Faith
French Château Becomes Rest Haven for Missionaries
Faith Facts
- Sherry Pogue transformed a French château into a free spiritual retreat for Christian missionaries and their families.
- The ministry, Restored & Renewed, was founded to renew missionaries’ strength and prevent burnout.
- The château also fosters community outreach and Christian fellowship in a largely secular region of France.
Sherry Pogue purchased the 6,000-square-foot Château Claire Fontaine in rural eastern France to advance God’s calling by providing rest and renewal to missionaries. Built in 1870, the four-level home now welcomes missionaries at no cost, offering comfort, recreation, and biblical counseling.
“Our goal is to keep missionaries on the field,” Pogue shared, noting many face exhaustion worldwide.
Sue Foster, a veteran missionary, expressed that Restored & Renewed has “been a tremendous blessing to a great many missionaries around the world, including myself!!”
Pogue, working with life coaches and even a helpful poodle, intentionally opens her doors to missionaries of all biblical backgrounds, emphasizing Christian unity and support. She observed the challenges large missionary families face in affording rest, so her property’s expansive grounds and tranquil setting provide much-needed relief.
Luk Brazle, another missionary, described the experience as healing: “A place where we could sleep, be cooked for and nothing was expected of us was healing.” His family found fellowship with other missionary families, strengthening their connections and faith.
Pogue’s commitment is rooted in her extensive background in education and counseling, all guided by her strong faith in God’s direction. She credits God’s hand for preparing her path, from her early days studying French to her present ministry work in France.
Beyond the château, Pogue organizes Christian services in the local Catholic church—often closed and without a priest—to share the hope of Christ in the village. Professor Robert McCready, whose students join these events, testified, “We would talk about the Lord between songs…it was very encouraging.” His involvement in these faith-filled gatherings was so positive that the mayor honored him as an honorary citizen and welcomed continued Christian fellowship.
Through dedication to biblical values, Sherry Pogue’s faithful obedience is a powerful testimony to the difference one believer can make in God’s kingdom and in the lives of His servants.
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