Hello to everyone. I hope you all have had a blessed month, I know that we have. Alot has been going on over at Sparkman Homes. Attendance is on the RISE. Parents and grandparents are starting to slowly get involved with what is happening. It excites me to see how God is working in the community.
October 10th, 2009 we had an outreach event at Lincoln Village . It was a smaller crowd than what we are used but it was a successful event. We had an 18 year old young lady give her life to Christ. She struggles with alot in her life and still has many, many questions so if you all could keep her in your prayers I know that the wisdom of God will shine in her life.
School has been going well. Getting a little tougher I must say but hey, it IS college. I got a 95% on my world history test.
I have been invited to preach tomorrow night, Oct 23rd, 2009 to 60+ teens. Please keep us in your prayers as we minister to these kids about peer pressure, drug addiction, motivation and the high school drop out rate. I have over a two hour time slot to fill and quite frankly I am a little anxious about the whole thing. I am usually invited to rap a few songs at an event but the Pastor of the church seen me in action a couple of weeks ago and has asked me to minister at their church. Again, please keep me in your prayers regarding this.
Now that I have been commissioned, I now have a board of directors for Centercross. These people will help me make wise decisions with funding certain events and how I spend all donations that come to us. All donations ARE tax deductible. If you are not already donating, please prayerful consider supporting Centercross Ministries. As little as $5 per week can make a HUGE difference in the lives of the people we reach as well as the Sparkman community youth and my own personal family. The Board of Directors are as follows:
Jeff Stott
Daryl Thaxton
Dee Johnson
Randy Kidd
Tracy Bagwell and
Al and Stephanie Taylor are prayerfully considering the invitation.
We departed Lansing, Mi, at 8:06 am (Eastern) and stopped within the first hour or so to refuel. After driving another couple of hours, we stopped for an early lunch at McDonald’s and Subway. During our ride home, it was apparent that many were in great need of sleep. At one point, Alan Pope began “writing” rap lyrics.
We met Josiah’s family in Bowling Green, KY. His family headed to a theme park in Santa Claus, KY, called Holiday World. After several more hours traveling, we arrived in Huntsville at about 6:45 pm (Central) and quickly unloaded our personal luggage. I, and probably many, went straight home to bed.
Our trip to Michigan was very successful. There were (7) salvations in the three (3) cities we visited. Many of us ventured out of our comfort zone. I am personally glad I had the opportunity to go door-to-door delivering packets and sharing the gospel. I cannot wait to return to these communities next year to see how God has blessed them and built their flocks.
We began our day with a great breakfast at the Courtyard/Marriott in Mackinaw City, MI. After our morning devotional at 8:45 am, given by Maeve and Breanna Brackin, we departed the motel. We arrived at Grace Community Church, at 9:15 am, to receive our daily assignments. After receiving our assigned areas and teams, we began our door-to-door distribution of VBS material and Jesus DVD’s .
Lunch was at a quaint local diner at 12:00pm. We finished up distribution of packets in our designated areas, then departed Pellston at 3:00 pm, only stopping for dinner in Lansing, MI, at 9:00 pm, where we would also spent the night.
Our day ended at Cici’s pizza buffet, where Josiah and Brian Manus challenged each other to a pizza eating contest. At twenty-two pieces each , they called it a draw. It was a nice release from the week’s schedule. PS Just a little side note…don’t stay at the Super8 in Lansing, MI.
We had an early breakfast (6:30 am), and devotional, given by Josiah Pavlik and Debbie Kidd from a book by Kay Arthur, followed by a prayer by Linda Turner. We checked out of the motel at 8:00 am, departed Petoskey, and arrived at Pellston at 9:00 am, where we immediately began setting up for the block party. Pellston’s Children’s Day Festival began promptly at 10:00 am. The response was tremendous. We received feedback about the skits, puppets, and rap music almost immediately. According to the interim pastor, Pastor Darren, the turnout was much bigger than last year.
We began breaking down and putting away of the block party equipment at 2:00 pm, and departed for Mackinaw City shortly thereafter. We arrived in Mackinaw City at 3:00 pm, then left for an excursion to the upper peninsula at 4:00 pm. We had dinner at Mackinaw Grille, then witnessed to people at the lighthouse just behind the grille. We arrived back at the motel in Mackinaw City at around 9:00 pm. With some free time, some went shopping, while others went swimming.
The church in Pellston has been there for 30 years, and they are greatly involved in a ministry feeding the community. They provide food boxes to approximately 50 families each month, with only a few volunteers helping. This church has been through a traumatic experience involving its former pastor and is struggling to bring people back into the church. Please pray for this church and for all in this small community.
Started our day off with a great breakfast at the Super8 in Petoskey, MI, and departed the motel around 8:00 am. We arrived at Agape Baptist Church at shortly thereafter, and had an inspirational devotional message by Ross Covington with prayer by Brian Manus. After receiving our prayer/distribution materials, and team assignments, we began walking in our designated areas. Lunch break came at 12:00 pm, we went on a short trip to the beach until about 3:00 pm. At 4:45 pm, we departed the motel and arrived at the Agape Baptist Church for a fellowship meal and service led by our team. A dessert fellowship followed at 7:30 pm.
During our time out distributing packets, Kathy Mashburn had to opportunity to lead a nine-year-old boy to the Lord. This brought the total salvation declarations to five. I not only had the privilege of walking and praying with Pastor Karl, but also distributing packet and sharing the plan of salvation with many unbelievers in the community. Particularly interesting was the man who practiced a religion with origins in Germany. He was a local “blacksmith” who made weaponry, and cooked for the local “bed and breakfast” ( the local jail). After spending some time with this man, I offered him a packet, which he gladly accepted. This area is fertile for planting seed and harvesting.
Please continue to pray for Pastor Karl, the members of Agape Baptist Church and the lost souls in Petoskey. I fully believe the people of the area were so accepting of us and so receptive to God’s word because we prayer walked the area prior to distributing the packets.
Today started out again with a fantastic breakfast at Mrs. Pete’s. We departed Bellaire and headed for Petoskey around 9 am. Along the way, we stopped at a cherry orchard called Friske Orchards, located in Charlevoix, MI. Upon arrival at Petoskey, MI, I gave the devotional on Psalm 62:5 – “Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him.” We learned that delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith, but they give us opportunities of honoring God by our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses.
After a quick lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell, we went straight to a local waterfront park to distribute flyers, prayer requests, “Jesus” DVD’s, and the Christian rap CD’s by Brian Manus. The walk along the bay front was very successful. We made many contacts with Pastor Karl of Agape Baptist Church in Petoskey, and were very well received by those to whom we gave packets. We invited all the service this Wednesday, and to VBS by the lake/bay scheduled for July 11. We had two professions of faith today, possibly three. A group of three, two teenage boys and a girl, prayed the prayer of salvation after being given a new testament in conjunction with sharing the plan of salvation. One of the boys stated he had been baptized, but Randy Kidd heard him repeating the words to the prayer.
After our walk, we returned to the church for some delicious Mexican cuisine. Everyone made his or her own tacos or taco salad. After dinner, we prayed over Brian Manus on behalf of his wife, Miranda, who has a job interview tomorrow (Wednesday). We then went downtown to begin prayer walking in the area where we would be distributing evangelism packets on Wednesday morning. After about an hour and a half or two hours our walk was complete and we headed back to the hotel.
God has once again blessed our efforts on His behalf in another community. Please continue to pray for this mission and for the people we will be meeting throughout the days to follow.
Our third day in Michigan started out with a fine breakfast at Mrs. Pete’s, just a hop, skip and a jump from the hotel. After breakfast, we traveled to the church to prepare bags for a day of evangelizing. Mark Kearley gave our inspiring devotional, and we divided into five groups of three (3) people each. Each group was assigned a different area of the Village.
The Lord really blessed us this day. We delivered approximately 200 bags of information about First Baptist of Bellaire, passed out “Jesus” DVD’s, New Testaments, Brian Manus’ “Vision” CD’s, adult tracts, and children’s tracts. God’s plan was to bless us. Debbie and Randy Kidd had the honor of leading a woman in the prayer of salvation. We made many other contacts and prospects for the Baptist Church of Bellaire to follow-up on. This walk proved to be very productive for the Lord.
After several hours of prayer walking and delivering tracts, we split into two groups for lunch. One group went to Moka’s, while the other stopped at Ruthie’s. With full stomachs, we went back to the church to make plans for a second walk that afternoon. We delivered the remaining bags of flyers and other items until about 4:30 pm.
At 6:00 pm, we arrived at “Coyote Bill’s” place for a barbecue and marshmallow roast and made Smores. Linda and I took a quick ride on “Thunder,” displaying our awesome riding skills (snicker). Camber (Anne Davies nephew) road on the back of a horse too! Camber also chased some frogs. After the rides, we had the marshmallow roast over a bonfire. Tomorrow we leave for Petoskey. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for us there!
What a glorious day walking with our Lord. After breakfast, we presented three young girls from England their own personal New Testament. Their father would not allow them to accept the gifts unless they promised to read from them every day. It was wonderful to see the young girls eyes light up when they received their Bible. At 8:45 am, Alan Pope began our morning devotional. He read from Romans 5:12 - “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
In this passage, Paul compares the imputation of Christ’s righteousness with the imputation of Adam’s sin. Just as Adam’s sin resulted in a sinful race, the gift of grace through the righteous act of Christ results in a spiritual race. The principle of imputation that reduces all men to the same ultimate condition also provides for all men the same ultimate answer—the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “By one man sin entered.” The entry of sin into the world is traced to its human source from which all human kind came. “All have sinned” refers to a point in time when all sinned. It points to the moment when all were in one man, Adam. When he fell, the entire human race was “constituted sinners.”
Before leaving Notre Dame, MI, we stopped by to view the mural of "Touchdown Jesus" as Alan Pope so lovingly calls it. With only one pit stop at a McDonald’s before lunch, we made our way closer to Bellaire, MI, our first “mission” stop. We decided to stop at a Burger King just off the highway, and arrived in Bellaire, MI, around 3:45 pm. We left the hotel at 4:45 pm to head out to First Baptist of Bellaire. The Village of Bellaire, MI, has a population of approximately 1500 people, of which only 14% are churched. There are five golf courses, so I can guess how most people here spend their Sundays. The service began at 6:05 pm with a quick message and then our first puppet number. Anne Davies gave her testimony, followed by our first and only skit. Brian Manus gave his testimony and rapped a song called "Gratitude" from his newest CD.
After the service we ate and fellowshipped with members of the congregation. Kathy Mashburn, Breanna Brackin, and I went prayer walking back to the motel. It was a great day all around, with everyone getting to know each other even better. I truly feel the Spirit moving upon this area. His blessings upon the pastor and his family are very evident. I feel the Spirit moving upon our mission team as well. I feel the team getting closer and becoming stronger in the Lord. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done.
Glory be to God in the Highest. Well, we made it safely to South Bend, Indiana, today after a 619 mile trip. Linda Turner had a spirit lifting devotional this morning on the names of God, Jehovah Nissi (the Lord is our banner), Jehovah Girah (the Lord that provides) and Jehovah Adonai (the Lord is our master). She gave testimony regarding her son, who several years ago, became ill while serving in the military.
Randall Kidd gave out new testaments, which we were asked to give out by the end of the day. First, we stopped in Scott, Indiana, at Jeeves and Company, for a wonderful lunch in a private dining room. Mark Kearley led us in prayer and we discussed tomorrow’s activities, which will include prayer walking.
Our day finished up at Wendy’s in South Bend, where we relaxed and hammed it up for the camera (see Kathy Mashburn’s Facebook). I know for sure that I have already been blessed by everyone on this trip. Please continue to pray for your brothers and sisters who make up this mission team. Pray for the hearts of those we will be witnessing to and for boldness in our witness to them
Have you noticed that many people today seem to be expert at shunning consequences? We dodge, duck, jump, and generally do everything we can to avoid them. Who’s responsible here? Who made this decision? Who left this disaster behind? Notice that I used the word “we.” All of us would prefer not to have to give account for our actions or inactions. But, God doesn’t let us weasel out that easily.
In Deuteronomy 32:51, God confronts Moses with the consequences of one of his choices. At Meribah Kadesh, Moses chose to take the glory meant only for God for himself. As a result, God informs him that his life is ending and will end on the east side of the Jordan River. After leading the people to the Promised Land, he will not get to lead them INTO the land. What an incredible disappointment! That’s not fair! – some of us would cry. But, from God’s perspective, it is (and was) the RIGHT thing. Moses chose at that moment not to follow God’s way – and had to face the consequences!
Wow, what an example for us! This devotional isn’t designed to shock you or manipulate you – just remind you that your relationship with God is important!! We all are standing on holy ground and will give an account for our actions/inactions!
Ask God to guide you and help you as you face choices today!
