Tag Archives: ministry

Pressing On

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Uncertainty…that is a good word to describe my thoughts these days.  I am certain of a few things:

  • the ministry of Simplicity
  • my role in the body of Christ

My point of clarity is in my call, most everything else seems up in the air.

As we finish out the month of June, we have only been able to pay a few household bills and are past due on the rest.  We are $25 short of having the rent on our church space paid for.   The businesses are only producing a few dollars here and there.  I have been trying to find work, but not finding anything other than commission only positions that seem to want to nibble.

I have a unique situation, basic manual labor jobs won’t hire me because I’m overqualified or don’t have experience with that particular manual labor.   White collar jobs think I’ve been away from the corporate world too long.   I find myself unsure of what my steps should be.

God’s timing is interesting.  As I was writing this I was called by a staffing company to come in for an interview tomorrow morning.

Yesterday was another kingdom encounter on South Staples.   As we were getting ready to leave after the morning service, I heard someone shouting from across the street.  A woman came over and asked if we could help her with groceries until her disability check arrived later this week.   I could smell the alcohol on her breath, so I told her we would take her to the store and pick up a few staples if she would like.   She agreed and off to the store we went.

I spoke to her about the alcohol on her breath and expressed my concern that it was 11AM.  I asked her to be honest with me about her situation.   I learned that she had just moved back to Corpus from Austin, and that she was originally from New York.    She has been exposed to church and actually knows she needs to be in fellowship somewhere.  Her mother is in frail health back in New York, but her relationship with her father is strained and it prevents her from going to see her mother.   Her brother just finished a 15 year prison sentence, but came out a changed man after encountering Jesus in prison.

When we were done, we took her home…across the street from the church.   We have been praying for a person of peace in the neighborhood, and in this woman we found the greatest receptivity to the touch of God that we have encountered since starting Simplicity.  It is my hope that she will be our first person of peace in this troubled neighborhood.

The View from the Street

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I haven’t been staying too up to date on the blog lately.  My mind has been pre-occupied with the concerns and burdens of life.   When I returned from Africa, I was greeted a few days later with the news that the small salary I was receiving would no longer be offered.   Right now our only income is Carol’s and what few donations we get.   I have begun sending resume’s to employers around the area and answering help wanted ads, but so far with no success.   I have enough left from cashing out my retirement savings in April to pay our rent for the next 2-3 months, but there is no money for anything else.   Carol and I are currently praying about which things we let go of.     I find myself telling God that my trust is fickle.  I trust Him with eternity, but for some reason I struggle to trust Him with our well being.   Bare cupboards and empty gas tanks have a way of revealing what is really inside of you.

The past 4 Junes have been very painful times for me.  In June of 2006, I informed my church leaders that I felt the Lord was telling me it was time to move on.   They received this news with an offer of their own….cutting my salary in half.   In June of 2007, I was working to bring a Hispanic house church group into a partnership with the church I pastored.   I spent most of June being called many unkind things and being accused of giving away “our church.”   In June of 2008, the Lord called me to a week of silence, really a modern day equivalent of sack cloth and ashes.  Daniel chapter 9 was the focal point of the week and by the time the week was over the Lord had me deliver the most devastating call to repentance I have ever spoken or heard.   Now we come to this year…I gave up on making ends meet several months ago.   I’m just asking the Lord to give me some guidance and to arrest the fear within me.

On the streets near Simplicity things are beginning to happen.   Normally the things I described above are directly proportional to God’s activity somewhere else in my life and this period of life is no exception.

4 weeks ago we began an open prayer time on Tuesday nights.   We placed two bright posterboard signs on our front windows with the simple question: “How can we pray for you?”   3 weeks ago as we were preparing for Sunday morning worship, a man ran across the street from the auto repair shop.   He pointed at the sign and said “I need to find an apartment today.”    We prayed over this man, Eddie was his name, and just as quickly as he entered, he departed.

2 weeks ago we found an envelope in our mailbox, addressed to the Simplicity Prayer Group.   In this prayer request a woman cried out for deliverance for her husband from physical, emotional and financial strain.

This past Thursday as we were having our Organic Group, a disheveled man walked in off of the street.   He smelled of alcohol and his request was the common request for the area…money.   I spoke to him for a few minutes and offered to feed him, but I asked to pray for him first.   The Lord led me to place a hand on his should and one on his chest.  As I prayed over the pain in his life, the tears began to flow.   The Lord began to release the pain in Kevin’s life.   Kevin is still out on the streets, but he has been stirred by the touch of the Lord.

On Sundays we set out 5 gallon cooler of ice water and some donuts or other snacks for people to freely take.  This last Sunday I watched as a woman walked up and took the whole box of donuts and all of the snacks, leaving none for anyone else.  She stuffed them into her trash bag and talking out loud as she went immediately walked across the street.   A few moments later, I saw her headed the other direction, the trash bag was now gone, but she was carrying “her box of donuts.”

We are seeing the effects of spiritual walls that permeate this neighborhood.  It is our prayer that the walls come down, the eyes come open and Holy Spirit rains down.

Living Water and Old Friends

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Since getting back from Africa, I have been a little negligent on my blogging.   These last few weeks have been a bit of regrouping time for me, and I am slowly getting my thoughts untangled.

A few weeks ago, we began setting a large cooler of ice water and styrofoam cups outside on our parking lot every Sunday as we meet.  The cooler has a sign that says “Cold water compliments of Jesus Christ.”   As we’ve watched people these last few weeks, we’ve begun to see a greater significance of in the offering of water.   The water has come to represent the livng water that Christ offers each of us.  Some in our ministry neighborhood gladly receive the water, while others stand and stare at the cooler…an inner battle as to whether or not they will draw from it.  Today, I watched as women spent nearly 2 minutes walking back and forth in front of the cooler with a war raging deep within her…would she take a drink or wouldn’t she?   As we battle for the souls of men and women, we realize that this cooler represents the greater truth of our ministry…using a simple cup of water to introduce the thirsty to the living water that leaves them permanently satisfied.

Today was also a joy for me, as we went to McAllen this afternoon to meet up with some old friends who were in the region on a mission trip.   We have known Mark and Shannon for about 11 or so years now.   They were in a Sunday School class that I taught in Dodge City, Kansas prior to surrendering to the ministry.   I could see God’s hand on Mark even then, and I told his wife that he would be in the ministry before it was all over.   Little did I know I would beat him there.   It has been fun watching him grow in the Lord.  We celebrated his first pastorate and his ordination.  I now find myself spurring him on in his quest to be all that God has created him to be.   I’m thankful that the relationships in the kingdom are not bound by time and distance.

This past Thursday as we were having our Organic Group, we saw the woman who we had taken in off the streets walking past the church.   She stopped and began to cross the street towards us, but suddenly stopped and turned the other way.   I believe God allowed her to experience something in those few days with us, that is unlike anything she has ever experienced; however, the battle for her soul continues to rage.   I know that in due time, God will push back the darkness that blinds her, I hope that day is sooner than later.

Amazed and Yearning

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Today I received a number of testimonies from Kenya and Uganda that are overwhelming and humbling.  Once again I am awestruck, how God can use an ordinary man like me as His instrument to do only that which He can do.   I have seen some of these types of things before on my visits to India; however, the Lord did things in Africa that I had never even imagined.

As seems to always be the case, I find myself yearning for more.   Why does the anointing of God seem so strong when I’m overseas and almost non-existent at times when I am here?  The people of Corpus Christi need the touch of Christ just as desperately as the people of Kitale, Bukwo, Kapchesoy, Madurai or Chennai.   The only answer I seem to come away with is a spirit of unbelief.   It is said in scripture that when Jesus returned to His hometown, He was able to perform only a few miracles….the problem unbelief.

Our city, our state, our nation all desperately need the life altering touch of Jesus…what must change in me to be used the same way here that I am used overseas?

Testimonies from Kenya and Uganda

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These are some of the testimonies that have come in since my arrival back in the US.

From Kitale, Kenya:

Greetings in Jesus name.Hope these email finds you well in the lord there.Thanks very much for coming to Africa.Thanks for speaking to my life prophetically.Today i have been given a lot of Testimonies after i announced yesterday in the church that i have heard the voice of God and he has given me the direction in the ministry that the lord has called me to do.The ministry of worship that he has put on my life.Many of the people have testified on how these ministry of worship has affected their lives and they are wondering how the lord is doing through these worship.We have met with those three pastors today during lunch time,we prayed together and also we prayed for your journey.Apostle Stephen reminded me to tell you that we shall be organizing together pastors and leaders conference here in Kitale town on August.Our target is to have 1000 pastors to come for the conference.I will give you the schedule of august when i finish working together.i have read the book that you gave me and i have come a cross some powerful messages,experience is a good teacher and i have discovered that it is true.I will be sharing with you testimonies as we communicate.Have a safe journey with powerful meditations.

Also from Kitale, Kenya –

We were honored to have you minister in our church during your mission trip to Africa.The lord is continuing to do incredible things in our church.We are seeing great move of God in our church members and church leaders.

From a denominational leader in Uganda –

Greetings in jesus name.Thanks for your message sent to me

Truly you have helped opur people especially in such trainings of bible shool.

I do really see the need to work as a team so as to accomplish what God has planned to do through us.

Please Sir,your input is very essential in such a nation for the welfare of the gospel to go forward.

There are many fields to team up together and allow God to be lifted through us.

Testimonies from Kenya and Uganda –

Thank you for your worm love. We bless the lord for your previous trip to East Africa.We ware tremendously blessed with your ministry. Mary my wife was completely healed from her back pain up to now, she doesn’t complain of any pain like she used to be. She does her regular work without any problem at all. We bless our God for what He did through you in Africa. The lord came before you to prepare the hearts that is why there was open reception of your apostolic teaching and receiving of the revelation of the mystery as referred to Ephesians 3;4-6 We saw the lord doing awesome work in Africa through you as many saints, pastors and church leaders received the grace of revelation and understanding.
Many had a transforming experience in both their lives and ministry as radical as the new birth.
In every meeting you ministered, the people received your teaching and received the lord as he came with conviction, releasing impartation of grace and through confirming signs and wonders.

The man you prayed for him in Uganda testified that the power of God did touch him when he heard your voice through the microphone from a two kilometer distance where he was drinking local brew (alcohol) Something within him told him to leave drinking and run to the church, he run so fast that people though he was mad. He found you had just stopped preaching and came strait to the pulpit and gave his life to Jesus.
This was the power of God. Hell had a blackout in Uganda. Demons and devils trembled as God of Glory moved in these darkest sites of the world. God is begging to raise an army who will match forward in His grace, putting hell in mess and establishing His kingdom in these days. Hallelujah!!

I have received several testimonies of healing, breakthroughs, deliverance, salvation and many incredible things that the lord did across Kenya and Uganda.

I want to share with you one from the pastor in Uganda and I will send to you many soon.

Pastor Stephen-Bukwo PCM church-Uganda
I had never experience the power of the Holy Spirit in my life until the servant of God Rev Carl Willis laid his hands on me and anointed my head with oil. For the first time the power of God touched me. I felt like fire burning from my toes to the head. My body shook terribly and there was an inner peace.
Also for my church we had never witness such a move of God, for the first time the Holy Spirit entered our church in power. He was awesome to see Him deliver a lady who was possessed with evil spirit. Such a thing had never happened in my church.

I saw everybody running in front with desperation of meeting with Jesus. The whole church was prayed for. The last two Sunday, the lord has blessed us tremendously and He has raised different ministries that we never had in our church. We acknowledge that we were so religious and we had never given the Holy Spirit a room. We are now enjoying the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit. We bless the lord for sending you to us. Indeed it was the Macedonia call of Paul.

More testimonies from Uganda –

The lord is still healing and delivering.there is this lady who attended our our meeting and invited us for a diner.Whose son got saved,the one came running to recieve jesus Christ.She had been abundoned by her husband for 30 years.The family you prayed with them at night whose daughter has been cribbled.

She shared with me that her husband came back to her.She is not only happy for her husband but also for the salvation of her son.

people are so happy for what the lord did.

There is this lady also from kenya who had growth in her stomatch.She had gone to many hospitals seeking for medical solutions but it never beared any fruit.She took your word by faith.

She got healed.She is now eating the foods she was told not test or eat.She has resummed to her work.She is a primary teacher.And many Rev that pen can not write.

Services, Graduation, etc…

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The following links are from the services and conferences I led during my time in Kenya and Uganda.

May 8th evening in Kitale

May 9th evening in Kitale

May 10th morning in Kitale

Youth & Leader’s conferences May 10th afternoon

Kitale Pastor’s Conference May 11th

May 12th & 13th services in Kapchesoy, Uganda

May 14th in Kapchesoy, Uganda

May 16th first graduating class of Redeemer Bible College in Bukwo District, Uganda

On a Lighter Note

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I’ve been home from Africa now for 5 days.   As I take time to reflect and put pictures together, I also find myself chuckling over the things that make Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda unique.   Here is my list of favorites:

  • Public nose picking is totally acceptable.   Two friends can enjoy a pick and a conversation together.
  • Muzungu fascination – children would run out to the road and all work would stop, simply because a white man was near
  • Muzungu prices – my hotel in Kitale cost $300 Shillings per day extra, simply because I was a Muzungu.  The zoo in Nairobi cost me $19 US more than anyone else in the group
  • African time – always at least 2 hours past the stated beginning or ending time
  • Food for honored guests – the honored guest always gets the chicken’s gizzard
  • Greetings – bad greetings will cost you friendships and business clients.   All business will be put on hold until every guest has had a chance to bring greetings to the audience.
  • Ugandan handshakes – plan to hold hands for at least 1-2 minutes and renew your grip 2-3 times during that period

No lights, no pavement, no internet…

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The lengths a man will go to in his search for internet service

The lengths a man will go to in his search for internet service

I just returned to Kitale this evening after 5 days in Uganda.   My time in Uganda was amazing and the Western side of this country is one of the most beautiful places in the world.   We entered into Uganda after crossing the Suam river.   The pavement on the Kenya side stops 30-40 KM prior to the Ugandan border.  This is also the rainy season in Eastern Africa, and so our drive into Uganda was more like a mud run…I was really yearning for my pickup.   Not to worry though, my driver John is the best wheel man in East Africa if not the world.  John is very patient and very good with his vehicle, even in the most unusual places we continued to find ourselves.   Not only is John a great driver, but he is also an amazing believer in Christ and one of the greatest encouragements I have had on this trip.

Ugandan children and John Juma my driver

As we arrived in Uganda last Tuesday evening, it was raining heavily, so our arrival in Kapsechoy was delayed.   When we got to the church in Kapsechoy, the church was still about half full of people worshipping, singing and dancing.   The amazing part of this whole scene was the fact that they were doing this in the dark.   Eventually we hooked up a light bulb to a generator and I spoke for a few moments of introduction.  We then returned to our guest house located in a national forest along the Uganda/Kenya border.  Interestingly enough this is also a military outpost, so I always had park rangers and soldiers stationed around the premises.

Wednesday we began our first full day of services with the church in Kapchesoy.   The Spirit of God was moving so strongly, that Pastor Adams asked me to preach again immediately after the invitation.   During this service many came forward for prayer.  In the coming days, we would hear of many miracles that had happened as God touched the lives in that service.

The other highlight of Wednesday was the great “Marathon Chicken” incident.   Pastor Adams had prepared me that the chicken I would be eating in Uganda was known long distance running, just like their people.   He had prepared me that the chicken is some of the toughest you could ever eat.  On Wednesday, he saw a young man carrying a rooster, so we stopped and Pastor Adams offered to buy it.   When we got into Suam, he went to pay the young man for the chicken.   The door to the van was opened and when I looked over the backseat, I could see the chicken still walking around.  As soon as Pastor Adams returned to the van, the chicken made a run for it and the great chicken chase was on.   Pastor Adams was outwitted many times by the chicken and none of the locals would help, because they were too busy looking at the white man.   Fortunately for Pastor Adams, the chicken ran into a store and was finally captured.  We both are certain we heard the chicken yelling….”The muzungu won’t eat me…the muzungu won’t eat me.”

Pastor Adams recovers the runaway marathon chicken

Pastor Adams recovers the runaway marathon chicken

On Thursday I was taken on a tour of Bukwo District.   A couple of things really stand out as you tour the country.  Again the beauty of the land is breathtaking.   Also you begin to see the fear that has dominated the lives of many of these people.  Bukwo District is home to the Sebei tribe of people.  Across the Kenyan border is a rival tribe call the Poikot.  The Poikot are known for walking around completely naked.   In 2003, a Poikot raiding party violated a peace agreement between the two tribes and entered into Bukwo District.   They ended up burning down many homes and killing 25 people.   It was because of this action that Bukwo District was formed and the military outpost was established.   Even with these measures may of the Sebei refuse to build permenant housing for themselves fearing another raid.    On a lighter note, is the fascination that Ugandan people have with a white man.   As we would drive down the road you would repeatedly hear kids yelling “muzungu, muzungu.”   I was so humored by it that I wrote the “Muzungu Song” for those riding in the van with me.

Kapsechoy Church

Kapsechoy Church

Thursday afternoon, I preached again at the church in Kapchesoy and also enjoyed a meal in the home of the pastor David and his wife Violet.   During the afternoon service, a young man stepped forward to give his life to Christ.  The church erupted in celebration.   The pastor informed me that this young man was the most notorious troublemaker in his village, known for drunkeness and violence.  In the evening I preached our first service in Suam.   Suam is the border town at the Kenya/Uganda border.  It is known primarily for the cooking of alcohol and rampant drunkneness.  During this service two women came forward to give their lives to Christ.  I later learned that one of the women was the most well known prostitute in the village.  I found Suam to be very spiritually oppressive when I preached and actually have come to recognize it spiritually as the most difficult place in the world that I have ever spoken.

Friday we toured some additional areas of Bukwo and had lunch with Robert, one of the Bible College students in his home.   Friday afternoon we once again returned to the church in Kapsechoy.  Before I began preaching I asked for testimonies.  Immediately two men came up to give their lives to Christ, their decision influenced by their friend the day before.  Once again the church erupted into celebration.    As I gave the invitation that afternoon, another woman came and fell on her face weeping, seeking to know the saving love of Jesus.   That evening I preached again in Suam.  No one responded to the invitation and one came seeking prayer…a hardened place indeeed.

Saturday was the day I had come to be a part of.  It was time for our Bible College graduates to be recognized.   The principal of the college had borrowed gowns from a college in Kitale, mine of course was about 2 sizes two small…what do you expect, I’m 2 sizes too big.    There was great excitement with this event.  Government officials came, leaders of denominations came and many friends and family.   The Bible College is the first institution of higher learning of any kind to ever come to Bukwo District.  One government official said he never thought he would see the garments of graduates in this district.   He also pledged to become a student in the next year’s session.  In all 30 students graduated.  The class had originally started with 72, so this was indeed a tremendous milestone.

 

Graduates of Redeemer Bible College

Graduates of Redeemer Bible College

The other highlight for me Saturday was the arrival of my friend Kibunga Stephen from Kalege Baptist Church on the other side of Uganda.   Stephen and I have been communicating back and forth online for about 5 years now.   I told him, I was going to be in Uganda, and so he made a very sacrificial effort to join me.   We have had a wonderful time talking face to face for the first time.

 

Kibunga Steven and I at Bukwo PCM

Kibunga Steven and I at Bukwo PCM

I was finally able to get cell phone service on Saturday and talked to Carol for the first time in 4 days and Collin and Caitlyn for the first time since I had left the US.

Sunday was another busy day.  I started the morning by preaching the early service at the Suam PCM Church.  The Lord gave me a deeply moving word for the church and when the invitation was given, nearly 20 people came forward weeping, seeking to return to their first love.   This was the first time I had felt any type of true spiritual breakthrough in this village.    We left Suam and returned to Bukwo, where I preached at the Bukwo PCM church.   The pastor commented that he never in his life would have imagined a white man visiting their church.   This church has a giving spirit that is evidenced in their willingness to host the Bible College.   The service was full and the presence of God was once again overwhelming.   When I began praying for those coming forward, the whole front of the church was full.  As I was praying I laid hands on a woman, who immediately began to writhe and scream as I anointed her head with oil.   She began rolling around on the floor violently, at which time Pastor Adams rebuked the demon within her to leave.  By the time she sat up she was calm and in her right mind.   This time of prayer lasted nearly 45 minutes, because so many were coming forward.    In the afternoon, I spent my time with the local pastors.  The graduation of the Bible College had been the first time they had come together, this was the second.

 

The Kenya/Uganda border

The Kenya/Uganda border

I am now once again in Kitale, Kenya and reflecting on the past 12 days.   I see that my role here has been two-fold.  God has used me to bring revival to places that desperately needed a fresh touch from the Lord.  More importantly the Lord has allowed me to be the catalyst to join the servants of God together for the common work of the Kingdom.

Today I will be travelling to Nairobi with Pastor Adams and John.  John made us a remarkable offer to take me to Nairobi, so he could spend a little more time with me.   We will spend our time today fellowshipping and tomorrow we will strategize for the future.   Tomorrow evening I catch a plane bound for Amsterdam and began counting the moments until I am reunited with my loved ones.