
The spelling "Shawn" is the Hebrew spelling and means "God is gracious." The name "Francis" was given in honor of St. Francis of Assisi because St. Francis taught the Church to welcome all people, especially the people society finds undesirable. "Benedict" was given in honor of St. Benedict of Nursia who taught the Church how to pray in common worship as central to the Christian life, and how to redeem time (Ephesians 5:15-17; Col.4:5) with the liturgy of the hours - a revival of the singing of psalms "seven times a day" (Psalm 119:64) and "at midnight" (Psalm 119:62) and who also welcomed all people in the Name of Christ. St. Benedict also gave the Church a tremendous gift with the vow of Stability which all "Benedictines" take. This vow says the Benedictine Christian will remain in the religious community where they took their final vows all the days of their life. They will not transfer from place to place as is the custom of most professional religious people. By staying, the Benedictine cannot hide his or her failings and sins. Rather they must live the full Christian life in the sight of all, asking forgiveness and seeking restoration like everyone else. The ministries of Francis and Benedict provide excellent examples for those who would lead the People Of God in ministry at Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their sins to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as through God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but becuase of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Romans 8:18-22)
"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away..." (Rev. 21:1) ... "And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. The shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God fives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true.'" (Rev. 22:3-6)
"We love your Word oh Lord, for it set us free. We know the truth oh Lord, we are yours eternally. So we stand to hear your Word. We praise you for your Word. Alleluia for your Word, it heals our hearts, souls, and minds. For your Word, Alleluia, thank you Jesus."