Our 20th year of ministry has begun with a fresh fire and an updated look! When we changed the ministry address to Florida, we took that opportunity to also renovate the logo, all the correspondence, and even the name. In addition to these changes, we have also launched a social media outreach that has been more effective than we ever imagined. This medium now reaches over 164,000 people a week in 20 different countries! It’s mind boggling to realize that all of this can be done with the only investment being our time (and lots of it!). We are very excited about the effectiveness of this new area of ministry, and are confident that God is using it to build HIS kingdom and bring glory to HIS name!
This expanded outreach has also been very eye-opening. It has provided a broader look at a world full of people who are lost and undone and separated from God. We’ve even had comments from devil worshippers as they pledge their allegiance to Satan, and vow to be his loyal follower! Why would a self-proclaimed Satanist be looking at a page promoting Christianity? Good question! It has also been interesting to observe that any scripture or quote which focuses on how much God will bless His children is wildly popular, but the passages that speak of repentance, or any responsibility on the part of the believer, are less appealing — not a great shock, but another confirmation of Bible prophecy concerning the ‘last days’. It seems that many people would rather hear a motivational pep talk that may lift their mood temporarily, than to hear the Truth that will make them FREE! Gospel freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the power to do what is RIGHT! This liberty will never be experienced by simply having an upbeat attitude, making positive professions, and fulfilling religious duties. It will, however, be a sure reality in our lives if we will submit ourselves to God, and cooperate with Him as He purifies our soul and frees us from the bondage of sin!
Our website now contains short (10-15 minute) teaching videos that are updated every two weeks. This bi-monthly series has become the most popular link on the site, so people are taking advantage of this additional resource. The previous videos are all archived on the page, so they remain accessible as well. There are also over 40 messages in print that can be found in the “teaching library” on the website. In addition to all the new media ministry, we are still on the road most every weekend ministering face-to-face.
In January, we returned to the Three Rivers Invitational Bull Riding in Rome, GA. In addition to the two meetings, the entire weekend was filled with opportunities to minister words of life to seeking souls. The PRCA Rodeo in Lakeland, FL was our next destination. We were thrilled to see the great turnout for the church services as the room we used was packed and overflowing! God’s Word is never ineffective — all who hear invariably make a decision, one way or another.
The next week, we flew to Midland, TX for a few days to touch base with our dear friends and partners in that area, and finalize the huge amount of paperwork that is required for the ministry 2011 taxes. With all that behind us, we traveled to Palmetto, FL for the Southern States Bull Riders Finals. This was our first time at one of their events, so we really didn’t know how we would be received. Fortunately, the “Toughest Cowboys in the South” as their motto suggests, were ready and willing to have the Word sown into their hearts, and both meetings were excellent. We left there assured that it was a divine appointment.
Next on our itinerary was the PRCA Rodeo in Dade City, FL. After a great Saturday afternoon church service, we drove home, unpacked, and regrouped before singing and preaching Sunday morning at the Church at Triple Cross in Micanopy, Florida. Many times, you leave a place unsure of how effective the ministry was in the hearts of the people. But then there are times when God lets you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you were clearly used as a vessel of His love for His purpose. This was one of THOSE times. Praise God!
The Wednesday night meeting in our home has been focused on the book of Philippians — happiness vs. joy, imputed righteousness vs. experiential righteousness, governed by the flesh vs. governed by the Spirit. It’s a wonderful privilege to gather with a group of like-minded believers who are seeking God and loving one another. The non-structured format gives anyone and everyone the opportunity to have input, ask questions, and answer questions. We’ve seen tremendous spiritual growth in the group throughout the past 7 years, and trust that it will continue for as long as God wills.
On the home front . . .Carson has been back in Florida for the winter and is staying very busy riding colts. Nevertheless, when spring fever hits, he will most likely head back out west to parts unknown. Jared and Rebekah are quite the entrepreneurs and have developed several small businesses that keep them on the go, but still make the time to help with all our video production. When Butch and I are not out of town, maintaining the expanded media outreach consumes much of our day, but how could a day be better spent?
We have always looked to God alone for the funding to keep this ministry going, and we are eternally grateful to each one of you who has been a vessel of that provision. Bless you!