My plea for help...

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to you tonight to ask for your help.  If I were to be completely transparent with you, that's not an easy task for me.  The fear of man is a real struggle in my life.  My mind is constantly battling the thoughts of what others may think of me, or who I will inconvenience by my request?  I don't want to bother people, and often times, I think I can do things on my own.  However, the more I walk with the Lord, the more I realize that I can't.

Lately, I have been reuniting with some of the men I used to minister to at our homeless ministry in Norfolk, VA.  The other day, I had lunch with one of those friends.  I first met him in the streets in 2011.  As I met with him the other day, I realized just how much he has changed, since the first time I met him that chilly November night.  He's not just a homeless man that crossed my path, he's my friend.  He's someone I desire to spend time with, someone I learn from, someone who encourages me and someone who blesses my life.

After I dropped him off on Friday, I received a call from him later that night.  He was with another man, who was also homeless at one time.  They wanted to ask me some questions about the bible.  After I finished the call, I realized something...

I realized just how much these two men were impacted by the ministry that started a little over four years ago.  I realized how faithful God was to not only start the ministry, but to call others to work within the ministry and even carry the torch of this ministry, while our family moved to upstate NY.  These men have been impacted by so many faithful people.  People who were willing to sacrifice a Saturday night, spend their money to make sure they were fed, gather clothes for them, give them rides, and just listen to them.  

I thought about how different their lives may look without these faithful people responding to the call of God.  It's staggering to think about, really.  I know these men are not the only ones who have been positively impacted.  

I asked myself what were the things that changed these two men?  Why was I having lunch with one of them earlier that day, and why was I on the phone answering their questions about the bible on a Friday night?  

Here's what I came up with:

It was because people responded to the call of the Lord.  Not a special group of people, not a most holy group of people, not a more anointed group of people, but people who just wanted to say, "yes" to Jesus.  People who just wanted to fulfill the two greatest commands - to love God and to love people.

By now, most of you know that I have a fire burning in my heart to win souls.  I fully understand the cry of the great man of prayer - John Hyde - when he prayed, "Oh God, give me souls or I die!"  Once you see lives change because of the gospel, something happens deep within every fiber of your being.  A lost world saved, becomes your life's mission statement.  Your heart will be overcome with the burden of the Lord for those who are still wandering far from home.  

Many times, I've said to myself, "I've just got to take a break from ministry, I've got to take a year off, " but I'm not sure it's possible.  When the great commission stamps you, when it marks you, you'll never see the world the same.  When you see the hurt and pain in people, you just can't turn a blind eye.  It's not a light switch that turns on and off - we must continue.

With that said, on January 29th & 30th at 7 pm, we will be hosting two nights of worship in the inner city of Norfolk.  The focus of the two nights will be to reach the lost and hurting in that city.  New Life Church in Ghent has given permission to use the building, those two nights.  I have invited a very anointed worshiper from Charlotte, NC to come and minister through song and the gospel will be preached with power.  I believe with all my heart that we will see the power of God for salvation, healing and deliverance.  I just returned from Africa and I saw it there and I believe it can happen here too. 

This event is an evangelistic event meant for reaching those that wouldn't typically come into a normal Sunday Church service.  We want them to be refreshed in the Presence of the Lord and to hear the gospel!  

I need your help!  Can you help with the following:

1. We need people to invade the city of Norfolk with invitations to the residents there.  (Knocking on doors, going to the mall, walking through the streets, announcing it at ODU, NSU, etc.)  We want to invite as many people as possible.  Over two nights, we have an opportunity to reach 600 people.  Let's do that!
2. We need those with the gift of exhortation, those that can encourage those who come
3. We need those with the prophetic gift who can give the word of the Lord
4. We need those with the gift of healing to pray for the sick
5. We need those with the gift of hospitality
6. We need the intercessors waging war in the Spirit
7. We need the administrators who can help with organization
8. We need the body to be the body...we need the gifts to come together as one...

I believe as we become one, with our aim set on winning souls, God will meet us in a powerful way.  I believe that the story of the two men above can be someone else's story.  I believe God can use us and wants to use us.  Will you help?

If you can and are interested please email me at jimmy@acwow.org.  Thanks for considering.  God bless you all!

Jimmy

Happy New Year 2016

For the past couple of weeks, the words "Happy New Year" have been heard across the globe.  The celebration has been building, as the world anticipates the hope of a New Year.  Really, what people are excited about, is a fresh start, a new beginning, another chance to get it right.  The resolutions have been decided, the commitments have been made, but there's one sad fact that won't escape my mind...that in one or two months from now, many of those commitments will be broken.

Millions of people will fall back into the same patterns of life, that they've lived for decades.  This false hope will become another disappointment for many.  I write this, not to condemn anyone, because I am in the line of the guilty!  What I have described above, is my sad story too.  Your commitments have been my commitments and just the same I have failed.  Rather, I write this with another thought in mind.  A thought that will bring you true hope and real victory.  The hope that comes from not just settling for a new year, but I want you to have a new life!

Yesterday, I was working out at the gym.  I noticed many new people were there, filling out their new member applications, taking their tour of the gym, etc.  They have a hope that in 2016 they will get fit, they will lose weight, they will get stronger and they will change.  I noticed several posts on Facebook, where people were declaring what they were going to change, in 2016.  I also noticed several post that said, 2016 was going to be a better year than 2015.  I hope that statement is true, as much as anyone.  However, I realize that just because the clock strikes midnight and the annual calendar changes, that nothing will magically happen!  The New Year isn't a genie bottle, granting our every wish!

I left the gym with a sadness in my heart.  Usually, when that happens the Lord is trying to speak something to me.  I began to pray on my car ride home and the Lord spoke to me.  He said, "I don't want to just give a New Year, I want to give a NEW LIFE!"  He said, I don't want to just make people fit or take away a lifelong, bad habit, I want to make ALL THINGS NEW!  I want people to put their hope in me, not in the calendar changing!  I want people to rejoice in Salvation, not in the clock striking midnight!

I remember the day like yesterday...It was January 17, 1997.  The day that I found myself at the end of my rope.  I had just went through the New Year tradition a few days prior.  My expectations were high!  I was sure that 1997 would be the best year ever!  I wasn't sure why, but I just knew it would be.  Like everyone else, I had hope in the new year!  I knew that the previous trials and pain of life had to go away, eventually.  It couldn't possibly get any worse, it had to get better!  Isn't that really what the world thinks, every New Year's Eve?

Then, seventeen days later it happened....things got worse, things got much worse.  I was in and out of jail, strung out on drugs and alcohol, practically homeless, couldn't keep a job, couldn't pay my bills, etc.  At just 19 years old, I was at my lowest point in life.  I lost all ambition to go on another day.  I accepted the fact that I was destined for failure.  I would never make anything of my life and I would always be this way.  As much as I wanted to deny this, it was a reality in my life that my mind couldn't escape.

Then one day, as I sat on a cot in the county jail, a man came to visit me.  He was a local pastor in the area.  His name was Pete Cittadino and he was the local chaplain for the county jail.  Pete has since went on to be with the Lord, but week after week, he would wheel his wheel chair into that county jail and share the gospel with me.  I wonder what Pete is thinking now, as he looks down from Heaven.  I wonder if he got a crown for this once lost sinner, who he led to the Lord.  I sure hope so...

I was just hoping to get out of the "block" and talk to someone who might understand my problems.  I wanted hope.  I wanted to talk to someone who could tell me it would all be okay.  I didn't want to live like this, but addiction had me.  It wouldn't let go, as hard as I tried to escape its merciless grasp.  It had such a grip on me.  I wanted to hear someone tell me that I would make it, so I went to the church service, there in the jail.

In all honesty, I never was much of a church person.  It wasn't that I didn't believe in God, but he just wasn't of interest to me.  I thought all church people were judgmental, hypocrites, and self righteous.  Honestly, I thought church was just plain weird.  But, I went to listen to this man anyway....

As I sat in the service, drifting off, bored out of my mind, I heard him say something.  Something that made my ears perk like antennas.  Something that I knew I needed to hear him say again.  Something that gave me HOPE!  He said these words, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away, behold, all things have become new!"  I'll never forget how those words pierced me.  I'll never forget the feeling that ran through every ounce of my body.  

I pulled him aside and I said to him, "Pastor Pete, is that verse you just shared really true?  If so, how can it be?  How do all things become new?  How do the old things pass away?  It sounds to good to be true, pastor."  He looked at me with full confidence and said, "I know it sounds to good to be true, Jimmy, but it's the word of God and it really is true."  I replied, "I want to be new, I'm sick of living like this.  I'm sick of drugs, I'm sick of jail, I'm sick of being hopeless.  How do I get this new life?"  He responded, "You must be born again, you must be IN CHRIST."

If I were to be honest, I had no clue what that meant, but as desperate as I was, I had nothing to lose.  I said, Pastor Pete, I want a new life.  I want to become NEW!  Please help me!  Right there, he grabbed my hands and prayed for me.  I invited Jesus into my heart that day and I asked him to forgive me.  I confessed my failures and my weaknesses.  I was truly sorry...I was truly repentant.  With hands up...I surrendered and crowned him as Lord.

For the next few days, something was happening to me.  I couldn't stop crying.  I literally cried for 3 days straight.  I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I would just cry in my cell.  I was being washed clean by the Spirit of God.  I was being made new!  The old was streaming out, down my cheeks.  Every hurt, every failure, every addiction, every generational curse, every broken dream, every act the enemy tried to destroy me with.  I was falling in love with Jesus, right there on that cot.  I felt such gratitude in my heart, I couldn't believe that this could be true.  I couldn't believe that I could start over.  I couldn't believe that he took the punishment for every one of my sins and I could go free.  Again, it didn't make sense, but I knew it was true.  I believed it in the very depth of my soul.  For the first time, I had real hope!

From that day forward, my life slowly began to change and I've never looked back.  I've hit some bumps along the way, I've fallen down, but thanks be to God, he gave me strength to get back up every time!  

Here I am today, almost 20 years later.  Once a drug addict, now a preacher!  Once a lonely man, now surrounded by the joyous sounds of a family.  Once a broken man, now like Pastor Pete, sharing the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth.  Once an unreliable, irresponsible employee, now the VP of a very successful business that funds our ministry.  How could this be?  How did this happen?  I don't understand even to this day, but I received NEW LIFE because of the grace of God!  I accept it, because he died so I could have it.  He died so you could have it...will you accept it tonight wherever you are? 

Here's my point...The New Year is just another day.  Let me encourage you to make a resolution that will stick.  A resolution that is the only real resolution.  Make a resolution today to surrender to Jesus.  Let him make you new!  Surrender the past, so he can begin to rebuild your life.  He longs for your response.  He's waiting and eager to give you eternal life.  He's eager to give you abundant life!  I'm a living example that he really does make ALL THINGS NEW!  Not some things, ALL THINGS!

So today, if you receive this, I want to wish you a Happy New Life!  2016 and beyond will be your best days.  Please understand, I'm not saying you won't still have problems.  But I can tell you this, with integrity...what the enemy uses for evil, God will use for good.  Although, trials don't feel good in the moment they are producing something in us that will reveal the glory of God.  He will burn away the dross and make us like pure gold.  Not for our sake, but for his ultimate glory!

God bless you all!  May the joy of the Lord visit you through salvation today!

Jesus says to you today, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Open the door now...

In Jesus name,

Jimmy

When things get dark....we have hope!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep, AND...the Spirit of God was hovering...."

This verse gives me hope.  As I look around at our world today, it's obvious, much is happening.  It's obvious that things are getting darker and darker.

Tonight, I was having a bible study with my kids and I was answering their questions.  Adah said, "Dad, the pastor at church was talking about darkness today and how things were getting darker and darker, will we be safe?  Will we have wars?"

These questions affected me, because in my mind I want to ignore the dark things, the things that were prophesied years ago by the prophets.  We had better pay attention and we better be prepared, because those times are happening, right now.

No one understood Noah, while he was building his boat on sand.  People must have thought he was a crazy man.  Can you imagine...building a boat in a desert?  Can you imagine the looks he got?  Can you imagine the rumors?  What is this guy doing?  What a wacko!  What a waste of time!  What a waste of resources!  But Noah, heard from the Lord.  He knew what was coming.  He was a sheep who knew the voice of the Lord.

Well, there are many people who are walking the earth saying, "Yeah right, we've been hearing he's coming back for 2,000 years."  These "Christians" are crazy!  But what if...what if what they say is true?  What if, we are living in the times of thick darkness?  What if, everything that was said in the scriptures comes to pass?  What if...?

What will happen to my family?  What will happen to my children?  What will the world look like?

This may surprise you....but I have hope!  I'm excited for what's to come, because I've read the end of the story and WE WIN!  I do not fear the times ahead of us, because for those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, they will abide in the shadow of the Almighty!  He will deliver them from the fowler's snare!"  This is just one of the many promises found in God's word.  These are promises and he is the Great Promise Keeper.  He will never betray us.  He will never turn his back on us.
Even if we are faithless, he remains faithful!

Recently, I've noticed many people, pastors, church members declaring the doom and gloom of our country.  I've heard the "doom and gloom" messages.  This may get me into a lot of trouble, but there's no such thing as a "doom and gloom" gospel!  The gospel is good news!!!  If all we have is doom and gloom, where is our hope?  If doom and gloom is our destiny Christians, why do you follow the Lord?

The reason I love the first verse in this blog (Genesis 1:1-2) is for one reason.  Notice the first part, "The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep"  You see, if the verse stopped there, we would all be depressed.  I mean really...think about it.  The earth is formless, void, empty and it was pitch dark.  But hope comes in the latter part of this verse.  "And the Spirit of God was hovering."  You see, the Spirit of God could see in the darkness, the Spirit of God could move in the darkness and the Spirit of God was the only ONE who could do anything about the darkness.

I absolutely love what happens next...."And God said, let there be light" and there was light!  Praise God.  You see the Spirit was hovering, waiting for the word of the Lord to be spoken.  When the word is spoken, things happen!  The Spirit is hovering even now in the earth and even though it's getting darker and darker, when the word is spoken, things happen!  Will you speak the word of the Lord?

Look at Isaiah 60:1-2.  "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."  What a wonderful promise!  Here's another verse that without the latter part the first part would leave us hopeless.  More good news!

Here's the study I did with my children tonight.  We were in their bedroom all gathered around on the floor.  Well, they have some glow in the dark stars stuck underneath the top bunk bed.  The Lord spoke to me as I was reading them this verse.  As Adah, Noah, Nathan and even little Elsie had questions of what would happen, I was able to show them exactly why I still have hope and why they should too.

I noticed, when the door was open in the room the stars didn't glow.  They were somewhat bland to be honest.  So...I got up and shut the door and it was dark in the room.  All we could see were those little stars under the bed.  Elsie was a little frightened, so I turned on Noah's head lamp that he was using for reading.  You see, when the darkness came then the light was noticeable.  But those little stars were not enough to light that room, but that "head lamp" was.  But I must admit, when it was completely dark, those stars were pretty comforting.

My point to the children was when the Lord said, "For behold, darkness will cover the earth, thick darkness the people, but the Lord will arise upon YOU and his glory will be seen upon YOU!  Each of us who call upon the name of the Lord will be like one of those little stars.  People will be drawn to us, people will look to the only thing that shines a glimpse of light.

One last thing we noticed during our study.  When we shined the head lamp on the stars, the stars started shinning brighter and brighter.  They were kind of dull to be honest, but Noah had the bright idea of holding the head lamp right against one of the stars.  When the "head lamp" was pulled away, that star shined brighter than all the others.

Here's my point...

The darker it gets, the more people need the light.  Matthew 5:14 says, "You (we) are the light of the world.  A city on a hill that cannot be hidden!"  So praise God, I'm a light-bearer.  Praise God, that as the main "head lamp" shines on me, I shine brighter and brighter.  Christians, we must be basking in the light of His presence.  It's imperative!  We'll need to shine bright as things get darker.

So there is no doom and gloom for those who are walking in the light as he is in the light.  Darkness can't hinder light, but only make it more obvious.  Light becomes more valuable in the dark.  These are dark times, I agree.  However, I have hope because when things are pitch black, guess who will be there shinning as bright as the stars.  Those who are in Christ!  Take heart, be encouraged!  Jesus is Lord!!!

Blessings,

Jimmy

The Life of an Evangelist...

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ!  He is the way, the truth and the life!  He is the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end of all things!  The creator and sustainer, the image of the invisible God!  He's the author and finisher of faith, a friend of sinners who is full of compassion, abounding in love, mercy and grace!  He's worth everything we have, all of our lives belong to him.  He gives and takes away, he's the breath of life and the one who forms mankind from the dust of the earth.  This is the One who holds the keys to abundant life.  Without him, we can do nothing, but with Him all things are possible.  Who are we that he would not only save us, but commission us to take His glorious gospel to the ends of the earth?  We are looking for the city, whose maker and builder is God.  That's what we live for!

Over the past several months, a lot has happened in our lives.  Our ears are attentive to the voice of the Lord.  Although, we're not 100% sure of everything he is saying at this point, we feel like we've heard enough that prompts us to make some very important decisions.  

As an evangelist, there is one thing that keeps me up at night.  There is one thing that occupies my mind throughout the night and throughout the day.  It's the thought that millions of people are living on the wide road that leads to destruction.  Millions of people are struggling with addictions, have broken families, and are dying everyday with no hope.  Our world is in trouble!  So many people have never heard the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!  I've had a chance to interact with people all over the world who are working in regions where bibles are a rare commodity, and the gospel is unheard of.  Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the Kingdom must be preached throughout the whole world."  It must happen before the end will come.  

Our son Noah is 9 years old and the Lord has used him in mighty ways in our life.  For example, his favorite bible verse is Romans 10:14-15.  "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"   Along with the "Great Commission" this scripture is the hallmark of evangelism!  The Lord was gracious to give this verse to my 9 year old son.  He cherishes this verse so much, he has it engraved on a necklace that he wears around his neck.  

While I was praying about this verse, I had a question for the Lord.  What is the meaning of "beautiful feet?"  I didn't quite get it....But then, I had a revelation.  Feet are made for moving, feet transport people, people transport messages, but feet were never made so we can stand in one place.  The life of an evangelist is a life of moving, traveling, and literally taking this hope to the ends of the earth!

Recently, Laura and I have been praying about the things the Lord has put before us.  There seems to be some open doors for the gospel in other countries.  Right now, there are open doors in Migori, a small village near Kenya, Africa.  There is an open door for the gospel in Northern India (Himalayan Mountains), South India and even Pakistan.  Of course, this causes questions...

Also, over the past many months the Lord has been showing me that I am not a pastor, but a purebred evangelist.  I want to function in my calling, because when I do, the yoke is easy, the burden is light.  But, when I don't, I feel a heavy burden, I get tired, I get stressed out, weary and weak.  I must get back to the place of ministering to the Lord in prayer and preaching the gospel with power!

I feel like Laura, our family and I are in a place of mending nets right now.  For the past 2 years, we have thrown a lot of seed here in upstate NY.  We've covered the ground in this region.  Many people have heard the gospel, been changed by the gospel and are experiencing the freedom and restoration that comes from the gospel.  I believe the church here in this region has been strengthened, the lost have been found and the next generation of "Holy Spirit Filled Evangelist" have sprouted.  I believe the fire has been started, now it's time to move to stir up another region and to light another flame.  

This happened in the inner city of Norfolk, VA.  The ministry there still continues, because of faithful workers in the vineyard and I believe the work in Dolgeville and the surrounding areas will continue, as well.  We've learned that we may never see the final product of our work in a region, until the day we are caught up in the clouds with our Savior.  We start fires, fan flames and move on...this is the life of an evangelist.

Also, I believe as the spiritual leader of my home, it's time for me to serve my wife and children in this next season of our lives.  Ministry takes a toll on families, period.  In order for us to be effective, we have to be a healthy family unit.  God is serious about us caring for our families, they are by far the most important ministry he's trusted to our care.  When a family is strong, the work they do is effective.  If a family is weak, everything else suffers and things unravel quickly.  Now, I humbly lay aside my work here in NY to take care of my greater work - loving my family.  We will rest, mend our nets and move on to get ready for another catch!

Mending Nets:

We realize that if God is sending us to other countries, we will have to be well prepared.  If God is going to give us another catch, our nets must be mended and we must be strong enough for the work ahead.  

Right now, God has not released me from my full time occupation, which is very demanding.  I spend a lot of time away from home each month, leaving my wife and children at home.  Obviously, this creates a lot of extra work for my wife.  She home-schools our children, which is also very demanding.  Up to this point, we have lead a full time ministry, so when I return from my "tent making" work, I am busy with ministry work.  As you can imagine, this is very draining and doesn't allow me to devote adequate time to Laura and the children.

Now imagine, traveling for work 3 weeks per month, running a very demanding ministry here in NY and traveling to other countries to preach the gospel.  It's clear that this will not serve my family well.  Hopefully, you can see that we have to make some very important decisions.

We've decided that it makes sense to put our house on the market on June 29, 2015.  We are looking to move to Charlotte, NC.  Most of my customers are in this region and moving to Charlotte will eliminate much of my travel for my full time job.  This will allow me to stay close to home throughout the week and care for my family.

Also, I don't believe that God has called me to go into the ends of the earth and leave my wife at home.  She is my greatest asset and a real blessing from the hand of the Lord.  She's a faithful "helpmate" and there's no one I'd rather have at my side in the dusty harvest fields, than her.  This presents another problem...who will care for our kids while we are gone?  Well, thank God for Grandparents!  In Charlotte, we'll be close enough to receive help from both my family and Laura's family.  

Mending nets is an important part of fishing.  The nets have to be strong enough to hold the catch and as we know the catch is plentiful.  In the meantime, we will begin mending the nets while we're here in NY by focusing on our family.  We'll continue to be a part of the work that's happening here, until God opens the door for us to leave.

We hope our time here in NY has served to advance the Kingdom of God!  We've learned many lessons here, we've come to know God in ways we haven't thus far.  Most importantly, we've seen lives forever changed and that our work was not in vain!  

Jude 1:25 "To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

Together in the harvest,

The Foster's

The Sinner - Luke 7:36-50 (Poem)

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The Sinner

I wonder if she heard about the woman who was drug into the courtyard by her hair.  I wonder if she could hear the thunder of their accusations. I wonder if she was an eyewitness to the events.  I wonder if she could relate to the struggle of this women. I wonder if she thought to herself….”That could be me."  I wonder what she thought when she heard the words of Jesus, as he starred her in the eyes declaring, “Women, neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!”  I wonder if she felt like there was hope for her...

I wonder if she heard about the women who bled for 12 years, spent all that she had on doctors and physicians, who risked everything by going out into society that day, just to touch the hem of his garment.  I wonder if she felt this woman’s pain.  I wonder if she knew exactly how this women felt…

I wonder if she sat in the crowd, as He fed 5000 people, with a couple of small fish and some loaves of bread…

I wonder if she knew the boy who lived in the tombs, who had been run out of town by every person he encountered, I wonder if she heard the rumor that there was no hope for this boy, he was demonic.  I wonder if she was one of the ones that saw him clothed, sitting in his right mind, next to Jesus.  I wonder if her jaw dropped.  I wonder if she felt like there was hope for her….

I wonder if she sat on the roadside as He passed by in that little village.  I wonder if she witnessed the outcast, that blind man, as he stood up screaming, “Son of the Living God, have mercy on me!”  I wonder if she watched Him, as he grabbed that blind man’s face asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”  I wonder what she was thinking as the man said, “Sir, I want to see."  I would have loved to see her face, when the blind mans eyes opened for the first time!

I wonder if she knew the leper, the one who everyone wrote off, who everyone wanted to stay away from.  I wonder if she saw him skipping through town, clean, no more sores, accepted again, because of this man Jesus…

I wonder if she was in the front row, listening to Jesus, teaching to a packed crowd, when all of the sudden the roof opened up and 4 men were standing looking down through that hole.  I wonder what she thought, as they lowered him down.  I wonder if she stood up, in awe…wondering what they were doing.  I wonder what was going through her mind…

I wonder if she saw hope for herself, I wonder if she said, "I got to get to this man, He's the one!  He's the Savior, He's the one who holds the keys to life!"  He's the one the world has been waiting for, He's the one who holds my hope in the palm of his hand!"

I wonder if this is what was going through her mind, as she kicked in that door, as Jesus sat with the Pharisees having an evening meal?  I wonder if she was afraid.  I wonder if she knew that this was her last chance.  I wonder if she said to herself, “I don’t care what they think, I have to get to Him"

I wonder if when she walked in, she cared about the stares from the religious people.  I wonder if she pushed herself through the crowd of Pharisees, just to get to his feet.  I wonder if they tried to stop her, I wonder if it was chaos for a moment.

I wonder what she felt when she found herself at his feet, weeping, crying, sobbing…I wonder if she finally felt what all of the others felt…I wonder if she felt his amazing love embrace her like no other man, she had ever been with.  After all, rumor was, that she may have been a prostitute, in and out of the arms of many men.  I wonder if for the first time, she felt safe, secure and had a better understanding of what true love was.

I wonder….

The Lord is faithful again...

A sense of sadness filled my heart, as I stood in the baggage claim line at the Rochester International Airport.  Countless memories filled my head of the week that just past.  I had just returned from the Reinhard Bonnke, School of Evangelism in Orlando, FL.

A part of me longed to be in the dusty fields of Africa preaching the gospel to the masses, witnessing the cripples walking, the blind seeing and the deaf hearing.  I had just spent a week with modern day apostles and witnessed things, I've never seen before.  I saw the power of God operate like never before through ordinary men, with an immovable faith.

Can you imagine seeing fields of 3 million people crying out to God?  Can you imagine 100,000 people crying out to God for Salvation in one single meeting, at an alter call?  Can you imagine the fear of people suffocating because of the multitude of people pressing in to hear the gospel preached?  I couldn't imagine, but I did witness it at the School of Evangelism through a multitude of film footage, photos, etc.  

I was so excited, but when I hit that Rochester Airport, a sense of sadness came over me.  I was returning to small town America where I see little hunger for God, sin running rampant, empty churches and full bar rooms.  I prayed in that moment, "Lord, what could you do with this little town?  Send me to the plentiful harvest fields, like I see in Africa!"  Then, the voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "You're already here."  I said, "But Lord, these people are opposed to God?  This has been known as the "preacher killer region."  There are millions of souls crying out for the gospel in India and Africa, why not send me there Lord?"  He said, "The harvest is plentiful right where I've planted you!  People are suffering, families are breaking, addiction and bondage have ravished many lives.  This is a plentiful harvest!"

Fast Forward...It was a normal Saturday, as I drove back and forth on my riding lawn mower.  As I was mowing, I began to pray.  I began to ask the Lord where I should have our first gospel crusade?  I was eager to preach the gospel and the fire of God was burning in my heart.  Then, the Lord spoke to me...He said, "They're not coming to "church events," you'll have to go to their events."  I pondered what He could have meant, when I remembered the Little Falls Canal Days!  I felt a pounding in my heart, which is usually the confirmation that the Lord has spoken.  The following Monday, I began to inquire about how to get in and how we could participate in this event.  

The director was very friendly and welcomed my call.  I said, I'd like to provide a free cookout to the community, free bounce houses, live music and I'd like to encourage the community.  He did not hesitate to agree.  He said, "I'll give you Burke Park, if you want."  With no hesitation, I said, "Count us in!"

In the meantime, I received a call from a friend.  He said, "Hey, the Ilion Days Committee is wondering if you guys could do anything at this years festival?"  Of course, I was very intrigued, as I knew what the Lord said about not doing "church events."  I went to the meeting and before I knew it, we were signed up to host bounce houses, face painting, free popcorn, ice pops, nail painting, live worship and offered an opportunity to preach the gospel.  Again, we quickly agreed.

One small problem, these events cost from $500 - $1000.  We had the Ilion Days covered in our ministry account, so we just started with what we had.  We held the Ilion Days event and it was our first crusade in a non-church event.  It went very well and we learned a lot.  Six people made decisions to follow Christ that day and the Presence of God stamped Central Plaza in Ilion, NY.  When we finished, you could have heard a pin drop in the event.  The peace of God was all over.

Fast Forward...Christina Vedder has been amazing at organizing and making sure we have what we need for these events.  Well, the Canal Days was fast approaching and we only had $200 in our ministry fund.  However, we did have freeze pops, popcorn, etc left from the Ilion Days.  Shamefully, I called the director of the Canal Days and said, "Hey, we have lots of popcorn, ice pops and stuff left over from our last event, is it ok if we just keep it simple and not do the hot dogs and hamburgers?"  He said, "Well, I would be totally fine with that, but I've already printed the flyers, that state you would provide them."  I responded, "Okay, no problem, we'll carry on with the original plan."  However, when I hit end on my cell phone, I whispered, "Lord, you have to move and provide for this event."  

In our early estimates we came to a figure of about $800 that we would need to pull the event off.  Again, we only had $200 in the account and now we were two weeks away from the event.  As many of you know, we don't ask people for money, raise support or get donors.  Simply, we pray and ask God for everything.  (To date, He's never not come through)  

I walked up the stairs for our Monday night prayer meeting where we pray for various things.  A dear friend walked up to me and handed me an envelope.  He said, "Here, the Lord said to give this to you."  I had a feeling it was money, but wasn't sure how much.  I didn't open the envelope, but simply slipped it into my bible.  To my surprise....I opened the envelope after the prayer meeting to $600.  Exactly, what we needed for the crusade!  Other money began to come in through the mail and different donations and by the time we were done we had well over the $800 for our Little Falls, NY Gospel Crusade!  The Lord knew we would need extra....

When we arrived at 3 pm, I noticed that there was a big party tent set up and there were 8-10 picnic tables as well.  The picnic tables weren't there the previous day when I was there in the park to pray for the event.  The city of Little Falls set these items up for our event! :)  Again, the Lord knew every need.  We set up our sound system, our bounce houses, warmers for the food, etc.  All of the sudden, we started tripping our power strips.  Uh oh...now what?  Christina responded quickly and within 30 minutes, a couple of the city maintenance workers were on site plugging us into separate circuits.  Even that was such a blessing! 

There's one thing I've learned over the years of doing ministry in the public...the Lord cares more about the gospel being preached than I do.  He's got every detail!  

The event was underway...people were coming and going, passing through the park, some were setting up lawn chairs to settle in.  Shaun and Jenna began to worship the Lord and usher us into the Presence of the Lord!  You could sense the Holy Spirit all around that park!  It was glorious!  Then, I began to preach the gospel.  I preached about the prodigal son and the mercy and love of God.  I shared my own story of being a prodigal.  The Holy Spirit was moving and convicting of sin.  You could see it all over peoples faces.  Then, the alter call....I called people to repentance and had a heavy sense that the Lord was speaking to people, but no one came when I called.  I heard the Lord say, "Be still."  I waited and waited for an awkward couple of minutes, when a gentlemen stepped forward.  It wasn't long after a second man came.  I still waited...more people started coming.  It wasn't long after when 20-30 people stood before me, some weeping, hugging and crying out to the Lord.  Salvation invaded that park!  

It was a glorious moment!  These people had no idea that they would come to this park and meet a Savior that day.  They came for a community cookout, some bounce houses, etc.  However, they were the dearest people and God had a different plan for them.  That's why he provided everything, that's why he sent our team there and that's why he drew them there.

Next stop...Martinsville, VA.  Please pray for us if you think of us.

God bless you!

Jimmy 

Another need...

Greetings friends,

I trust this post finds you experiencing the tangible grace of God today.  Today is a new day, full of new mercies!  A fresh start, a new perspective, a new mind, a new heart.  Will you rejoice with me, for this is the day that the Lord God has made?

Many of you know, that "A Church Without Walls" was a ministry that we started back in 2011.  A friend of mine - Steve Zollos and I were having a bible study on Saturday morning and God began to move our hearts to bring forth this ministry.  

One of the things we felt strongly about was that God wanted to express his love by meeting the "practical" needs of his people.  Therefore, we started feeding the hungry in the inner city of Norfolk, VA.  Our goal is simple - "find a need, meet a need," while trusting God to pour forth the resources we need to help the hurting and the broken.  

You'll also remember that we attempt to do everything from the place of prayer, meaning, we don't just come up with good ideas to overload ourselves with "good deeds".  We actively pursue God in prayer and as we do he begins to twist and prod our hearts to what he wants us to do.  We're open to the Holy Spirit and we knew early on what Jesus meant when he said, "I only do what I see the father doing."  Doing ministry from the place of prayer is very fruitful.  

Many people have asked me, "What's your secret?  How did you get so many people to come to the Christmas Parade?"  Well, it's simple....One night I was praying and the Lord told me to do a Christmas Parade.  He gave me a lot of details and then the work began.  What you don't know about the Christmas Parade, is that it seemed like everyone I asked to help said they couldn't for some reason.  However, God was sending random people, many of whom, I didn't know.  He orchestrated the whole thing.  The good news about this is that they were hand picked by God.  What I witnessed through this event was totally amazing.  

Well, last night, Laura and I met with some dear friends.  God was speaking to me throughout our whole conversation with them.  After they left, I laid in bed praying and seeking the Lord.  It wasn't long after, God began to show me a need.  I couldn't sleep, the hound of heaven was communing with me.  Here's what he was showing me:

"I'm turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, I'm reuniting the family."  He began to show me how the enemy of our souls, sought to disrupt the relationship between Adam and Eve, causing the first broken relationship.  Then, he moved me to the story of Cain and Able and how directly after the disruption of the relationship between husband and wife, sin destroyed the relationship between children.  It was very clear that the enemy knew if he could break the family, he could hurt people.  That's what he's doing today all over the world.

From this place, I began to pray.  As I look around the world, I'm seeing more and more broken homes, more and more single moms, more and more fathers disappearing.  It grieves me to think about the men who've abandoned their children, their wives, their homes.  This has nothing to do with anything other than, "The enemy, seeking to steal, kill and destroy."  It's important that we remember that each man was created in the image of God, but the enemy lies and harasses us.  He desires to kill God's people, he desires to wreck our homes, he desires to break up our families.  We must recognize this, we must turn to the Lord. 

This my friend is a huge need in the region in which we labor.  Last night, the Lord made it clear that it's time to gather the men.  Therefore, this Wednesday we will begin to meet as men at The Village House of Prayer at 6 pm.  "MEN OF VALOR" that's who he calling us to be.  Men of honor, courage and bravery.  I believe that as men stand up, as they begin to stand at the door post of their homes, honoring their wives, protecting their children, providing and caring for them, we will experience refreshment in our land. 

Men, will you join me?  Will you stand up with me and fight this giant?

God bless you all,

Jimmy