Helping Holden Village Rebuild After Massive Flooding

For more than 60 years, Holden Village has been a beloved retreat center that has drawn people from all over the country seeking rest and renewal in the breathtaking wilderness of Washington's North Cascades Mountains. 

Holden is a place where families, faith leaders, college students, and youth groups have journeyed to for decades. This coming August, Spirit Garage's pastor Holly Johnson had planned a summer sojourn to Holden Village with nearly 40 people.

But in December of last year, Holden Village was severely impacted by flooding in the area. Heavy rainfall caused mudslides that took out roads, and staff had to be evacuated for their own safety. While some staff have been able to return, on January 23, 2026, the Holden Village Board of Directors announced that damage from the flooding has been so extensive that the retreat center would be closed until further notice while they work with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to repair the destroyed roads.

Pastor Holly expressed her deep regret at having to cancel the summer trip. "I'm very sad, because we had 38 people signed up for the trip, including 28 from Spirit Garage, a Bethlehem Minneapolis family, and a handful of people from Transfiguration Lutheran (in Bloomington MN)."

In response to these events, the Bethlehem Foundation has granted $20,000 to Holden Village to assist with their program disruption.

Sandra Anderson, current chair of the BLCF's grant review committee, offered words of encouragement to Pastor Holly as Bethlehem renews and strengthens ties with Holden Village through this support funding: "I hope that you'll be able to lead them all, and maybe more, next year."

For more information: https://www.holdenvillage.org/