Ministry updates are peculiar things. I’ve written a ton of them over the years and have read many more. As a result, I’ve become somewhat cynical regarding flowery and embellished reports. Therefore, when I write, I make an attempt at redemptive transparency, so that you can believe what you hear. However, one friend said in response to a recent posting that “it sounds like everything is going so well.” Then I realized, maybe I’m doing too much embellishing of my own. So here’s an attempt at a little honesty.
As one of my childhood heroes, Popeye the Sailor Man, would say, “I am what I am.” And sometimes that’s a good thing. In my special case, however, it’s often not. Truth is, like my friend Popeye, I don’t always eat my spinach. And as a result, I too get beat up by Brutus…
I’ve learned after 18 years of front line urban ministry, that when things are great, trouble lurks. And when things are tough, God is especially at work. The anchor for me is this: that God is sovereign at all times, that He is intrinsically and perfectly holy, that He is always good, and that I am unconditionally His.
I’d love to be able to report to you that I remain steadfastly encouraged by that truth - and that when I hurt or am discouraged, I run to Jesus. Some times though, I run to dry wells that do not satisfy. Some times I choose bitterness. Sometimes pain is so great and seems so powerful that I exchange what little power I have just to feel better. On and around Halloween my pills of choice are those little packages of Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s. I can’t tell you, or maybe you already know, how medicinal a Butterfinger is when you have the blues. Bitterness and butterfingers give me that immediate rush that all is right within. When that rush is over, I rediscover the art of repentance and thus taste the only thing that really satisfies. (Something tells me I’m going to be doing a lot of repenting tonight!)
Truth is, I’m on the better end of one of the darkest epochs of my life. I remember crying out to God during the height of my pain and the only thing I could feel from God was His severe absence.
That is no longer the case. God has used that pain to elicit in me a newer and deeper longing for and dependence on Him. Honestly, I am reluctant to yearn for and rely on Him when circumstances are more to my pleasing. And now I can say after these difficult few years post-Katrina that I’m proud to be in the fellowship of broken vessels. I’m most thankful to be a Husband and a Father. And I’m grateful to be entering into the second phase of my ministry life - a deeper man - not knowing what this phase will bring, but nevertheless continuing by faith.
At the end of this week I’ll be headed up for a long weekend in the Northeastern United States to speak to a group of Ivy League students. I intend to speak on the love of the Father for our orphaned souls, God’s poverty mandate, His heart of mercy for the lost and distressed, our unique opportunity to suffer with Him and the unique privilege of joining Him in His ongoing mission of redemption in this world. I hope that you will pray for me during this opportunity to effect the lives of these potentially influential young people.
I’m excited about the prospects of a few staff additions. All of these folks found Christ in my previous ministry endeavor and are considering coming on board in the areas of fund-development, high school ministry and administrative coordination. I’ll send you more information when we’re ready to move forward on these critical growth opportunities. However, you can already begin praying with me that the Lord provide the necessary funds to advance the cause in this way. Frankly, I’m looking forward to having partners in the cause. I’ve been a little bit lonely trying to do this stuff all alone.
So in summary, how are things, really? Well, we’re paying the bills. We are, I believe, making an impact. And we’re building the staff and infrastructure that will posture us to be a conduit of much ministry from our Lord. The Leverett’s are working on our move back into the city. I have a growing number of speaking opportunities throughout the country. I have a new CD out! I’m married to the cutest 60 inches of femininity the world has ever seen. I have four amazing kids. So while I may struggle a bit with the shouldering of this new effort, I think all in all, things are good.
We developed a budget for this year of $250,000. As I’m discovering, that was an ambitious goal. After three quarters the Lord has provided through honorariums, CD sales and contributions a total of about $140,000. And we’re a little bit in the hole. However, we’re postured to do very well in the final quarter of ‘07 and be in good position to hit the ground running in ‘08. Continue to pray!
By the way, we are trying to have family meetings every Sunday night. Some singing, some giggling, some Bible Study and some serious family business. Listen to some of the comments that my kids made this past week. “We’re spoiled.” “We have too much allowance.” “We want a smaller house.” “We have too much stuff.” “We watch too much TV.” “We’re on the computer too much.” “Can we reduce our TV’s to just one so that we will spend more time together?”
My Lindsay told me today that she wants to join the National Guard, to serve our country and to help pay for college when she graduates from high school. She also is sensing a call to give herself to the Lord’s work in Urban Ministry.
My Lacey’s pet kitten was run over this past week. We wept together. I buried Dash in our back yard. I remembered my two pet dogs who were killed in like fashion when I was Lacey’s age. We’re trying to discern whether to get another dog or cat to replace it.
My Maggie just finished up her volleyball season. She made amazing improvement this year and she made her Dad awfully proud. They came within one point of winning their final tournament this year! Maggie is organizing a garage sale for the benefit of her school.
My Manning and his team had their first play-off football game last night. He’s playing tight end, full back and defensive end. However, he was doubled over with the stomach flu on the side line. Despite his absence from the line up (and my presence as the Offensive Coordinator) we were able to achieve our first playoff victory!
Clark High School plays its final game of the season this week. I’ve been their volunteer Special Teams Coordinator throughout the season. If they win this weekend, and they should, they will advance to the playoffs as well. Richard Johnson and Sam Rauschenberg are busily managing Bible Studies for these boys on Thursday nights.
Oh well, that’s all I have time for. I hope you all enjoy some Butterfingers and Baby Ruth’s tonight. And as you are repenting on the scale the following morning with me, remember to pray for Rebirth and our cause in New Orleans and beyond to glorify Christ among the urban poor!
God bless you all and thank you for enabling us to serve our Savior!
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