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March 2011 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able…” -1 Corinthians 3:1-2 NKJV Greetings in the sweet name of Jesus! I recently returned from great, snowy northern Maine where, for three days, I taught a men’s retreat on Disciple-making. God met us there and we all were blessed. In the course of preparation, I reflected upon how some of the material relates to those we care for at His Mansion. Many of the applicants to our program say they are “Believers” during the interview process. Most are not! Some however, are, or soon come to faith during their time in the program. In any case, they are babies. The early Church also had its share of babies, and as Paul discovered, babies are trouble! They are unproductive except for making work for other folks. They want toys to play with, rattles to shake. Years ago I decided that His Mansion should not become a spiritual daycare center. Dealing with selfish, self-centered, entitlement-oriented babies is just too much trouble. They are easily upset and when they do not get their own way, they act like yearling seagulls, twice the size of their parents, yet trailing after them begging for “mommy” to regurgitate the next meal! The question I faced years ago was this: “Are we going to have a ministry designed to make disciples or to keep babies fed?” Expending time, prayer and money changing spiritual diapers is not our calling! Romans 5:10: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” His Mansion’s program is fashioned to work with the individual who has been reconciled to God through the death of Christ--sins forgiven and a home in Heaven--and lead them to that place where they are experiencing salvation through His life. As long as it is us doing it for them, they’ll never experience the joy of Christ living in them. A fair question to ask ourselves, and to proffer to loved ones, is whether we are merely reconciled to God (babies) or disciples of Christ. There is a difference. A testimony was recently given during a Prayer and Share by a current female staff member and former resident of the program back in 2004. She spoke of the process of reconciliation in her relationship with Christ that led her to a place of forgiveness and healing as a resident. Yet in addressing the time after graduating from His Mansion and coming back to serve as staff now, she says, “God has since taken me deeper into an understanding of who I am and who He is to me. The Lord has given me a love for people and wanting to love them. I know this is how the Lord wants me to express what He has done in my life. This is the thing that I realize has changed in me; from ignorance of other’s needs and stubbornness, to finally awakening to see that they (others and their needs) are there and I need them as much as they need me.” Hearing the words of a testimony that speaks to a transformed heart and a lifelong commitment of pursuing God and leading others on that same path, confirms the difference is real and evident. Praise God. There seems to be no shortage of snow up in the clouds, nor of subzero weather. Frozen machinery, broken metal parts, dangerous icy patches, visiting viruses and dead batteries, test our daily patience. However, the voices of the children of God singing and praising Him at daily Prayer and Share, the buzz of community at common meals and the rewards of serving the King, bring it all back home. This is a life worth living. Now, a word from Paul…
This winter season certainly speaks to the strength and perseverance that is needed to press on despite the trials and tribulations that we face on an everyday basis. The snow has seemed to be endless and the mounds and drifts grow higher almost daily. Teams of staff and residents have been diligent in the shoveling process, even when the efforts may have seemed futile in the midst of a storm. But when I hear the laughter of male voices outside my office window as they dig into the banks of snow with their shovels, I know God’s presence and strength is alive on this hill.
 Shovels at rest as residents break for Prayer and Share. Back in January, we celebrated another graduating class that fought their way through this year long program, keeping their focus on Jesus Christ and the promise of a future to come with our King. Although graduations are a joyous occasion here, the reality is that the fight does not end for these individuals upon completing this program. Our prayer for each His Mansion graduate is that they are able to utilize the new skills and tools that they have learned over their year here to resist the attacks of the enemy. In the two months since this recent graduation, I have been privileged and encouraged to hear of the many ways that God has provided for those from this class who continue to trust in Him. Despite the difficult economy and job market, several have already found work in their local area, church and community connections are being made and one recent graduate has shared with us in his excitement of not only being accepted into trade school but having the doors open to him to begin classes immediately. We praise God for the many ways He answers the prayers of those who seek Him and obey. He is faithful to guide our paths when we put our lives into His hands.
His Mansion Graduating Class of January 2011: Carl, Shane, Ryan, Chris, Brad and Lisa
As our six recent graduates were departing the His Mansion hill back in the beginning of January, others were out there packing up their belongings and saying goodbye to family and old friends to enter into our program as our newest class of residents. Despite possibly the worst snowstorm we have had this winter on arrival day, each of these individuals ultimately made it here safely.
There is always a sense of anxiety and uncertainty that comes with an intake day and the arrival of new residents, and the weather that day very much reflected the emotional and spiritual storm that was being felt by many. I want to give praise to God though as we just witnessed twelve of our new Mansion family members verbally state their commitment to this program, their healing and the pursuit of Christ, during a transition ceremony as they officially entered into the first phase of the program. There is a certainty in knowing that struggles and hard times will come in the year that one is a resident in this program, but I have seen that those individuals who are willing to seek wholeheartedly after what God is teaching them through it all, are ultimately the ones who are able to stand at the podium on graduation day and give praise and glory back to Him for what has occurred in their hearts and lives. As our program operates in a three phase cycle, graduations and intakes occur every four months. The next opportunity for individuals to enter into our program will be in early May. The first step in applying to become a resident is to complete the Resident Application form which is available on our website, www.hismansion.com and to return it to us as soon as possible. An interview will be scheduled and the process will continue from there. So often the most difficult decision for one in need of help is to make that commitment to seek it out. We, the body of Christ, are called to encourage and support those who are in the midst of this decision-making process. Once an application is received, we are able to pray for the applicant and God’s guidance in their life and decisions to be made as we walk them through the steps of the process that follow. If you are considering His Mansion for yourself or someone you love, I encourage you to be proactive in taking these necessary steps. HIS MANSION ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION- 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
Well, as promised in last month’s newsletter, we are excited to give details to this summer’s 40th Anniversary Celebration! I hope you have already marked your calendars for Saturday, July 30, 2011. The festivities will be held right here on the hill in Deering, New Hampshire. Registration on the day will begin at 10am so we can help everyone in attendance get settled in, acclimated (or re-acclimated) with the grounds and provide name tags. (We don’t all look the same as we used to!) The official celebration starts with a noontime meal of a His Mansion-style pig roast and picnic with plenty of good food to feast on! Time devoted to pay homage to Stan and Joan Farmer will follow the cookout. This will include time for praise and worship, honor and recognition, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the moment as we say “thank you” for their 40 years of ongoing sacrifice and commitment to the development and workings of this ministry. Although the official program ends at 3pm, the fellowship and fun doesn’t have to! Additional information including how to register/RSVP will be in the April newsletter. We will continue to give new details of what to look forward to in each newsletter leading to the day of celebration. Help us honor the Farmers…
Now, we have an opportunity for all of us to be a part of this historic celebration. We will be putting together a “Story” book as a gift of honor and appreciation to Stan and Joan for all they have done and sacrificed during their first 40 years of ministry here at His Mansion. However, we need your assistance in this project. We are looking to gather together stories of all types to include in this book. Stories that you have of the mansion, stories that you have of yourself and/or Stan and Joan, stories of how your life has been impacted by your time here, stories of growing up on the hill, stories of how you met your spouse here and anything else you’d want to share with the Farmers. We ask that you send these stories, along with pictures you may have of Stan and Joan, to us so your personal touch can be a part of this “Story” book. We encourage you to email your contributions to:
sharethestory@hismansion.com Or, if you prefer to use postal mail, please address envelopes or packages to us at:
His Mansion Ministries
Attn: Share the Story
PO Box 40
Hillsboro, NH 03244 What to include when submitting items: - Your full name (please provide maiden name if different from when you were here)
- The year/s you were affiliated with His Mansion
- How you were affiliated (student/resident, short-term staff, long-term staff, LTS child, etc.)
- If pictures are included, please give an explanation of what they show and who is in them
- Return address if you are sending pictures via regular mail so we may return them to you
We look forward to seeing and reading what you send to us and sharing in your memories of the Farmers as we now look to bless them in return. Thank you in advance for partnering with us in the creation of this book. I look forward to seeing you in July! Closing comments from Stan…
We are well into the new year and continue to be excited for what God is doing and is still yet to do this year. These are trying times for many, but God leads folks who know of His Mansion, or hear about us, to pray and support us. Yearend receipts have gone out and I rejoice over God’s faithfulness and your sensitivity to His leading. We value every bit as much those who faithfully lift His Mansion up before the Throne of Grace but who lack the finances to give in a monetary way. Although we are unable to quantify this greater gift, God knows and we know. Thank you to each one who takes time to speak to the Father regarding this work. I consider your petitions to be of far greater effect than funds. Those who are blessed to be able to give and pray, thank you. We ended the year in the black with all bills paid and are also able to rejoice over a significant spiritual bounty as well. God will continue to bless us and we are glad. May He richly bless you throughout this year. Joyful in His service together,  
Stan Farmer; Ambassador-at-Large Paul Atkinson Sr; CEO
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