Our Ingalls Creek Story

“My heart leapt.  I knew that this was the place God was providing for us to work toward the creation of a center that could touch many people’s lives.”
— Anna Waltar

Taking Root

In April 1980 co-founders Alan and Anna Waltar discovered and later purchased this stunning piece of land. Upon first setting eyes on Ingalls Creek, the Waltars knew this place was special - they could feel God’s presence grounding them and inviting them to make a space for all to know God better.

Building Together

What began as the vision of two people quickly spread to others. Families started camping together. People started working, worshiping and praying together. In 1989 emerged the formation of a 501(3) nonprofit board.

Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center began serving as a Christian retreat and training center in the mountains of central Washington. From its inception, the organization has pioneered a distinctive way of developing Christian disciples; combining hard physical work, joyous community, and gracious hospitality in a setting that inspires a sense of awe and responsibility to care for one another, and for God’s beautiful creation. 

Early Site projects:  

  • Trail system throughout the property

  • A 3-story treehouse and an epic swing

  • Installation of underground utilities

  • Constructing the outdoor amphitheater, the entrance gate, the outdoor pavilion, and eventually the Ingalls Creek Lodge (2012). 

  • A magnificent log home on the property build by founding board members Lane and Gwen Bray. The cabin (The Woodland Chalet) now serves as a major site feature for small programs and overnight guests.

Our Context

Northwest American culture has moved on a steady trajectory away from previous views of life and faith, and today only a small fraction of young adults report any relevance of “church” to their day-to-day experience. Churches, denominations and Christians in all walks of life are looking for ways to connect in positive ways with this emerging post-Christian context. We seek to equip God’s people—the church—to engage this changing world, demonstrating God’s love in every aspect of their lives.

It is our hope and vision that when Christians live vibrant, connected lives in the midst of their local communities, the people around them will be drawn to that fullness of life.  Will be drawn, in fact, one step closer to Jesus.

Our Vision 

In 2016, the Ingalls Creek Board launched the Center for Faith, Calling, and Community as a ministry initiative that brands Ingalls Creek as a Pacific Northwest Retreat Center specializing in college and adult ministries that helps people flourish in life stage transitions, and grounds people in Christian community and purpose. 

The Center focuses on three vital, interwoven pursuits:

  • Faith: How does my faith in God inform my perspective and address the world’s most perplexing questions?

  • Calling: What role do I play in fulfilling God’s purposes? Do my life and work really matter?

  • Community: How can I journey with others on the same path and build a flourishing community?

People from diverse backgrounds come together to discover their purpose, experience renewal in their relationships, and help others flourish in life according to God’s design.

“The Center for Faith, Calling and Community equips people to become grounded in their faith and create a community that fosters lifelong friendships.”

The Center for Faith, Calling and Community offers numerous events each year. Each event presents the opportunity for participants to see the streams of their lives coming together — connecting their faith and calling/work in the community context of daily life.  Especially for those facing points of transition, Ingalls Creek provides a wonderful place and a unique community to come alongside people as they reflect, renew, and re-engage with God’s action in their lives for the sake of the world. Retreats and events are held in partnership with educational institutions, professional associations, churches, ministries and businesses that share our commitment to renewal.

Current Offerings:

Ingalls Creek ministry invites participants at various stages of life’s journey to come together for events tailored uniquely for them.  Whether you’re a parent or a student, a teacher or a new college grad, a scientist, civic leader, pastor, poet or musician, a mentor or a searcher, you are invited to experience God’s love, gain renewed faith and be sent with joyful purpose into the various places where God calls you to be a blessing to the world all around.

  • Life stage transition gatherings (Aging Well, Living Well, Adulting Well)

  • Leading edge conversations (thought leaders on faith & culture, faith & the church, faith & science)

  • Pastors wellness events

  • Mentoring college students through service-learning internships

  • Partnering with local non-profits serving marginalized groups (Upper Valley Connections, MEND, etc.)

  • Hosting school, church, nonprofit groups, family reunions, and milestone events

The Next Chapter

We are always discerning and dreaming alongside God’s Spirit about how to best steward the space and resources at Ingalls Creek.

A master site plan (a.k.a. Master Plan Resort) was approved in 2021 by Chelan County, and offers Ingalls Creek the opportunity to sizably improve physical facilities, expanding services to a growing number of people in the future.