The vision is to provide a retreat center where Christian leaders and their families can come for rest and spiritual renewal.
The Vision
In the late 1990’s Richard Samuel and other leaders at Christ Community Ministries realized the need believers in India have for spiritual rejuvenation and physical rest. The tasks the Lord has called them to do are especially challenging in a culture that is mostly hostile to the Gospel. Also there is a need for spiritual retreats and renewal for families. So Richard began to seek a way to provide times of rest and refreshment to Christian workers and families.
CCM Retreat Center
Located just outside Madurai, His Rest Retreat Center provides a peaceful place for Indian Christians.
The Beginnings
In 1998 the Lord provided a piece of
property for a retreat center outside the city of Madurai. In His time
the Lord is providing for the development of the property. So far an
open air worship center with a thatched roof has been built. Here the
CCM staff gathers once a month for a half-day prayer retreat. They have
also built a concrete baptismal in the shape of a cross which is used
regularly for baptizing new believers.
His Rest Retreat
Center is available for use by believers throughout that part of India
as there are no other retreat centers nearby that are open to
Christians. CCM’s dream for His Rest Retreat Center is to continue to
develop places where the needs of believers can be met.
Looking Ahead
Last
December a foundation stone was laid for a small prayer chapel they
hope and pray to be able to erect soon. With the goal of providing a
source of some income to maintain the retreat center ministry, they are
planting coconut trees and have also been able to purchase a nearby
mango grove. Longer term plans include a medical clinic to serve the
poor and living quarters for elderly Christian workers.
We need each other on this journey of life. During my last trip to India a heron, a goat and some fleas shed new light on this truth.
On our last morning together, Richard, David and I drove to “His Rest” retreat center for a time of conversation, meditation and prayer. I had been looking forward to this time for over two weeks. This incredibly scenic and quiet place is so unusual in the noisy, hectic and crowded places typical of India. But sadly, as we approached the retreat center, we found that the last narrow section of road was impassable due to construction. I was extremely disappointed. More »
Praise God for:
1. The covering over all the ministries this past month
2. Safety in travels
3. Protection from diseases
4. His provision of food, clothing and shelter
5. Granting us His favor
6. Favor with people
7. The vegetable patch that is yielding vegetables for the Sahayam Home
Prayer Points:
1. For His covering over and provision for the construction work at the His Rest Retreat Centre
2. For the safety of the workers as they labor in spite of poisonous snakes and scorpions
3. For the new church plant started this Sunday in a village More »
We need each other on this journey of life. During my last trip to India a heron, a goat and some fleas shed new light on this truth.