Hinkle has served in ministry for more than 45 years.
- Odyssey in Christ itself appears to have been active for well over a decade, with documented international retreats dating back to at least 2015, and current ministry materials published in recent years.
8. Reputation
Within evangelical circles, Odyssey in Christ is generally known for:
Strengths
- Strong emphasis on Christ-centered spirituality
- Biblical spiritual formation
- Healthy pastoral care
- Leadership renewal
- Personal transformation
- Retreat-based discipleship
Its retreats have been hosted by churches and seminaries in different countries, including the Philippines.
There is no widely documented history of major doctrinal controversy surrounding Odyssey in Christ itself in the sources I found.
9. Accreditation / Certifications
Odyssey in Christ itself does not appear to be an accredited educational institution and does not claim seminary accreditation.
However, its founder holds recognized academic credentials:
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Additional certifications in Spiritual Direction (DASD, ACS)
Larry Hinkle also teaches at recognized theological institutions, including:
- Grace Communion Seminary
- Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies
- Philippine Missionary Institute.
10. Relationship with Grace Communion International
This is an important point.
Odyssey in Christ is closely associated with Grace Communion International (GCI).
Grace Communion International is:
- an evangelical Christian denomination
- Trinitarian
- salvation by grace through faith
- Bible-centered
- headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina
- a member of the National Association of Evangelicals in the United States.
However, Odyssey in Christ serves Christians from many denominations and does not present itself as exclusively for GCI members.
Overall Assessment
Based on the available information, Odyssey in Christ appears to be a reputable evangelical spiritual formation ministry rather than a denomination. It is characterized by:
- Orthodox Trinitarian theology
- High view of Scripture
- Salvation by grace through faith
- Emphasis on spiritual formation and intimacy with Christ
- Leadership renewal and pastoral care
- International retreat ministry
📌 1. Online Guided Retreats (Basic Level Training Experience)
These are short 1–2 day spiritual formation retreats conducted online.
💰 Cost:
- $125 per person per day
- Group rates:
- 2 people: $75/person/day
- 3 people: $50/person/day
- 4 people: $45/person/day
- 5 people: $40/person/day
📖 Source: Odyssey in Christ Retreat Pricing Page
📌 2. 3-Day “Experiencing the Trinity” Retreat (In-Person / Intensive)
This is one of their flagship formation retreats.
💰 Cost:
- $675 per person
- Includes:
- lodging
- meals
- retreat materials
- 3 days / 3 nights immersive experience
📖 Source:
📌 3. Spiritual Formation Courses (Online Training Classes)
These are structured teaching courses (often 5–8 weeks), sometimes serving as entry-level training for spiritual direction pathways.
💰 Cost:
- $197 per course (typical range)
Example:
- “Discerning Divine Presence”
- 5–8 week online class
- Introductory course for spiritual direction training track
📖 Source:
📌 4. Spiritual Direction / Private Sessions (Advanced Level)
These are their most expensive offerings.
💰 Cost:
- $2,750 – $7,000 USD per program/session package
- Pricing depends on facilitator experience and structure
📖 Source:
📌 5. Certificate Track (2-Year Spiritual Direction Training)
- Costs are not publicly listed as a single package
- Usually broken into:
- course fees (paid to partner seminary like Grace Communion Seminary)
- retreat fees (paid separately to Odyssey in Christ)
So total cost over time can vary significantly depending on:
- number of retreats attended
- number of courses taken
- chosen facilitators
📊 Summary (Simple View)
| Program Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Online Guided Retreat | $40–$125/day |
| Short Course (5–8 weeks) | ~$197 |
| 3-Day Retreat | ~$675 |
| Private Spiritual Direction | $2,750–$7,000 |
| Full Training Pathway | Multi-thousand USD over time |
🧠Important Insight (Discernment Note)
From a practical standpoint:
- This is not a free church-based training model
It is closer to:
a paid spiritual formation / retreat training institute
The pricing reflects:
- retreat centers
- facilitators/spiritual directors
- structured experiential training
- small group intensive mentoring
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