Founded by a Widower

Daniel Brooker became a widower at 30, with two small children. Two critical years passed before he met another young widower who understood his unique struggles. After eventually meeting more young widowers, it became clear none had a community who truly understood their journey.

Daniel remarried a widow with three small boys, while navigating the unique challenges of grief, remarriage, and blending families.

Searching for a faith-based widower ministry to join, Daniel found none. So after much prayer and counsel, he assembled a team of widowers, mentors, pastors, and close friends, launching Refuge Widowers in 2020.

Guided by Widowers

Every gathering is guided by experienced widowers. Each guide has walked through the loss of their wife, raising grieving children, remarriage and blending families.

Encouraged by Pastors and Believers

Apart from the guides who lead each gathering, there are pastors and encouragers who selflessly serve our community. These men are faithfully walking alongside hurting people and leading them to the hope found only in Jesus.

Widowers with Children in the Home

Our primary focus for our in-person retreats are widowers with children still in the home. We recognize these fathers who are stewarding the additional gift of leading their children as they grieve requires additional and specific support. Therefore, the retreat sessions and serve teams are designed to speak to their unique challenges and opportunities.

Widowers in any Season

Our small group gatherings, monthly virtual gatherings, as well as our mentoring ministry are available for every widower who reaches out to our ministry…all free of charge.

Community, Counsel and Curriculum

We walk alongside widowers as a community, building relationships that speak truth in love and always point back to the Word of God.

Guides who can relate to a widower’s specific grief are available to mentor and provide wise counsel. Widowers are also invited to in-person and virtual gatherings, as well as our signature retreats.

Curriculum is provided along with a guide to encourage healthy patterns and eternal perspective. This is facilitated through virtual and in-person gatherings.