SERVING OUR VETERANS,
FIRST RESPONDERS,
and Their Amazing Families

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IDENTITY

Although it’s true that once you’re a soldier, you will always be a soldier, we believe our true identities are found only in Jesus Christ. Our program is specifically designed to guide the brave individuals we serve to discover or rediscover their God-given identity.

HEALING

The scars of our veterans and first responders are more than physical. Most of our warriors’ pain, scars, and trauma are mental, emotional, or spiritual. Our leaders and volunteers are trained to help veterans, and first responders heal from the painful memories and traumas of the past through one-on-one and group ministry during our retreats and ongoing discipleship after our retreats.

MISSION

Every soldier desires to follow their mission. The Bible states that we perish from a lack of vision, which is why we equip each warrior we serve with a clear mission and the tools needed for sustained success.

Restoring Our Veterans, First Responders, and Their Families Through Faith, Trust, and Establishing Community

Christian Warriors Retreat (CWR) is a faith-based organization committed to serving our veterans, first responders, and their loving families. Our organization’s foundation is firmly entrenched in Christian values and military traditions, unifying all branches of the United States military and first responders, of all eras. We do this by establishing a culture of honor, trust, and community, through the powerful love of Jesus Christ. The CWR community helps our members heal from traumas while guiding them arm-in-arm through proven steps to reestablishing relationships, purpose, and identity with Bible-based and Holy Spirit-led exercises. We believe that with Christ, all things are possible.

Christian Warriors Retreat is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, entirely funded through private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

Support The Mission, Donate Today

YOUR FINANCIAL GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE AND GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FUNDING THE OUR RETREATS..
Christian Warriors Retreat is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

CHRISTIAN WARRIORS RETREAT

CWR was launched in 2013 as a Christian retreat serving our veterans. Later expanding those we serve to first responders and the wives of the veterans and first responders. Today, our organization has grown into a community of like-minded warriors who serve one another at our retreats and in our everyday lives. As our organization grows, we plan on expanding our services to include retreats for veterans and first responders’ wives and Gold Star wives, facilitated through other veterans’ and first responders’ wives and Gold Star wives.

Come Join The Mission!

Join Us

Board of Directors

Spiritual Director

Dan Pooley

Dan Pooley served in the United States Army from 1993 to 1996 and the Texas Army National Guard in 2001 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He graduated from Victoria High School in Victoria Texas, proceeded to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, and is currently working on his Master of Education in Principalship at the University of Houston – Victoria. He became part owner and Real Estate Broker of a regional Real Estate firm in 2007, and was owner/partner of several other business ventures.

Today Dan serves on multiple non-profit boards. Dan also serves as an Elder at his home church, is an independent licensed Christian Minister, and high school teacher of United States History, Government, and Economics.

Secretary

Shara Crow

Shara Crow loves any activity outdoors. She grew up in Wyoming, and spent a lot of my early married life in Alaska. she married Chance Crow in 2006 and have had three sons (Maverick, Marston, and Marshal) , whom she homeschools.

Her husband Chance served in the Army for 15 years, 12 in active duty and three as a reserve. Shara worked at the Ft. Wainwright Army Education Center in the administrations and at the Personal Fitness Center (Gym) as the Assistant Operations Director when she had their first son and made the decision to become a stay-at-home mother.

She earned my Master’s degree in Sport and Fitness Management in 2013 and have been a personal trainer since 2010. Today, she and Chase own and operate a fitness and nutrition business.

She met Jesus when she was a young child and love the thought of being His. With Christian Warriors Retreat, she serves as the secretary and leads worship, with Chance, at each retreats.

Vice President

Christopher Romans

Christopher Romans served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1991 and the United States Army Reserves from 1991 to 2010. During that time he served one tour in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004.

He graduated from Waxahachie High School and proceeded to attend Navarro Junior College, Victoria College, and the University of Houston-Victoria pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. He worked in the field of corrections for the state of Texas for 24 years, and retired as a lieutenant.

He has actively served in his church as a deacon, as a church safety team member, and took on the role of Youth Coordinator in 2020. Chris was ordained in 2021 and continues to serve the Lord and his church as the Youth Pastor.

Assistant Spiritual Director

Valerie Romans

Valerie loves God, Jesus, and Holy Spirt. She loves spending time with her family and dancing with her husband of 16 years. Valerie’s ministries comprise of being a Youth/Associate Pastor’s Wife, Homemaker, and Mother to five amazing children. She is a Homeschool Mom, Worship Leader, Youth Group Leader, and helps lead retreats for female veterans and first responders.

Valerie has worked in the government sector with Texas Workforce Commission through the Texas Veterans Leadership Program. That program was specifically designed to assist veterans in transition back to civilian life after deployments from Iraq and Afghanistan.

She has served 10 years in the United States Army. She also served as an Administrative Non-commissioned Officer, traveled the world, received numerous awards, and also served in combat in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Valerie is an Honors graduate of University of Houston-Victoria with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.

President

Brandon Lemke

Brandon Lemke proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1999 – 2004, immediately after graduating high school in Yorktown, Texas. In 2009 he gave his life to Jesus Christ and serves Him in all aspects of his life, as a husband, father, ministry leader, and at work.

Brandon is happily married with three beautiful children. He has served as President of Christian Warriors Retreat (CWR) since 2018. As president of CWR, Brandon and his team of veterans and volunteers have cultivated a refuge for veterans and first responders to gather, fellowship, worship, and heal in a unified and healthy community.

Outside of his duties at Christian Warriors Retreat, Brandon is an independently licensed minster and works in the oilfield business, overseeing outside sales.

Support The Mission, Donate Today

YOUR FINANCIAL GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE AND GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FUNDING THE OUR RETREATS..
Christian Warriors Retreat is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Support The Mission, Donate Today

YOUR FINANCIAL GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE AND GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FUNDING THE OUR RETREATS..
Christian Warriors Retreat is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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