Would You Be Able To Help Us Launch Our New Phase Of Ministry?

In the book of Joel we find a prophecy that goes like this... "I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28)

As the world gets darker and lives become more wrapped up in just surviving, it is easy to lose the spiritual art of dreaming and visioning. But seeing things that are not yet is an important element to thriving in difficult days. Today I am going to do something a little different, and I hope it is an encouragement to you.

I have been married to my wife Becky for 25 years. During that time we have constantly been involved in some sort of ministry. From youth work, to sports ministry, to pastoring, to counseling, to compassion ministry, we have enjoyed many aspects of work in the kingdom of God. During that time we have mostly been financially strapped, but that never stopped us from serving and giving as if we had access to the treasury of Heaven. For five years our family lived in the Sunday School wing of an inner city church as we pastored and led in a turnaround effort. God was always good, and I don't think we ever missed a meal, even though there were some slim days. To us, serving God and others was the goal, so whatever needed to happen to accomplish that was part of the mission.

But from our early days as a couple, God gave us a dream. It was a vision of a home with more than enough room for us. Room for a missionary family needing a place to stay while home on furlough, trying to catch their breath from intense overseas missions. Room for a pastoral couple who is closew to burnout, needing to renew themseleves and check to see if the fire was still burning for God's call to lead people. Room for a couple who is trying to survive a relationship disaster in their lives. Room for a young adult who is trying to figure out exactly what God's call is in their life. Room for a single mom or dad who is trying to figure out their next step after being turned out by their spouse. Room for a group of college students who want to spend a weekend discussing and debating philosophy and theology. Room for a youth group to come out and sing and cry around a bonfire while making some important commitments to Christ. Room to renew, refocus, and reflect. 

We feel like God has led us in a way that allows us to help people who are in a place where they are seeking renewal. We can walk with people and encourage thought as we ask questions and provide responses based on a practical Christian worldview. God has helped us renew, refocus, and reflect over the years. And we would like to help others do the same. The same way this devotional causes you to think more deeply about certain issues is the same way we want to initiate conversations with people seeking God's leading or renewal in their lives.

For many years we had this dream, but we didn't know how it would come about. We didn't spend our lives in the secular workforce building up savings. We were living God's hand to our mouth and giving a good portion of that to those in need. Not much room for savings. Over the last couple of years God has moved us away from some of those leadership positions. We didn't exactly know what He was doing, but recently He has rekindled the vision of a place that would allow us to see the dream become reality.

God has opened up an opportunity for us to purchase a small farm setting with 5 acres just north of Nashville, TN. The house is plenty big enough to offer independent lodging to friends or recommended people who need a short retreat or place to seek God in a quiet setting. The house is structurally sound, but in need of a few repairs before being approved for the kind of loan we are seeking. It needs some laminate flooring in a few rooms, some wiring squared away, some painting, etc. These are things we can do, or have done fairly quickly. But we don't have all of the funds we need at the moment. We are on a bit of a time crunch as we are taking possession of the house on December 15, and will have one month to get the house ready for closing by January 15, 2017. 

As much as we believe this is a great way to start a new year and new chapter of our ministry life, we do not like asking for help. Yet that is what I am doing. I really do not like asking for financial help. But I have been encouraged by some people around me to allow ourselves to be on the receiving end of the blessing just as we were so many years giving out of our lack to those in greater need. 

To be honest, we need around $2450 by December 15 (which is about 3 days away. we will also need around $5,000 to do the repairs over the next couple of weeks. And then we need around $8,000 for the down payment for the house by January 15. Nope... I don't have $15,000 in my pocket. Yep... That's a lot of money to me. Nope... Its is not a lot of money to God. Yep... I believe He is going to provide.

Perhaps this daily morning devotional has been a blessing to you, and you've wondered how you can be a blessing back. Well, here's one way. A friend and one of my daughters has set up a GoFundMe account for those who would like to help us launch our next phase of ministry. I will continue doing this devotional, but if you feel like you can or should help this kingdom dream become reality, please click the HERE and give as you are led. As in our other areas of ministry, we will be working hard to see this part of God's kingdom flourish. We believe this property will be a part of saving lives, marriages, ministries, and launching people into a new trajectory for Christ and His work.

You can see photos of the land and house in the video below. If you have any questions, let me know. I thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

You can also give directly through the PAYPAL link right here.

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This is an absolutely free resource. If you would like to support us, you can give via the above link.

​The video below is associated with the topic.