I just finished reading a book “Whose Child is This” by Bill Wilson and he made a statement that resonates in my heart. He said, “We have to come to the point where we are willing to win the nation one person at a time.”

As we make plans for 2010, we desire to reach children one at a time until we see the millions come to know Jesus as their friend and Savior.

Here are a few things we are planning and would appreciate your prayers as we work out the details.

South Dakota Indian Reservation
Together with Pastor TJ at Warwick AG, we are heading to the Sioux reservation where we’ll be working with Missionaries Tim and Elaine Harris. With two teams of twenty, comprised of adults and children ages 10-15 we are planning evangelism and some hands-on projects.

Homeless Women and Children
We are praying that we can partner with Hope Alive, a Christian ministry called to embrace homeless women and their children with the life-changing love of God. They provide transitional homes and the skills they need to live self-sustaining lives filled with hope and a future. With a team we are offering our assistance with hands on projects as well as evangelism.

Ecuador Missions Trip
I am also planning to be part of a training team to Ecuador in September. Many missionaries around the world need experienced children’s leaders/workers to come and train children’s workers in their countries in skills for reaching kids. As part of the team I will be helping to equip leaders/workers in that country to be more effective in sharing the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness.

Urban Church Plant
We are also in the process of joining with a pastor of an urban church plant. We’d like to take a mission team into that community to conduct a fun day and three-night crusade. Such an outreach has the potential of bringing more people into the community of believers and changing lives for eternity.

Training and Encouragement
Along with several weeks of kids camp during the summer we will also be conducting training workshops for those serving in children’s ministry. On a regular basis we visit churches to teach the children how they can help people locally and around the world. We encourage them as we share how they can be a powerful tool in the hands of God as missionaries to their community.
Although we make the plans it is God that directs our steps. Be in prayer that as we plan, God will open the doors and direct our steps so that we see his purpose revealed in all we do for Him.

Today I received a letter from a friend asking for my best advice. She and her family are strong Christians and have been raising their daughter to believe in God as the one and only true God. I have seen this young girl grow in her faith and she is committed to Jesus Christ. She was given an assignment by her elementary school teacher to write a letter to the Greek god ‘Hades’.

When I first read her question, several things went through my mind but I wanted to make sure that I responded rather than react to her question. After talking with a friend here was my response.

First I would ask the teacher if she could modify the assignment and share with her why you do not want your daughter to write to a greek god of the underworld which is equivalent to who you know as satan. Ask if she could write a letter or essay telling about another god other than hades and then tell about the God she does believe in?

Secondly, if the teacher will not modify the assignment then you need to question her purpose for this type of writing assignment. I would then question the principal if this is state required material and give suggestions on alternative writing projects that would meet the state requirements.

This is a good opportunity to talk with your daughter about the difference between little ‘g’ and big ‘G’ when using the term god and that you know the only true God and the others are false gods. There are gods that people have worshiped throughout the ages but that doesn’t mean they are real.

How would you have responded to this question? I’d love for you to leave a comment to this blog.

Just talked with a friend and she gave me a great idea. Take this opportunity to write to Hades and let him know that his life could have been different had he trusted Jesus in his life. Take the opportunity to tell Hades about Jesus and share the entire salvation message. What do you think about this direction?

Acts 11:29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help…

“Cut! Cut! Cut! No more excuses. It’s time to seek out reasons to help. I’m directing a movie that confirms the need to help people suffering from social injustices throughout the world. There are people inflicted with, poverty, hunger, illness and homelessness that need our help. This film will help viewers recognize the need and help them to realize ways in which they can provide help.

As the director of this film I know that there is a huge amount of talent in this room. It’s up to me to bring out that talent and to help each of you discover how you can provide help to others. I will not stop searching until each and everyone of you has had the opportunity to audition and become part of the movie.”

I was portraying the director of a movie bringing about the awareness of social needs throughout the world. As leaders you are directing an even more important movie. Your movie/ministry directs children everyday and it is up to you and I to help them discover their gifts and talents and how they can help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. We can not allow excuses to prevent them from taking action. Rather, you and I need to help them recognize reasons why and how they are able to provide help.

Acts 20:35 “And I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”