Shocco Springs is a nonprofit, Christian conference center in Talladega, Alabama. We are primarily a host facility that provides lodging, meeting space, recreation, support services and meals for events held by Christian and nonprofit groups and organizations.
“Shocco Springs and the staff faithfully serve us, feed us and interact with us. The smiles, the hugs, the handshakes… all those things have made a big difference in my ministry.”
Our Principles
Mission
Vision
Purpose
Desire
Impact
Our Story
According to an old legend, the Native Americans called the land “Shocco” which means “The Gathering Place.” For many years, God has gathered His people in this small corner of the world. These people, both past and present, have made Shocco Springs the special place it is today.
We are an entity of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who generously provide us with funding through the Cooperative Program. We welcome nonprofit organizations and Christian groups of many denominations because we believe that we all have one mission – the Great Commission.
Shocco continues to provide an environment of beauty and peace for guests who attend retreats, camps and conferences. In this place, many people experience spiritual transformation and renewal. Hearts are touched, lives are impacted. The staff makes every effort to provide a distinctly Christian environment where God can speak.
Russell Klinner
Executive Director
I began my career with Shocco Springs in May of 1992 as a 16-year-old kid. For the next few years, I continued part-time employment with Shocco while attending a local community college. While pursuing a Chemical Engineering degree at Auburn University, I had the opportunity to intern at a local paper mill. During the summer of 1997, in the stillness of the paper mill lab, God opened my eyes. I began to see how everything up to that point in my life revolved solely around myself and what I could achieve. God simply wasn’t in the plan. At that point in life, God began to show me what a Christ-centered life should look like. I left Auburn, and as they say, “the rest is history.”
I met my wife, Rebekah, that same summer. March of the next year, we were married. A lot has happened in those years: Grounds Supervisor, IT Coordinator, Operations Associate, various colleges, a few dogs, two kids – Leah and Will, numerous friends and co-workers, and now serving as Director!
I love Ephesians Chapter 2. It is a summary of my spiritual journey in life, from dead to alive because of Christ. In it, Paul reminds us that God has prepared a path of good works for us if we will walk in them. It was His plan from the beginning. I can truly say there is NOTHING in this world that could fulfill me as much as serving God alongside an amazing staff in this amazing environment as we seek to provide a Christ-Centered Gathering Place for you!
