Shawn and I started a monthly newsletter in January (sorry I didn't think to post that one here!) I'll be posting the content of the monthly updates here!! Here's the one we just sent out for an overview of February.
Hey there! Remember last month we told you about Pray Metro
Richmond? We had a great time serving through leading worship with
some amazing musicians and talented singers. Most of our time was
simply praying for awakening in Richmond and for revival in every
sphere of society.
It was particularly striking for both Jamie and I when after 3 hours of
worship and prayer, many black young people came up to us asking
us about our ministry. While I was connecting with some of the musicians,
Jamie began talking with a young woman about finding some accountability in her walk with Christ. It
was amazing to see the hunger in these young adults, many of whom want to get connected to play with worship
teams at RIHOP. We came away encouraged and with a burden to pray for the fullness of God’s plan to
come forth in the black community.
Ministering at Lynchburg House of Prayer
The Lord has been opening up some doors for us to lead worship across the state. We feel like He is using us
to lead others into prophetic worship by meditating on and singing the Word. This month, our journey led us to
Lynchburg, VA. We met up with Jeff Struss, Jr., who leads a house of prayer right in the middle of downtown
Lynchburg (Lynchburg HOP). We joined in the River that God was already releasing and got to minister to them
as we ministered to the Lord. One of my (Shawn’s) favorite moments was seeing almost everyone in the room
with open Bibles, eyes closed and hearts engaged with the Lord. It was so exciting to minister along with these
folks and to bring some encouragement to their house of prayer.
I3 Update
We, along with the rest of the staff at RIHOP, are gearing up to begin the last
month of planning for the Intimacy, Intercession and Israel (I3) Internship that
will begin April 1. We have shortened the internship from 12 weeks to 8 and
made a few changes including lowering the cost (yay!) and changing the dates,
which now run from April 1-May 31. We are still accepting applications for this
exciting new internship that focuses on God’s heart for Israel and our crucial
stance with His covenant people as both a nation and a city. If you, or anyone
you know, is interested in learning more or applying, let Shawn and I know!!
Development of an Israel Watch and Israel Drama
RIHOP has always felt a special call to stand with and pray for the people and nation of Israel. Over the past
few years there have been many prayer watches dedicated to Israel with the focus of them coming to know Jesus
as their Messiah. One of our worship leaders has faithfully been leading an Israel prayer watch for about a
year that Jamie and I have become a part of, with Jamie singing and me leading prayer. During one of the recent
prayer sets, as I (Shawn) prayed on the mic the Lord began knitting our hearts together as a whole team. As we
meet weekly, we will begin studying the promises of God for Israel and praying in one accord for God’s destiny
to be released toward Israel and the Middle East. We are all really excited to see how God is moving in this!!
In April, we are hosting a citywide Passover Seder for local pastors and leaders. We will be presenting a
drama depicting the history of Israel and the great revival scheduled to touch them in the coming days. The
drama demonstrates how Israel has been persecuted through the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Russian Pogroms
and the Holocaust. It ends with Christians surrounding Israel through prayer and meeting practical needs which
results in the nations coming to serve God’s purpose in Israel. We are excited to share the story of Israel with
our city, pray for many hearts to be touched and that our city will stand with Israel.
iShoutforJoy.com Interview
This month has been so jam-packed with exciting things!! Shawn and I, along
with RIHOP’s director, Sherrie Moore, and her son Michael recently had the opportunity
to share about our ministry on a local internet radio station,
iShoutforJoy.com. We were interviewed by gospel band Zechariah’s Song on
their Monday night show which you can catch live at ishoutforjoy.com every
Monday night at 6 p.m.
All four of us were able to speak briefly on God’s heart for Israel and His
move to awaken the world to His covenant plan. Sherrie and Michael shared
about the growing move of the Lord across our city to apprehend the younger
generation and the black community. Shawn and I had the amazing opportunity
to share a little bit of our story as a couple and speak briefly on Purity as it has guided us in our relationship. It’s
one of my favorite things to talk about, actually! I capitalize the word “Purity” because it is much more than just
a concept of abstinence, refraining from watching certain media, using certain language, wearing certain clothes
etc. Purity is a person, and His name is Jesus. In the interview we shared that as we sit before Him and grow to
know Him intimately, we are ushered into a lifestyle of purity as it is the expression of His love to us.
You can listen to the whole interview here (it’s about an hour long and is saved as three different parts, so
make sure to listen to each part! Sherrie and Michael speak first, then Shawn and I speak):
http://www.ishoutforjoy.com/forum/topics/feb-28-2011-richmond.
Personal Updates
Oh, before we forget...WE’RE OFFICIALLY ENGAGED!!
In January I (Shawn) was given an anonymous
envelope filled with a wad of cash to the amount
of $800. There was an accompanying note specifying
how the funds were to be used. With that money, I
made a down payment on a ring and asked Jamie to be
my wife. We have set a date for October 1st, 2011 to
get married.
Now we are really in support raising mode...more
than ever! While we are beginning to plan our wedding,
reception and honeymoon we are also looking
for those who want to support us monthly as husband and wife. We believe the Lord is setting us on the wall
together as watchmen, raising up day and night prayer for Richmond and abroad. We so LOVE our monthly
supporters and we are so thankful for your gifts!!
Currently, we have a combined monthly income of $800-1000. We believe the Lord is going to give us the
3rd floor apartment above RIHOP to be our first home together; we also believe that we will be fully supported
before we are married in October. Our goal is a monthly income of $4000. Would you consider supporting us
monthly?
Checks may be made payable to RIHOP and sent to this address:
Shawn Jarrard
4900 Bur Oak Court
Richmond, VA 23237
You can donate to us via paypal: Jamie.harner@yahoo.com
I would like to receive monthly updates from Shawn and Jamie: Yes No (circle one)
If yes, would you circle either: Email Postal service
I would like to become a monthly partner with Shawn and Jamie: Yes No
With a monthly donation of: $1-49 $50-75 $100-150 $200 $400 or more
