Mr. Peter & Dr. Diane Dickinson pioneered the farm, Shepherd's Cross & Heart of the Shepherd (501-C3)
Shepherd's Cross is the name of the Dickinson family farm located just north of Claremore, off of Scenic route 66, and Heart of the Shepherd is the Christin Public Non-Profit (501-C3) that operates at the farm.
Peter and Diane Dickinson were both raised on family farms. It is difficult for family farms to remain such at this time in America's history, and both Peter and Dr. Diane watched as their ancestors' family farms were divided, sold and dispersed. They longed to raise their family on a farm, and they saved their pennies after college, eventually purchasing the farm known as Shepherd's Cross. It is here that they raised their family. Shepherd's Cross is a family owned and operated farm. The Dickinsons are grateful for all the helping hands the Lord sends to work alongside them on the farm.
There was another burning desire buried in the hearts of Peter and Dr. Diane. They had witnessed how a family farm may not last forever. The skills of farming, however, may be passed from generation to generation, and yet, even those skills can dissipate if not used in future generations. After prayerful contemplation, they realized that the only thing that lives forever is The Word of God. This compelled the Dickinsons to share God's Word as it relates to farming, and in this way the farm will remain a heritage forever.
The family purchased the farm in 1991 and moved there in the fall of 1992. The first Harvest Celebration at the farm was held that fall. Peter and Dr. Diane invited their church family to the farm to give thanks to the Lord of the Harvest for what He had blessed them with. The seed for the Fall Harvest Celebration now called "The Pumpkin Festival" was sown. This event continues to celebrate The Lord of the Harvest and has a slogan "No fear here." Where the Lord is present there is no fear, but peace.
The Dickinsons sought the Lord concerning what He would have them produce on the farm. They had both been raised on cattle and horse ranches and thought perhaps that is what the Lord would have them do. God had a different plan for them. Dr. Diane is a licensed veterinarian, and at the time was known in the community for her work on sheep and goats. When they sought the Lord on what to do with the farm, He kept saying to them "feed my sheep." Their response was, "Lord, we are. We are working in the church, and teaching Sunday School." They worked harder. God continued to say to them "feed my sheep." Until finally they understood that God wanted them to literally raise sheep. They started with twelve sheep. No sooner had they gotten them home, than a friend called and asked Dr. Diane if she would teach her and her children about the sheep and the shepherd as a practical hands-on field lesson, incorporating the relationship of The Great Shepherd Jesus, and we the sheep of the pasture. With trepidation, she agreed. The ministry was born. From that moment on, folks continued to call and schedule Shepherding Tours with Dr. D., as she is affectionately called.
The ministry grew, little by little, as the Dickinson children grew. Eventually Dr. Diane closed her conventional veterinary practice, though she maintains her license. Veterinary outreach and training in impoverished communities is a part of the work of the mission, Heart of the Shepherd. When the children were grown the farm and ministry began to flourish. Peter continues to work in Tulsa and assist with the farm and ministry during evenings and weekends.
The ministry is now known as Heart of the Shepherd, a Christian Public non-profit, charitable organization (501-C3), that is overseen by a Board of Directors. Heart of the Shepherd continues to expand locally and internationally. The objective of this mission is to teach the relationship of farming and shepherding to the Bible, as well as to teach basic agricultural and veterinary skills locally and internationally.
All of the tours conducted at the farm, are provided by Heart of the Shepherd. In addition, Heart of the Shepherd provides learning opportunities through the Farm Museum, Educational Silo, Wool Mill, and Bible Garden.
Heart of the Shepherd works to encourage Christian congregations, missionaries and evangelists as they labor the fields for the Lord. This organization is not a church, but a supporter of local Christian Churches and International Ministries.
This charitable organization currently works with organizations and individuals in approximately twenty nations. Their primary work is with rural, impoverished villagers. The work varies according to the need. Some of the things they do include: starter flocks and herds for villages and orphanages; animal husbandry training; veterinary training; veterinary medical outreach programs; starter non-electric wool mills; and Biblical teaching of the sheep and the Shepherd, The Lamb of God, and other farming and gardening parables.
This organization operates through the generous donations of many individuals and is generously supported by the community. Heart of the Shepherd is a Public, Christian, Non-Profit that will leave a legacy of farming, shepherding, gardening and their Biblical implications for generations to come.
Heart of the Shepherd is committed to allowing everyone the opportunity to visit the farm and hear God's Word in living parables. Visitors to the farm are welcome on a donation basis.
Heart of the Shepherd is primarily operated by volunteers, thus administrative overhead is low, allowing funding to reach those in need in the local community and other nations. As the Executive Director and President of Heart of the Shepherd, Dr. Dickinson continues to work as a volunteer.
Truly this is a mission, with its heart turned to the heart of The Great Shepherd. May He forever be praised. Heart of the Shepherd operates because of the generous donations of many people, locally and around the world.
Peter and Diane Dickinson were both raised on family farms. It is difficult for family farms to remain such at this time in America's history, and both Peter and Dr. Diane watched as their ancestors' family farms were divided, sold and dispersed. They longed to raise their family on a farm, and they saved their pennies after college, eventually purchasing the farm known as Shepherd's Cross. It is here that they raised their family. Shepherd's Cross is a family owned and operated farm. The Dickinsons are grateful for all the helping hands the Lord sends to work alongside them on the farm.
There was another burning desire buried in the hearts of Peter and Dr. Diane. They had witnessed how a family farm may not last forever. The skills of farming, however, may be passed from generation to generation, and yet, even those skills can dissipate if not used in future generations. After prayerful contemplation, they realized that the only thing that lives forever is The Word of God. This compelled the Dickinsons to share God's Word as it relates to farming, and in this way the farm will remain a heritage forever.
The family purchased the farm in 1991 and moved there in the fall of 1992. The first Harvest Celebration at the farm was held that fall. Peter and Dr. Diane invited their church family to the farm to give thanks to the Lord of the Harvest for what He had blessed them with. The seed for the Fall Harvest Celebration now called "The Pumpkin Festival" was sown. This event continues to celebrate The Lord of the Harvest and has a slogan "No fear here." Where the Lord is present there is no fear, but peace.
The Dickinsons sought the Lord concerning what He would have them produce on the farm. They had both been raised on cattle and horse ranches and thought perhaps that is what the Lord would have them do. God had a different plan for them. Dr. Diane is a licensed veterinarian, and at the time was known in the community for her work on sheep and goats. When they sought the Lord on what to do with the farm, He kept saying to them "feed my sheep." Their response was, "Lord, we are. We are working in the church, and teaching Sunday School." They worked harder. God continued to say to them "feed my sheep." Until finally they understood that God wanted them to literally raise sheep. They started with twelve sheep. No sooner had they gotten them home, than a friend called and asked Dr. Diane if she would teach her and her children about the sheep and the shepherd as a practical hands-on field lesson, incorporating the relationship of The Great Shepherd Jesus, and we the sheep of the pasture. With trepidation, she agreed. The ministry was born. From that moment on, folks continued to call and schedule Shepherding Tours with Dr. D., as she is affectionately called.
The ministry grew, little by little, as the Dickinson children grew. Eventually Dr. Diane closed her conventional veterinary practice, though she maintains her license. Veterinary outreach and training in impoverished communities is a part of the work of the mission, Heart of the Shepherd. When the children were grown the farm and ministry began to flourish. Peter continues to work in Tulsa and assist with the farm and ministry during evenings and weekends.
The ministry is now known as Heart of the Shepherd, a Christian Public non-profit, charitable organization (501-C3), that is overseen by a Board of Directors. Heart of the Shepherd continues to expand locally and internationally. The objective of this mission is to teach the relationship of farming and shepherding to the Bible, as well as to teach basic agricultural and veterinary skills locally and internationally.
All of the tours conducted at the farm, are provided by Heart of the Shepherd. In addition, Heart of the Shepherd provides learning opportunities through the Farm Museum, Educational Silo, Wool Mill, and Bible Garden.
Heart of the Shepherd works to encourage Christian congregations, missionaries and evangelists as they labor the fields for the Lord. This organization is not a church, but a supporter of local Christian Churches and International Ministries.
This charitable organization currently works with organizations and individuals in approximately twenty nations. Their primary work is with rural, impoverished villagers. The work varies according to the need. Some of the things they do include: starter flocks and herds for villages and orphanages; animal husbandry training; veterinary training; veterinary medical outreach programs; starter non-electric wool mills; and Biblical teaching of the sheep and the Shepherd, The Lamb of God, and other farming and gardening parables.
This organization operates through the generous donations of many individuals and is generously supported by the community. Heart of the Shepherd is a Public, Christian, Non-Profit that will leave a legacy of farming, shepherding, gardening and their Biblical implications for generations to come.
Heart of the Shepherd is committed to allowing everyone the opportunity to visit the farm and hear God's Word in living parables. Visitors to the farm are welcome on a donation basis.
Heart of the Shepherd is primarily operated by volunteers, thus administrative overhead is low, allowing funding to reach those in need in the local community and other nations. As the Executive Director and President of Heart of the Shepherd, Dr. Dickinson continues to work as a volunteer.
Truly this is a mission, with its heart turned to the heart of The Great Shepherd. May He forever be praised. Heart of the Shepherd operates because of the generous donations of many people, locally and around the world.