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