Wellness Weekender 2026

Join us for the weekend at
Wellness Week @ Round Top
Theme: FLOURISH
Rooted in Truth. Growing in Wellness.
Featuring Peg Arnold, speaker; Michele Lawrence and Cathy Keown, worship
Created to Flourish: Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” — Isaiah 43:1
Register Now
Cost: $450
Can’t make it to Wellness Week for the whole week? Try the Deluxe Weekender Option. Arrive on Thursday, October 8th, after 3:00 and depart by 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 11th. Here’s more information about the week:
Do you long to get away and focus on getting strong and healthy? Do you want someone to prepare healthy meals that are delicious and served to you? Do you want to try some new exercise classes like Dance Blast or Pilates in a private setting with people just like you? What about hear Biblically sound speakers that will renew your spirit and walk with the Lord? You’ll find all of this and more at a long weekend in Round Top as well as plenty of “porch time” for you to spend in quiet time with the Lord or chatting with friends. Here’s more about the weekend:
Round Top Retreat is a beautiful Victorian-style retreat center located “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It’s operated by the Goad family, who began this ministry on a full-time basis in 1984, to provide a home environment with all the charm of a country setting, where people can share God’s Word.
Wellness Week includes:
- Daily Bible Study and Devotionals
- Dance Blast, Cardio, Bike Riding, Pilates, Seated Exercises and more — Exercise Options For Every Fitness Level
- Delicious, Healthy Meals
- Rest and relaxation – Lots of Porch Time!

- Praise and Worship
- Inspirational Speakers
- Personal Consultation with a Fitness Trainer
See pictures past years: Wellness Week
Daily Bible Study & Devotional. Each morning we gather together for a morning devotional and prayer time. Later in the day, we meet in small groups to get to know each other better and pray for our challenges and concerns.
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Exercise for Every Fitness Level. Activities include: aerobics, strength and endurance training, stretching, seated exercises, biking on your own or with a friend and interval training for those who think they “can’t exercise.” Each activity is designed to meet the fitness level of each individual and participation is optional. You’ll also have a personal consultation with a fitness trainer to develop your own fitness plan.
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Delicious, Healthy Meals. Enjoy healthy meals made from the freshest ingredients. You will be amazed at the delicious, satisfying meals you can have using First Place for Health recipes. All the recipes will be provided for you to take home and try yourself. Your meal may include Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream, Cajun Meatloaf, Mozzarella & Tomato Flatbread, Strawberry & Pecan Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Viniagrette and more. Breakfast is served continental style with healthy options, such as yogurt, fruit, cereal, bagels and toast.
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Rest and Relaxation. Porch Time is a favorite activity at Round Top. Talking and relaxing with friends on the porch is on the schedule every afternoon. Benches are dispersed around the grounds for you to sit and read, have your quiet time, or just relax. The scent of clean, country air and the sounds of wildlife and nature surround you in this peaceful, serene setting.
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Praise and Worship. We meet together each evening for an exciting program of informative and motivating speakers along with uplifting music by our featured worship leader.
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Special Guests:

Peg Arnold – Speaker, author, and Drama Queen for Jesus, Peg Arnold, encourages women to embrace their God-given purpose by sharing her joys and challenges as a wife, mother, Nana, sister, friend, teacher, counselor, and church leader. She uses her experiences to creatively share personal witness, drama, teachings, and humor, bringing scripture to life. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious. She has two award-winning books, Devotions for the Distracted Heart and Making Your Message Memorable- both available on Amazon. Watch Peg’s webinar, Reflect, Renew & Rediscover Your Worth in God, here.
Michele Lawrence – Singer/Songwriter Michele Lawrence is a blessed wife, mom and Jesus Girl who loves singing and sharing the stories behind the songs she’s written. She has also found the passion to put Scripture to music with the hope of encouraging others to experience the freedom that comes from having the Word of God forever on their heart. You can find Micheles music on YouTube @michelelawrencemusic and streaming on places like Spotify, Apple, Amazon and others.
Cathy Keown is a mom and Grammy and recently retired nurse who asked God to use her in this phase of life and hasn’t stopped since! She says worshipping Jesus with a group of women and watching the Holy Spirit as He reminds us of His love is her greatest privilege.

Mary Ward – Mary is National Director. Certified by the American Council on Exercise in Group Fitness, Mary has spent the past 25 years leading all types of fitness classes. She is the past chairperson of the First Place for Health Board of Directors. Virginia became her home when the Navy transferred her husband Brad to the East Coast. They have two children, one son-in-law, two grandsons and she wears the titleGrandma Mimi proudly. She loves to travel, ride her bike, is a foodie at heart and drinks tea instead of coffee. Mary is author and contributor for First Place For Health’s My Place for Fitness. She believes that everyone is uniquely loved created by God and not a one size fits all. Mary loves to encourage people to find the thing that will get them moving.
Vicki Heath – Vicki is National Director Emeritus and now serves as a Senior Consultant. Vicki is a certified fitness instructor for the American Council on Exercise, a certified life coach and Wellness Coordinator for her church in Edisto Beach, SC. Vicki is author of the book Don’t Quit Get Fit and Wellness Journey of a Lifetime. She has led a successful First Place for Health ministry in her church for twenty years. Vicki is passionate about Christ and has a desire to help others understand the value of caring for their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Vicki is a pastor’s wife and mother of four wonderful children.
Carole Lewis – Carole served as the national director of First Place for Health from 1987-2013. Carole is a popular speaker and author of 15 books. She leads conferences, Christian spas, workshops and seminars with an emphasis on personal and spiritual balance, fitness, encouragement and temperament analysis. Her audiences know her as warm, transparent, honest and humorous. Carole became a widow in June 2014; she has two adult children and one deceased, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Tell me about Round top Retreat…
Accommodations are furnished beautifully in the style of an earlier Texas time with antiques and some of the things reminiscent of “Granny’s Home.” You will be required to bring sheets and towels for your stay. Comforters and pillows are provided. If you need to be assigned to a particular bed size, please indicate in the Comments section of registration. Most rooms share a bathroom with another room (jack and jill style).
The gardens of the Retreat provide about a mile of walking paths meandering through the property. The paths flow through the cottage gardens of mixed borders, antique roses, perennials, annuals, and native plants. Cedar pergolas display climbing roses along the walkways. Several hundred trees provide shady places to sit and enjoy God’s Creation.
How do I get there?
Round Top is located at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill country–it’s about a 2-hour drive from Houston, and about a 90-minute drive from Austin. For an extra charge, First Place will arrange for a shuttle to take you round trip from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to Round Top Retreat Center.
I want to be pampered…
During the week, a certified relaxation massage therapist will be available. Pamper yourself with a relaxing massage after your workout or before you go to bed. There is an extra charge for this service paid directly to the technician.
What do people say about the FP4H Wellness Week?
Food was terrific & so good for us! Thanks for your hard work and for giving us the recipes as well! I can’t wait to try them at home!
God has breathed new life into me. I have been refreshed, filled up where I was empty and been shown where I have been weak, lazy, disobedient or plain wasting both my time and His.
Helped me slow down and reflect. Gave me ideas to take home – food and exercise. A fun time.
Given me peace & freedom from burdens of anger, hatred and un-forgiveness. Reminded me of the purpose for setting goals. Surrounded me with much love & encouragement.
COST:
$450 DOUBLE/TRIPLE OCCUPANCY*
*All-inclusive – includes all meals, lodging, speakers, exercise options and materials. Registration does not include services of the massage therapist and excursions away from Round Top Retreat)
NOTE:
Check in begins at 3:00 PM on 10/8/26 and departure on 10/11/26 by by 3:00 PM.

