Dear Friend,
This new year promises to be the best one yet!
Students are already roaming the halls … in full swing of basketball season … getting ready to ride in the new Amon G. Carter Equestrian Center … and running across the grounds of Happy Hill Farm.
And as I look forward to 2017, one particular passage of Scripture keeps coming to mind—especially as I pray for God’s leading.
In 2 Corinthians 10:15–16, the apostle Paul shares his hope for the Corinthian church: “Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”
I know without doubt that God is calling us to expand our reach, giving thousands more children the opportunity to succeed in a safe, loving, and godly environment.He is calling us to give even more children the opportunity to know and love Jesus Christ and to become the men and women God created them to be.
This year our whole family—and a team of trusted advisors—has committed to continue building on my grandfather Ed Shipman’s legacy. With help and support from friends like you, we have already begun moving forward with some of the most exciting developments in the history of Happy Hill Farm. Right now, we are in the process of:
- Opening the Amon G. Carter Equestrian Center and also partnering with the Chris Cox Horsemanship Association to create a brand-new, fully integrated equestrian program.
- Increasing classroom space and building new dormitories, which will allow us to increase our enrollment by 75 students.
- Launching a brand-new website, giving this ministry a larger presence worldwide … and much more!
It’s always difficult to move beyond the status quo—to push forward with the opportunities God gives. So moving forward, we will continue to trust God to guide our decisions.
I remember praying with my grandfather, and every day, he thanked God for moving in the hearts of people like you to provide for Happy Hill Farm and the children we serve. Together, we will give each one a loving family environment, a world-class education, and a chance to build a successful future.
So let me encourage you to give your first gift of 2017 today. Invest in the lives of the children my grandfather loved—that I know you love, too. And help ensure that his legacy lives on … and grows!
Sincerely,
Lucas Shipman
Campus Pastor
Director of Development