For over ten years, Shirley Douglas used her talents and creative energy to serve as layout designer for the Gorham Times. Recently, She has embarked on a new enterprise called the Rephidim Project, an independent non-profit ministry with 501(c)(3) status.
The Rephidim Project is a collaborative effort to bring expository preaching resources and training to pastors, church leaders and those who have a call to preach. They lead seminars, workshops and think tanks to train preachers to be more effective expositors of biblical texts. These pastors covenant together to develop and improve their skills in expository preaching through collaborative learning, mutual encouragement, and personal accountability.
Shirley explained, “Our mission is to mobilize, equip, and encourage pastors worldwide with a blueprint for expositional preaching that produces Christ-like believers by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.”
Pastors and missionaries often become weary in their work and may feel isolated and discouraged. The Rephidim Project follows advice of the Prophet Isaiah to “encourage the exhausted and strengthen the weak” (Isaiah 35:3) through developing and distributing resources for Bible exposition.
Shirley describes the connection to her previous work in this way, “Some of the past work positions that have prepared me for this new role is owning a graphic design business for 10 years and working as the Design/Production Coordinator at The Gorham Times. Each one enabled me to grow my graphic design skills as well as learn about the importance of good customer service and working as a team. One of the things I miss about working at the Gorham Times is the direct connection to the community in which I live.”
In 2018, the Rephidim Project achieved official status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit from the US Internal Revenue Service and now functions as a fully independent non-profit ministry.
Correction, Feb. 29th:
The Rephidim Project, founded by David Christensen, has been a Gorham-based ministry since 2001. The organization achieved official status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2018. Gorham resident and past Gorham Times staff member Shirley Douglas has been working at The Rephidim Project as an Administrative Assistant for over four years. She works closely with the leadership team that consists of Chairman of the Board and COO, Mark Halfacre, President and CEO, David Christensen, Director of Ministries, Mark J. Crocco, Director of Pastoral Resources, Russ Cotnoir, Chief Financial Officer, Tim Woodward and Internet Technology Manager, Adrian Wells. Her roles vary from bookkeeping to marketing and include graphic design, managing the website and social media as well as preparing newsletters, editing videos and organizing events. Last year The Rephidim Project staff and board of directors celebrated the ministry’s success with an appreciation dinner.
The Gorham Times apologizes for the omission of this information from the Meet your Neighbor article on Shirley Douglas that appeared on February 8th.