About Us

THE RAPHA STORY

Rapha is a God Story! Sandi was not looking for Rapha but God brought Rapha to her! After moving in 2018  from Northern California for her husband Phils job, to a small town in Tennessee called Spring Hill, life was very different than what she was used to. A former Youth and Kids Pastor who had been in ministry for over 35 years, in the church, she longed to do more and make a bigger impact than just within church walls. She missed her adult kids and felt without purpose and without true community.She thought she was headed back to California in February 2023 and made efforts of her own to get there, but that was not in Gods plan.  

​

While scrolling through FB Marketplace on March 11th, 2023, a beautiful historic home came up for lease. She admired it for a minute and scrolled past quickly as she knew there were no funds for that. Softly she hear God say "Scroll back"! A conversation pursued between her and God, where he told her to "ask her if she will take several vendors"? Within a few minutes she was reaching out about the home, though she had no money for the monthly lease. And had never run a shoppe of her own! The next thing she knew she had made an appointment to see the home the next day to take a look at it!

 

On Sunday March 12th, Sandi entered the house, built in 1830, the oldest home in Spring Hill and walked through it for the first time. She had no idea why she was there and told the former tenant the same, but was being obedient to what God had told her. As she walked through each room, tears began to fall, and she knew God was up to something. Then looking up from the front foyer she saw an Upper Room! When she asked what it was used for the former tenant explained they didn't use it. Immediately she went up and felt the Lord say "This room will be for Me and Me alone!" Coming back down God showed her every room and what would be in them and who would be there. The entire vision was in her mind, but she had no idea how it would come to pass with no money, and no contacts. She shared with the former tenants she had to go home and pray about it, and she did and once home, contacted a friend who she shared the vision with. That friend connected her to another, who connected her to others  and within 2 weeks after sharing the vision, Sandi had all the vendors she needed to help pay the rent and utilities for the home.  This house was built by a Doctor Gorham Wing in 1830 and was often referred to as "the Doctors shoppe", but God told her it would now be "The Great Physicians Shoppe," where people would be healed, physically, spiritually and emotionally. It would be a gathering place for the lost and lonely. And a beautiful shopping experience where products were tools for Evangelism.

Rapha opened on May 2nd, 2023 after only 6 weeks since first stepping onto the property and each day is a faith journey! God supplies what we need when we need it! There are over 70 local vendors who have joined the Mission and journey of Rapha and we are believing for many more. We are so glad you are reading this and hopes that it inspires you to be obedient to what God has called you to do! Your Rapha may be waiting for YOU!