As promised last week, I’d like to explain the framework of this ministry to give you a better understanding of who we are, what we do, and where we’re going in order for you to get the most out of this. Though I started this as a blog to encourage people going through challenges many experience but don’t like or know how to talk about (chronic illness, faith, finances, infertility, and life), it’s developed into much more.
First of all, I, Rachel Van Pelt, would sincerely like to thank each of you who have followed with me since the inception of this ministry. It has been such a gift to know you or get to know you and encourage you along your own journeys. I hope as we continue to refine as the Lord leads, that you’ll continue to grow with us, as we truly value you.
As I shared last week on the “A Long-Awaited Dream Has Come to Life,” blog post, there was a dream God placed in my heart long before the one for the blog. It’s been sixteen years and that vision has finally begun to shine. As Hope Through Hard Times has developed over the past four-and-a-half years, I can see how it might be confusing for you to follow along with the changes we’re implementing when there’s a number of branches to this ministry and they may not clearly all fit together to you. Today I’m going to bring clarity for you to see how these all align.
Since most of the ministry has some sort of “plant” theme to them, let’s think of the overarching mission of Hope Through Hard Times like a tree with the themes of Christ’s hope, restoration, and strength as its roots, with the dirt foundation being prayer.
There are four main components:
Prayer – All of this is built and sustained on prayer (Applied to all areas of ministry)
Hope – Helping others hold onto the “confident assurance” we have in Christ. (Applied to all areas of this ministry)
Restore – We do this by restoring the broken to a healthy spiritual state.
Strengthen – Guiding Christians into a stronger state, allowing them to become more intimate with Christ and more difficult to break (forming unity). (2 Tim. 1:7)
Important elements of this:
- Keep Jesus first above all
- Helping others understand the important and necessary value of spiritual disciplines
- Be a unified body by strengthening each others’ faith (comfort, encouragement, accountability, discipleship)
With these “roots” in mind, let’s look at the four “branches” that make up Hope Through Hard Times tree to completion. Below are the clarified sections of which branches fit under the Restoration and Strengthening areas of ministry.
Restoration
1 – Hope Through Hard Times
(Main name of full ministry – includes blog, shop, and social media channels)
Mission Statement: Restoring and strengthening Christians with our hope in Jesus so we keep Christ first and fulfill His mission to His family and the world.
Bible passage: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Importance: We do this through teaching God’s Word, prayer, and encouragement by helping us all see there’s purpose in the pain.
2 – Curtha (Pronounced Core-Ha) Village
Mission Statement: Restoring ministry leaders so they can boldly fulfill God’s mission to His church and the world.
Vision Statement: To see every Christian deeply in love with Jesus and fulfilling God’s gospel mission to the world by His strength and unity in the body of Christ.
Bible Passage: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10,12
Importance: Prayer, practical service, accountability, and counselling, rest, and maybe a bit of fun too
*This portion of the ministry is at the inception phase. The prayer centre is open to any ministry leader in need of personal and/or ministry prayer requests. Please email pr****@cu***********.org if you would like us to intercede in prayer for you. We are currently developing the practical service aspect and hope to launch the beta version within the next few months. The retreat centre will come in the future. Please be in prayer for this development, and consider donating.*
**Did you know that 20% of the profits of our product sales goes toward the development of the retreat?**
It is our prayer that as we have opportunity to come alongside ministry leaders to restore their weary hearts and relationships with Christ, that they’ll be strengthened to return to their assignments ready to serve the Lord with hope-filled, joyous hearts. We also pray that we can partner with them to help strengthen churches, mission fields, and ministries with the other branches we offer, which are:
Strengthening
1 – Planted Warriors
Mission statement: Challenging Christian adults out of their comfort zones and excuses. We help them to pursue passionate, disciplined lives for Christ in order to fulfill God’s mission, build strong accountability and discipleship, and grow madly in love with Jesus through the process.
Bible Passage: “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:4
Importance:
- Keep Jesus the main focus in everything,
- Dig deeper in God’s Word,
- Remove distractions and excuses,
- Build strong, united relationships centered on God’s Word,
- Prayer
- Worship
- Provide accountability and discipleship tools
2 – Inspire Hope Podcast
Mission Statement: Strengthening the body of Christ through the teaching of His Word and the testimonies of God’s family.
Bible Passage: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Importance: Sharing God’s Word and testimonies of His work in and through His people
It is our prayer that as we minister to you, it will help you endure in a willing, surrendered state to the Lord, allowing His Spirit to grow you into a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus, keeping Him first in everything in your life, because when He’s first, you can endure, and hope reigns! Remember, there’s always hope!
Please let us know if you have any questions about this. Next week, I’ll share where the Infertility category fits into Hope Through Hard Times.
