The Chautauqua Experience Ridgecrest North Carolina
October 19th-23rd, 2026
Theme: Arise
Arise, Shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
Planning your
Chautauqua Experience
Costs/ Deposits/Schedules
Pricing includes:
1) room-4 nights/5 days
2) 11 meals, single, 22 meals couple
3) program fee
Schedule
Monday arrive/check in starting at 4 PM, Dinner and Worship
Friday after breakfast Departure by 10 AM, &:15 AM Breakfast, 8:30AM Large group Prayer and Worship send off
Mornings include morning devotions, sessions, bible study
Afternoons include breakout sessions of choice, one afternoon free for sightseeing of one’s choice, times of reflection, fellowship, games
Ridgecrest Cost
See available rooms below.
Price includes accommodations, meals, deposit and conference fee. Meals begin with dinner on Monday and conclude with breakfast on Friday. Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. The price does not include any tours.
Registration Now Open registration confirmed with deposit
Two-Step Registration Process -
Step One a $25 non-refundable program fee per person. Include name of person(s) making deposit, make and mail check to The Aspire International Foundation. 11760 US Hwy 84W Rusk, Texas 75785 or with card or through your bank using ACH click here to register online with a 3% processing fee with card or 1% through ACH.
Step Two a link will be sent to you to finalize registration through Ridgecrest or by calling Ridgecrest at 800-588-7222 | 9a – 4p Eastern M-F.
For any questions contact us here.
John Stanley
Composer, Arranger, Music Producer, Percussionist, Author
Featured artist John Stanley recently composed the score for the highly acclaimed Great Passion Play, recorded with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and Choir. He currently serves on staff at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and is an internationally recognized composer, arranger, music producer, percussionist, and author. Known for fusing cinematic orchestration with modern production, his work spans film, television, stage, and contemporary worship, with collaborations alongside Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Juno, and Dove Award winning and nominated artists. His music has been performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall.
With special guests: Jeremy Good (concert pianist), Doug Dervies (flautist), Bill Drennan (bagpipes).
Kent Butler
Actor (Jesus) - The Great Passion Play
Kent Butler has been a featured actor playing at times the role of Jesus in The Great Passion Play for more than two decades. He currently serves as Director of Operations for the nonprofit organization that produces the Play. In this role, he oversees a staff of more than 250 personnel.
In 2025, Kent stepped into the role of Director of The Great Passion Play, leading a comprehensive audio-visual modernization of the production to enhance both artistic excellence and audience experience.
Kent is deeply committed to living out the Gospel both on and off the stage. He has faithfully served as a youth pastor at a local church since 2008, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to ministry, mentorship, and service.
Explore
Visit such places as the quaint mountain town of Black Mountain, Montreat home of Billy Graham and his retreat conference center in Asheville as well as the Biltmore estate in Asheville a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence.
