From Calling to Community: The Shepherd’s Cove Story
For over four decades, David Sam Roy has dedicated his life to strengthening pastors—particularly those serving in rural and under-resourced communities—by addressing both spiritual and practical needs. His ministry is rooted in mentorship, training, and sustainable support that empowers leaders to build healthy churches and strong communities.
Based in Hyderabad, David has helped independent pastors establish churches, secure land, and receive sound biblical training, while also fostering unity with mainline church leadership nationwide. His work extends to youth empowerment, leadership development, and family-focused ministry, including support for pastors’ wives through regular fellowship and training.
In 2020, he founded the Shepherd’s Cove Association (SCA), a growing network of pastors across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. SCA provides daily Bible teaching, mentoring, collective prayer, and practical aid—including emergency support and a shared savings fund—to ensure pastors are strengthened in every season.
FIVE-YEAR TARGETS TO DEMONSTRATE IMPACT ON PASTOR FAMILY STABILITY COULD INCLUDE:
– At least a 30% reduction in reported family stress and conflict among pastors’ families as measured by confidential surveys.
– Over 70% of participating pastors and spouses reporting improved work-life balance and family satisfaction.
– Implementation of regular counseling and family support sessions accessed by at least 60% of pastors’ families.
– Increase in pastors’ family engagement in foundation-sponsored retreats and activities to above 75%.
– Reduced attrition rates with at least 50% of pastors remaining actively in ministry while reporting family stability improvements.
Annual milestones and indicators for 5-year targets on pastor family stability could be:
- Year 1Foundation & Assessment
Launching Care, Counseling, and Family Retreats
- Conduct baseline family stability survey; enroll 30% of pastors’ families in support programs
- Deliver initial family counseling sessions to at least 40% of enrolled families
- Hold first 2 family retreats, with 50% participation from pastors’ families - Year 2Early Impact & Growing Engagement
Reducing Stress and Expanding Family Support
- Achieve 10% reduction in family stress indicators from baseline survey
- Increase counseling program participation to 50% of pastors’ families
- Host 3 family retreats and expand peer-support groups with 60% family engagement - Year 3Measurable Transformation
Improved Balance, Deeper Participation
- Achieve 20% reduction in family stress and conflict rates
- 60% of pastors’ families report improved work-life balance
- Counseling sessions accessed by at least 55%, retreats attended by 65% - Year 4Strengthening Families at Scale
Sustained Satisfaction and Wider Involvement
- Achieve 25% reduction in family stress and conflict rates
- 65% of pastors’ spouses and children report increased family satisfaction
- Expand retreat offerings and peer support activities with 70% family involvement - Year 5Lasting Stability & Ministry Retention- Meet 30% reduction in family stress and conflict from baseline
- 70%+ pastors’ families report sustained improvements in family stability
- Counseling and retreats engaged by 75%+ families; retention in ministry increased by 50% with family stability.