Many of our friends and family know that Julia and I established a ministry while living in Oregon called “Nehalem” — which in the Chinook language means “House of Peace.” But few know the backstory to the ministry we envisioned under that name.

Years ago when Julia and I were still in Illinois and I was attending seminary, Julia had a very difficult winter emotionally. She became deeply discouraged that though she had given her life to serving others in the name of Christ and raising a family to do the same, the return on her efforts seemed so small – almost wasted. Concerned over her deep despondency, we searched diligently for God’s healing grace for her spirit. But still, the dark winter blanketing her soul continued. At the end of January, she was ready to give up the thought that she would ever feel joy again in a ministry life.

In late February, we had an early spring come to Illinois. And by the end of the month, daffodils were springing up in the fields and gardens near where we lived. Those daffodils seem to be a direct gift to Julia’s weary and darkened hopes. At the same time we were studying Isaiah 58 and God gave her those verses in response to her seeking for answers as to why she should continue to care for other people and to teach his word whenever possible.

We both understood at that point that our ministry life would probably not be great in the way the world measures great. But we were both understanding and seeing that we would be given small things to do, but with a great love filled with hope that God would multiply those things and bring glory to himself while deeply satisfying our souls with peace. The verses that captured our hearts that winter were Isaiah 58:6-14, especially verses 8,11 & 12.[1]

Julia began to see her life as a garden that, well-watered by the Spirit of the Lord, would one day bring forth abundant fruit. She rose up out of her despondency and once again found gladness in pouring out her life in service for her Lord.

Together, we covenanted before the Lord to find ministry in life that was represented by Isaiah 58:11-12.

That’s why, 20 years later Nehalem was born. We dedicated our renewal ministry to missionaries and pastors, or displaced individuals, in crisis and suffering a deep winter darkness of discouragement and weariness in well doing – just as Julia had in that long, deep winter back in Illinois. It took 20 years for God to fulfill his dream given to us to us back then in her depression.

We had arrived in beautiful Southern Oregon among an amazing people of God in Winston. One day, while driving on the coast near Tillamook we stopped at a little roadside coffee shop in a village called Nehalem. There in that shop was a placard they gave the history of that town’s name and how the Native Americans and settlers had sought so much for peace in the wars that raged between them. Eventually it came, and the townspeople decided to name their town Nehalem to remind themselves of their warring history and the identity of peace they needed to nurture and preserve.

Since Julia and I had experienced such great peace ourselves in God’s House of Peace, we took that name with us to a new home at what then was called 210 Rolling Hills Road. And in partnership with two other beloved sisters in the Lord, that 28 acres began to develop with several homes situated along a new county street called Nehalem.

Nehalem never became a great, worldwide or even regional ministry. But those living with us there – the missionaries and pastors, and the young men and women transitioning to adulthood from life as missionary kids – found refreshment and renewal in our home over our 22 years on that hill.

When we moved to New York 8 years ago, we had to leave our beloved Nehalem and weren’t sure what life would be like with the developing terminal illness that had taken hold of Julia’s body. Let me tell you that our home here in the village of Castleton has been “Nehalem” for us. Julia has been gone to Glory now for two and a half years, but I’m thankful today that we have been the ones ministered to in God’s House of Peace. The Garden continues to be well watered by the comfort and strength of being in service with God’s people. I never would have dreamed 50 years ago how worldwide this garden would be. I am greatly comforted on this winter morning knowing great peace in the Lord of Glory and his people.

Shalom everyone!

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

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[1] Isaiah 58:6-14 ESV — “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? [8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, [10] if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

[11] And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. [12] And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. [13] “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; [14] then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Additional Resource: Isaiah 58 – Salvation Like the Dawn || Bible in Song || Project of Love