Shepherding the Shepherds

I just have to testify today to the amazing ways that God is using our Ministry Board to minister to me and my family. Chris, Jennifer, Melody, and I spend our time pouring into others with the desire to set hearts free. Some days are filled with lots of celebration about a soul set free...other days are quite draining, walking people through their present darkness. We do feel our calling and Encounter's calling is to shepherd people through that process.

To be honest, though, there are times that I feel alone and fatigued...i'm sure mel, jen, and chris would agree. There are weeks that I feel overwhelmed with the needs of people and the needs of our ministry. There are weeks that the financial weight gets real heavy. Ministry fatigue begins to set in. We need others to shepherd and care for us. I am learning to be more vulnerable in this area and to share needs...it is not easy for me. Every shepherd needs a shepherd.

And then our Board steps in...the last 2-3 weeks, I have been humbled by their caring for us...
*personal giving to the ministry...of prayers, time, and finances.
*one couple dropping by to just say "we love you".
*an email to say "how can i pray for you"
*a "handyman" brother's willingness to help fix the alternator in our van
*a call to say "how can i help and what's next for the ministry"
*someone dropping by to just say "we love and support you guys"
*one family's ongoing prayers and support of the work and openness to be invested in what we are doing (even through a wild job transition)
*one guy's way of saying "if you ever need anything, you know you can call me..."
*one Board member's ongoing prayers and love from a distance and maintaining connection with us

This is what it looks like to shepherd the shepherds...