Q&A

Yes!

We have completed our non-profit corporation requirements and submitted our form 1023 to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status. We have not heard back from the IRS officially yet but our legal counsel assures us that we may now operate as a fully tax deductible 501(c)(3) charity as the application approval is applied retroactively. Please consult your tax or accounting professional first if deductibility is critical.

We hope to have individual supporters of the ministry who will be helping financially to support some specific individuals and groups of people of particular burden to our supporters. Please let us know of any need and let us see if we can meet it.

No. We may from time to time have pastors available to help with our ministry but we are not doing this ministry in the capacity of pastors as we are not a church and not seeking to perform the functions that are rightly and Biblically reserved to the church. We are a para-church ministry. We want to come along beside the church in general and churches in particular to help them with the tremendous need we see for the continuing discipleship and sanctification of all believers.

We plan to always have multiple options for viewing DVDs appropriate for the whole group, a few or an individual.

Yes! Please! We do not set aside contributed funds into separate accounts or make guarantees as to how we will use specific funds but we want to do our best to meet the honorable requests of our donors. We like to keep our accounting and record keeping as simple as practical in good stewardship but if you require some special guarantee or separate accounting for a special fund you would like to establish, please let us know.

Some, but not all. Please let us know what your needs are to see if we can meet them. The one area we do have great ability to accommodate is Celiac needs as one of our hosts has Celiac and we’re already meeting her needs every day. This also allows us to meet the preferences of those who choose a low or no gluten diet. We want to help, within reason, anyone who wants to eat properly in response to their medical and health conditions.

No.

No, but that’s an interesting idea we may look into.

No. We do however have some serious disagreements with official Roman Catholic doctrine. We may disagree with some official Roman Catholic doctrine but we love our Brothers and Sisters in Christ without regard for the official positions of their church affiliation. Our motto – ‘Semper Reformanda’ – means ‘always reforming.’ As fallen human beings with some degree of sinful nature still remaining we do tend as individuals and as bodies of believers to drift from the truth from time to time and we must constantly strive to continually reform our minds and hearts and doctrine to the truth of God. This need to reform applies to all. It’s not just an issue that takes our minds back to Martin Luther in the 1500s.

Yes. We can help with that any time but we also have specific curriculum (done by the week) – – 1 to compare Reformed vs. Roman Catholic & 1 to compare various protestant denominations.

No. We don’t want our ministry to be restricted to only those of a particular denomination or tradition. We are primarily interested in the support of evangelical Christians but we are open to the idea of having some times when we welcome non-Christians who present themselves as committed to the search for truth.

Yes. Quite a bit in fact. Your schedule is mostly your own. There is some time set aside for quiet study and personal prayer and devotion but most of the day could be considered flex time. Some will choose to study, some may join together in a study group or discussion. Some may want to meet privately one on one with someone they are comfortable talking to about spiritual things. One of things we value more highly than most would imagine is the ability to be involved in what appears to be just casual recreation but is potentially very intimate fellowship with fellow believers. For example, a relaxing game of horse shoes or cornhole can provide a great opportunity to discuss very serious matters in a very relaxed and not threatening environment. The conversation can flow spontaneously back and forth between the frivolous and the serious allowing all to be intensely involved or back off and catch their breath with less stressful banter. Sometimes the best way to be serious is to not be too serious or too intense. It’s a balance we want everyone to be comfortable with.

We provide the linens, towels, washcloths, soap and shampoo you would expect in a hotel plus food and snacks so mostly you just need personal toiletries and comfortable clothes. The ability to layer clothes is a benefit if you’re particularly sensitive to heat or cold as not all guests have the same tolerance for heat or cold.

Pray. Come with a good attitude trusting in God; not in us. Tell us the specific areas you would like to study so we can have some specific resources ready for you when you arrive. General knowledge and fellowship is great but there’s no substitute for specifically addressing the concerns of your heart.

We ascribe to the reformation motto of ‘Sola Scriptura’ which refers to the reliance on the Bible not as the only source of knowledge of God or the only source of revelation by God but as the only standard suitable as the final authority in revealed truth. Honorable people who are both in reliance upon the Bible may from time to time disagree and when they do, we must know that at least one of them is wrong. However, the differences among Bible believing committed Christians should never separate us as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Our doctrine is sometimes abbreviated as ‘reformed’ doctrine which is generally seen in increasing specificity as: Christian, Protestant, Evangelical, Calvinist and Covenantal. Please contact us with any specific questions or concerns.

Typical Day (Except Mondays start at Noon and Saturdays end at Noon)
7:00 AM Quiet Time Ends
7:00 – 8:00 Breakfast*
8:00 Study &/or Fellowship Time starts
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch*
1:00 Study &/or Fellowship Time Resumes
3:00 – 4:00 Optional Snack Bar fellowship time starts
7:00 – 8:30 Supper*
8:30 Study &/or Fellowship Time Resumes for Games &/or Discussion
9:30 Optional 23 minute video with snacks
10:00 Quiet Time Begins

Volunteers (not required) may help prepare & clean-up after meals.
Study &/or Fellowship Time = 10 – 11.5 hours minus volunteer time
“Study &/or Fellowship Time” includes individual use of books and videos.
“Study &/or Fellowship Time” may also be used to meet with Staff for direction and counsel.
Meetings with Staff are sometimes very casual as our paths cross and sometimes formal and private with a same gender staff member. Often meetings with staff are very public and informal and are done along side of casual
activities such as going for a walk or playing games. “Study &/or Fellowship Time” can be used in casual activities individually, with other visitors &/ or with Staff. This can be quite productive in learning and in the encouragement that comes from Christian fellowship.

We have about _ Bibles, hardback books, paperback books & _ booklets. We have about DVDs:
Movies, Documentaries & Biographies
Lecture sets consisting of DVDs that include _ individual lectures.

We haven’t determined how much we will charge. We’ll know more once we actually take title to the property where we will be located. Whatever the cost turns out to be will likely include a room, use of the common facilities, use of resources, all meals and snacks.

Check-in is from 9 AM – Noon Monday. Check-out is from 9 AM – Noon Saturday.

Typically, each week consists of 5 stand-alone days that relate to the week’s theme. Weeks may be grouped with related weeks for continuity of study for visitors staying more than one week. There is no curriculum scheduled for Saturdays. Sundays are reserved for worship. Guests staying over between weeks are invited to join staff members at their local churches or to visit the local church of their choice. Visitors staying over between weeks of study are not charged extra for Saturday & Sunday. We anticipate being open up to 40 weeks per calendar year. We currently have 19 “Weeks” in planning. It is expected that most “Weeks” would run twice per year with a few popular subjects being repeated more often.

18.

Our target date is constantly being adjusted but May of 2023 seems plausible, even if a bit optimistic.

Generally we plan to cater to those who actively trust in the Christ of Scripture as their only hope of salvation.

We don’t want anyone to be put on the spot by being asked in public to do or say anything they’re not comfortable with. Please let us know as early as possible of any particular cautions that may be in order on our part.