After six months of prayer and planning, not to mention years of vision being planted in our hearts, Shepherd’s Inn has taken its first big step into being! On Friday, November 30, 2018 we formed our board, and became an Alabama non-profit. We have filed for our 501-c3, and are graciously being covered by Mission Driven Ministries while we await that status. That means we can begin raising funds now!
We’re excited to begin this journey of creating a retreat where Christian leaders can come and rest, be renewed in Christ and cared for through hospitality and spiritual community. The property will consist of a farmhouse-style inn that will sleep up to 28 people, with cottages for up to 8 additional people in phase III. These accommodations will be available for individuals, married couples or entire ministry staffs to utilize with a retreat experience designed around their specific needs.
There will also be planned soul care retreats throughout the year for ministry leaders available through a registration process.
We are in the process of identifying a property in Middle Tennessee near Nashville that we feel would be an ideal location for the inn. We believe the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee will provide a wonderful retreat setting away from the busyness of life, but with easy access to the Nashville airport and some great day excursions on your way to and from the inn.
What we need now is prayer, promotion and startup funding. Our hope is to raise the Phase I (property) funds quickly, and purchase the land in early 2019, then focus on land development, design, programming and fundraising for Phase II (the Inn) throughout 2019. Lord-willing we would begin construction in 2020.
Please join us in prayer as we begin this much needed ministry. We have been so very affirmed over this past year in both the need and our calling to see Shepherd’s Inn become a reality.
We also need people to come alongside us as donors. If the vision of Shepherd’s Inn excites you, and you feel compelled to donate, please use the “contribute” link on the website to make a tax deductible contribution. If you know someone who would be interested in donating to this ministry, tell them about us or introduce us to them, and we’ll be glad to share the vision.
Finally, we are partnering with churches and ministry-minded businesses to help begin Shepherd’s Inn and to be able to provide accommodations at a prorated cost to leaders based upon their church size and/or ability to pay. Church/business partnerships will not only offset costs for leaders that require it, but will also provide benefits to those partnering churches/businesses through discounted use of the property to provide rest to their own leaders.
If you believe your church would be interested in partnering with us and that your church leaders would benefit from this ministry, please point them in our direction. Our heart is to serve pastors, missionaries and ministry leaders, so that they can continue to serve their churches and communities from a place of rest and spiritual health.
Thanks for reading this and joining us on this journey through prayer and support. We will post regular updates and blogs on the website. If you’d like to subscribe to our mailing list, use the form at the bottom of the page, and we’ll be sure to keep you up to date every step of the way!
In Christ,
Steven
