The Master Shepherd and Rose is a beautiful story of the pure grace of God that can turn a life from helplessness to joy and purpose. It is full of passion and hope, forgiveness and promise. God is always faithful to His character and His covenant, and by trusting in that faithfulness alone, all who feel rejected and thrown away can be found, set free and restored. Rose finally surrendered to the Master Shepherd and moved from the field of the Tormentor to the flock of Tranquility. You can too! Read and enjoy this book. It is the story of a journey from despair to hope, meaningless to mission, and uselessness to purpose.

Ronald E. Cottle, PhD., Ed.D.

President/Beacon University

www.beacon.edu

Many thanks for your wonderful book Gods Rose. We have just recieved it to our centre for girls at Teen Challenge Ireland. It is a powerful read and I know without a doubt that our girls will be engrossed with it. Your testimony and the honesty in how you tell it is tremendous, you are indeed a Blessing, a scapel in the Masters hand, particularly in the way you empathise, and allow the Grace of God to flow through your words to the heart of the reader. May the Lord continue to Bless you in abundance, for your kindness,and your obedience to Him.

Slan, Alan and Barbara

Teen Challenge of Ireland

"By God's grace, I came to the Columbus Teen Challenge for Women. My first memories of my childhood were of my mother being beat up. I was also sexually abused from the time I was four years old. I read Darlene Ballard's book, God's Rose when I first entered Teen Challenge. It was an inspiration to me. I knew that what God did for Darlene, he would also do for me. Her book helped me have faith to believe that because God had brought her through so much, He would deliver me also. And He did! God has totally transformed my life. Now I know who I am in Christ and that my worth is based on Him alone."

Autumn

"I was thinking about 'chance encounters'. We should never underestimate those... I met Darlene Ballard around 1998. She brought me a copy of God's Rose. Little did I know that that day would change my life. After reading the message... [of] how much Jesus loves us and how He can restore the broken places in our lives, and that He has a mighty plan - a destiny for each of us - I, too, wanted to share this message with others who were hurting and in deep pain. After several years of training at Teen Challenge in Columbus, Georgia, God inspired me to open The Bethany House, a crisis center. We now work together with Teen Challenge in helping women grow up in Jesus. Darlene has donated many of her books to our center, and we give each new student a copy of her book when they enter our home. It truly gives them hope of a transformed life in Jesus!"

Rebra and Chet Draper

The Bethany House

"I would like to recommend the ministry of Darlene Ballard... Through God's healing touch, Darlene is able to triumph over her childhood of abuse, rejection, and pain. Her message [that] Jesus Loves You is shared through the simple drama and storytelling presentation of God's Rose. Darlene testifies that Jesus is longing to bring hope to the hopeless, salvation to the lost, and restoration to the broken. I am sure that this presentation will enhance and bring encouragement to your area of outreach for the salvation of many souls."

John D. Castellani

Teen Challenge International

"When I first met Darlene, I knew that her message of "hope for the hurting" needed to be shared with every Georgia inmate. In 2003, God's Rose began a partnership with HeartBound Ministries to distribute God's Rose in every Georgia prison. Darlene now shares her testimony through drama in Georgia's prisons and we have distributed thousands of her books to entire prison populations through our holiday gift bag program. Inmates receive bags containing hygiene items, snack items, and, most importantly, the message of hope through Darlene's powerful book, God's Rose. We have seen Darlene's testimony impact literally thousands of lives both in and out of prison."

Andrea Shelton

Heartbound Ministries

"Your book was the first book I have ever finished in my life. [It] has been a blessing to me."

Lisa

Prisoner

"We highly recommend Darlene as a very gifted and talented teacher/speaker whose presentation of the Good News of Jesus through storytelling and music is anointed by the Holy Spirit; therefore, it touches the hearts of all who hear it for the Kingdom of God."

Drs. Ted and Mary Sanders

Restoration Ministries Fellowship

rmf-church.org

"Grace never seems so beautiful as when it has touched and changed a life, when it has brought light from darkness, when it has transformed bitterness and hopelessness into love and joy. Darlene's story, a living illustration of that grace, is courageously honest, painfully real, and undeniably full of a redemption whose source can only be divine. It will encourage anyone who thinks that there are no answers for life's unasked-for difficulties. Her tender spirit and compassion for broken people are a powerful testimony to the miraculous power of Christ to reclaim and restore purpose to shattered lives."

Allen Levi

Christian Singer and Songwriter

www.allenlevi.com

"I would like to recommend the ministry of Darlene Ballard... She has seen the grace of God in her life and communicates it in a beautiful illustrated presentation called God's Rose that will minister to your people. We had her share with our people in the Wednesday evening service and our people received ministry from heaven. She is making a difference in the lives of broken people."

Dr. Bill Purvis, Senior Pastor

Cascade Hills Church

www.cascadehills.com

"It seemed like your story just put me right there beside you... I have been on [drugs], and it seems like my whole family has rejected me. But now, since I have received Jesus Christ in my heart, ...my family has given me a second chance."

Terry

Prisoner

"Drugs took over my life in 1991, and I have been in and out of jails and prisons ever since. I have asked Jesus to take away all my sins, and I want to live for Him for whatever time I have left."

Rachel

Prisoner

"Thank you for sharing your story in your book... It was such a blessing to me. God sent it to me to read at the right time. I do not believe it was an accident or coincidence that I came upon your book. I know in my heart that it was God's way of working in my life."

Kelli

Prisoner

"... your book was a wake-up call for me. I can really relate to the things that you have been through. I have asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins. Your book has given me ways to give myself completely to the Lord."

Tara

Prisoner

"I'm not... sure what I was looking for all those years (of heroin, cocaine, thefts), but what I have found at this point in my life, I don't ever want to lose. I know within myself that I am a changed person. I thank God for coming into my life and saving me - I'm, at last, free on the inside."

Arthur

Prisoner

"Darlene, aside from the Bible, I believe God's Rose has impacted the Georgia prison system more than any other book. Thank you!!" Andrea Shelton - Heartbound Ministries