What is Blessing Homes?
Blessing Homes is the name we (the Wilson family) gave the ministry that has been slowly developing since 2015. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father who has led, provided for, and blessed, in many ways and through various people. It all started slowly with the provision of the two guesthouses we call Rolling Hills Lodge, and an inspiration from previous generations to help missionaries and servants of the Lord.
We also desired to help others grow in their walk with the Lord and in their family relationships just as we had been inspired by others through their lives, testimonies, and helpful resources.
". . . even so now yeild your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness . . . But now being free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:19-23
We are just walking one step at a time, seeking the leading of our Lord Jesus Christ. We desire and pray that you and your home would be blessed as you join with us in making the Word of God the guidebook for your life, marriage, family, ministry, and business.
See a Guesthouse
How is it funded?
Some may ask how this work is funded, and we may ask the same thing, yet each provision or help we are entrusted with enables us to continue stepping forward. While the Blessing Homes ministry is not a registered charitable organization, we thank those who have felt led to share with us of their encuragement, practical help, donations, or financial gifts. We thank the Lord that he has enabled our family to live, work, and minister morgage and debt free. This enables each provision God sends our way to be available for His purpose.
We desire to put our Saviour first in all we do, thankful and trusting Him to provide for our needs, and being open for Him to use us in ways that will further His Kingdom.
How to Donate
What is our personal background?
Sherrill's Background
Coming to faith in Christ at an early age Sherrill continued to grow in the Lord in her youth. In 1986, when she was 8 years old her family was commended as missionaries and travelled to Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles where they served with TWR (Trans World Radio), a Christian radio ministry in the Caribbean. 5 years later the Lord called her family back to Ontario where her father, Gerrit Van Essen, served as manager for Hope Valley Day Camp in Peterborough, Ontario while the rest of the family joined in as camp counsellors, kitchen staff, etc. After 6 years the Van Essen’s were then called back overseas with TWR, to served in Swaziland, Africa for two years. After coming back to Canada, Sherrill served with her family as her father helped manage Elim Lodge for a few years. With her growing interest in desktop publishing she served in Big Sandy, Texas for 4 years in the graphic arts department of the International Alert Academy, a christian young men practical skill and discipleship training ministry (where she received a volunteer award signed by President George Bush!). Sherrill returned home to serve with her family followed by a short time in Mexico working with a missionary family, before coming home and marrying Andrew. Her parent’s, Gerrit and Cathy Van Essen, who have faithfully served the Lord wherever He called them are now stationed in Ontario where Gerrit speaks in various church assemblies and serves with MSC Canada as director for the ACCTS Mission Shipping program.
Andrew's Background
Andrew also came to faith in Christ at an early age thanks to the witness of his parents. He also saw the life testimony and commitment to Christ of both of His grandfathers who, although successful dairy farmers, were active in their local church and had given of their time and resources to build and develop the Crusaders Bible Camp in Omemee, Ontario with one set of Grandparents serving as director of the camp. In his youth, through the training of his parents, Andrew learned that Christ desired not only words of commitment but a heart of repentance and life changing faith allowing Christ Jesus to be the Lord of one's life. Andrew committed His life to Jesus, trusting in the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ paying the penalty of our sin through His righteous death on the cross and resurrection. Entering his early teen years Andrew saw His father Floyd Wilson a Baptist pastor (and mother Helen) who had commitment to stand fast for the truth of God's word being taught and lived despite pressure by those who wanted to compromise and copy the worlds ways.
When he was 17 years old in 1996 Andrew registered his woodworking business Kingwood Design and started manufacturing and retailing wood furniture, he continued with this occupation in the years following. During these years Andrew taught Sunday School classes for younger ages, and later the adult class, he also led Sunday school open session. Andrew was given opportunity to start speaking at some of his local church's services. Andrew joined the Gideons International and helped with this Bible distribution ministry for many years. Calvary Baptist Church Sudbury asked Andrew to become a deacon and Andrew served with the church leadership for 8 years until he resigned in 2012. In 2006 Andrew married Sherrill Van Essen with the blessing of their parents (and older church ladies who had been encouraging him that it was time to find a wife). Andrew and Sherrill were received into fellowship by Sudbury Bible Fellowship in 2013 and it was the family’s home church for 8 years. In 2015 the Rolling Hills Lodge New Brunswick ministry houses were purchased and began to be available for the Lords use. The Wilson family has been so thankful for the Christian fellowship they have experienced in New Brunswick, the close friends, and church fellowship which is so looked forward too each time they make the trip East.
