Finishing For Them!

Finishing For Them!

Is it worth it?  The time?  The money?  The sacrifices?  Those were just a few of the questions running through my head and heart as I stood over the washing machine a number of years ago moving a load into the dryer.  It was not a good season in many ways.  I was serving full-time in a local church with very little help.  We had two young and overly energetic boys.  My wife was expecting baby number three in about two months.  The real struggle was in her experiencing premature labor and thus confined to mostly bed rest.  She was out of commission and I was wondering what in the world I was doing taking grad-school classes.  The questions were logistical and about motive.  Am I doing this for the right reasons?  Do I really need to pursue an MA?  Can’t I just as well serve my present job and calling fine with what I have?  Then as I was reaching down to pull out the last handful of clean clothing I sensed the Holy Spirit confirming that I needed to stay in the fight. (more…)

Kenyan Report and Words of Encouragement!

Kenyan Report and Words of Encouragement!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of Heaven and Earth.”  That was my theme.  David’s prayer from Psalms 121:1-2 is what I carried with me two weeks ago when I headed out to Kenya to help with an amazing ministry called Marked Men For Christ.  The purpose of MMFC is singular and that is simply to build stronger men for Jesus Christ.  That is exactly what we did with around 325 men from several nations all converging near Nakuru, Kenya.  For my part, I had the privilege of leading two prayer teams during our time there and the transformation in the lives of men was miraculous.  Below is a link to the report I gave yesterday at Cypress Crossings.  Part of the message was ministry report but most of it was a sermon of encouragement. I hope it will be a blessing to you in your walk.  Thank you again to everyone who lifted this project up in prayer and financial support. The time was incredibly productive with even eternal ramifications.

Lift Up Your Eyes from Cypress Crossings on Vimeo.

Prayer Request for African Mission.

Prayer Request for African Mission.

We are just six week away from the Africa Marked Men For Christ mission project and I wanted to send out a prayer email in preparation.  It’s been quite a while since I’ve participated in an international project like this and only recently was reminded of my personal need for prayer support.  So with that I’d like to invite you to lift up me and the other 46 men from the States who are headed to Nairobi in late April to minister to African men from Kenya and five other African nations.

For the logistics of the trip, I will be flying out of Houston on the 23rd 10:45a and arrive in Nairobi on Sunday night, the 24th at 6p. My return flights will begin on Sunday, May 1st at 11:25p and landing in Houston on Monday at 2:45p. The exact event timing will be from Tuesday through Thursday with prep on Monday and follow up training on Friday.  My particular role will be to lead one of the four prayer teams during the three day event.

The stakes are high and the need is huge for leadership development of men in these nations. The goal is that these men will be able to return to their home stronger ambassadors for Christ in their neighborhoods, cities, and countries. Maybe eventually to the nations.

I want to thank you who have already begun to pray for this ministry and for the financial support of many of you.  Specifically, I am asking that you write the trip dates down on a good calendar as a reminder to lift us up daily during that season.  The chances are good that I will have email access during the evenings so that I will be able to make on the ground reports.

For prayer, please lift up:

-Safe travel for the African men going to and from Nairobi.

-Safe travel for the American and European men.

-Safety would be both from danger and sickness.

-Protection from Satanic, political, and physical distractions.

-Open hearts of the African men.

-Wisdom for myself and the other leaders.

-Protection for Debi and the girls while I am gone.

-Anything else that the Holy Spirit might lay on your heart.

Thank you again and please let me know if you have any questions.

Steve

 

PS If you’d like to be included in the update email list just shoot me a note.

Prayer Request for African Mission.

A Call for Kenya

Many of you know that world evangelism and discipleship holds a huge place in my heart.  While Deb and I continue to financially support foreign missionaries and projects, it has actually been over 10 years since I’ve been out of the country.  Debi has served on a couple of teaching trips to Honduras over the past few years but I have not used my passport since teaching in Nagaland, India with Australian missionary, Doug Willis back in 2003.

That is all about to change in April as I have been asked to travel to Nakuru, Kenya to assist in an international Marked Men For Christ discipleship project. (more…)