March 22, 2000
Couple opens home to Texas ministers
___By George Henson
___Staff writer
___SEYMOUR--John and Brandee Stacey believe God has blessed them, and they feel called to share their blessing with ministers from across the state.
___What they feel called to share is a bit different, however. They want to open their home to ministers as a retreat.
___Even before they sensed God's leading, God was directing them toward this, Mrs. Stacey said. She had traveled to Seymour from Houston to attend her grandmother's 70th anniversary and lost her way in the small community.
___"I got lost in Seymour, if you can believe that, and came across this house with a For Sale sign in the front yard," she recounted.
___The Staceys were even more amazed when the price on the home was much less than they had anticipated. They bought it and experienced an indescribable peace throughout the process, she said.
___When friends came to visit the 7,000-square-foot home originally built by a cattle baron, many mentioned it would make a nice bed and breakfast.
___That idea began to take hold in Mrs. Stacey's mind, but in a different way.
___The Staceys said it was through their relationship with their pastor at First Baptist Church in Seymour, Glenn Shock, and his wife that God began to impress them that their bed and breakfast could be a place of refuge and respite for ministers.
___"John and I just have a real heart for our pastor, and we see how much pressure and tension comes along with being a pastor," Mrs. Stacey explained.
___"We really feel like God has called us to use this as a two-to-three-day retreat center for pastors and staff," her husband added. "We think it's perfect for that because there's nothing out here. There really are no distractions, so there's nothing else to do but to get eyeball to eyeball."
___Mrs. Stacey agreed. "This is the perfect place to just sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea or study the Bible," she said.
___Some guests have expressed an interest in touring the scenic countryside, however, and the Staceys are putting together a deal with a local rancher to allow guests to take in the scenery on either horseback or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles.
___They also believe the location is perfect for more than just scenery.
___The Seymour location is only a couple of hours from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and much nearer to many rural pastors whom the Staceys especially hope to help.
___"The ones who need to get away the most sometimes can afford to get the least," Mrs. Stacey said.
___The home, built in 1936 by W.H. Portwood, will accommodate 10 guests comfortably in the five guestrooms. The home also features a billiard room and formal dining area.
___For more information, call (940) 888-5255 or contact the Staceys through their website, www.washingtonstreetmanor.com.
Send this story to a friend
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!