January 2018 Newsletter

 Shepherd's Rest International

                        A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam                                            to pastors and missionaries and their families.                                      "The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"                                            He makes me lie down in green pastures.                                     He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"      Psalm 23:1-3

 

NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 28, 2018

Greetings everyone! I trust your 2018 is off to a great start!  It’s been a while since I have written a newsletter so I thought I would start by giving you a ‘2017 Year at a Glance.’ 

During the year of 2017 I attended and led 93 prayer meetings, preached 78 sermons, and I taught 28 Bible lessons.  I preached in 12 churches in Montgomery, Carroll, and Grenada Counties and served as Interim Pastor in two churches.  Martha and I prepared and served breakfast 42 times for an average of 12-15 pastors (occasionally reaching 20) at the weekly Interdenominational Pastors’ Fellowship Breakfast.  This continues to be a wonderful fellowship and a great encouragement to all. On December 10th I was also called as the Bi-vocational

Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Grenada, Mississippi.  They are a sweet congregation of mostly older folks (like us) and we have come to love and appreciate them.

2017 was a year of unexpected events – some encouraging and others rather discouraging.  For many years now, Martha and I have carried a vision of Shepherd’s Rest in our hearts, and we have envisioned a beautiful place with multiple houses, lake, prayer garden, walking trails, etc., where we could bring ministry families and encourage them, pray for them, love them, serve them, and then send them back into the ministry restored, refreshed, and renewed.  We are still believing for “The Place” in which to fulfill this vision.

We received word from a ministry in East Tennessee that they had 160 acres near Tupelo, MS, that they wanted to donate to our ministry.  We were thrilled and saw this as a wonderful answer to our prayers and the beginning of the fulfillment of the vision for a place from which to serve ministry families.  Their board voted unanimously to give the land to us.  We traveled there twice, walking the property and praising the Lord for His provision.

Long story short, after several months they reversed their decision, feeling that giving us the land would violate the requirements of the original will of the woman that had given the land originally to them.  (She had specified that the land be used for a Messianic Jewish ministry).  To put it mildly, this was a great disappointment!  But we felt the Lord was at work, and though we didn’t understand why this happened like it did, we submitted it to the Lord’s will and sought to move on.

Upon hearing of the reversal a Christian businessman promised to give us 100 acres.  Again we were excited about this and saw the Lord at work.  But, upon looking over the land, both the businessman and we felt it would not be suitable for our purposes since it had steep gullies and very little land suitable for building.  So, this was another disappointment.

Next, we were offered several small parcels of land throughout Mississippi that we could sell and use the proceeds to develop Shepherd’s Rest.  However, a number of months have passed and we’re not sure where things stand regarding this offer. We have decided to leave it in the Lord’s Hands.  We remain hopeful!

All this to say, we are a bit baffled as to all these turn of events last year, but we still believe fully in the vision of Shepherd’s Rest and believe that in the Lord’s time He will provide for us a place from which we can minister to pastors and missionaries and their families.

Until then, we continue to serve and bless ministry families anyway we can, while still holding out hope for the breakthrough that we are praying for.  Lately we have begun to think that we should believe the Lord for a farm of 25 acres or so in the Grenada area, ideally with a house, barn, and lake, so that we could serve the church and also develop the vision of Shepherd’s Rest.  

A church in the area has offered to give us a 1000 sq ft house that we can move and remodel.  We just need the land to move it to.

We had our annual Shepherd’s Rest board meeting on January 11th in Winona, MS.  We lost one board member in 2017.  Dr. Tim Mims, former pastor of the First Baptist Church in Winona, MS, resigned as a Shepherd’s Rest board member due to his accepting a position at Blue Mountain College as a professor.  The college asked that he not serve on any boards.  Two names were presented as new board members.  These will be contacted and asked to serve.  A 2018 budget was adopted.

On a personal note, in December Martha and I celebrated 47 years of marriage and had a wonderful time on our trip to the Smokies, especially our time in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Whitestone Country Inn. 

Overall we have much to be thankful for, and we pray that 2018 will be the year when we will see the vision of a home for Shepherd’s Rest come to fruition.

Thank all of you who have given financially to our ministry thus far.  We appreciate each of you so much and believe that as we partner together we can, by the Grace of God, accomplish all that the Lord has in His heart for us to do.

As you pray for us, please especially remember these needs:

  • The development of new relationships with pastors and missionaries

  • Wisdom and anointing to minister to ministry families who are hurting

  • Land-25 acres or so with farm house, barn, lake, etc. for Shepherd’s Rest

  • Operating funds for administration, remodeling, construction, moving the house mentioned above, and other operating expenses

  • Wisdom in writing grant proposals

  • The development of a team of prayer partners for our ministry

  • New monthly financial partners

May God Abundantly Bless and Reward You for Your Faithfulness!

Together God can use all of us to make a difference in the lives, families, and ministries of pastors and missionaries.

Howard and Martha Beam, Founders and Directors                           Shepherd’s Rest International

For information about how you can help and how you can donate online, Please visit our WEBSITE at www.shepherdsrestinternational.com                                               

Contact Us:

To write or send contributions by MAIL, send to:                             Shepherd’s Rest International                                                            C/O Howard & Martha Beam,                                                          115 Pine Drive, Winona, MS 38967

SHEPHERD'S REST UPDATE MAY 2017

 

Shepherd's Rest International

A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.   He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"  Psalm 23:1-3

MAY 23, 2017

Greetings everyone, It’s been awhile since I have written about what is happening with Shepherd’s Rest.  In our last newsletter I spoke about our daughter Becca who was on an eleven month, eleven country mission trip with adventures in Missions called “The World Race”.  She completed her ministry assignment and returned safely home last November.  It was a great experience and many wonderful things happened to strengthen the Kingdom.  We were excited for Shepherd’s Rest to be a support to her ministry as well as help a number of other “Racers” to stay on the field and complete their journey.  Several individuals and churches also gave through Shepherd’s Rest to help support Becca in her ministry.  We praise God for all that He did in and through Becca and her team and pray that there will be Kingdom fruit that remains.

In our last ministry update I mentioned two things that we are doing locally.  One is that I lead a pastor's prayer meeting each week for pastors.  We pray for one another, for our families, our churches, for revival and for our nation.  Lately we have been especially praying for protection for President Trump, his family, Vice President Pence and his family, and for the Congress and the Supreme Court.  We are asking God to save our President and his family and all those in authority, especially those that are surrounding them and giving counsel.  We are praying for their protection and that they would be men and women of God who would seek the Lord’s will in all that they do.  This is a small group of pastor prayer warriors who join together weekly to seek the Lord.  It has been a blessing to be able to lead this group and I know there have been kingdom blessings as a result.

Martha and I also cook and serve a fellowship breakfast for from 12 to 15 pastors weekly.  This and the weekly prayer meeting are both inter-denominational and interracial.  It has been such a blessing and so rewarding to see the growing unity and cooperation developing among the pastors.  On several occasions we have had the opportunity to minister to and encourage local pastors in this fellowship.  One or more sometimes stay after the breakfast and we have an opportunity to give a word of counsel or encouragement to them. 

Lately there have been two pastors that have left their churches and needed extra love and support which we were able to give.  Not only me, Representing Shepherd’s Rest, but all the pastors have rallied to the aid of these dear brothers in their time of need.  It has been great to see the body of Christ in action and to see pastors standing with and supporting each other.  One of the pastors was fired when he arrived at his church on a Sunday morning.  It was such a shock and so hurtful and they are still reeling from the attack against their persons and their ministry.  The other pastor after a year and a half or more of suffering personal hardships and ministry pressure reached a point when he felt he could not take any more and he resigned his church after having issues with the leadership.  He had had a very successful ministry for several years and yet reached a point where he just walked away from his income, his pastorium, and his ministry.  We are praying for healing and restoration for this dear brother and his family and praying that in time he will answer God’s call for a new ministry assignment.

One of the things that we feel the Lord has put on our hearts is to establish a ministry hotline for pastors and their family members, as well as others who are serving the Lord in ministry, to be able to call and receive godly counsel, encouragement, and prayer anytime day or night.  Please pray with us as we get this going and that God will use it to help restore, refresh, and renew pastors and ministers and their families.

In addition to the work with other pastors, since I completed my ministry as an Interim Pastor at a local church, I have been very busy preaching in various churches in the area.  Presently I am serving as an “unofficial” Interim Pastor for a church in the area whose pastor suffered a major aneurysm, ten minor strokes; one or more major strokes, and was in a coma for three or more weeks.  The doctors gave him no hope of recovery and told the family to get ready for him to die.  His church asked me to take over the ministry responsibilities until something was decided one way or the other.  His church and many other believers prayed earnestly for him and his family and God heard those prayers.  He woke out of his comma, began to be alert and talk and even to walk with some help.  Instead of going to the grave he went to therapy!  God is continuing to minister healing to him.  Praise the Lord!  Please continue to pray for his complete healing and restoration.  He still has a way to go and the doctors are presently trying to get his blood pressure down and under control.  He is still very weak especially on the left side.

Last time I mentioned that we were requesting a ministry grant from a foundation but at present that is not working out.  We are still hopeful and know that in His time God will provide all that is needed to see the vision of Shepherd’s Rest come to pass.  We need “a place” to bring weary and wounded pastors and missionaries and their families to receive loving care, encouragement, support and prayer.  Pray with us about that please.

We appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and financial support of our ministry very much.  Please keep praying for us and Shepherd's Rest International and don't hesitate to let us know if we can in any way serve you, your ministry, your pastor, your church, or missionaries that you support.  May God abundantly bless you and may you experience the Abundant Life that Jesus has promised to all who believe in Him.

In Christ Love, Howard and Martha Beam

 

SHEPHERD'S REST UPDATE - OCTOBER 2016

Shepherd's Rest International

A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.   He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"  Psalm 23:1-3

OCTOBER 29, 2016

Hello dear friends, Martha had a wonderful mission trip to India in August.  She so enjoyed ministering to and with our daughter Becca in Hyderabad, India.  It was a ten day trip and she flew by herself for the very first time.  She had flown with me and with our family many times. I was so proud of her for going and I know it meant so much to her and to Becca and her team. Becca, as you may remember, is on an eleven month, eleven country mission trip called "The World Race" with Adventures in Missions.  They ministered in India to a special needs orphanage and the kids there really won their hearts.  

Please pray for Becca as she is now in Cambodia ministering and will return home just before Thanksgiving.  We are so excited to get her back home safely but praise the Lord for the opportunity that she has had to serve the Lord all over the world this past year.

On the home front here in Carroll and Montgomery Counties in Mississippi we are continuing to minister to local pastors.  I lead a pastor's prayer meeting every week where we pray for one another, for our families, our churches, for revival and for our nation.  We have especially been praying lately for the upcoming election which is such an important turning point for our nation.

Martha and I also cook and serve a fellowship breakfast for from 12 to 20 pastors weekly.  This and the weekly prayer meeting are both inter-denominational and interracial.  It has been such a blessing and so rewarding to see the growing unity and cooperation developing among the pastors.

As I write we are taking the first step towards securing a ministry grant to launch "the place" for Shepherd's Rest.  We are believing the Lord for something like 100 acres, with several houses, a lake, walking trail, and prayer garden in a quiet peaceful environment where ministers and their families can come and be ministered to by the Chief Shepherd, Jesus.  He said in Mathew 11:28, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  We are praying that God's Will be done on earth as it is in heaven regarding this facility.  Please join us in prayer.

Please keep praying for us and Shepherd's Rest International and don't hesitate to let us know if we can serve you or your ministry in any way.

In Christ Love, Howard and Martha Beam

Mission Trip to India in August

Shepherd's Rest International

A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.   He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"  Psalm 23:1-3

 

July 1, 2016

Hello dear friends, this is from Howard Beam, with Shepherd's Rest International.  

Our daughter Rebecca is on an 11 months, 11 country world tour Mission trip with Adventures in Missions. It is called "The World Race". Thus far she has served with her team in Peru, Equador, Columbia, Greece, Montenegro, Albania, and has just arrived in Nepal.  Next month she will be in India and then Thailand, Malaysia, and will finish up in Cambodia.

On her way to Albania, she and her team landed at the Istanbul Airport.  They left the airport just eight hours before the ISIS terrorists bombed it killing at least 36 people and injuring 147 more!  We are so grateful to God for protecting them and for the prayers of many of you for her safety.  She and her team are often in potentially dangerous situations.  (A few days ago a different squadarrived in Mozambique just as civil war was breaking out!) 

Martha and I have an opportunity to join Becca and her team in mid August in India. We will be able to minister to and encourage her and her team, as well as minister alongside her to the precious Indian people.  

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for us, and if the Lord puts it on your heart, we would be very grateful for your financial support. We have thus far given a non-refundable deposit to Adventures in Missions for just under $2000 from our own resources, but we still need an additional $4000 for the trip for airline tickets, additional lodging, food, etc.  We would also like to bless the ministry where we will be serving.  

Would you pray about helping?  If you are able to give, you may give online by going to our website at "shepherdsrestinternational.com".  

If you prefer to send a check, you may send it to Howard and Martha Beam, 115 Pine Drive, Winona, MS 38967. Make the check out to "Shepherd's Rest International" and write "India Trip" on the Memo line.  Shepherd’s Rest International is a 501c3 non-profit ministry and all contributions are tax deductible.    

If you have questions, or just want to catch up, call me at (901) 497-8477.   Thank you and may God Abundantly Bless You!!! 

With Christ Love, Howard & Martha Beam 

For information about how you can help and how you can donate online,

Please visit our WEBSITE at: www.shepherdsrestinternational.com.

You may also contact us by PHONE at:  (901) 497-8477

Or by EMAIL at: shepherdsrestinternational@gmail.com,

And like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/ theshepherdsrestinternational.

To write or send contributions by MAIL, send to:

Shepherd’s Rest International

C/o Howard & Martha Beam

115 Pine Drive, Winona, MS 38967

Donate

Shepherd's Rest Update - February 2016

 

 

Shepherd's Rest International

FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER

                           A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.                  

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.                      He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"   Psalm 23:1-3

_____________________________________________________
 

     A lot has happened since our last update.

     The Lord has truly blessed us and we are excited about the opportunities that we have to minister to the pastors in our area. Here are a few highlights.

     I attend a 6AM prayer meeting at McDonalds every Wednesday morning where 25-30 men gather to pray and share what God is doing in their lives. There are about 6-7 pastors that attend and the rest are laymen. It's a great group and I have made several strong friendships with these men. Out of this has spun several ministry opportunities with pastors and churches. I thank God for these men!

     On Thursday mornings at 7:30 AM we have helped to organize a pastors’ revival prayer meeting which I lead. We meet at First Baptist Church in Winona and have 9-11 or so pastors that attend at present. This meeting, like all the activities that we sponsor or promote, is interdenominational and interracial. It is so good to see these men of God coming together praying for and loving one another.

     We divide into small groups of 3-4 and pray one by one for each other's personal and family needs. Then we pray for each other's churches and for revival in our churches, our communities, our state, and our nation.

     We pray for the Supreme Court nominees and for the upcoming presidential election. Already we are seeing brothers open up and share their hearts and hurts and needs with each other. Real, solid friendships are being developed. Praise the Lord!

     Spinning out from this meeting we plan to host a pastors and wives fellowship dinner and from that some pastors’ wives fellowships. We are seeing that the wives have a great need to get together and develop meaningful relationships as much or more than their husbands.

     Down the road we plan to hosts pastors and wives retreats. We are humbled by the favor that the Lord has given us and we are honored to be allowed to serve these men and women of God.

     On Friday mornings we host a pastors’ fellowship breakfast. This is a group that has been meeting for years before we arrived in Winona and they have met in numerous locations. About a month ago, the group agreed to move to the North Carrollton Baptist Church, where I serve as Transitional Pastor.  Martha and I cook for from 11-20 pastors each week. It is a great group of guys, and strong friendships have been built.

     I am also a part of the Winona Ministerial Association which meets monthly. I recently spoke at a Lenten luncheon at the Methodist church and will be the speaker at the community sunrise service coming up soon.

     Martha and I are still believing the Lord for "our place" to house the ministry of Shepherd's Rest. We are asking the Lord for something like a hundred acres with several houses, lake, walking trails, and a prayer garden. This will be a quiet, peaceful place where ministry families can experience the restful presence of the Lord and afterwards return to their respective places of service restored, refreshed, and renewed! 

     This will be such a blessing to these dear servants of the Lord and to the Body of Christ. Please join with us in prayer for the Lord to fulfill this part of the Shepherd's Rest vision.

     Thank you for your prayers and financial support of our ministry. We appreciate it so much and couldn't do it without you! 

     May God abundantly bless you and yours,

     Howard & Martha Beam

 

 

 

JULY 2015 NEWSLETTER

Shepherd's Rest International

JULY 2015 NEWSLETTER

                                A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.                  "The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.   He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"   Psalm 23:1-3

________________________________________________

August 10, 2015

Dear Friends,

Much has happened since I last gave you an update of Shepherd’s Rest International.  We are so blessed by how God has used us to encourage and minister to the Body of Christ and especially to pastors and their families over the last several months.

In March I attended an “Embracing the Supernatural” Conference at White Dove Fellowship in the greater New Orleans area.  It was such a blessing as I was able to reconnect with pastors and missionaries and native Russian pastors again.  As well as receiving ministry and encouragement we were able to encourage and pray for several ministers while there.

As the Lord has opened doors for us I have preached in Vaiden, Winona, Carrollton, Grenada, Kilmichael,   and Oxford in Baptist, Methodist, and inter-denominational churches.

I also preached two revivals at Providence Baptist Church in Carrollton, MS and at Clear Creek Baptist Church in Oxford, MS.   It was wonderful to sense the presence of the Lord and experience His anointing in these services.

Beginning in June I became the Transitional Pastor of North Carrollton Baptist Church and will be helping the church there to be built up and strengthened so that in time they will be ready to receive a new pastor.  We have really enjoyed our time there and the Lord is blessing our efforts.  Praise His Name!

We now have a full Board of Directors for Shepherd’s Rest!  In addition to Martha and me, we are joined by Pastor Larry Kilgore, Crowder Baptist Church, Crowder, MS, Pastor Johnny Walker, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church Winona, MS, and Pastor Tim Mims, First Baptist Church Winona, Ms.  We are so blessed to have these men of God to serve with us in this ministry.

On a personal note I was so blessed to go on an Emmaus Walk in March.  It was a life changing experience and I have never felt so loved by the Body of Christ in my entire life.  Thanks to my sponsor and all that made this such a memorable event.

In April I was thrilled to be able to play a leading role in the local “Hill Fire” production.  I played the part of the Mayor of the old town of Middleton.  Such fun!  I made a number of new friends, not the least of whom was Wilton Neal.  It was through this connection that I was asked to serve as the Transitional Pastor of North Carrollton Baptist Church.

Also, on June 30th our 5th grandchild was born, Lillie Grace Beam.  She is such a blessing and Christy and Gracie are doing well.

Thank you for all who pray for us and who are contributing to our financial support.  We appreciate you so much.  Please keep it up.  There is much to be done!

God Bless You!

Howard & Martha Beam

 

 

 

February 2015 Newsletter

Shepherd's Rest International

February 2015 Newsletter

                                A ministry of Howard & Martha Beam to pastors and missionaries and their families.                  

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want!"   He makes me lie down in green pastures.                          He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul!"                            Psalm 23:1-3

_____________________________________________________
February 26, 2015

Dear Friends,

     Greetings!  For some of you this will be the first introduction to the new ministry that the Lord has led Martha and me to begin called Shepherd’s Rest International.  Others of you have been faithful prayer warriors and financial supporters from the beginning.  We thank God for all of you!  We wanted to give you an update of what the Lord is doing here and how He is blessing.
     
     In July, 2014, after resigning as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sardis, and from my hospice chaplain ministry, we launched Shepherd’s Rest International to minister to pastors and missionaries and their families. We moved to Winona, Mississippi, Martha’s home town.  It has truly amazed us how the Lord has blessed us over these months and how He has used us to be a blessing.  We are excited and humbled that He would do so. 

     Each week we see new opportunities to minister to the ministers, serve the servers, and care for the caregivers in the Body of Christ.  We are amazed and blessed at the warm reception that we have received here in Winona and the greater Montgomery and Carroll Counties.  God has given us favor here, and the pastors have welcomed us and received us into their fellowship.  What blesses us is that these are men and women from varied denominational affiliations and includes black and white brothers and sisters as well. 

     I have had numerous opportunities to speak in various churches, and I attend three different prayer/fellowship groups of pastors and laymen each week and another that meets monthly.  Out of these groups have come opportunities for Martha and me to meet with ministry couples personally to build relationships, ascertain their needs, and pray for and encourage them in every way that we can. 

     It has been a very exciting and rewarding journey thus far, and we are thrilled to see the Lord bringing to pass the vision that He put into our hearts so many years ago to have a ministry that would enable us to minister to pastors and missionaries and their families. 

     For the present, we are serving out of our home in Winona, but ultimately we are praying for and believing the Lord for 100+ acres, houses, walking trails, prayer garden, lake, etc., where we can bring ministry families to experience the peace and presence of the Lord in a quiet and beautiful setting.  We firmly believe that this is the Will of God in Heaven, and Jesus told us to pray that God’s Will in Heaven would be done on earth.  So, that’s how we continue to pray. 

     Until then, we are busy about the Master’s work where we are and with what we have. Please continue to stand with us in prayer for the fulfillment of this vision.  We appreciate that so much.

     On a practical note, we are excited to announce that we now have our 501c3 status!  Praise the Lord!  This means that you no longer need to send your contributions to Charity Chapel in Pensacola, Florida.  From now on, please send all contributions to Shepherd’s Rest International.

You may do so in the following ways:

IF GIVING BY MAIL, make the check out to Shepherd’s Rest International and send to:
 
Shepherd’s Rest International 
C/O Howard & Martha Beam
115 Pine Drive
Winona, MS 38967
 
IF GIVING ONLINE through our website at shepherdsrestinternational.com: 
 
Click the “Join With Us” button and then the “Donate” button.  Your donations will be deposited directly into our Shepherd’s Rest International bank account at Renasant Bank. 
 
     Either way you give, your contributions are tax deductible and very much appreciated.
 
     Thanks again for being a part of Shepherd’s Rest International.  Together we are making a difference to the Glory of God!  If we can be of help to you in any way, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
 
Many Blessings,
Howard and Martha Beam
 
 

 

 

 

October News

Hello beloved!  Much has happened since our last post.  It has been a busy month and a half.  We are now settled in our new home in Winona, MS.  We have no idea how long we will be here and know that the Lord will (in His time) provide us a place for Shepherd's Rest International (100 + acres with multiple houses, a lake, walking trails, and prayer garden in a beautiful rolling hills setting where the presence of the Lord is daily felt).  We can't wait to see how He will provide, and since we believe that this is His will in heaven, we are praying that His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven!  In the mean time, we are very thankful for His provision of Martha's mother's house, and we are excited about how the Lord is opening doors for us here in Winona and in Montgomery and Carroll Counties. 

We have met with several groups of pastors, and I am attending two weekly pastors’ and laymen prayer meetings and there is soon to be a third.  I have also been invited to preach in three area churches.  I have distributed our brochures to a number of the local pastors and in several churches.  I have met with the area Director of Missions for the Baptist association here and have shared with him what the Lord has called us to do.  He has been very supportive and encouraging and has introduced us to the pastors and wives fellowship at their quarterly meeting.  In addition, we have posted announcements on four different regional radio stations about our ministry. 

The Methodist pastors have also welcomed us and have been very supportive.  They host a men's prayer meeting every Wednesday morning at 6 AM that meets at McDonalds.  The first time I attended, there were 27 men present and this last Wednesday there were 19.  This is a great group of men who are really serious about living for Jesus and being a witness and a light in this dark world.  They have asked me to share at one of their upcoming meetings.

We have begun setting up personal meetings with pastors and wives in their homes, and it has been wonderful to see how the Lord has encouraged us and them by these special times.  We plan to continue and expand this aspect of our ministry.

We had a wonderful time attending the Gateway Leadership Conference in Fort Worth, TX this month.  We were greatly encouraged and also got to share at a Life Group at Lakepointe Church in Garland, TX.  Thanks so much to Harry and Dorothy Hegwood for making this trip possible and for the open doors for ministry.

Finally, we are hoping to finalize the acquisition of our own 501c3.  A pastor friend GAVE this to us.  What an amazing blessing from the Lord and from this dear friend!  He had used it in years past for world missions, but it has been idle for the last several years. This will save us over $1000 and 8 to 12 months of waiting for the final approval to get our own.  Thank you Lannie Wilbourn for your generous Kingdom minded gift!  May God abundantly bless you!

Very soon contributors will be able to give online and through direct means to Shepherd's Rest International as a tax deductible contribution.  We are greatly indebted to Charity Chapel and our dear friend Pastor Michael Collins for allowing us to channel funds through their ministry until we have our tax free status.  It won't be long now!  Praise the Lord!

We now have a new website at: www.shepherdsrestinternational.com          

Check us out! 

We also have a new email address for the ministry. It is: shepherdsrestinternational@gmail.com

Our Facebook address is:  www.facebook.com/theshepherdsrestinternational

We'd love to hear from each of you.  Write and let us know how you are doing.  If we can serve you in any way, don't hesitate to contact us. 

Blessings, Howard and Martha Beam