I Am Sent

A RESPITE RESOURCE CENTER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES

         Hopeland is a vision that was born in Tracy’s heart by the Holy Spirit over six years ago.  The vision became clear after attending a retreat for families with special needs. We were at the weekend retreat with our son Mitchel, our daughter Aislinn and our youngest son, Connor, who at three years old was diagnosed with severe, self-injurious and aggressive non-verbal autism. 

       Very frequently having a child or adult with a special needs diagnosis causes entire families to live life in isolation, blocking them from many opportunities that are taken for granted by those not suffering in this way. The majority of these families discontinue church attendance, where because of disruptive behaviors or cumbersome equipment parents will decide it is too difficult to attend.  Or, families that do attend do so separately from their children. As a result, many of these families are not in community even though they have a strong need and desire to be connected. 

       The vision of Hopeland is to acquire a property with secured grounds. The property will be landscaped and designed beautifully to be a comfortable, peaceful, healing environment for individuals with a special needs diagnosis and their families. There will be a sanctuary, gathering hall and commercial kitchen where families can come together in community with other families. 

       Worship services will be held on Saturdays in the afternoon and evening in order for members to be able to minister and still attend their own church. Services will be all inclusive so that the whole family will be able to attend together. The services will provide an opportunity for life-giving healing experiences where encounters with the Presence of God is priority.  

        Only in the Presence of God our Healer can true healing take place and it is our desire to create and sustain an atmosphere and place that will support progressive and miraculous healing. 

       From the original vision of Hopeland, Stage I is Saturday services with dinner and fellowship. Stage II is the construction of cabins to house individuals, fully staffed, for the caregivers of special needs children to be able to take respite. This can be weekends or a little longer but allowing them to enjoy themselves knowing their loved one is safe and in a loving and nurturing environment. 

         A large part of the vision from six years ago emphasized the reality that the need for healing ministry for the siblings and parents was as great or sometimes greater than the need of the individual with the diagnosis.  This healing endeavor requires many believers to come support the mission by exercising their diverse gifts to minister to those families, and be ministered to by them. And using their gifts in this way will enable all to become further equipped to minister. The Body of Christ in our multi-county area will minister, empowering Hopeland to grow into an equipping center as described in Ephesians 4 where the Body works together to heal the Body. 

       Our son Connor is now 23 and although he still does not yet proficiently speak, he communicates by typing age appropriate thoughts, ideas and dreams and is beginning to speak. This wonderful reality and level of healing has come about through the prayers, fasting and support of many, healing and deliverance ministry, diet and lifestyle changes, equestrian therapy and volunteering for the Peace of Heart Community Farm Enrichment Program.  We thank God for the continued grace over Connor’s life and still contend for the complete healing that is promised.  When we asked Connor about a name for a church that would encompass this vision he typed, "Hope Church", which gave us the name Hopeland.

       We are so excited to see the fulfillment of the vision! To receive information about joining us for our Services email us at iamsentministries@gmail.com.  And, subscribe to our newsletter for updates.