Resting Arms Ministries, Brave Heart become one

They were complete strangers, each carrying a single vision. When they met, the visions melded into a perfect partnership.
Pastor David Tuttle and Bob King first met at a Celebrate Recovery meeting.
“It was divine intervention,” said Michele King, Bob’s wife and partner in Brave Hearts. “Their visions collided and their passion to serve hurting people grew.”
On July 12, Resting Arms Ministries (RAM) of Houlton and Brave Hearts in Island Falls merged their board of directors into one.
How it happened
Tuttle of Houlton knows from personal experience how alcohol addiction can harm a family. Through years of ministry, Tuttle began being burdened for the community, as people came to him on a daily basis seeking help for their own addiction or to help someone they loved who was struggling with addiction.
Tuttle kept waiting for someone to do something.
One day while praying to God, Pastor Tuttle clearly heard Him say, “Why don’t you do it instead of waiting for someone else?”
In 2008, Tuttle began asking others who had the same vision to join him.
Tuttle’s own journey through alcohol addiction and its effects on his family and life was the impetus to help others.
As RAM continued its quest 28 miles south, Bob and Michele King were ministering to lost and broken youth and their work compelled them to purchase the former Milliken Medical Center in Island Falls to form Brave Hearts.
“The 40-room facility was Bob’s birthplace as well as many people who live in the southern Aroostook community,” said Michele.
Although the original vision was to provide a Christian home for young men, state licensing regulations and the philosophies of the governmental leaders hindered the fulfillment of the Kings’ vision.
Seeking an answer
As the RAM board educated themselves about available treatment services, Phil Jurson, a substance abuse counselor, told them about His Mansion Ministries in New Hampshire. The board soon realized this was the model they would like to replicate in Aroostook County.
In the fall of 2013, RAM embarked on a study called Experiencing God. What they learned stirred in them the need to step out in faith and put their vision into motion. It was time to find a facility for the people they wanted to serve.
As Brave Hearts leaders were praying for God’s wisdom and direction, adults were coming to live at Brave Hearts. It was at this point that a Brave Hearts board member recommended that Bob and Michele go to His Mansion Ministries.
Coincidence? It does not appear that way now.
In June 2009, RAM board member Rebecca Miller attended the “Healing in the Context of Community” training offered by His Mansion Ministries. That fall, Tuttle went to the same training.
In April 2014, the Kings were involved in another training session on the same topic.
“We soon realized why Brave Hearts’ vision was stalling and God was placing hurting young adults in our facility,” said Michele.
His Mansion Ministries started more than 40 years ago in Connecticut. The vision of His Mansion Ministries is to “offer Christian counseling and long-term residential care for men and women between the ages of 18-35 who struggle with harmful behaviors.”
The main premise is living, working, praying and worshiping as a community. Mentors and staff live on-site and “do life together” with residents encouraging, serving, admonishing, and loving each other through the healing process.
“Staying at His Mansion Ministries for the week was like experiencing a little of what life is to be like in God’s Kingdom,” said Bob. “Quickly, we formed loving relationships as we worked through difficult life events and experienced grace from each other.”
Now what?
RAM became seven board members larger with the partnership of the organizations and its assets grew to include 66 Sherman St. in Island Falls. The facility and its program will be called “His Resting Arms” and it will be guided under the auspices of the board of RAM.
RAM’s mission statement is to “serve hurting people trapped by addiction or trauma. RAM will provide hope, healing and freedom in an atmosphere of grace, love and compassion reflective of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.”
The excitement is palpable as a goal has been set to finish renovating the third floor of “His Resting Arms” facility, the former Milliken Medical Center, for staff and counseling rooms, as well as projects to make the facility as self-sustainable as possible, which includes purchasing a wood boiler to reduce heating costs and drilling a well to eliminate water expenses. Program planning and staffing requirements are in the works.
In the meantime
Two special events are set to support the ongoing progress of “His Resting Arms.”
On Saturday from 1-3 p.m., an open house will be held at “His Resting Arms” at 66 Sherman St. in Island Falls. People are invited to attend and hear the vision of this program and tour the facility.
On Thursday, Aug. 7, starting at 5 p.m., Jeremiah’s Corner presents “A Night To Shine” at the Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church in Patten. At 5 p.m., a short video produced by Doug Rogerson of “All Things Patten,” will be shown and run continuously until 6:30 p.m. when a praise and worship concert benefiting “His Resting Arms” begins. The concert features piano solos by Chuck Loucka and some special songs by guest singers.
A love offering will be taken to benefit RAM. Immediately following, people are invited to the fifth annual Human Prayer Chain on Main Street to pray for people held captive by addiction. John Birmingham will sing from the historical society steps as people, armed with glo sticks, will let their light shine!
Ready, set, go
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to see the makings of a home for people with addictions, trauma, or life-controlling issues,” said Tuttle. “For me, my recovery began when I found a personal relationship with Jesus. Through His gracious love, I was able to overcome my addiction. With the opening of ‘His Resting Arms,’ this same love will be offered to those who continue to struggle with addiction and, as they say in Celebrate Recovery, hurts, habits and hangups.”
For more information about “His Resting Arms” and Resting Arms Ministries go to www.hisrestingarms.org.