Hopeland Refuge

  
      Hopeland is a vision that was born in Tracy’s heart by the Holy Spirit over eight years ago. The vision became clear after attending a retreat for families with special needs. We were at the weekend retreat with our son Mitchel, our daughter Aislinn and our youngest son, Connor, who at three years old was diagnosed with severe, self-injurious and aggressive non-verbal autism. 

       Very frequently having a child or adult with a special needs diagnosis causes entire families to live life in isolation, blocking them from many opportunities that are taken for granted by those not suffering in this way. The majority of these families discontinue church attendance, where because of disruptive behaviors or cumbersome equipment parents will decide it is too difficult to attend. Or, families that do attend do so separately from their children. As a result, many of these families are not in community even though they have a strong need and desire to be connected. 

       Originally the vision of Hopeland was to acquire a property with secured grounds. The property will be landscaped and designed beautifully to be a comfortable, peaceful, healing environment for individuals with a special needs diagnosis and their families. There will be a gathering hall and commercial kitchen where families can come together in community with other families. 

       Worship services will not be held during traditional church hours in order for members to be able to minister and still attend their own church. Services will be all inclusive so that the whole family will be able to attend together. The services will provide an opportunity for life-giving healing experiences where encounters with the Presence of God is priority.  Only in the Presence of God our Healer can true healing take place and it is our desire to create and sustain an atmosphere and place that will support progressive and miraculous healing.     

      In 2025 Phase I began to be implemented. During Phase II sensory playgrounds and other appropriate structures and amenities  are installed for guests to enjoy. The respite can be weekends or a little longer but will allow families to rest and relax knowing their loved one is safe and in a loving and nurturing environment. During this respite, families will have opportunities to participate in training for typing to communicate and education in diet and other healing strategies.

       A large part of the vision emphasized the reality that the need for healing ministry for the siblings and parents was as great or sometimes greater than the need of the individual with the diagnosis. This healing endeavor requires many believers to come support the mission by exercising their diverse gifts to minister to these families, and be ministered to by them. And using their gifts in this way will enable all to become further equipped to minister. The Body of Christ in our multi-county area will minister, empowering Hopeland to grow into an equipping center as described in Ephesians 4 where the Body works together to heal the Body. 

       Our son Connor is now 27 and although he is still diligently working on developing his proficient speech, he communicates by typing age appropriate thoughts, ideas and dreams and is beginning to express these verbally. This wonderful reality and level of healing has come about through the prayers, fasting and support of many, healing and deliverance ministry, diet and lifestyle changes, typing to communicate, riding bikes, equestrian therapy and volunteering for the Peace of Heart Community Farm Enrichment Program. We thank God for the continued grace over Connor’s life. When we asked Connor about a name for a place that would encompass this vision he typed, "Hopeland.”

       As of December 1, 2024 we have acquired a property in West Jacksonville. It is five acres with a one acre pond. It is securely fenced and perfect for our vision of Hopeland. There is a house on site that has allowed us to begin receiving families beginning in the spring of 2025.

       The property is joined to a 16 acre farm named Blu-By-U. We have been partnering with them to provide unique farm experiences for the whole family.

       Spring of 2025 we instituted the Forever Friends daytime activities. Fishing, gardening, and educational classes will soon be available as well as just a place for families to decompress and find support.

      Throughout 2026 as Phase II is implemented we will have cabins for overnight respite, and a gathering hall for Worship services and conferences.

       Hopeland/ Old Way Fellowship are missional outreaches under I Am Sent Ministries and will not meet during normal church service hours as explained earlier.

Thank you for your interest in Hopeland.

       We hope you will join us in creating this respite, resource and Kingdom community.

The need is great. The harvest is waiting.

God Bless,

Tracy, Jeannie and Connor  Stewart-Perez

& the entire I Am Sent Ministries team.

tracyperez@iamsent.org or iamsentministries@gmail.com. And, subscribe to our newsletter for updates.