Mark A. and Brenda Gebhardt
Directors, Danielle Inn
Agape MinistriesBiography
Originally Mark and Brenda met in their early twenties. Mark had been sent from Missouri by his company to close a business in Texas. When the assignment was over, Mark returned to Missouri. Brenda went to work for an individual who traveled to Central America to purchase clothing and Mexican artifacts. They thought they would never see each other again.
Neither Brenda nor Mark knew the Lord at this time in their lives, but He knew them and had a different plan. The events that span the years of their lives together are too numerous and miraculous to be able to fit in a short testimonial. What is important is that Jesus entered their lives to give them faith, hope and love. His purpose included bringing them back together to pursue a life of selflessness and to daily lay down their lives and follow Christ.
Graduates of the Rhema Bible Training Center in 1993, Mark and Brenda worked as missionaries to Zaire, Africa and later to Drummondville, Quebec. Returning to the states they worked for Heartland/CNS International Ministry in Northeast Missouri for 4-1/2 years. It was during this time that they were house parents to 4 boys. Mark worked as an Assistant Principal at Heartland's school and he and Brenda also pulled duties as counselors and teachers. Heartland's program was responsible for 265 troubled children, 60 men and 60 women and Mark and Brenda were actively involved in their care. These experiences have equipped Mark and Brenda with much of the expertise they now possess to confidently perform their duties at Danielle Inn.
One year before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Southeast Mark started a logging business. Compelled to help the people in the south rebuild their lives, Mark converted his trucks to debris hauling trucks. When the work promptly and unexpectedly stopped, Mark sought the Lord about returning to Missouri. He felt the Lord led him to trust Him and stay.
Mark and Brenda began their walk of faith by discarding most of their worldly possessions and living in their 36-foot camper for 2-1/2 years. They faithfully served the Lord in their local church being obedient to be a blessing in any way they could. Three scriptures fueled their faith.
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength"
Isaiah 40:31"Well done thy good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in small things,
I will make you ruler over many things."
Matthew 25:21"But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 1:4Mark and Brenda patiently waited for their instructions from the Lord on what to do next.
Instruction came by the way of a phone call from Mike and Charlene Ecuyer. The Lord had instructed them to give Agape Ministries and Danielle Inn to Mark and Brenda. The couples barely knew each other but the Ecuyer's had observed their faithfulness in their local church. The offer of Danielle Inn provided an opportunity to minister and make a difference in the lives of many hurting women and children.
Danielle Inn is a gift and blessing from the Lord to Mark and Brenda, but the real blessing for them is in helping the women and children who come to Danielle Inn seeking assistance and support.
"We pray for the courage to bear any cross, suffer any loss, and joyfully embrace any sacrifice that biblical faith requires in this age of Hunger - Spiritual or Natural."
