Message: The Need For Spiritual Oasis For Ministers Series

Message Deer Ridge, Freeport IL - March 5, 2021

Fundraiser for a Ministry to Pastors – they provide Sabbaticals for free to pastors and missionaries!

Illustration: Years ago, I watched a movie called Mr. Holland’s Opus it was about a High School music teacher who never really wanted to teach HS Music but did it for the paycheck until he wrote that great symphony. Years went by and he invested in one young person after another. One life at a time. He never wrote the great symphony but after years of teaching he lost his job due to the budget cuts at the school. He was demoralized and he was forced to retire. He was feeling like a failure – like he had wasted his life - but his wife, former students, colleagues and family had a surprise for him. As he was leaving the school after clearing out his office. His family lead him into the auditorium which was packed full of all his former students, and colleagues – he was stunned - they had all come to honor him and thank him for what he had done for them. One student now the Governor even came and said to Mr. Holland “You may have never written that great symphony but we are your symphony Mr. Holland!” Look around at all the lives you have impacted with music and how many you have touched with your gift.

Observation: We sometimes underestimate the impact our service and our sacrifice has on others - would you agree on this point?

The Theme of this night is, “Lets make some music!” The cakes express this theme beautifully and they look amazing. I am positive they will taste heavenly too.

Introduction:

I read a scripture the other day – please listen to its words and let them sing to you!

Psalm 105:2: “Sing to him (to the Lord), sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”

Tonight, I am making music to the Lord – I am not playing an instrument or singing. But I am making music to the Lord by sharing with you how the Lords wonderful acts of healing have come through this ministry to many spiritual leaders – yes, this ministry’s symphony to the Lord sings of people being renewed, refreshed, restored, revived, rejuvenated, reformed and rebuilt.

These “Re’s” float through Heaven as a sweet sound to the ear of the Lord.

This ministry’s legacy sings praises, throughout the Heavens and tells of many spiritual leaders who got their souls renewed, it sings about those who received encouragement and hope.

Yes, Deer Ridge’s harmonious praise echoes around the throne of Heaven speaking of those whose strength was renewed and rejuvenated so as to enter back into service for the Kingdom of Heaven. So, other lives may be refreshed and renewed.

I know this ministry is making a huge impact on 1,000 if not 10,000 and maybe even 100,000 of lives! Why? Because I hear the songs of praise from many of my fellow ministers and pastors. I hear of how this place of rest and restoration reignited a fire in many whose flame had burned out or burned very low. They have told me how their flames for ministry were reignited again after spending time here at Deer Ridge.

Places of ministry like this are essential and yes spiritual leaders need refreshed too! Can I get an Amen!

Please Listen to these Scripture Verses which remind us of how God views His spiritual leaders:

1 Timothy 5:17: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in highest regard in love because of their work…”

My message tonight is a sonnet: I am sharing a song from my heart tonight about the importance of this vital ministry. Remember it focuses on ministry to ministers, to pastors, to spiritual leaders and it provides a place for them to have a low cost Sabbatical which helps prevent burning out, falling out, and jumping out of the ministry prematurely.

We need more places like Deer Ridge for weary, wounded pastors, missionaries, ministers and their spouses. It’s a matter of soul care – a place of healing and restoration, a place that prevents burnout. A place which focuses on saving ministerial marriages and families. A place trying to prevent ministers and their families from crashing and burning.

We need Deer Ridges because for some it’s a matter of life and death.

Deer Ridge is a preventive measure in keeping many ministries and churches from going through the turmoil of pastoral and ministerial failures, of preventing unnecessary pastoral transitions and much leadership and church pain.