An Acts 28 Ministry
Leaders And Followers Home
Whether you see it as a family home, a fellowship house, a study center, or your focus is more on the dinning table as a place to come together, to give thanks, learn, and to break bread, 'the home' has always been central to the development of the church, the 'ekklisia', and community
God has given us a home, 12 minutes from the historic heart of Charleston, in which to practice hospitality and spend time with those we have been given.
We are praying for partners - men and women who will join us both financially and practically, breaking bread around the dinner table, on the porch, at the pond watching the eagles, and in cohosting couples, young people, and leaders.
A Home
The home has all of the essential attributes - in an incredibly peaceful setting, with comfortable guest bedrooms, a modest library, a well proportioned dining room, and a porch - complete with pond and nesting American eagles!
"With"
The most powerful four letter words are 'love' and 'with.'
The resource of this home allows us to be 'with' visitors to the Holy City as well as residents of South Carolina - including men's groups, women's groups, young people, couples and leaders.
Breaking Bread
Many of Jesus' teaching moments were at meal times. The dinner table encourages rich conversation and relationships to be developed.
A Place Apart
Charleston is one of the world's popular cities to visit. The location close to the historic heart of Charleston, to multiple beaches, and the relaxed setting of the home make it the perfect place to come and read, reflect, and learn.
Examine Roll Models
Our library contains many biographies, books, and life lessons. We've always been encouraged to learn from role models - men and women from all walks of life, including political leadership, ministry, the arts, and business.
Remembrance and Community
"Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
We love and respect the significance of 'Eucharist' and we equally recognize, some who join around our table will likely never have attended church.
Leaders are Readers
Our Librarian-in-Chief often repeats the mantra, "leaders are readers" and provides many books and recommendations to inspire and equip leaders in all walks of life.... not least in the military.
Generational ministry
Ministry must be generational. Jesus speaks "those that you gave me" and drew the children into the middle of his teaching, and instructed "go and do likewise."
Actively in kids lives
Our property backs onto the City of Charleston Bayview Soccer Complex, which is a wonderful resource as we seek to be actively 'in the lives' of the next generation. We have acres of fun to enjoy!
Impress it upon children
Jesus guides us, be like children in our approach to our faith, and we know, "the pupil will become like the teacher."
Having been blessed by mentors, we are called to share all we have seen and all we have heard.
We also read, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."
The Word moved in
In the "Message" Eugene Peterson wrote, ”The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God," and then, "The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood."
We are called to be actively involved in our neighborhood.
Unlearning ideas
One of our mentors told us we would have to "unlearn many things."
He was speaking of 'cultural Christianity' - things we are told, or assume, rather than what Jesus teaches and the example of leadership he demonstrates.
We encourage leaders to examine together what Jesus teaches us.
Porch Prayer
A unique aspect of life in America's 'south' is how much of it is conducted on the porch! God has given us a beautiful space to gather, to talk, to learn, and to play!
"Porch Prayer" was a term we learned in moving south and a blessing we have happily embraced.
Entrust to reliable people
Paul told his young charge Timothy how important it is that we pass on the timeless truths of scripture and Jesus' teaching to reliable people qualified to teach others.
Our own experience has been that we learn most effectively around the table with mentors.
Outlook
King David teaches us, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?“ and Jeremiah tells us, "he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens." We encourage you to take time to consider this perspective.
International family
Jesus prayed to the Father about "those that you gave me," which has moved us to be very aware of those that he has given us.
We are blessed by a very international and diverse group of brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors.
Take your time
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another..."
We invite you to come and do likewise.
Passing the torch
Paul told his successor, "you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed," and "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Our charge is to pass the torch to others.
Acts 28 Ministry Vision
The next major move of the gospel will be through intentional, strategic, and relational discipleship in house-to-house ministry – just as Paul, who stayed in his own house for two years, welcomed all who came to see him and proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
For more than two decades, God has engineered for us to purposefully yet discreetly walk with leaders in strategic positions – from international governments, to the United States Congress; among C-suites of significant corporations; and with key influencers in education, commerce, arts and media.
When operating out of their God-given virtue, leaders will be a force for good to redefine, rediscover, rebuild and remodel the kingdom of God in our modern world. By supporting this effort, you can walk alongside men and women to lead a renaissance of business and finance, family and community, worship and philanthropy, education and apprenticeship, government and politics, art and entertainment, as well as news and media.
Many are concerned about deepening divides, alienation, aimlessness and confusion in our society, yet, by the grace of God, we continue to apply our experience as peacemakers from Northern Ireland, and you too can stand in the gap with us, building bridges of understanding through communication in the power of Christ Jesus.
Leaders And Followers ministry of ‘attendance’ and ‘availability’ has expanded to provide hospitality and opportunity to spend time together, in a relaxed home – a place of rest, of reflection and learning – where we break bread around the dinner table.
Central to the vision and mission is our family style dining table and porch, where we serve southern hospitality and host extended mealtime conversations. We have been blessed as guests share on the porch, the wisdom and ideas they have ‘downloaded’ from the Lord.
We continue to pray for partners in the work - to join financially and practically in hosting.
