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