Hospitality Homes
"If there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth
and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality."
Henri Nouwen
Scripture commands Christians to be given to hospitality. At some point in history the church lost its connection with the command to pursue hospitality.
At ServantCARE, we are actively engaged in the practice of biblical hospitality and desire to see it restored to the Body of Christ. To that end we have established the following hospitality network.
Hospitality homes allow us a wonderfully practical way to “care for those who serve”. These are privately owned, smoke free Christian homes made available by those with a heart for hospitality, and a desire to serve those in ministry. Some are available only overnight, while others are available for longer periods of time. Some are small homes with a spare bedroom while others are large and have amenities like pools, game rooms, and libraries. Some are immaculate and some are well lived in. Some are remotely located for those who need quiet rest, but most are centrally located to interstates for convenience. All have hosts with open arms and open hearts.
We are sorry, but we are very limited in the accommodations we offer for long-term placements at the present time. Please see our “Resource Links” for possibilities that may help. Contact them directly through the information provided.
Hospitality Home Information for both Guests and Providers...
Please read the following before continuing:
Disclaimer and legal notices
Using this website.
While every reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information on this website, ServantCARE makes no representation or warranty (either express or implied) as to the completeness of the information or its suitability for any particular purpose. The information has been prepared for those interested in ministering to others through Biblical hospitality and those desiring to accept the hospitality of others. If you have a question about the information on this site you should contact the persons identified in the website for advice.
Liability is excluded.
By accessing the pages below, you agree that ServantCAREwill not be liable for any loss and/or damages whatsoever that you may suffer and in particular ServantCARE will not be liable for special, consequential or incidental damages arising out of or in connection with this website or the information or material contained in it, whether any claim is brought in contract, or tort (including negligence) or otherwise.
Wisdom and Responsibility is encouraged.
Scripture teaches hospitality and promises blessings to those who practice it. ServantCARE desires to facilitate Christian hospitality as a ministry and blessing to those who need it and to those who provide it. However, ServantCARE encourages wisdom and personal responsibility by all parties. Specifically, all parties are encouraged to contact the spiritual leaders (pastors, elders, deacons) or organizational leaders (church, mission or sending agency) for references if there is any question in your mind. ServantCARE has, however, either visited and approved the Hospitality Homes, or has on file recommendations from pastors and ministry directors for those hosting. Further, ServantCARE encourages clear communication between all parties regarding guidelines and expectations, especially for extended stays.
There is no charge at most Hospitality Homes, however this Hospitality Home referral ministry of ServantCARE is partially funded by the donations of those using the service. All donations are $15 per night. Being a faith based ministry we rely partially on donations to provide this service. Checks are made out to ServantCARE and mailed to P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36027.
If you chose one of the referrals listed under “resource links” and want ServantCARE to coordinate the reservation there will be a $25 donation payable in advance for this service. If the accommodations are unavailable it is non-refundable as there is time and expense involved in the attempted reservation. All other financial arrangements regarding listings on the “resource links” must be between the parties/ministry involved.
For information about hospitality homes available to traveling Christians in ministry, click here: Guest
For information about making your home available to traveling Christians in ministry, click here: Provider
ServantCARE Hospitality Homes
for Christian Workers
Knowing that those of you in ministry know lots of people with hearts for those who are serving in full-time ministry we encourage you to share the ministry of ServantCARE with others. Encourage them to open their homes and be involved in New Testament hospitality. Not all states have our homes at present so we are always grateful when you tell Christian friends and family about the opportunities to serve. Have them see the “Host Section” under Hospitality Homes for details.
ServantCARE Hospitality Homes were established to provide a low cost place for those in Christian ministry to stay as they travel. This hospitality home ministry is partially funded by those who stay in our homes. The donation is very reasonable at only $15 a night (per family, not per person) and includes your evening meal if you arrive early enough and breakfast the next morning. Since Hospitality Homes do not receive donations at the location the donation may be mailed directly to ServantCARE at P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36072.
Because of the number of requests we have and the length of time it takes to receive the letter of referral from your mission agency or pastor (see below) we ask that you give us two weeks advance notice on your requests for housing. Sorry, but the referral letter MUST arrive through postal mail for our files, NOT e-mail.
Click to check Hospitality Homes available
“Registration Process”
Reservation Request Form
To make a reservation at a hospitality home, copy and paste the form below into an e-mail and send to us at icare@servantcare.com
Please provide the following information:
Name _________________________________________________
Spouses Name ___________________________________________
Children’s Names and Ages __________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Please understand if you have children that some homes only have a guest room available. Children may have to sleep on sofas or sleeping bags. They are, however, most welcome!!
Address________________________________________________
Home Phone______________________ Cell____________________
Is there a U.S. number where you can be reached while stateside?
______________________________________________________
Name of Church/Mission Agency______________________________
Position_________________________________________________
Preferred Hospitality Homes and Dates_________________________
_______________________________________________________
What time do you think you will be arriving? _____________________
What is your reason for needing housing in this area?
_______________________________________________________
Where will you be coming from and going to after this visit?
_______________________________________________________
Dietary Restrictions of Which We Should be Aware________________
_______________________________________________________
Allergies to Pets?_________________________________________
Any Other Comments or Questions?___________________________
______________________________________________________
Because of the number of requests we have and the length of time it takes to receive the letter of referral from your mission agency or pastor (see below) we ask that you give us two weeks advance notice on your requests for housing. Sorry, but the referral letter MUST arrive through postal mail for our files, NOT e-mail.
“Referral Form”
Please present a copy of this referral form to your pastor or the director of your mission agency. If you are a pastor or the director of a ministry we suggest you use the chairman of your board. Have them complete the following on ministry letterhead and send to ServantCARE, P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36072
Dear Pastor, Ministry Director, or Board Chairman,
You are being asked to act as a reference for me, ___________________. We desire to be a guest at one of ServantCARE’s hospitality homes where they provide places of rest for those in ministry and missionaries. You may learn more about their ministry at www.servantcare.com. Regarding this referral they request you provide them with the following information on ministry letterhead:
What is the applicant's involvement in your church or organization?
How long have you known them/their family?
Can you recommend them to us as one who qualifies and is of the utmost
integrity? If so, please include a line that says, “I understand that I
am acting in good faith in recommending _____________________________ to
the ministry of ServantCARE.
Include all the information below somewhere in the letter:
Date
Name of Ministry or Church
Your Name and Title
Phone and E-Mail
Address
Address of Organization
Signature
We look forward to hearing from you.
Questions?
Contact Anita Parks at 334-695-4043
Guest Guidelines
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Your hosts, are excited for the opportunity to serve you. Communication is vital to the success of this ministry so we ask that you notify us and your hosts immediately if there are any changes in plans as there may be others who are waiting for the same home for which you have asked for reservations.
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If you have any dietary restrictions please let us and your hosts know so they are able to leave those things that would affect your health out of their meal plans and shopping. They desire to be a blessing.
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These are smoke free homes.
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No pets are allowed unless previous arrangements have been made.
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Once the reservations have been made and all paperwork has been received at the ServantCARE office:
- We will release their name and phone number to you.
- At that time we encourage you to immediately call them to establish a relationship and get directions.
- It will be your responsibility to communicate with them any changes in arrival time that may occur. Please do not wait till a couple of hours before arrival to notify them you will be late. Thank you for giving plenty of notice, and honoring the deadlines on arrival they give you.
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We love our hosts and ask that you honor their privacy. The names of the hosts are private and not to be passed on to others to call them directly. They have made their homes available only to those who have supplied references to ServantCARE.
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Though our hosts try to meet all needs if you have a bed-wetter please bring a fitted plastic sheet to protect your hosts bedding.
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Remember that your gracious hosts offer their home to “many” in ministry and we ask that you do not use them as an opportunity to recruit support for your ministry.
Your donation of $15 per night is to be sent to ServantCARE and not left at the host home. It may be mailed to P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36072.
We would love to hear any suggestions you have, or any problems you encountered. Contact us at 334-695-4043 or icare@servantcare.com
“Guest Agreement”
Please read and print the form below and return to ServantCARE, P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36072 after you have signed, dated and had witness sign and date.
Dear Larry and Anita,
I have read, understand, and agree to the legal information and
disclaimer at the beginning of the Hospitality Home section of
ServantCARE's website, as well as all material pertaining to the
ministry of ServantCARE's hospitality homes.
I agree not to use the hosts names and addresses where I stay for building my own mailing list or support base. I understand that only those who have been referred to ServantCARE may use these hospitality homes and I agree to not give the names, address, or phone number of my hosts out to anyone.
Furthermore I agree not to contact them on my own. I understand they are part of the ministry team and will coordinate all future stays through the ServantCARE office.
I understand there are no charges “at most” hospitality homes; however this referral ministry of ServantCARE is partially funded by the donations of those using the service. All donations are $15 per night (per family, not per person) and I agree to that amount. I understand that if I chose one of the referrals that do have a nominal fee with it any financial arrangements must be between me and the parties involved. If I desire ServantCARE make the reservation I understand there is a non-refundable $25 registration donation.
_____________________________ |
_____________________________ |
Guest Name and Date |
Witness Name and Date |
Guidelines for U.S. Hospitality Homes Hosts
We are so grateful to have you as a ServantCARE Hospitality Home host. Your servant hearts are a blessing to us and we desire to honor you in all we do together. To make your hosting a truly pleasurable time we have tried to think ahead and ask questions, and help with recommendations. We trust these will help make your hours with your guests a joyful time of creating memories.
Hospitality Homes were established to provide a low cost place for those in ministries to stay as they travel, whether on furlough, sabbatical, to attend a conference, or for ministry.
Our only requirements are that you are a born again and are able to offer a clean, comfortable, smoke free environment to your guests. We do ask that you send via postal mail, a letter of referral from your pastor for our files (see details under registration below) and at some time someone from ServantCARE will come for an overnight visit to meet you. We are a ministry that is strong on relationship and we don’t just want to know you from a distance. You are a blessing and we want to know how we can be a blessing to you as well.
After you have completed everything in the host section we encourage you to take time to also read the policies for guests so you will know what our guidelines and expectations are for them before we send them to your home. We have found it to be a delightful arrangement for both host and guest. Often lasting relationships are developed.
As part of the registration process we request the following:
Send us a letter on the “ministry letterhead” completed by your pastor or the director of your ministry. If you are a pastor or the director of a ministry we suggest you use the chairman of your board. This letter should contain your involvement in Christian ministry or your involvement in your local church, with a recommendation to this hospitality home ministry as one who qualifies and who is of the utmost integrity. Have the letter include your name, address, phone number at home and cell, as well as e-mail. Have them include this line in the letter please, “I understand that I am acting in good faith in recommending ___________________ to the ministry of ServantCARE's Hospitality Homes.” Have them sign and date it. Send to ServantCARE, P.O. Box 172, Eufaula, Alabama 36072
Recommendations for Hosts:
1. Please provide us with specific instructions for our records about things we need to know so we can pass them on to your future guests.
For instance:
a.) How many can you accommodate? Couple?____ Family?____ Pets?______
b.) What is the most number of days you are able to host someone?__________
Some do one night and some host for as long as a week, some even longer.
This is according to your schedule so please do not feel any pressure to
do more than that with which you are comfortable.
c.) Our host homes offer the dinner meal (unless they are arriving later) and breakfast for overnight guests. For guests who stay longer and according to your schedule you may leave things in the refrigerator and fruit on counter for them to serve themselves or you may serve meals, whichever is best for you. When they call to meet you on the phone you may want to inquire about food like and dislikes, as well as allergies.
d.) Number of bedrooms available?________ Size of bed in each room?________________________ Bath in bedroom, or down the hall?_______________________________
e.) What is the latest you would like them to arrive?__________
f.) Do you have any pets we need to alert them to in case they have allergies? _____________________________________
2. Please understand that as one travels in ministry plans sometimes get changed and the people may not arrive at the hour they told you. We will encourage them to notify you early if they see that plans are subject to change. We have found this ministry requires great flexibility. Any guidelines you have because of family commitments are certainly understood. Please communicate them to your guests so they are able to honor your schedule as you have honored them by opening your home.
3. We would recommend the following amenities in the guest room. Kleenex, a headache/pain reliever (travel can be physically challenging, and sleeping in new beds each night makes it even more so), soft fluffy pillows make the nightly changes easier to adjust to, skin lotion (change of climates and types of water also be a challenge to the skin when traveling), extra blankets if the weather is cold, and perhaps a fan if it is warm. The women are especially grateful for this if they are at midlife hormonal changes. They won't mention this so we will. Thank you for allowing us to be frank.
4. We would encourage you to keep a fitted plastic sheet on any bed that younger children will sleep in.
5. We would encourage you to keep brochures on hand about sights in the area that your guests may want to see. If you can hand them material on the sites and tell them to have fun, you are relieved of the pressure of feeling as if you need to go and entertain while they are there. You are certainly free to entertain, if you so desire, but it is not necessary.
6. ServantCARE Hospitality Homes were established to provide a
low cost place for those in ministry to stay as they travel. Since
Hospitality Homes do not receive donations at the location, as a host
you are not only providing for the ones you host, but helping make this
ministry possible for others as well. This hospitality home ministry is
partially funded by the donations of those using the service. All
donations to ServantCARE are $15 per night per family. This helps
with the office expenses of coordinating their stays, as well as
offsetting a little of the expenses incurred locating and approving host
homes across the country. We depend on ministry supporters to provide
the bulk of finances for the travel involved in setting up new homes
across the country.
8. When you become a host you are a valuable part of our ministry team
and are invited to avail yourself of the homes (once a year) on our list
as well.
9. Communication is vital to the success of this ministry for all of
us so if you have a phone, address, or e-mail change please notify us
immediately so our records are updated. Especially if you move, we do
not want to lose a way to communicate with you.
10. We would love to hear your suggestions on anything we have overlooked.
11. If at any point you have any questions, or encounter any problems, please feel free to contact us at 334-695-4043, or at icare@servantcare.com
Didn't find a hospitality home to meet your need?
It may be that we have acquired more but have not had an opportunity to add them.
You may contact us at icare@servantcare.com.
Also, please take a look at ServantCARE Resource Links for an abundance of other ministry resources that may help.
If you have been helped by the above locations or some of our “resource links,” it would be an encouragement to us to hear from you. You may drop us a line at the same e-mail address above.