Eagles Landing

A year or so ago, I began to be burdened about our  ministry's ability to connect one-on-one with the individuals to whom we are ministering.  As I speak at conferences and retreats, women come to me after each session wanting to talk about important issues in their lives.

Retreats and conferences are not conducive to meeting with women individually.  As women walk away, my heart breaks because I know they need more.  Some women need to accept Christ as their personal Savior but they can't see past their pain.  They have tried everything and are at the end of their rope.  Others are the wives and daughters of men in ministry and they feel they have no one to talk to in their community.  They need help for their own personal lives as well as help for those to whom they are ministering in their own churches.

I began to seek God's face regarding this need and I asked Him what part He would have us take to meet the need.  He reminded me of His own way.  As I studied the life of Christ I found that He met needs better than anyone.  Over and over Jesus met the physical and emotional needs of those He encountered and then He connected them spiritually to Himself.  In almost every situation He did this in a small group setting or privately.  It is our goal to follow His example.

The Plan:

In December 2008, God gave me some specific directions regarding our next step.  We need a place where we can address specific needs, help hurting people, and teach weekly Bible studies.  We need a place to house the ministry offices, facilitate weekend retreats, and house the staff needed to conduct the many functions of this new arm of our ministry.

In a way that is still so real and precious to me, God gave me the name and motto for this place, Eagles Landing-a place where those who soar can land.  The benefits of a safe place where those who are hurting and need help can come are numerous.  I realize that a few days will not fix all of their problems, but giving people a place to land for a little while as God does His mighty work in the renewal of their lives will accomplish our purpose.

• This part of our ministry is small group oriented and designed to meet one-on-one with each individual in order to help them and give them hope.  We are calling these small group weekends RENEW.
• It will take a team concept to make this possible.  Currently we have several men and women completing a training program with the American Association of Christian Counselors to become certified as Life Coaches.  This certification, in addition to their many years of experience in concentrated areas, will allow us to put a quality team together to meet different needs.  It will also allow us to broaden our ministry to reach men and couples.
• The setting needs to be "living room" oriented.  This will give each individual a safe and comfortable place to share their burdens and to be loved and encouraged by others.  It is our goal that each person will walk away with a renewed spirit as they have connected to Christ in a stronger way over the weekend.

At first I felt we would need to build a facility in order to accomplish all that God has set before us to do.  I continued to pray but stayed busy with the work He has put before me feeling that the fruition of these plans would be years down the road.  God had other plans.  He knew that there was a home already built that is exactly what we need.  In a series of circumstances that only He could orchestrate, I stumbled across a home in the downtown Chattanooga area that was quietly being put on the market.  It was a miracle the owners allowed me to look at the home because I did not meet any of their qualifications.  I have watched God open door after door over the past few months in regards to this property.

The mission is God-sized.  It's a Red Sea crossing, walls of Jericho tumbling, sun standing still kind of adventure.  If you want to be part of a miraculous adventure where only God can get the glory, then I am inviting you to join us.  Women's lives are at stake, marriages are on the line, ministries are hanging in the balance, young people are one decision away from irreversible consequences and eternity is looming ahead.  Will you help?

The owners of the property have given us until October 9, 2009 to raise the money.  By the time you are reading this, that date will be less than 120 days away.  Our goal is to raise 3 million dollars.  I am asking you to pray and ask God how He would have you to be a part of this exciting adventure.

If this is not a God thing, I don't know what is.  He will have to do this because only He can.  The board members at Dare for More are writing letters, making phone calls, and doing everything we know to do to get the word out there.  We need your help.  Here is what you can do:

1. Commit to pray everyday until October 9th for God to meet the need.
2. Ask God what you can do to partner with us financially in this endeavor.  I will be glad to send you more information and personally talk with you to answer any questions you might have.  You can send your donation by a check made payable to Dare for More Ministries, Inc. or by giving online.
3. Think about people you may know who you can tell about this exciting project.  I believe with all my heart that God has people out there who are looking for a place to invest their money for the glory of God's kingdom.  Contact the people you know and tell them about what God is doing with Dare for More and I will be glad to send them some information and contact them personally.

For those of you who would like more details, I will blog each week about what God is doing.  We have posted pictures of the property for you to look at as well.  These pictures were taken by the current owner so everything you see is the property as it looks now.

These are exciting days.  Nothing has stretched my faith like this journey.  God can provide and I believe He is calling us to follow Him.  My feet are already dusty from the journey.  Please join me and get ready to shout His praises.