Home Away from Home

We can be mindful of the challenges that those who are called into pastoral ministry face and be diligent to pray for those in spiritual leadership. 1st Peter 5 states:
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

This is a word of encouragement to those servant-leaders in the local church, called by God and placed in leadership by Him.  He is the One who provides the power and wisdom. We can recognize these gifted individuals who are a gift to the body of Christ and the local church, and take time to pray for and encourage them.  We are nearing Holy Week next week, and it's a time in which there are perhaps additional services and duties - there will perhaps be more people coming to church, and this gives a pastor the opportunity to share a life-giving message of hope. So, I would encourage you to be in prayer for our spiritual leaders.

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We can be reminded of our place in the local church, to which we are called, and to uphold those whom God has placed in authority. 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 states:
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Even when we have departed from this earth, the seeds we have planted can have the potential to bear fruit for Jesus Christ.  We should live in a way that we impact those who are still here when we are gone. I think that's really part of living for eternity - what are we doing for Christ here on earth that can make a lasting impact?

Well, no doubt the ministry of Billy Graham is continuing to touch lives for the Lord.  Through the continued ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and unique outreaches such as its internet evangelism wing, with which Faith Radio partners, and its Rapid Response Team, which brings the light of Christ to disaster area, the love of Christ is continuing to touch millions.

Now, the former home of Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth, in Montreat, North Carolina, will be used to provide a place of rest and refuge for pastors.  The Christian Post reported recently on Billy's Home Place; according to the article, quoting from the website for this new ministry:

It “offers several experiences designed to rejuvenate pastors and help believers discover God’s will through diving deep into God’s Word,” it says, adding, “If you serve as a vocational missionary or pastor with 20 or more years, take a few moments and fill out the Pastoral Rest and Sabbatical Form. There is no charge for pastors or missionaries who stay at Billy’s Home Place.”

According to the website, Stephen L. Thomas, who is described as a "Charlotte businessman," actor Kirk Cameron and the Graham's third daughter, Ruth, "joined together to make it possible..."  The house had been used as a vacation rental.  The article says: 

About two years ago, the original family home of Billy and Ruth Graham in Montreat was put up for sale, listed at $599,000, as their daughter sought to raise funds for her own daughter’s medical treatments. The property was sold for $750,000 on Sept. 1, 2021, according to Redfin.

Ruth Graham, whose daughter was suffering from a multisystem disorder that affects different areas of the body, told The Christian Post in a statement at the time that her parents purchased the home in the late 1940s.

“It was selected because it was right across the street from my grandparents,” she said. “I was born during the time my family lived in the house. The Los Angeles Crusades and [my father’s] tour of England happened during those years. … it is where it all began.”

The Grahams moved from the house in 1957 but remained in Montreat.

The Billy's Home Place website notes:

Billy’s Home Place co-founder, Stephen L. Thomas shared why his passion to continue Dr. Graham’s legacy was so strong. He explained “Many fail to believe that God has a deep call on our lives ; that he wants to use His people in special ways. Failure to be used by God is never because of God’s idleness towards us but because our neglect in pursuing him. We often believe God will take something away from us or worse, call us to a place that we are not prepared for!”

You don't have to look far to see that the challenges facing pastors today is huge. 

Today, we think about a pastor in Nashville who lost his 9-year-old daughter in a shooting at a Christian school.  The alleged shooter is a transgender individual - a woman attempting to transition into being a man. 

These are unusual times, and I believe there is a spiritual component at play.  We need to pray for our pastors that they would have God's strength and wisdom to navigate the clash of worldviews that is present and to boldly proclaim the truth of Scripture.

Pastors have been leading congregations through a pandemic that resulted in church closures and reduced attendance for in-person gatherings - rebuilding is continuing to occur.

The pandemic has produced a generation of young people who are struggling with mental issues, and are in need of pastor care and counseling. 

And, one of the critical weeks in the life of a pastor and church staff arrives this Sunday, with Holy Week, a time in which I believe people are more sensitized to spiritual things, a time in which there may be more services than you would find in an average week, and I would encourage you to be in prayer for those in spiritual leadership in your congregation. 

So, these three individuals are to be commended for arranging to have a place of solace for pastors and those serving in ministry. Our Lord Himself, in His earthly ministry, took time to be alone with His Father and to pray.  

Taking the time to rest - spiritual and physically - can help us as we carry out what God has called us to do.