The team at Shepherd’s Inn hopes you and your family are well during these challenging times. We pray that you are finding peace in the God of all peace. We are also praying with you for the healing of our nation and our world!
It’s been a while since our last update, and we want to share the latest progress on Shepherd’s Inn with you. We deliberated at the onset of Covid-19 if we should hit pause for a season or press forward. After praying and seeking wise counsel we are pressing forward (with social distancing in place, of course).
We know that many of our ministry leaders are now serving in even higher capacity than before this pandemic, developing and implementing new ways to minister to our communities while supporting and encouraging their congregations and organization leaders. To provide encouragement to these ministers and missionaries, we recently began offering free and discounted tele-counseling to give them a place to safely be heard and encouraged.
With that in mind, we are pressing onward with preparing a place for these leaders to come and rest, be renewed in spirit and cared for, so they can continue to serve their local churches and communities with a healthy, rested soul.
Chip Gaines always used to say on the show “Fixer Upper” that his favorite day of the renovation was demo day, and I have to agree! There’s something deeply satisfying about sending a sledge hammer through a wall to make room for a new design. In March, we began interior demo on the Lodge where most of our meeting places, kitchen, dining room, and four of our guest rooms will be located. We also began clean up on an additional structure where four row cottages will be.
Our drawings are also coming together nicely for the inn. We’ve taken the time to thoughtfully design the layout of the lodge (shown below) and row cottages. Soon we’ll have contractors at work on electrical and plumbing in both.
In addition to the inn itself, we are beginning development of the surrounding landscape and trail system. For as much as Shepherd’s Inn will be a comfortable place to rest, it will also be a beautiful place to commune with the Father away from the noise of everyday life and ministry. Our hiking and self-guided prayer trails will be an important element in a visit to the inn, so we’re getting a head start on the land while the weather is nice.
We’re off to a great start, but we still need the generosity of individuals as well as partnerships with the local church and Christian organizations to help complete the work ahead. Our hope is to open the doors to the inn in early 2021. We believe we can do this with your help! Here’s how you can join us:
Pray
Pray for our team, for provision, and for the ministry leaders we are serving and will serve..
Promote
Tell your church leadership, your community, and others about Shepherd’s Inn and help us connect with them.
Provide
Visit shepherds-inn.org/donate and choose a one-time or recurring giving option that’s right for you. All gifts are tax-deductible and will make a huge impact in the life of ministry leaders that serve your church and community, both locally and globally.
We are so grateful for the support and encouragement we have received this past year. Please continue to pray for Shepherd’s Inn and for those leaders who serve in our churches and on the mission field. We’ll be sure to post our progress, and we look forward to providing the ministry of rest, renewal and care in 2021!
