Our Story
Journey of Gentle Shepherd 4011…one prayer at a time
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2017
During a season of deep prayer, the LORD used Luke 4:18-19 and Matthew 28:19-20 to impress 2 questions upon Janice. “Look at the lady next to you at church, would she be willing to share her “past” with you, without fear of judgment? And if she is in a place of guilt or shame, can she be the disciple I need her to be, as well as discipling others?”
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God doesn’t ask these types of questions without knowing the answers but to awaken us to a need. Not knowing what to do with this knowledge, we prayed for an unknown ministry.
Prayer: Father, we praise You for revealing Your heart to us, anoint us with Your Spirit to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captive and oppressed, sight to the blind for it is the year of the LORD’s favor, May we Go, making disciples and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
(Adapted from Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 28:19-20)
2022
During a lunch, where a friend spoke of the trauma of being spiritually and physically oppressed, Becky voiced a desire to provide a physical place for women and their children to work out their healing and restoration. It was as though the prayers stored in the heavenlies came to earth. Later that year, Dorcas caught the vision adding the concept of sustainable gardening to aid in financial independence. We initiated 21 Day Prayer Fasts to seek the LORD’s guidance and direction.
Prayer: Father, we give You all the Praise and Glory. Honor our fasts as we call out to You. Use us to remove the chains that bind and oppress, to feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Share Your heart with us for we know Your response is “Here I Am”, Amen
(Adapted from Isaiah 58:6-7)
2023
The LORD brought Barbara to us to remind us, ”not to despise small beginnings but to just begin the work” (Zech. 4:10).
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The name Gentle Shepherd 4011 became finalized with a community life verse and a mission statement. Under Dorcas’ guidance, she added a technology platform and website, as we instituted our weekly Zoom sessions to teach, encourage and pray for other women.
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Prayer: Father, You are GOD Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth. Christ is our model as the Good Shepherd. Share Your heart with us to empower us to shepherd others; feeding, carrying, holding and gently leading. We pray in His marvelous name. Amen
(Adapted from Isaiah 40:11)
2024 and beyond
Each step of the way Art has been guiding and directing…
We will be continuing our 21 Day Prayer Fasts, as we seek the LORD for guidance for:
Phase 1 - Fulfill our mission statement to the women and children that the LORD places before us and to form relationships and support other ministries.
To compile a resource list of ministries and the services they provide, to be used for referral purposes.
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Our goal is to provide the following services and workshops, this list will constantly be changing: prayer request submission, group prayer fasting, Monday prayer and community building, mentorship, personal fitness, health and wellness, financial planning, gardening and growing your own food, group stretching and exercising, personal counseling services, job preparation, as well as entrepreneurship.
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Prayer: "Father, You are GOD Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth. Christ is our model as the Good Shepherd. Share Your heart with us to empower us to shepherd others; feeding, carrying, holding and gently leading. We pray in His marvelous name. Amen"
(Adapted from Isaiah 40:11)
Phase 2 - Have a office location where we can meet and provide the services itemized in Phase 1.
Phase 3 - Have a property where we can provide transitional housing and sustainable gardening, while continuing to provide services identified in Phase 1; with the goal being healing, restoration, and independence.
Prayer: “Then I Heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?’ And we said, Here we are, send us…Art, Barbara, Becky, Dorcas, Janice and the others who will hear God’s call, Amen.
(Adapted from Isaiah 6:8)
Co-Founders
