About – Walnut Ridge Retreat Center

Indiana Retreat Center

About Us

Meet the New Executive Director - Mark Petty!

Pastor Mark Petty is currently the head pastor at Woodside Community Church in Greenwood, Indiana. Mark is married to his wife Julie Petty and they have five grown children. He has served on the board at Walnut Ridge Retreat Center for three years. Mark was saved at church camp at the age of fifteen and has always had a heart for camp ministry. He began in youth ministry where he started a skateboard ministry in his church’s parking lot in Amelia, Ohio. After six years in youth ministry Mark felt the call to come to Indianapolis to serve as head pastor and has served here since 2004. Mark is a former college soccer coach and has coached for over 25 years. He also started Woodside Foot Golf located at the church in which he serves. He has a love for mentoring, as well as providing counseling. He loves anything to do with history and loves preaching and teaching any chance he can get.

“It’s exciting to see God answer prayers as we continue to seek His will. Mark brings decades of Christian ministry leadership to this position. In addition to pastoring a local church, he has acted as principal of one of our local Christian schools. Mark also has years of experience running day camps in Kentucky prior to moving to Indiana. We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for WRRC, under his leadership.” –

Dr. Stacy Johnson – CFO

MISSION

VISION

YOUR NEEDS

MISSION

VISION

YOUR NEEDS

History

In 1940, the Hickory Hill Canning Factory occupied our 50-acre space within the woods. After its closing, a private residence was built in the 1970’s and is now the Hilltop Lodge. In the mid 80s, Young Life purchased the residence and added the ‘gymnasium’ down the hill. At that point in time, the camp could only house 40 guests. In 1995, Walnut Hills purchased the camp from Young Life and expanded both the acreage and housing capacity. The camp went from 50 to 65 acres and 40 to 100 guests. In 2014, Ted Hayes purchased the camp, changed the name to Walnut Ridge, added the outdoor stage, paintball course, swing set, slide and remodeled the gymnasium into the Willow Hall. In 2017, the Johnson family began managing the camp. Their vision is to create a fun and intimate retreat experience where they embrace God, together.