Doorkeepers Christian Outreach

Retreat Center in rural Spring Creek, Pennsylvania
We are a non-denominational resource for Christians and Christian Groups to come together.
The facility is typically open for events from April through September depending on the weather.
{

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – From whence comes my help?”

— Psalm 121:1 (NASB)

{

“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

— Psalm 84:10 (NASB)

{

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

— John 10:9 (NASB)

Our Story

Mission

Dedicated to offering facilities and programming designed to:

Strengthen Christians in their faith;

Stimulate the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

Support the growth of new Christians.
Doorkeepers Christian Outreach Center started in 1976, under the direction of Bill and Emma Kafferlin. The Kafferlins felt led of God to build the Center with its purpose being to promote the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ toward salvation and growth in Him through facilitation and programming.

It took five years of volunteer labor, with some hired help, to complete the construction of the main building. During that time, the Watchmen (later known as Abraham), a traveling singing group, held annual musical presentations each year which brought in large audiences.

Also during the construction period, Em studied and obtained a license as a Clinical Christian Counselor. In addition to her studies, she traveled and spoke to ladies’ groups throughout the year and counseled individuals, couples and families. When the construction was finished, she organized and/or conducted weekend retreats at the Center. The property was also used for Vacation Bible Schools, Mother Daughter Banquets, wedding receptions, family reunions and other special programs as well as Saturday night Christian Movie Nights throughout the Summer.

The program was successful under Em’s leadership and God’s direction. In August of 1985, Em tragically passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

Bill felt that God still had a plan for Doorkeepers. In 1986, he remarried and he and Ruth established a modified program. With the help of others who shared the vision, the center continued to host church events, retreats, vacation Bible schools, and family reunions. Bill and Ruth Kafferlin retired in 2008. Doorkeepers is now operated by the Board of Directors, consisting of Bill and Em’s children and their families.

Multi-Purpose Room

48’ x 58’ clear span room has a 5’x20’ stage with a piano and organ on the North side, a large fireplace and ceiling mounted screen to the East with dormitory/activity rooms beyond and the Kitchen and restrooms to the West. This room can be set up for concerts, seminars, training sessions, dinners, church meetings, wedding receptions and other social occasions. Tables and chairs are available in the storage area adjacent to the stage.

Kitchen

Large facility with one gas stove with 8 burners and 2 ovens under hood, an electric range, refrigerators, sinks, serving stations, cupboards, assorted cooking utensils. It is adequate to prepare food for large meetings or week long retreats.

Housing and Facilities

Restrooms each have 3 showers with dressing areas, toilets and sinks to accommodate large meetings of overnight events.

Dorm/Activity rooms can each house up to 20 overnight using stacked bunk beds. There is an overflow dorm on the second floor. 50 stacking cots and foam mattresses are available. Without the cots these rooms can be used as class, activity or game rooms.

The office is a place for the event speaker or leader to stay. It includes a desk and bed that is separate from but not far from the dorms.

Other ActivITIES

Other facilities include a swimming pool, a volleyball court, carpet pool, ping pong table, foosball, basketball hoop, and hiking trails, tent camping.

Reasonable Pricing

Day + Overnight

Suggested Donation
$125/Day + Night
  • Best for youth groups, one-day seminars, or similar events.
  • If using the swimming pool, we ask for an additional $25.00 donation.

Weekend Outing

Suggested Donation
$250/Weekend
  • Best for youth groups, weekend family reunions, church retreats, and similar events.
  • If using the swimming pool, we ask for an additional $25.00 donation for each day.

Full Camp Week

Suggested Donation
$$700/Sun-Sat
  • Best for week long conferences, vacation bible school, and youth, church or specialty camps.
  • If using the swimming pool, we ask for an additional $25.00 donation per day of use.

Come away with your group to relax, learn, pray, reflect, and renew

Sample events at Doorkeepers

  • Youth retreats
  • Training seminars
  • Church conferences
  • Leadership meetings
  • Home-school events
  • Wedding receptions
  • Family reunions

At the center

  • 8 Cabins sleeping 8 each
  • Swimming pool
  • Volleyball court
  • Carpet pool
  • Ping pong table
  • Foosball
  • Basketball hoop
  • Hiking trails
  • Tent camping

In the area

  • Alleghey National Forest
  • Kinzua Dam and Reservoir
  • Oil Creek Museum and Railroad
  • Findley Lake
  • Presque Isle
  • Chautauqua Institution

Contact Us for More Information

Call

814-664-7877

Mail

PO Box 94,
Spring Creek, PA 16436

Physical Address

110 Doorkeepers Lane,
Spring Creek, PA 16436

Location

Spring Creek is a rural community in Northwest Pennsylvania nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in Warren County. We’re about equal distance from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo, and less than an hour inland from Erie, PA or Jamestown, NY.