Today’s story comes from one of our husband-wife shepherding teams. At Standing Stone, it’s our joy to serve ministry leaders and their spouses. Seeing couples restored and thriving in ministry is one of our greatest joys. Here’s what our shepherds recently experienced…
We connected with Garret and Jessica at a denominational gathering a couple months ago. Three years prior, they had separated. Things looked bleak from the world’s perspective. But God doesn’t see things as the world sees them. His plan for this ministry couple included full restoration. They partnered with the Holy Spirit to walk into that restoration.
Three years later, Garret and Jess were about to step back into full time ministry. Understandably, Jess still had concerns. Could their restored marriage handle the weight of ministry? What happened if they began to struggle again?
It’s been our privilege to shepherd Garret and Jess through questions like these. We’ve built a trusted relationship with them and held space for them to sort through their thoughts and emotions.
Reflecting on 2023, Jess wrote this email:
You have been so impactful in my life, and I’m so grateful for you. For your kind, steady presence and your willingness to help. For your love for Jesus and His church and how you’re willing to champion and fight for His people, their health, their marriages and His redemptive work in their lives.
Just this week, Garret and Jessica were unanimously voted into Garret’s new position as a discipleship pastor. Getting to play a small role in God’s amazing work of restoration in this couple’s life is exactly why we joined Standing Stone. Thank you for all you do to support this work, whether you give, pray, serve, or all of the above.
Weekly Encouragement
In Acts 3, God tells us an incredible story of restoration. Empowered by God the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter heals a man crippled since birth. One man’s physical restoration sparks a wildfire of spiritual restoration in the surrounding crowd.
Let’s pick up the story in Acts 3:2…
“As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.”
Peter tells the crowd not to cling to him, but turn to Jesus, the true Healer. The apostle spontaneously preaches a powerful sermon, sharing the good news of God’s promise to restore all things to Himself. In “the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets” God’s glory and our good will be one (Acts 3:21). How amazing is that?
Until that great day, when all things will be restored, our team of shepherds will continue partnering with God to guide ministry leaders into healthy ministry. We’re thrilled to be part of His restorative work. Thanks for joining us in the adventure.
