Going to the nations

Praying for Dustin and Britt, who will be pioneering a ministry in Morocco next year

This past month was exciting for YWAM Salem as we commissioned a team that will be pioneering a YWAM ministry in Morocco next year.  This is an amazing couple who we are so excited to see begin a YWAM work in that nation.  Below, is a picture of some of our staff members Steven and Candyce who left us two weeks ago to go work in Tanzania.  They have been with YWAM Salem now for 7 years, and we will miss them, but this is what we are here for...to see people go to the nations with the gospel.

Praying over Steven and Candyce before the head to Tanzania

March Outreach

March was a fun month of outreach.  As you can see, I proudly wore my leperchaun costume as we shared the gospel on university campuses and in our city.  The above picture is with a local group of believers from various churches who joined us for outreach.  I gotta say, the leperchaun costume provided a great conversation starter about how we can know what is true or not in life.

This is me with some high school students who join us every other Wednesday from a local Christian school...oh and of course "Paddy-O-Carry" the leperchaun.

March Birthdays

This March our little Autumn turned 9, and I turned 41.  Autumn is still our little free spirited adventurous one, and she continues to enjoy doing ballet and pulling practical jokes on her mom all the time.  I think Im doing okay for 41...despite what my back and knee may tell me every morning. Here's to great genetics.  

Seven wonderful children.  The best birthday present a guy could ever have.

Sarah got me an Irish rugby sweatshirt to possibly throw a hint that we should move overseas again

A Different Hat...A Big God

Sometimes I forget to write about what God is doing here at YWAM Salem.  As you know, another hat I wear here is I am part of the leadership council at YWAM Salem, and I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing ministry called YWAM.  One of the things I recently was thinking about was how YWAM Salem is affecting the world, and as you are all supporters of us, you are directly contributing to this amazing stuff!  Here is a pretty cool stat. Presently, we as YWAM Salem have 26 "frontline" missionaries in foriegn nations.  Many of them have in some way shape or form been a part of Gospel Focus Ministries, whether it be doing evangelism with us, training, etc... We have people in China, Cambodia, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Africa, Korea, Turkey, and Tanzania. In a year, we will be sending a pioneering team to the nation of Morocco.  The leaders of that team weekly partake in outreach with us.  I cannot express how amazing the faithfulness of God is.  Take a look and see what God is doin here at YWAM Salem at http://www.ywamsalem.org/.  Also, feel free to check out our Gospel Focus website as well at https://www.gospelfocusministries.com/

Pulpit to Pavement # 2

We hosted our second "Pulpit to Pavement" Outreach recently.  I was a bit disappointed at first as we had 27 signed up to attend, but in the end we had around 17.  I am so thankful for the 17 pastors and leaders who were able to make it, and we had a fantastic time of outreach.  Many new bridges were built with local pastors, and we look forward to our next Pulpit to Pavement this summer.  We had pastors participate in all 5 of our classic Gospel Guy outreaches as well as we took them on the buses to share the gospel. The day was challenging in many ways for many of them, but definately a good time.  I love these times, and am always amazed at how the Lord blesses these types of days.  Unfortunatley, I did not take a single picture and the ones I asked someone to take for us did not turn out!  So you'll have to take my word for it!

High School Students Becoming Bold

We continue to host a local high school every other week for outreach.  We have been taking them to college campuses, and have been so impressed with their boldness and willingness to grow.  We are so honored to have a local school entrust Gospel Focus with their students.  Continue to pray for guidance as we would love to branch out and see how we can help the homeschool community in Salem partner with us.

Do Leprechauns Exist?

In February we did some training at the Toolbox on the topic of truth.  As you know, we try and train people in whatever topic we will be discussing with people while on outreach the next month.  In March, we are talking to people about truth, so it was a great topic to dive into.  I always enjoy these training times, and the people who have been attending have become great friends and partners in ministry.  I even ordered a leperchaun costume to wear as we talk to people.  Stay tuned for those pictures...: )  The Toolbox continues to be a great way for Gospel Focus to help equip the body of Christ in our city.

Some slides from our training time