Who we are!
SHEPHERDS CARE IS AN ‘EXTREME HOSPITALITY’ MINISTRY FOR WEARY PASTORS AND MISSIONARIES. WE WANT TO USE THE UNMATCHED BEAUTY OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND TO BE THE SETTING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME OF REST, AMAZING FOOD, AND QUIET HEALING.
Usually the last to get rest, quiet and relaxation, pastors and missionaries sometimes find themselves exhausted to the point that they become discouraged or even cynical. We are looking for people who find themselves like Elijah (1 Kings 19) when he said, “I’m done!” God understood his state of mind and immediately met him under a shade tree and offered him extended rest and amazing food. This was key to Elijah’s next chapter of ministry. Shepherds Care is not intended as just another vacation option for tired Christian workers. It is our dream to be used by God to help Him restore individuals or couples, that like Elijah, are at the point of saying, “I’m done…” Better yet, it would be good to minister to folks before they reach this discouraging conclusion.
Shepherds Care is not a ‘counseling’ ministry, but instead utilizes gorgeous homes, wonderful food, walks on the beach, and as much freedom as our guests prefer.
All guests come at no cost, and all expenses for the week are covered by the generous gifts of other Believers. We want our guests to leave knowing that God loves them “immeasurably more than they could ask or imagine”.
🌴
“Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
“But God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us... ”
Shepherds Care is Not Vacation- it’s a focused week of RESToration.
Shepherds Care Hosts
Joe and Patty Friesen
“After 37 years of local church ministry and numerous overseas mission experiences, Patty and I have experienced at times the pain and exhaustion that can come from serving other people. We have also had the deep privilege of loving on pastors and missionaries who were in desperate need of rest and encouragement. We have talked for some time of developing a unique retreat center that could care for tired and discouraged servants who may be at the point of leaving the ministry.”
Joe and Patty live in Bluffton, South Carolina and are looking for folks who may want to partner in their “extreme hospitality” ministry. The more homes, finances and services that are donated, the more weary servants can be touched. Some homes offered may be off Island but will still need to be in the Bluffton/Hilton Head Island area.
Partnerships
Currently, we get our guests through a partnership with : SIM (Serving in Mission), OM (Operation Mobilization), Row Kids and NewSpring Church. They find and vet candidates and they work with us to match guests with available dates and homes. We are also open to partnering with other churches and organizations, so if interested, please contact us.
Shepherds Care is a 501(c)3 ministry and all gifts of money, or donation of services are tax deductible.
