Confirming Counseling Relationships Although I serve full-time as Associate Pastor at Northeastern Baptist Church, I also moonlight for Shepherd’s Friend. The hours I once spent teaching piano are now dedicated to walking alongside others in ministry. On average, I meet for two sessions each week, and every conversation is a reminder that even those who care for souls need someone to care for theirs. Confirming Progress In recent months, I have made time to complete Phase Two of the ACBC certification process, which covers the theology, philosophy, and practical application of biblical counseling. I am grateful for the motivation to finish these exams and move forward. I am now beginning Phase Three, which involves fifty hours of supervised counseling. At the same time, I continue to work toward my doctorate. This month, I will begin a class in Advanced Counseling Methodology, and with my final DMin course scheduled for February, I am approaching the final stages of my program. Confirming Support I am humbled to report that we have taken on two new financial supporters just since our last newsletter. I look forward to reporting more on that topic next month. We are prepared to receive charitable donations as a registered 501(c)(3) organization. If you wish to help us help pastors, you may send a gift to our ministry office. Shepherd’s Friend, 5448 Hillsight St, Kalamazoo, MI. 49004. Pray for Us. When I say ‘us,’ I mean my wife, Jennifer, and me, but also the Board of Directors for Shepherd’s Friend. Three remarkable men—Allyn VanDyk, Phil Miller, and Pastor Michael McManus—have joined me in building this ministry from the ground up. When I first asked them to partner with me, none of us could have imagined just how much work lay ahead. Yet with each step, I am more convinced that God has knit us together for this purpose: to encourage pastors through friendship, coaching, and biblical counseling that is free and accessible right where they are. Each day, it becomes more evident that we are part of something truly meaningful. These men appreciate your prayer. I look forward to introducing them to our prayer partners in a more personal fashion in future editions of the newsletter. Much is happening. Watch for updates and progress reports. New Website Design “Thank you, Liza Miller!” Liza provided her professional skills to redesign the Shepherd’s Friend website just in time for the RBM National Conference. Shepherdsfriend.org Check it out and share the link with others who may need a friend in ministry or with someone who may wish to join our family of supporters. Clarification on Giving to Shepherd's Friend For now, the way to partner with Shepherd’s Friend is by check or bank-to-bank transfer. We plan to be able to receive online donations in a few months. Anyone who wishes to support Shepherd’s Friend should NOT make pledges through Substack. If you would like to know more about this ministry, please check out our updated website. Shepherdsfriend.org
On Thursday morning last week, I had the opportunity to gather with other pastors from the Southwest region of our fellowship. It was a great opportunity to get better acquainted. It also served as a reminder that pastors like myself are regular guys with common life circumstances. I really appreciated the chance to have conversations with most of the men who were there that day. The church that hosted us provided a delicious lunch, and the fellowship was as sweet as the cherry dessert. The very next day, at the Church Ministries Conference in Grand Rapids, was our first opportunity to display our exhibit for Shepherd’s Friend. We saw many familiar faces and met new friends as well. Several conversations underscored the need for a ministry that seeks to encourage pastors. Jennifer and I are already following up with pastors and pastors’ wives who indicated they could use a little encouragement or would like to help us encourage others. Our display location ended up being right next to the display for a classical Christian school. I was thrilled to discover that Bob Davis, of Libertas Christian School, had actually been baptized at First Baptist Church in Wayland, MI, by my dad, Kenneth F. Pierpont, when he was a church planter in the mid-1960s, a couple of years before I was born. Shepherd’s Friend is largely inspired by my dad’s ministry of encouragement to other men over his 60 years in pastoral ministry, so it was gratifying to connect with someone who still remembered my dad’s impact on them so long ago. He did not serve in that position very long. After serving in Vietnam as an Army Chaplain, Dad went on to have a ministry assisting churches that we might refer to as a revitalization. He retired from full-time pastoral ministry at the age of 85, one week before the COVID pandemic broke out. Meeting Bob Davis, who was impacted positively by my dad when he was a young, inexperienced pastor, was encouraging to me. I am grateful to the Lord for the many connections we have made in the last seven days. Every day this week seemed to present another opportunity to encourage someone else in ministry. Even today, I was contacted by someone requesting a follow-up with another pastor who would appreciate some encouragement. If this past week is any indication of what my days will be like with Shepherd’s Friend, we are in for quite a ride. I ask for prayer for me, for Jennifer, for our Board of Directors, and for ministry partners to join our efforts to encourage others in ministr y.
