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Serenity Retreat for Healing & Spiritual Renewal

EIN 76-0620650 · Houston, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Serenity Retreat exists to equip all generations in a prayer process that allows for a transformational encounter with God.

Income
$518,796
Spending
$673,570
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
7
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$42,865, executive director (from 6/3/2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $233,699 spent. Retreat Center - Serenity's Retreat Center in Bellville, TX offers rest and respite for individuals, groups, pastors, leaders and missionaries. Overnight Personal Healing Retreats are Serenity Retreat's most popular type of retreat, during which an individual receives two sessions of Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM) and is nourished both spiritually and physically. Group Retreats are offered to Christian organizations with similar values to host programs of their own in a peaceful setting outside of the city. Pastoral and Missionary Respites are offered to those in need at a discounted rate to help those who serve so sacrificially.
  2. $107,864 spent. Prayer Sessions - Serenity Retreat offers a unique and specific type of prayer called Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM). Prayer appointments can be made by anyone and are offered to the public at no cost. TPM can help anyone, including those suffering from emotional issues, the effects of abuse, depression, and addiction. For 24 years, Serenity Retreat has offered over 1,000 donation-based prayer sessions and several training classes in the TPM method every year. Continued on Schedule O.Of those who are transformed by sessions at Serenity Retreat, 70% no longer feel hopeless, 78% no longer feel overwhelming panic or fear, 58% are able to stop an addictive behavior or substance abuse, 60% have fewer problems caused by anger at work or school, and 75% notice new success in relationships. Sessions are held in person in several locations around Houston, online, or at our Retreat Center west of Houston.
  3. $115,673 spent. Transformative Prayer Ministry (TPM) Training - Serenity Retreat offers TPM training in three formats to the public (Basic Seminar, Transformation Group and Transformation School) and continuing education and training for active prayer ministers (Serenity Live, Filling Station and Truth Camp). The personalized TPM classes are led by experienced TPM Mentors who are considered experts in this field. The hope for this ministry is to equip people to encounter God and receive His truth by teaching them a safe, proven way to discover the root of what's driving them, resulting in transformed hearts and minds.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.