Rest Ministries, Inc. began in 1996 & became a 501(c)[3] in ’97. It was founded by Lisa Copen.
Lisa was diagnosed a few years earlier with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24 & life had changed dramatically. She searched for some time, but was unable to locate the kind of Christian support that she desired to help her along this unexpected detour of chronic illness.
Surely she couldn’t be the only one who lived with daily chronic pain, & believed in the Lord–& still wasn’t healed, right?
Right! Since 1996 Rest Ministries has reached hundreds of thous&s of people–over 80,000 to the web site alone each month. And it continues to grow through the help of our volunteers who keep it going every day. And we are honored to be an affiliate ministry with Joni & Friends International Disability Ministry, the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada. [Read about how this came to be.]
We invite you to watch our 5-minute video to learn more about how Lisa began this ministry, what is does now, & how our HopeKeepers groups work.
Where do our visitor come from?
We started using this software to tell us 9/9/09.
OUR VIEWPOINT ON HEALING
We believe that God can & does can & does heal in our current day. We also believe, however, that God offers strength in our weakness &, at times, allows us to grow spiritually, although not always comfortably, by allowing the “thorns” into our lives, (2 Cor. 12:9).
We believe that God can heal despite our lack of faith, if it is his will, therefore, we are not able to meet a formula of “praying harder,” & be guaranteed an outcome of healing (Mark 6:5,6). Illness is not necessary a sign that we have done something wrong (John 9:3) nor that we have “hidden sin” in our lives, (John 5:14).
We caution against worshiping “the idea of healing” rather than God, (Exodus 20:3). Although we encourage people to pray for God’s healing, we also comfort them in their pain; as we believe that we are called to comfort others in their pain, as God has comforted us in our own (2 Cor. 1:3-5), even when we are still living with pain in our own lives (1 Peter 4:10).
REST MINISTRIES PURPOSE STATEMENT
Rest Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to serve people who live with chronic illness or pain, & their families, by providing spiritual, emotional, relational, & practical support through a variety of programs & resources, including:
- HopeKeepers groups
- Online communities
- Daily devotionals
- HopeKeepers Magazine
- Our book/gift store, which includes Bible studies & small group materials.
- Rest Ministries Sunroom online social network
- Hope Endures Podcasts began in March 2008
We also seek to bring an awareness & a change in action throughout churches in the US, in regard to how people who live with chronic illness or pain are served, & teach churches effective ministry tools in ministering to this population. One tool for this purpose is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, of which we are the founders & sponsors.
REST MINISTRIES STATEMENT OF FAITH
About God: God is the creator & the ruler of the universe. There is only one, true holy God. He eternally exists in three personalities: The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal & are one God. Genesis 1: 1,26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; ii Corinthians 13:14.
About Jesus: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His is co-equal with the Father (God). Jesus lived on earth by a miraculous conception & virgin birth. He lived a sinless human life & offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin & death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory & will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings & Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14: 10-30; Hebrew 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; John 14:6; Hebrews 13:8.
About the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father & the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need of Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, underst&ing of spiritual truth, & guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. ii Corinthians 3:17; John 16:1-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18.
About the Bible: The sole basis for our belief is the bible. The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs & living. Because it is inspired by God, the Scriptures are infallible & inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the final authority on all matters of faith & practice. ii Timothy 3:16-17; ii Peter 1:21; James 1:22; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 1:16-17.
About Salvation: Because of the sin of Adam, all have sinned & are separated from God. The result is eternal death & separation from God. Through the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, we have the gift from God to all people, Salvation. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can people be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2, Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1,8; John 1:12; Romans 10:13; Revelation 3:20.
