In the summer of 2018 the Lord birthed a vision in the heart of Richie Beeler, founder of The Porch Ministries. The man known to many as "Papa Rich" was praying in the sanctuary of the church where he serves, when he felt an unusual impression in his spirit.
"I was in the sanctuary praying with the lights off, and I very distinctly felt the Holy Spirit speaking to my spirit and saying, 'I want to physically expand the borders of the porch.' I immediately sat up and opened my eyes. If this was really the Lord, I had to have confirmation."
Through a series of unmistakable signs and events, the Lord confirmed in Papa Rich's heart that a new house was to be built to expand the ministry of The Porch so that more young men could be discipled in a residential setting. Within a few short weeks, the expansion had a name: Reed's House.
Reed Stewart was a young man with a passion for life and a huge heart for people, who came to The Porch shortly after the prayer movement first broke out in 2011. Reed had been struggling with addiction, and was not even fully aware of the environment he was walking into when his friend invited him. But the very first night he came, Reed encountered the Presence of Jesus, and was gloriously saved - the first person to surrender his life to Christ at The Porch.
In the ensuing weeks and months, Reed fell in love with the brotherhood he experienced at The Porch, and quickly came to consider it his spiritual home. Although his conversion was evident, Reed continued to fiercely battle his addictions, and tragically his life was cut short in February of 2012.
In his memory, and to honor the seed the Lord planted so firmly in his heart at The Porch, the board of directors unanimously agreed that Reed's House should be built, with the vision that it would become a spiritual home to young men just like Reed Stewart. In late 2019, blueprints were acquired for the construction of Reed's House, and through God's miraculous provision and the support of our partners, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 15, 2020. While building this house of discipleship is a tremendous step of faith, the progress in 2021 was nothing short of miraculous, and we are believing the Lord to continue to provide the resources we need to complete this project in 2022. Even as construction draws to a close, a waiting list is already growing of young men desiring to be part of this discipleship community. Reed's House is set to open this fall.
If you would like to partner with us in building Reed's House, please visit the "GIVE" page on our website, or you may mail donations to:
The Porch Ministries
8313 Clapps Chapel Rd.
Corryton, TN 37721
