Mission Messiah opened its doors on Second Street in Odessa, Texas, in August of 1997, but it was a long, arduous, miraculous journey. In 1981, Jamie Berryhill, a young, successful businessman, had no idea what God had in mind when He asked him a question that changed the course of his life: “How long will you profess me with your lips and not give me your heart?”
Jamie, his pregnant wife Renda and their five children moved from opulence to squalor when a rundown motel on Second Street became their home. Thanks to many wonderful volunteers in the body of Christ, that motel is now a tribute to what God can do when His people work together.
Mission Messiah is a growing, viable entity. It quickly evolved from ministering to men, women and families in the early days to ministering only to women and their children. The length of the program is twelve months. The curriculum has changed as God has directed.
In order to fulfill the training and life-equipping part of Mission Messiah’s commitment to the women, various businesses have been opened:
The newest project at Mission Messiah is the recently completed Sheepgate, which is our classroom and counseling facility. This was the original kitchen and dining facility, but after the renovation of Faith Hall, our current commercial kitchen and dining facility, it was closed. Campers on Mission and the Mission staff and residents began working on it, and is now complete with a coffee house style atmosphere for our residents study and enjoyment!
At full capacity, Mission Messiah can currently house approximately 25 women and as many as 35 children.