The story of Journey U is a journey of its own. From its inception in March of 2007 as South Texas Refreshing Spring Healing Center under the leadership of Rosemary Burkhard to today, the journey was full of twists, turns, and more God moments than we can count. When Rosemary decided to retire from ministry in 2011, she signed over the 501(c)3 to Sherry Torbert who changed the name to Refreshing Spring Ministries. This was an answer to Sherry’s prayer. God gave her the ministry for the $5.00 it cost to transfer the paperwork. Then He provided free office space, office furniture, and office equipment. RSM was up and running. The initial focus of RSM was bringing healing through individual prayer ministry.
In June of 2017 the ministry leadership baton was passed to Laura Bradshaw. One day while in prayer, Laura felt the Lord nudging her to change the name. The Lord impressed upon her that, while the ministry was a place of refreshing, it was also a place where we journeyed with others. After much prayer and confirmation, in April 2018, the name was changed from Refreshing Spring Ministries to Journey U. The mission of Journey U has always been the same – to heal and equip the body of Christ. Laura knew that the mission was not going to be accomplished seeing people one at a time. She knew Journey U needed a curriculum that would bring hope and healing to individuals and that would reach the masses.
On a flight to NYC, the Lord downloaded a 3-part curriculum that would be called 4 Truths & A Lie based on 4 spiritual laws that affect every relationship and was based on the healing journey of Laura Bradshaw. Our first class was held in early 2018 with 4 students. Additional courses were offered for those students who wanted to become prayer ministers.
In mid-2018, the Lord once again nudged Laura to make a drastic change. She felt an urgency to videotape the classes. She did and, because of this, Journey U was able to reach the masses with hope and healing during the Covid 19 pandemic. The pandemic was the catalyst for virtual classes and virtual sessions. Our students became more and more comfortable meeting virtually. This shift in perspective allowed us to move out of the offices and into a more virtual setting. It also set the stage for the online self-paced courses.
The desire of the students for additional inner healing led to five additional courses. These courses went far beyond the original 4 Truths that started things and a rebranding was necessary. Therefore, in 2023, 4 Truths & A Lie was rebranded to became Trace Modeling – Tracing Back Negative Life Patterns So You Are Free to Move Forward. Trace Modeling takes students on a comprehensive healing journey from recognition to freedom to helping others with their journey.
Today, Journey U is focused on healing and equipping the body of Christ through our 8-part curriculum series as well as through individual prayer ministry sessions.
The Lord has anointed us at Journey U;
to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…so then you will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3).
Our mission is to heal and equip the body of Christ. We do that through prayer ministry, classes through Journey University, events, and strategic partnerships.
We all struggle with life stuff. This stuff prevents us from fully experiencing God’s love and negatively affects our relationships with others. We help people recognize BOTH life patterns and negative behaviors and how they keep us stuck in life. We use key Biblical principles to help bring healing to every part of the being; body, soul, and spirit.
There are four spiritual laws that effect every relationship. Spiritual laws are like natural laws; whether you believe them are not or whether you know them or not, they are in effect. We help people identify the patterns (or fruit) in their life that are the results of these biblical spiritual laws and give them practical ways to work through the bad and to increase the good. Just like understanding the Law of Gravity allowed the Wright brothers to design an airplane that uses gravity to our benefit, our clients will discover how to do the same with these 4 laws.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and to the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2
Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
