California Chapter

Welcome!

In the fall of 2015, a few men from Bakersfield, California went to a Souly Business Retreat in Georgia after being invited by a close friend. These men witnessed God’s hands at work and the radical impact God had on everyone who attended. On their trip home, they began discussing what it may look like to host retreats in California. Over the next year, 80 men from California traveled to Georgia to attend and be prepared to serve at future California Souly Business retreats. The first Souly Business California was hosted in March of 2017 on Mt. Pinos and was completely full. Following the event, the excitement continued and future conferences were scheduled. We are excited to continue to host Souly Business retreats in California and hope you will attend.

Register for a Retreat

Question? Contact us!

Upcoming Retreat Information

El Camino Pines – Frazier Park State: California

El Camino Pines is situated in a pristine, dense forest of pine and oak trees, part of the beautiful Los Padres National Forest. Sitting at an elevation of 6200 feet, El Camino Pines enjoys forest fresh air, ample shade in the summer and snow in the winter.

Speakers

Faith and Work

Michael Stevens –

Priority

Ben McKinsey –

Identity in Christ

James Reese –

Servant Leadership

Brad Broughton –

The Cross

John VanLenten –

The Resurrection

Keith Hicks –

Finishing Well

Tommy Romero –

Details

Dates:

May 30th – June 1st, 2025

Cost:

$249

Chapter Leadership

Jay Olsen

Jay is a Business Administrator in the Kern High School District in Bakersfield and has worked in the areas of safety, loss control and environmental compliance and has been responsible for overseeing property and liability and workers’ compensation insurance issues in schools for over 35 years. A devoted dad and grandpa, Jay enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family locally and travelling to visit his children who live out-of-state. He’s also an avid sports fan and loves to talk baseball! God has used Bakersfield Influencers and Souly Business to help lead Jay through some painful and challenging times and into spiritual and emotional healing and an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He has a heart for men seeking deeper relationships and spiritual intimacy and enjoys using his spiritual gifts as a part of the leadership team of Souly.

Dan Bartel

Dan grew up in a rural area west of Bakersfield enjoying life on the family farm. After high school he attended Cal Poly SLO and thanks to a minor talent in football he received a degree in agricultural engineering. Today he is a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in water resource engineering focused on the agricultural industry. While his “side job” in water is fun and fulfilling his main job is being husband to Amanda for over 30 years and using his spiritual gifts serving Souly Business California and Influencers Bakersfield.

Dan and Amanda have three adult kids, Jacob, Sarah, and Daniel who are learning “adulting”. When there is spare time he enjoys gardening, raising livestock, traveling, cycling and hiking with Amanda, and fly-fishing, and bird hunting with the boys. But Dan says he really gets his batteries charged by hearing from God by digging into his Word and watching the Holy Spirit transform lives as people start to Abide in Christ.

John Vasquez

John Vasquez has spent his career serving in various capacities within the healthcare industry, primarily focusing on administrative support and management. His passion for service extends beyond the professional realm into ministry, where he has held multiple leadership roles, including youth leader, associate pastor, security and parking lot lead, and, most recently, men’s ministry director.

Raised in a Christian household, John witnessed firsthand the dedication of his parents—both devoted believers—who served God’s people with unwavering faith. His father, a minister and pastor with the Assemblies of God for over 30 years, modeled a life of ministry, leaving a profound impression on John’s own spiritual journey. Inspired by their example, John has always sought opportunities to serve wherever God calls him.

In March 2018, John attended his first Souly Business retreat during a pivotal season of seeking reconnection with his faith and purpose. On the last day of the retreat, while witnessing a powerful moment of brotherly love and unity, God placed John 13:35 on his heart: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” That encounter became a turning point, solidifying his commitment to both his faith and the mission of Souly Business.

Today, John serves as the Outside Coordinator for the camp, where he finds great joy in witnessing the transformation that takes place over the course of a single weekend. A man named Ron Froelich once invested in John’s journey with Souly Business, and now John sees it as his privilege to pay it forward—helping men experience the same life-changing impact that has shaped his own walk with God.

For John, Souly Business is more than just a retreat—it’s a kingdom movement, and he’s honored to play his part in it.