Sumac Farm and Wellness Center is a non-profit focused on providing support for those involved in the rescue efforts for children and youth of human trafficking. Connie and I have been married for over 22 years and have 5 amazing kids! The first 12 and a half were spent in full-time vocational ministry. In both of our ministry settings we were pioneers, starting up ministry from the ground up. The
first working with students, the second working with the underprivileged in a challenging urban context. These types of ministry contexts were both exhilarating and exhausting. We’ve come to know this tension in ministry as “the privilege and the price” of ministry. After those years of marriage and ministry, we heard the Lord calling us to take a season of Sabbatical, or a time of rest. It is meant to be a time of rest, reflection, rejuvenation and even sometimes redirection. So our next step was that we passed on the leadership of the church we were at and moved to be closer to family. Within the first few months of this season, the trappings, business and “works” of life and ministry were stripped away. We realized WE needed Jesus to heal, help, restore, bring hope, and promise to OUR lives. The rigors of urban life, years of ministry without a real time of rest, and unknown neglect of our own souls was deeply evident. During our Sabbatical, we realized there were MANY Ministry couples/families just like us who were struggling through fatigue, weariness, hopelessness or even in a state of survival for one reason or another. During our Sabbatical, and the realization of the above facts, we felt the Lord calling us to start a farm and wellness center to serve other ministers and their families in their needed time of rest. Why a farm and retreat center? Because for us, it’s where we found healing, hope and restoration. No emails, no isuses, no fires to put out. Full-time vocational ministry has one of the highest burn-out rates of any occupation in North America. Minsiters don’t care for themselves, under the illusion that they are sacrificing for the greater good of church and calling. It’s simply not how Jesus modeled his ministry life. Getting away early, daily to pray and spend time with the Father. Taking moments to get away. Even the Son of God needed this. Jesus worked as a carpenter for years before entering ministry. The correlations between the trades, farming and faith are strewn throughout the New Testament. The connection a man feels to God when he’s doing something with his hands is unmistakable. The connection between spiritual, physical and emotional wellness is unmistakable. These threads make us who we are. When they aren’t healthy, we can’t minister in healthy ways to the people we’re called to love and serve. Our spouses, kids and churches suffer. The combination of seclusion, farming, getting away for more than “one Sunday”, and a holistic approach to seeing these areas nourished and replenished is what the farm and wellness center exist for. Why would someone want to go on a Retreat at a Farm? Staying at a farm retreat offers many benefits:
Like a Quiet, slower pace, than the city in order to rest, rejuvenate and quiet the mind and soul enough to hear God better. The farm offers a connection with nature and animals that bring relaxation. There are many ways the outdoors can offer physical exercise year round, including: hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, snow shoeing. The crops and animals also offer high quality, organic foods to nourish the body. Human Trafficking Rescue-
In addition to our wellness focus, in 2021 we were burdened deeply with partnering with non-profits that rescue kids from human trafficking. Chad was able to go on a trip to rescue kids and see them redeemed and thriving at a safe house in Acuna, Mexico. Since then, we have been able to financially support the work there, and at many more locations. Our partnership with Troy Brewer Ministries sees thousands of children rescued annually. THIS is our heart, passion and focus these days. We are still working with families and offer space for them to stay at our property and get the rest and holistic ministry they need, and with that, are able to now travel and introduce people to the work TBM is doing worldwide rescuing kids and youth from human trafficking. We are grateful for all the Lord is doing. So, how are these programs and projects funded, with the help and prayer of people like you! For all of our ministry life, we have raised support to be able to do the work God has called us to. This dream and vision is no different. We have founded “Sumac Farm and Wellness Center” as a 501c3 not-for-profit. Please contact us to learn how you can partner with us in prayer and financially.
