"We are very excited to be able to offer the ministry of Redeemed Lives through Grace House. Please take a few moments and familiarize yourself with this life changing program. As pastor of Grace House, I bear witness to the positive impact and transformation wrought through this ministry." — Eddie Lawrence
REDEEMED LIVES
"Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14)—The hallmark Bible verse for RL.
Redeemed Lives ( RL ) is described by Mario Bergner, the author and President, as "a program of pastoral care and discipleship for the cure and maturation of the soul." Mrs. Leanne Payne, author and President of Pastoral Care Ministry, has contributed the central substance to R L. through her four books dealing with restoration of the Soul. There are many refrenced books and an extensive bibliography with pastoral ministries that Mario pulls from, but Mrs. Leanne Payne is central to this ministry. Mario was on her ministry team for over twenty years and he developed this program and ministry while he was under her ministry. He has now refined the material many times.
Mario states in his introduction to RL, "RL integrates insights from Biblical theology, Christian Spiritual formation, depth psychology and Christian philosophy." He states further that "RL views men and women as created in God's image, fallen from His image and, in Christ, redeemed to once again bear His Image." He states emphatically, "We observe a decidedly Biblical anthropology. In Christ, we are enobled with an empowered will, a regenerated conscience and a transformed desire to choose the good. For these reasons, each person who participates in RL is expected to be their own responsible moral agent. Every Christian has the capacity to listen to God, lovingly obey Him and collaborate with Him for healing. Christ Jesus is the Healer. Programs do not heal. RL will not bring healing to anyone unless they are willing to commit whole-heartedly to Jesus and to fellowship with His people." "We are neither adjusted lives nor enlightened lives, but lives redeemed by the work of Christ."
REDEEMED LIVES PROGRAM
The twenty-seven lesson program takes approximately 9 months to complete at Grace House. It can be completed in seven months by having four lessons per month. Grace House had three lessons per month once a month on the weekends and then met once a month in follow-up for more ministry that comes from those lessons.
Each participant keeps a notebook.This notebook is provided at the beginning of the program. It contains a prayer journal by Leanne Payne plus the lessons and many enclosures that support the teachings and provides more information and inspiration. It becomes very large and bulky by the last month of the program and is invaluable to the participant for the rest of their life. Keeping a prayer journal is a central part of the journey to wholeness. There is also a devotional book (Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST) which is read each day and notes journaled from it as well as from the Bible. This is part of learning to hear His voice and to record this as part of the daily intimacy with Him. While reading scripture and the devotional and taking time to listen, the Lord ministers to the persons heart and the journaling is part of the personal ways the Lord touches areas of the soul that He knows needs His touch and ministry as part of the restoring of the soul. All of this is very personal to the participant and is not shared with anyone. That notebook and journal is "off limits" to anyone but the participant. It is confidential.
EACH MONTHS SESSION
Each session has worship of approximately 30 to 45 minutes which is central to draw ourselves out of ourselves and into His Presence and to worship
Him whom we were made for; to love the Lover of our souls. Teaching of the lessons follow worship; either through direct instruction or through the DVD's of Mario's teachings. It is the belief of Dr. Holland that dialogue is critical and so there is at least one of the lessons per month (during the once a month sessions) conducted in a group setting with much discussion and ministry intertwined with it. There have been many breakthroughs in this process. ; At the same time, over the weekend, the lessons on DVD by Mario Berger are loved because of his compassion and style of teaching. Prayers (corporate) follow each lesson for ministry of healings, and a variety of ways of ministry also usually follows including eating. Food is important to our times together. We have a lunch together on Saturdays, and snacks on Friday evenings. There are also break-out group sessions on Saturdays for personal ministry through prayers and sometimes this occurs in the larger group and ministry also takes place with those in the program ministering to each other. It is the Holy Spirit's call as to how ministry takes place.
Each weekend of RL includes partaking of the Lord's Supper ( Communion). This occurs with the Holy Spirit's direction for ministry to the heart along with healings. The CROSS is emphasized in Redeemed Lives and in Pastoral Care Ministry. All healings occur from here. It is central to all that occurs with the Holy Spirit. JESUS is lifted up!! There are several sacramental symbols used in this ministry; the cross,the crucifix, anointing oil, Holy Water, and Communion. All based in Scripture.
Before the sessions begin, the ministry team, anoints each participant with oil and prays and speaks over the person. The Lord comes and begins ministry to the heart before worship.
Within the 27 lessons to be covered, there are a variety of lessons which begins with "Practicing His Presence " and "Hope" and concludes many months later with "Healing of Memories" and "Growing in Virtue and Discipline". The lessons are sequenced for an ordering of teaching and ministry to the persons needs.
There is a fee for the program and for the materials. This can be paid on a monthly basis. The notebook that is the container of the lessons, prayer journal, and other related materials will be purchased in advance. There are also two "text" books required for purchase in advance; Mario Bergner's book,SETTING LOVE IN ORDER, and Leanne Payne's book, LISTENING PRAYER; Learning to Hear God's Voice and Keeping a Prayer Journal. Each participant also signs an agreement in order to sign up for the program. This is a requirement of RL and often interviews are conducted too if the team does not know the individual and their needs. All of that is part of the RL wisdom requirements and learning from past experiences.
GRACE HOUSE PARTICIPANTS
Grace House participants of 2009 completed the 9 month program by the end of November (before Thanksgiving)–and those who completed
this program in 2009 and who desire, will have the opportunity to continue this program in a different format (designed to go deeper for revelation of the material and for receiving personal ministry) plus there will be added the opportunity to receive more equipping for ministry to others. This will be the group, if they desire, who can then serve on teams for future RL programs, conferences, seminars, and other RL ministry. They will have the "know how" of prayer ministry for these healings and encouragments that enables them to be flexible in choice of the Lord's tool box provided them. They know it is the work of the Holy Spirit and therefore listen for His direction and input.
The Program Administrator and Instructor
Dr. Shirley Holland, President of His Presence Restoration Ministry , is the administrator, facilitator, and instructor for the RL program . She completed
her training in RL from its inception in 1997 with the first group to participate in Wheaton College, Wheaton, ILL. She has since then had several small groups in Nashville, TN and has also put on several conferences in Nashville and one conference in Birmingham, AL.
She has a background in Counseling as well as other major fields that complement counseling. Her last degree was from Vanderbilt University ( Ed.D.) but she completed her ED.S. work at the University of Alabama and she has degrees from Florida College of Tampa ( a two year degree) David Lipscomb University in Nashville,TN( B.S.) and Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas,(M.Ed.). Dr. Holland also attended Univ. of TN for course work in special education for teaching at risk students, and took course work from UNA in specialized areas of interest such as folk dance; drama, art and an educational course or two. She has had certification in Professional Counseling from TN (now on retirement), plus other certifications in counseling for the school system. She had the priviledge of serving on Mrs. Leanne Payne's Pastoral Care Ministry team for two summers while she was completing the RL program. That was a thrill for her. In her career, she has worked with preschool brain damaged children, and has been an Administrator for a special school for children with brain damage, she has taught at the college and university level, served as a school counselor, taught at-risk students, taught in the regular secondary school program, and also had camp experiences in Texas for a variety of youngsters. Dr. Holland has served on several church ministry teams. And has been involved in small groups at Belmont Church by leading a "cell group" for a few years and then leading specialized groups of "C.S.Lewis "reading group, and an "Inklings" Group for writing along with reading the books that C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien read. Very rich groups for spiritual and intellectual growth. Trips to England and to London, and on to Oxford followed with further study on C.S.Lewis from Oxford on the Lewis sites. She has also participated in many ministry schools including Leanne Payne's and a variety of healing schools.
Mrs. Charlotte Mathtews and Mrs. Sandra Harper are team members with Dr. Holland and have completed their practicum training for RL through the 2009 RL program. They have read extensively all of Leanne Payne's books plus Mario's book and others that are related to this ministry. They have completed many hours of reading and study of the RL material and have helped teach with Dr. Holland in the 2009 program as part of their training and they were exceptional. Mrs. Charlotte Matthews (along with her husband Hillard) attended the P.C.M. Conference at Wheaton College, of Mrs. Leanne Payne, and they also attended the Journey to Wholeness Conference in Mobile, Alabama. Mrs. Matthews has also attended all of Dr. Holland's conferences in Nashville and in Birmingham. She has also attended other ministries. She has been the Communications Person ( She headed up the RL program at Grace House to get it implemented) to be contacted for attendance and for ordering the books needed for the program. She is also major intercessor for the program. Mrs. Sandra Harper served on the team with Mrs Matthews and Dr. Holland and helped with the administrative details of assisting with the church facility, food, and detail needs of Dr.Holland. She has a background in counseling and has degrees; B.S. degree from UNA and Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling from UNA. She and her husband, Russell have attended the P.C.M. conference held at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill. by Mrs. Leanne Payne. That conference is always a full week of teaching and ministry with workshops available too. She has attended Dr. Holland's conferences held in Nashville, TN and in Birmingham, Alabama. Mrs. Harper has also attended other ministry conferences for inner healing. She has read extensively the books by Mrs. Payne, Mario Berger and others related to this ministry. Mrs. Harper and Mrs. Matthews are now eligible to conduct the RL program as the Lord leads them.They plan to continue ministrying with Dr. Holland in 2010 and become further equipped through the 2010 program for the 2009 participants. Both are invaluable to the Grace House ministry of Redeemed Lives and for ministry to those in need of prayers.
2010 OPPORTUNITIES FOR REDEEMED LIVES
There is the possibility that a few core lessons will be offered as part of the Grace House Church.The Lord is digging new wells this year so the team is listening along with the Grace House Leadership to what the Lord has in mind, in order to bring this ministry to His people.
There is the possibility that a regional weekend conference, called, "Setting Love in Order" or "Divine Image, Divine Reflection" will be
offered from Florence at Grace House. This would most likely occur in the fall.
The program being offered for the 2009 RL group will be open only to those who have completed the 27 lessons. This new program which is
a digging of a new well–will be for 7 months. It will include a review of lessons with participants questions and ministry needs addressed along with being further equipped for ministry to others. More on that later.
Everything will be developed as the Holy Spirit leads the core leadership of Dr. Shirley Holland, Mrs Charlotte Matthews, and Mrs Sandra Harper.
And with input from Grace House leadership, prayers will prevail until that new well is dug.
There is the expectation that the Redeemed LIfe Program of 27 lessons will be offered to new participants who are interested
from Grace House in 2011. That will be held before the Lord for the church to be able to further participate in the complete program that ministers to many areas of the soul and life . Prayers over this will be appreciated.
Reminder; Redeemed Life Ministry is not designed as therapy for individuals or couples. The Holy Spirit will often get to the root of soul issues and deep healings will occur. There is the possibility, that as the person advances in the program, the need for deeper and more individual work will be seen and then referrals can be made for professional therapy and counseling. RL is primarily a discipleship program that the Holy Spirit, through the teachings, Scripture, Worship, and prayer ministry, does do deeper work than some professional counselors but it is not desigend for that. So those who decide to go through the program, will take it knowing it is not for therapy. Mario Bergner has described the program well with his introduction. Refer back to the first page of this program. It has been the experience of Dr Holland, that participants benefit greatly through the program and come into more of the freedom and fullness of Jesus as they work with Him in the process.
BOOKS THAT ARE CENTRAL:
Scripture; BIBLE
Mario Bergner, SETTING LOVE IN ORDER
Leanne Payne, LISTENING PRAYER,
RESTORING THE CHRISTIAN SOUL
HIS HEALING PRESENCE
CRISES IN MASCULINITY
BROKEN IMAGE
Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
FOR MORE INFORMATION; CONTACT
Dr. Shirley Holland at hollandderry@hotmail.com
Mrs Charlotte Matthews at CharlotteMatthews@comcast.net
Mrs Sandra Harper at rwh69au@comcast.net