by: Jim Schlottman
11/30/2006

Barnabas was, by his name’s meaning, the “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He demonstrated his gift of encouragement through his leadership, his teaching of new believers at Antioch, his acceptance of Paul when others were afraid of him and doubted his conversion, and his persevering in his encouragement of John Mark.

In our present time, God has lifted up other sons and daughters of encouragement who demonstrate their gift in ways similar to that of the great early-church leader Barnabas. I would like to introduce you to three of those modern-day encouragers.

First let me introduce you to a son and daughter of encouragement, Charley and Bev Blom, the full-time host couple of Genesee Home. Charley and Bev have spent the last thirty-two years in ministry. For twenty-two of those years they pastored churches in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. For the last ten years they have ministered to full-time Christian workers and their spouses and families, the last three years at Genesee Home.

One pastor said, “Anyone who knows Charley and Bev can see their hearts’ desire and gifts lie in caring for pastors.”

The primary ministry of Genesee Home is to provide an environment where pastors and their spouses can break away from their normal daily routine and retreat to a wilderness setting free from the distractions of ministry. Among the opportunities Genesee Home provides for pastors and their spouses are quiet times to be in the presence of God and to be inspired by God regarding their ministry, personal walk, and calling. Charley and Bev also encourage taking time for prayer, meditating on the Word, as well as enjoying fellowship over dinner and throughout the evening with them.

Charley and Bev also provide guided discussions on marriage, family, and ministry. Then comes the all-important encouragement that they provide through a listening ear, prayer, or spiritual direction.

Charley and Bev Blom say they do not provide professional counseling and therapy sessions. If there is a need for formal counseling, they refer to ministries such as Quiet Waters Ministries.

Next, I want to tell you about a son of encouragement named George Carey. George is a pastor of a local church in Denver, but I first learned about him when he was pastoring in Arizona. In Arizona, George was a volunteer for the Pastor-in-Residence Ministry. This ministry encourages and supports pastors in the vocational transitions of their lives. In most cases this transition is due to being fired, or exited. Through the Pastor-in- Residence Ministry an exited pastor is matched with a church (called a Refuge Church) and pastor (a Refuge Pastor) who take him or her in and provide encouragement to work through the issues related to the transition. The exited pastor comes on staff of that church as a Pastor-in- Residence. George was a true son of encouragement when his church took in one such exited pastor.

His Refuge Church also provided a lay support team for the exited pastor. This support team surrounds the pastor and spouse with love and assists them in making new ministry contacts, even offering help in the candidating process. Vision is rekindled. I read that one exited pastor who became a Pastor-in- Residence would not accept the call to the church he now serves without the blessing of his support team.

Refuges Churches and pastors like George are committed to being safe houses for displaced pastors. They work with exited pastors of every denomination to network them with churches who are seeking a pastor.

We at Quiet Waters Ministries are working with this ministry to provide opportunities for these exited pastors— to be a place to process unresolved personal conflict before reentry into full-time service.

Quiet Waters is proud to be partners in ministry with these sons and this daughter of encouragement. As you can see, they wonderfully complement our ministry. Genesee Home might just prevent th