Well, today was the announcement at church. We have had a number of staff leaving over the last couple of months, so I wondered how it would be received. God gave me the grace and words. Many people came forward to express sadness for our leaving, but an excitement for what God was doing in our lives.
Those who know me pretty much saw this coming. Some had heard words from the Lord about our leaving. Some could just tell from my constant excitement about my ministry with the Iranians. Some said they knew it from the first time I came back from the Middle East - they could see a huge change in me and knew where it would lead.
It was tough looking at all those faces I've come to know so well and love so much. There is a wonderful group of people at this church. It kinda helped that the spotlight was so bright in my eyes that I couldn't see the congregation very well. But it was both an exciting and a sad moment. Please keep praying for this wonderful church - South Hills.
So now begins a new chapter. One month to finish well, to transition my ministry, to begin asking for pray-ers and donors, to decide when to sell our home, to find a place to live during the transition. There's more, but my fingers are tired. Suffice it to say there is a lot of work and praying to do!
God is so good! He is revealing Himself to us in so many ways. The first person who came forward is a lady I've only met once. She strongly encouraged me and then said she wanted to be the first to donate to our new ministry. Talk about confirmation! Others came forward with tears in their eyes to hug and bless us and tell us about our impact in their lives. It was a sweet time. Such a gift from God!
Ok, enough for tonight. Thanks for caring - and praying!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
IT'S TIME!
It's time to move on! I met with the elders of our church last Thursday to share about my journey and new call. On Tuesday I met with the Senior Pastor and heard the good news - my last day at South Hills will be October 31st. And, as an added blessing, they will bless us with 2 more months of salary to help us get started on raising support. Thank you South Hills!
The church will hear the news on September 30th. Please pray! The last time I left a church we had been deeply involved with it was rather difficult for everyone.
And pray for our family. The attacks have continued to come - but often in strange ways. Our son-in-law's car was stolen recently. None of us can figure why anyone would want to take this rather old and deteriorating car. So old, in fact, he had no comprehensive insurance to cover the theft.
On the other hand, Carolyn and I are doing awesome! We just returned from a fantastic Couples' Retreat. I am still in awe of God's amazing gift of love in giving me such a supportive and caring wife. We are totally in sync with this move. Sure makes all the bumps in the road seem insignificant.
Well, enough for tonight! Have a blessed week! Mike
The church will hear the news on September 30th. Please pray! The last time I left a church we had been deeply involved with it was rather difficult for everyone.
And pray for our family. The attacks have continued to come - but often in strange ways. Our son-in-law's car was stolen recently. None of us can figure why anyone would want to take this rather old and deteriorating car. So old, in fact, he had no comprehensive insurance to cover the theft.
On the other hand, Carolyn and I are doing awesome! We just returned from a fantastic Couples' Retreat. I am still in awe of God's amazing gift of love in giving me such a supportive and caring wife. We are totally in sync with this move. Sure makes all the bumps in the road seem insignificant.
Well, enough for tonight! Have a blessed week! Mike
MY JOURNEY
My Journey From a Church Pastorate to International Ministry
I have been asked a number of times recently how the Lord led me into a completely new stage of ministry. Here is a brief explanation of the sequence of events.
It actually began about 3-1/2 years ago. Carolyn and I had been gathering with a dedicated group of prayer warriors who committed themselves to pray over us on a regular basis. At one particular prayer meeting, the Lord revealed to me in a vision an exciting future ministry. I was surprised that, as we ended our prayer, one of the women spoke up and said that she had received a vision regarding my future ministry as well.
She said that she had seen me driving a car. That represented my previous ministry. At the present time, however, she saw me driving a bus with a lot of people inside. Finally she saw me as the engineer of a train - pulling numerous cars filled with passengers. She took the vision to mean that God was soon going to expand the scope of my ministry.
I then shared with the group what the Lord had shown me that night. As we prayed, I saw myself standing in a field, holding hands with a person on either side of me. I heard the Lord tell me to look to my right and to my left. There I could see people stretching farther than my sight would carry. I heard the Lord's voice tell me: "These are the people whom you have helped." Then he instructed me to turn around. And there, behind me, were multitudes of people, far more than anyone could count. I then heard the words that I've never forgotten: "These are the people that you will help for me."
Over the last 3-1/2 years, Carolyn and I have waited for God to fulfill these promises. The clear direction that we have sought has finally been revealed.
Eleven months ago, I was privileged to lead a prayer team to the Middle East. Our mission was to be available to pray with about 40 house church leaders from Iran at a one-week leadership conference. On the morning of the first day of the conference, I slipped outside for a time of prayer and preparation. I felt so empty, and I told the Lord that he made a grave mistake in sending me. What happened next was a total surprise. I heard him clearly say: "Then I will fill your emptiness with a Father's love for my children in Iran." And for the next half hour he poured a daddy's love into my heart for the people I was soon to be meeting and praying with.
Later that afternoon, it was my turn to speak to the group. As I stood, I heard a simple whisper in my mind: "Lead with your heart." And that is what I did. I spoke to them of the burdens of being a leader. I asked them questions like: "Everyone comes to you for help. But who can you turn to for encouragement and hope?" The tears began to flow. Since the teaching that day had been primarily about forgiveness, I asked them to join me in a corporate prayer to let go of all of the grudges and hurts they had stockpiled deep in their hearts. As the prayer concluded, I looked up to see almost every face streaked with tears. I headed back to my seat, but I never made it. Over half of the group surrounded our team and pleaded with us to pray with them. And that's what we did! The entire week, during every available moment, we prayed – and watched miracle after miracle unfold.
Returning home, I realized that something had dramatically changed. My love for the Iranians continued to deepen. I began to interact with many of these leaders on a secure Internet chat program - counseling, teaching, encouraging. Our Missions Pastor began saying cryptic things like "I believe I just saw the beginning of your international ministry, Mike." I met with the leaders of the ministry who had sponsored the conference. They told me that what we had done had changed completely their concept of what these church leaders needed. They had seen so much healing and growth during just one week - and it was continuing long after the conference. They asked if we would commit to come back again and again, not only to continue this healing ministry, but also to teach the Iranians how to take it back into their country.
Since that meeting, I have spent as many of my free hours as possible continuing my ministry on the Internet, appearing twice on the satellite TV show beamed into Iran, taught several seminars at the local Iranian Christian Church, and attended a second conference earlier this year - this time for two weeks.
In the midst of this growing ministry, Carolyn read an article about a mission organization called Paraclete. When she came to their mission statement, she looked at me and said "Mike, this sounds exactly like what you want to do." As I read the article, I began to sense in my heart and excitement and an immediate urge to call the president, Don Parrott. It was clear even during our first conversation that God was doing something extraordinary.
Paraclete's vision is to partner seasoned Christian leaders with harvest workers throughout the world. "Paraclete" literally means "to come alongside." The Paraclete Associate’s goal is not to establish new ministries, but to come alongside of existing international ministries and Christian leaders and offer our gifts and experience; to serve them however we can.
Over the last number of months, as I continued to serve the Iranians both here and in Iran, Don and I have been slowly going through an intense interview process. In late August, I received a call from Don stating that, as far as Paraclete was concerned, I have a green light to join them. Carolyn and I strongly believe that this is God's new direction for our lives - the fulfillment of the promises he gave us 3-1/2 years ago.
Working as a Paraclete Associate, I can either focus on one section of the world or be available anywhere in the world the Lord leads. One exciting development, occurring early in our consideration process, was when I received a call from a Christian leader in Mexico who asked me to come back and train the pastors and Christian leaders of Ensenada in healing prayer. I was involved in ministry in Mexico during the 90’s. Perhaps the Lord will be opening more doors into this country as well.
There is so much more to share about this journey. There have been so many amazing confirmations and God has made it clear that our time to begin is here.
Please pray for us - for protection (for we have been severely attacked in recent months) and specific direction. Thank you for being a special part of our lives!
“It is for freedom that Christ has set you free!”
I have been asked a number of times recently how the Lord led me into a completely new stage of ministry. Here is a brief explanation of the sequence of events.
It actually began about 3-1/2 years ago. Carolyn and I had been gathering with a dedicated group of prayer warriors who committed themselves to pray over us on a regular basis. At one particular prayer meeting, the Lord revealed to me in a vision an exciting future ministry. I was surprised that, as we ended our prayer, one of the women spoke up and said that she had received a vision regarding my future ministry as well.
She said that she had seen me driving a car. That represented my previous ministry. At the present time, however, she saw me driving a bus with a lot of people inside. Finally she saw me as the engineer of a train - pulling numerous cars filled with passengers. She took the vision to mean that God was soon going to expand the scope of my ministry.
I then shared with the group what the Lord had shown me that night. As we prayed, I saw myself standing in a field, holding hands with a person on either side of me. I heard the Lord tell me to look to my right and to my left. There I could see people stretching farther than my sight would carry. I heard the Lord's voice tell me: "These are the people whom you have helped." Then he instructed me to turn around. And there, behind me, were multitudes of people, far more than anyone could count. I then heard the words that I've never forgotten: "These are the people that you will help for me."
Over the last 3-1/2 years, Carolyn and I have waited for God to fulfill these promises. The clear direction that we have sought has finally been revealed.
Eleven months ago, I was privileged to lead a prayer team to the Middle East. Our mission was to be available to pray with about 40 house church leaders from Iran at a one-week leadership conference. On the morning of the first day of the conference, I slipped outside for a time of prayer and preparation. I felt so empty, and I told the Lord that he made a grave mistake in sending me. What happened next was a total surprise. I heard him clearly say: "Then I will fill your emptiness with a Father's love for my children in Iran." And for the next half hour he poured a daddy's love into my heart for the people I was soon to be meeting and praying with.
Later that afternoon, it was my turn to speak to the group. As I stood, I heard a simple whisper in my mind: "Lead with your heart." And that is what I did. I spoke to them of the burdens of being a leader. I asked them questions like: "Everyone comes to you for help. But who can you turn to for encouragement and hope?" The tears began to flow. Since the teaching that day had been primarily about forgiveness, I asked them to join me in a corporate prayer to let go of all of the grudges and hurts they had stockpiled deep in their hearts. As the prayer concluded, I looked up to see almost every face streaked with tears. I headed back to my seat, but I never made it. Over half of the group surrounded our team and pleaded with us to pray with them. And that's what we did! The entire week, during every available moment, we prayed – and watched miracle after miracle unfold.
Returning home, I realized that something had dramatically changed. My love for the Iranians continued to deepen. I began to interact with many of these leaders on a secure Internet chat program - counseling, teaching, encouraging. Our Missions Pastor began saying cryptic things like "I believe I just saw the beginning of your international ministry, Mike." I met with the leaders of the ministry who had sponsored the conference. They told me that what we had done had changed completely their concept of what these church leaders needed. They had seen so much healing and growth during just one week - and it was continuing long after the conference. They asked if we would commit to come back again and again, not only to continue this healing ministry, but also to teach the Iranians how to take it back into their country.
Since that meeting, I have spent as many of my free hours as possible continuing my ministry on the Internet, appearing twice on the satellite TV show beamed into Iran, taught several seminars at the local Iranian Christian Church, and attended a second conference earlier this year - this time for two weeks.
In the midst of this growing ministry, Carolyn read an article about a mission organization called Paraclete. When she came to their mission statement, she looked at me and said "Mike, this sounds exactly like what you want to do." As I read the article, I began to sense in my heart and excitement and an immediate urge to call the president, Don Parrott. It was clear even during our first conversation that God was doing something extraordinary.
Paraclete's vision is to partner seasoned Christian leaders with harvest workers throughout the world. "Paraclete" literally means "to come alongside." The Paraclete Associate’s goal is not to establish new ministries, but to come alongside of existing international ministries and Christian leaders and offer our gifts and experience; to serve them however we can.
Over the last number of months, as I continued to serve the Iranians both here and in Iran, Don and I have been slowly going through an intense interview process. In late August, I received a call from Don stating that, as far as Paraclete was concerned, I have a green light to join them. Carolyn and I strongly believe that this is God's new direction for our lives - the fulfillment of the promises he gave us 3-1/2 years ago.
Working as a Paraclete Associate, I can either focus on one section of the world or be available anywhere in the world the Lord leads. One exciting development, occurring early in our consideration process, was when I received a call from a Christian leader in Mexico who asked me to come back and train the pastors and Christian leaders of Ensenada in healing prayer. I was involved in ministry in Mexico during the 90’s. Perhaps the Lord will be opening more doors into this country as well.
There is so much more to share about this journey. There have been so many amazing confirmations and God has made it clear that our time to begin is here.
Please pray for us - for protection (for we have been severely attacked in recent months) and specific direction. Thank you for being a special part of our lives!
“It is for freedom that Christ has set you free!”
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