Colorado Elk Hunt

It was nearly 70 degrees when the three of us, me, Clayton Newlin, Tim Molitor, started hiking up the hill toward what we hoped would be a happy hunting ground for massive bull elk. As steps turned into miles and minutes into hours we eventually made it to the top, 12-thousand plus feet, and 35-degrees and discovered not elk but …God. Clayton summarized it best when he said, “It’s hard to imagine how beautiful Heaven will be when you see how incredible this place is.”

And that’s why we go. No, we didn’t shoot an elk, for the third year running, in fact after all our hiking we didn’t SEE any, but we did draw some guys into a deeper relationship with the Creator. And that‘s priceless. We also took time to read and discuss the book, The Map, by David Murrow and I highly recommend you guys read it. I know, I know, you don’t like to read but it is that good and may change the way you live your life.

I also recommend you sign up NOW for next year’s hunt. We’re busy, right now, making sure we don’t get shut out again! It’s a great trip and we’d love to have you. If you’d like to see more pictures just visit our FB page at CrossHeirs Retreat Center.

Duck Hunts

Duck Hunting is about more than just ducks. It’s about a hearty breakfast after a cold morning in the woods. It’s about a good afternoon nap in a quiet room. It’s about good friends telling stories around a fire pit… some of them true. It’s about a dinner so good you’ll talk about it until you come back again next year.

Call today to book your overnight stay or men’s retreat!

Together We Grow — Year End Giving

“God is certainly surrounding this property. The Holy Spirit was in this place all weekend. It was totally visible by the love and care that Paul & Donna showed us while we were here. It was relaxing and peaceful. We are so glad you heard the call of God.” — Jerry & Sandi KosowskiPace, FL

Henry Blackaby once encouraged believers to, “Find out where God is at work and join him there.” Well, as you can see from the statement above God certainly has his sleeves rolled up at Big Jim’s Lodge. If you want to be a part of something special we would love to have you join us in our mission to help others become the men and women God created them to be. We have monthly needs of roughly $10k/month. That includes taxes, insurance, salaries, food, utilities, and maintenance. We can’t meet those obligations by charging just $40 per person per night. So we would like to raise as much of that as possible through gifts and donations. This will allow us to do three things: Keep the prices for lodging at very affordable levels, make sure whether your group totals 4 or 40 you get the whole lodge to yourself and finally reinvest all of our profits to keep improving the facility. We still need to build a back porch, a storage shed, a fire pit, a sporting clay range, plus make additional repairs to Big Jim’s Lodge.

We sure would love your help so please pray about what God would have you give to help support the ministry of the CrossHeirs Retreat Center. Thank you so much!

CrossHeirs Dove Shoot 2011

What a great day for a dove shoot! More dove hunters showed up than doves but we still had a great time as more than 30 guys, gals and kids spent the night at Big Jim’s Lodge and enjoyed a great meal from Chefs Paul and Donna. The next day about 15 more hunters showed up for our sixth annual dove shoot. Our dry lake bed was prepared nicely but only a few dozen dove showed up for the party. Still, Keith Kerr and Chef Paul made sure we had plenty of food for the hungry hunters!

Thank You Accent Iron in Benton, AR for the FABULOUS new gates!

Just take a look at the new gates at the Crossheirs Retreat Center. Words cannot express just how grateful we are to Alfred and Chase Shelnut and Accent Iron of Benton, AR for the donation, creation and installation of these incredible gates. These bad boys are 25 feet wide!! And look at the exquisite work on the CrossHeirs logo. If you ever need any iron work done…you MUST go see Alfred and Chase at Accent Iron in Benton!

Dove Shoot 2011 Registration

Download the Dove Shoot 2011 Registration Form (.doc).

The PAY OFF!

July 26, 2011

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thanks to the generosity of ministry partners like you just seven months after we signed the papers the CrossHeirs Retreat Center is now totally, 110%, bought and paid for!

The board members and I are so thankful to Conway, Arkansas’ Jim Rankin of Trinity Development company for loaning us the initial $200,000. At the time we assured Jim that God would be able to meet our need according to His riches in glory and we would pay him back within the year. We paid off half the note in just two months and delivered another fifty thousand just a month ago which left us just $20,000 short of fulfilling our promise. That’s when we set a time table to have the rest of the money to him by the end of July.

An anonymous donor issued a $10,000 challenge to get the note paid off and you responded. We were so close at the end of the month before we ran into some unforeseen operating expenses but we never lost sight that God would provide.

I want you to know I truly believe each and every one of you played a role in this incredible victory but the story of the donation that put us over the top is pretty cool. Early in July I met with the charitable arm of a corporation here in Little Rock where I shared the story of the ministry, asked for a donation then gave them a copy of my book. A week or so later we received a check from them for $5,000! I mailed a handwritten note along with a thank you e-mail. A few days later I got a phone message from the director of the fund that said she’s just read my book and it was very important that I call here as soon as possible.

Initially, I was afraid I’d made her mad and she wanted her money back but I called anyway. After clarifying for her a few things I’d written the book she said, “Well I just want you to know we loved the book and what you stand for and we are totally on the same page so we’re sending you a check for another $5,000.” And THAT put us over the top! Faith is just so fun!

The Blessing of Being Debt Free

July 26, 2011

Removing the burden of debt from a ministry is critically important. To quote an old mentor, “When you lose sight of your mission and focus on your survival you lose your authenticity.”

Being debt free allows us to do three things: First, it allows to keep our prices low. Right now we change just $40 per person per night. Our mission is to provide a facility for teaching, training and retreating and making that financially possible for as many people as possible is very important.

Next, removing a large chunk of overhead cost means we don’t have the pressure to fill each and every room. So whether your group is 4 or 40 you get the whole lodge to yourself. We will never combine retreats.

Finally, now everything we raise goes right back into the ministry to make this the kind of retreat center deserving of the One who created it. So make plans today to come and pay us a visit. The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau did and they wrote, “I think it is safe to say that everyone was blown away with your wonderful facility and scrumptious luncheon!”

Utility Man Project — Martha Stigall Home


Gemini Painting’s Wade Wilson's (pictured above with the great goatee) said he felt God wanted him to help a local lady repair her home but he needed help. A friend advised him to contact Beautiful Feet and we helped Wade fulfill his ministry. Special thanks to Ridout Lumber, Gemini Painting, plumber Robert Shearers & Mallard contracting.

7th Annual Elk Hunt — Wed., Oct. 19th–Wed., Oct. 26th 2011

July 23, 2011

The deadline is rapidly approaching and we only have four spots left for this trip of a lifetime. Take a look at the information below, grab a buddy and send in your deposit today!

The 2011 CrossHeirs Elk Hunt has been scheduled for October 19th-26th. You don’t want to miss this exciting time of fellowship, study and great hunting in the mountains just outside of Canon City. CO.

Once again this year we will set up our 16 x 32 GPC Medium Army tent at an elevation of 8,000ft near Westcliffe, CO. Space is limited to 10 hunters so get your deposit in today!

Cost:

Make checks payable to:
Beautiful Feet Ministries
3 Trent Jones Cove
Sherwood, AR 72120

Directions:
We will caravan out of Little Rock, AR on the afternoon of Wed., Oct. 19th, drive all night until we arrive in Canon City where we will set up camp then sleep!

Friday we will go out in pairs and scout locations to hunt.
Saturday the season opens. We will hunt before dawn until dark and return for dinner and devotions each night...followed by some serious card games and fellowship!

We will break camp and begin the trip home on Tues., Oct. 25th and return on Wed., Oct. 26th.

Download the 2011 Elk Hunt Registration Form (PDF).

2011 Elk Hunt — Space is Limited!

July 1, 2011

The 2011 Elk Hunt is just four short months away so send in your $150 deposit today! This year we’re hunting on Westcliffe which is just outside of Canon City, CO. Total cost of the trip is right around $1,000 and that includes your $545 dollar bull elk tag. The trip will be Oct. 20th–26th and we have room for just 10 hunters...so don’t miss your chance!

CrossHeirs Dove Shoot — Friday & Saturday, September 2nd & 3rd

July 1, 2011

As you can see we had a bit of a problem but we did fix Mike Wallace’s tractor and we now have itty bitty sunflowers growing out of the ground. Which means we should have a rootin’ tootin’ dove shoot the first Saturday in Sept. And we’d love to have you!

This year the dove hunt, lunch and devotional will be on the property of the CrossHeirs Retreat Center and we have room for 50 people. We will begin our weekend on Friday with a dinner and devotional at Big Jim’s Lodge but space is limited to the first 30 people to respond.

The hunt will cost $50 per adult and $25 per child 12 & under. The overnight stay which includes your hunt and the Friday dinner will be $100 per adult and $75 per child 12 and under. Don’t wait! This is one of the most enjoyable ministries we do all year. Make sure to put ‘dove hunt’ on your check.

Download the Dove Shoot 2011 Registration Form (.doc).

CrossHeirs Challenge

June 23, 2011

I’m so excited to tell you about the most amazing news we just received from a major donor to our ministry…but before I do let me update you on the progress of our new retreat center.

When we purchased Big Jim’s Lodge back in December – with the help of friends like you – we hoped we could have ten retreats before the end of this year. Well, to date we’ve already had ten retreats with 20 more on the books! And listen to what Karmen Fegtly with RAP Ministries had to say following her stay back in May —

“I want to thank you for the most amazing weekend. It was “more than we could have hoped or imagined.” We truly met God face-to-face at Crossheirs this weekend and we are sooooooo excited about what He showed us. The environment that you provided for us contributed to our fabulous experience. I am so grateful for what you are providing for ministries like ours.”

Isn’t that great! And she’s booked another retreat for November! Providing a facility where churches, ministries, families and individuals can draw closer to the Lord, develop ministries, and begin the journey toward fulfilling their God-given potential is why we felt so strongly that God wanted Beautiful Feet to move in this direction. I’m also hoping you will see why this type of ministry is so crucial in this day and age and why we need your help.

Back in December we were able to purchase this 1.6 million dollar facility along with 60-acres of land for only $200,000. Through love offerings, fundraisers and donations we’ve been able to pay back nearly $180,000 of that in just five months plus put more than $40,000 back into the building for repairs and upgrades. I know! God is so good. But now we really want to take care of that loan.

This is important to us for three reasons. First, it means we can keep the cost of an overnight stay to a very low $40 per person per night. Next, without the high overhead we won’t have the pressure to mix retreats. Which means whether you have a group of 4 or 40 the entire lodge is yours. And finally, it means we can focus all of our resources on continuing to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to make CrossHeirs the showplace it deserves to be.

I want you to join me in paying off the remaining $20,000 before July 15th. And here’s where that amazing news comes in…

A very generous and anonymous donor has just promised if we can raise $10,000 before the end of the month he will match it! That means your gift has just doubled…and it’s 100% tax deductible.

You can find more information on Facebook at Crossheirs Retreat Center or online at www.crossheirs.org. If you would prefer to first pay a visit and personally check out Big Jim’s Lodge just let me know. I would be more than happy to set up a tour. Otherwise just make your donation payable to Beautiful Feet Ministry 3 Trent Jones Cove Sherwood, AR 72120 or donate on line at www.beautifulfeetministry.com.

Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

June 10–11 Work Weekend

June 1, 2011

For the past six years CrossHeirs has hosted an opening day dove shoot which usually falls around the first weekend in September. This year we plan on hosting that hunt at the Retreat Center. To do so we need to begin our preparations now. So on the weekend of June 10th and 11th our primary project will be disking and planting several areas around the pond. But that’s not the only project. Here’s the plan for both Friday and Saturday:

Friday: Disk Field for Dove Hunt
Fri & Sat: Split & Stack wood, Drain water from Pond
Saturday: Build Back Deck, Landscape, Build Book Shelves, Repair thresholds around doors

2011 Elk Hunt — Register Today!

June 1, 2011

Don’t wait! Register today for our 2011 Colorado Elk Hunt. This trip of a lifetime will take place from Thursday, Oct. 20th-Wednesday, Oct. 26th. We will hunt near Canon City, Colorado this year which is a new area for us but we’ll have a good guide. Tim Molitor, whom we met on last year’s hunt, will host us on his turf this year!

Cost for the trip includes a $150 deposit, the price of your elk tag, plus the cost of food and fuel. We only have room for 10 people so don’t delay, sign up today!

Retreat Center Projects …and Praises!

June 1, 2011

1. Pay Off Loan — $18,000

2. Repair Sporting Clay Range — $7,500
This is a big draw for retreats and possibly a site for high school events and fundraisers.

3. Build Storage Shed — $5,000
We want to dismantle two of the large dog kennels and put a boat shed there. Then pour another concrete slab for a permanent storage shed.

4. Finish 3rd Floor Bedrooms — $10,000
The rooms have all of the bathroom fixtures, are already plumbed, and have electricity. We will need these rooms for the fall.

5. Fire Pit — $5,000
Every Retreat Center needs two things: Fire and Water. This is a prototype of the fire pit we'd like to build …wonderful place for fellowship!

Exceeding Abundantly

May 31, 2011

“Can you believe this?” It’s a question I’ve been asked probably a hundred times by visitors and quests of Big Jim’s Lodge. And the answer is always, “No...and Yes.” No, because it’s hard to imagine a ministry that for 10 years has been getting by month to month on love offerings and donations being able to purchase a 1.6 million dollar facility- even if God provided it for just $200,000. Even that’s amazing!

But, on the other hand, I can believe it. I’ve been believing for it since we had our first CrossHeirs duck hunt. I’ve been praying for a place where we could host men’s groups, youth groups, father/son outings. I can believe it because since we began this faith ministry nearly a decade ago God has been more than faithful to meet our needs large and small. You can read about many of those times in my book, Way Off Base, but the long and the short of it is, “He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us!” — Ephesians 3:20

As you can see in the quote above, Big Jim’s Lodge at the CrossHeirs Retreat Center was provided for you...to grow closer to Him. It is the ideal location for your next meeting, retreat, or getaway.

If You Build It

May 31, 2011

As with any step of faith we wondered if we stepped out, bought this place and began rebuilding would anyone come. Again...God has provided more than we could ask or think. Initially, because we had so much work to do, we felt we would be optimistic in thinking we could have 10 retreats this year.

Well, we had 9 before the grand opening and at the present time have 13 more scheduled before the end of the year! We’re now hoping to have 40 by the end of the year. Praise God! We were also told, “It’s a great guy place but you’ll never get any women’s groups out there.” Somewhat surprisingly, of the 22 retreats we’ve had or have scheduled 13 of them are women’s or couples retreats!

Grand Opening!

April 25, 2011

I am extremely excited to invite you to the Grand Opening Ceremony for the CrossHeirs Retreat Center on Saturday, April 30th! The festivities begin at 10:00 am with tours of Big Jim’s Lodge and a special concert by Jennifer Gill! The ribbon cutting ceremony and the dedication of Big Jim’s lodge begins at noon with the family of Big Jim Miller doing the honors.

Chef Paul and CrossHeirs will contribute hamburgers and hot dogs to the Pot Luck supper and dinner on the grounds at noon followed by a concert from the CrossPoint Quartet—“Pound for Pound the best gospel quartet in the nation!”

You don’t want to miss this great time of fellowship and celebration of God’s faithfulness

Now, remember, it is a potluck...so bring a dish and c’mon!
This Saturday, April 30th from 10 to 2!

CrossHeirs work weekend... THIS Saturday!

March 22, 2011

Just a reminder that our first big work weekend at the CrossHeirs Retreat Center is this Saturday, March 26th.

This will be a great time for you not only to get a good look at the lodge but also roll up your sleeves, pitch in and help us make the necessary repairs to this beautiful facility.

Big thanks to Todd Cornwall and TC Mobile Steam Cleaning for volunteering to power wash the whole building on Thursday…big job, but Todd's a big man!

So now, our priorities for the weekend will be:

  1. Repair/replace window trim and fascia and other external improvements
  2. Till, prepare the soil and plant a garden for Mr. & Mrs. Chef
  3. Finding the missing faux rocks that were thrown away near the Bayou (fun for kids!)
  4. Raking and picking up sticks in the VERY large yard
  5. Trimming trees
  6. Repair the shooting house (replace the tin roof, repair the walls and police up the gravel
  7. Repair and replace the deck railing

Bring all necessary tools for the jobs for which you're best suited!

Also, any and all donations of money and material are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible!

Finally, if you or someone you know would like to become a donor to this ministry or would like more information about CrossHeirs or Beautiful Feet Ministry please let me know. I'll be glad to set up a visit!

Blessings,
MM

CrossHeirs Youth Weekend

March 2, 2011

Believe it or not our youth waterfowl hunt was...snowed out! That only gave us an opportunity to have a BIGGER event! We rescheduled our youth duck hunt for March 4th and 5th. Of course duck season was over by then so we called it our CrossHeirs Youth Weekend!

It was a great time for more than a dozen kids from North Little Rock’s STEP ministries to roast s’mores around a fire, eat some of Chef Paul’s great kid food the spend the night in Big Jim’s Lodge. The following morning we learned to blow a duck call, shoot a shot gun, ride ATVs and enjoy God’s creation. Thanks to all the mentors and friends who helped us share not only the gospel but the love of Christ. Pray the seeds were sown into good soil and bear much fruit!

The New CrossHeirs Retreat Center!

March 1, 2011

Yeah, I know it’s been a while…and I promise I will begin writing the devotionals again very soon…but we’ve been a little busy with a quaint little cabin the Lord has blessed us with. Have you heard about the new CrossHeirs Retreat Center?

Read about it here:
http://sherwood.todaysthv.com/news/community-spirit/ministry-revamp-lodge/55285
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=125646

And, hopefully, soon you will see an article or two in the Stuttgart Daily Leader, Pine Bluff Commercial and the state’s largest paper the Arkansas Democrat Gazette!

The centerpiece of CrossHeirs Retreat Center is Big Jim’s Lodge, a 14,000 square foot building with 16 bedrooms, commercial kitchen facilities, a care takers apartment and more all sitting on 280 acres of farmland adjacent to the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. In the past it served as a duck lodge but from here on out it will be a place for churches, ministries, families, individuals and businesses to teach and train the next generation of Christian leaders. It’s also the perfect facility for resting, retreating and celebrating life!

Our care takers will be Chefs Paul and Donna Uher. Chef Paul was the former owner/operator of the Hot Springs Restaurants, Chef Paul’s and Restaurant Pompeii! He and Donna will live at the facility full-time and bring a lot to the table…in more ways than one!

Our rates for retreats will be $40 per person per day plus three meal plans which range in price from $40 per day for gourmet, to $30 for traditional and $20 for the basics…think of it like Steak, Chicken or Casseroles. And if Chef Paul is cooking…it’s gonna be good!

Now, while God has blessed us with a tremendous facility to impact future generations of Christian leaders, after 4 or 5 years of sitting vacant...well, it could use a little TLC. So, over the next two months we’re planning a series of work weekends. Take a look at the dates, pick one and bring a friend or three! Beginning with this weekend!

March 5th-6th and March 12th-13th:
Repair the road, mow, trim, dress up the landscaping, and till the soil in preparation for the garden!
Needs: Mowers, trimmers, tillers, chainsaws, fertilizer, shovels, rakes, etc…

March 25th-27th:
Spray then seal the back, Build back deck, Repair Shooting House, Repair Fascia Boards, Deck Railing, Shooting House, Replace broken windows, repair/replace window trim & assorted carpentry repairs.
Needs: Lumber, nails, trim, etc... (see web site for materials list.)

April 8th-10th:
Strip and reseal the lodge, Other work that hasn’t been done, needs to be done
Needs: Sprayers, ladders, brushes, tarps, assorted carpentry tools.

If you’re interested please contact me at one of the addresses on this newsletter...or just show up with a friend and a strong desire to get dirty!

We are in great need of a riding or ZTR mower as well as a tractor to help us maintain the 60 acres we own if anyone has one they would like to donate or sell. Just contact me, Matt Mosler at 501 352 3465

Stay Tuned!
MM

2011 Elk Hunt

March 11, 2011

You might think we just wrapped up our 2010 elk hunt...and you might be right! But now is the perfect time to start planning for the 2011 hunt. That’s because if you desire a cow or mule deer tag you only have until the first week in April to register for the drawing. Bull tags are available over the counter up until the season begins but they are a good deal more expensive.

Our 2011 hunt will be Thursday, Oct. 20th – Wednesday, Oct. 26th. We will hunt near Canon City, Colorado this year which is a new area for us but we’ll have a good guide. Tim Molitor, whom we met on last year’s hunt, will host us on his turf this year!

Cost for the trip includes a $150 deposit, the price of your elk tag, plus the cost of food and fuel. We only have room for 10 people so don’t delay, sign up today!