My Blog

Community of Faith A/G - Maryville, MO

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:26:42 -0600

Sunday, January 29th brought me to Community of Faith A/G in Maryville, MO and Pastor Andrew Lovins. I really liked the special timing that God once again has brought on the speaking schedule. Community of Faith is taking the steps to purchase and renovate a former furniture store on the Main Street of town. The picture above shows the Cross going into place , signage comes in a few weeks and the exterior work will be done. The church hopes to be in their new building by late Spring or Early summer.

This church took a large step of Faith and God is answering. The church is selling land that had been purchase many years ago for a future church home. A contract to purchase is in the works-so as you read this, pray for favor on this purchase of this chunk of land. Plus the church plans to put their current facility on the market soon. Pray it will sell quickly as well.

You can quickly tell, this action of faith is the desire to reach out and make a difference in their community and not a vain action just to have a newer building. God is challenging them to dream bigger than they ever have before and He is honoring their prayers. What an awesome day to see several make re-dedications to their faith as well. Great day, to be encouraged and to encourage! Exciting days are ahead for Community of Faith!

Garrett’s 8th Grade Team wins Conference - Again!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:23:47 -0600

Congrats to Garrett and the Nixa 8th Grade Basketball team! The team won the Central Ozark Conference for the second straight year. No other team in Nixa Jr. High history can make that claim, they are the first class to win back to back titles.

The team finishes the year with a 12-4 record. Garrett now moves to the baseball season. Normally I would be saying bring it on because I am sick of Winter. But, I am really loving this winter weather this year. High 40’s to temps in the 50’s and few days in the 60’s. Wow! What a winter.

Mixed emotion as I finish this post because, it brings the reality that Garrett is just a few months to finishing 8th grade, meaning the Jr. High years are done for us as parents and the High school years are all that is left. Grant will graduate in May 2014 and Garrett, May 2016. Boy will it go by fast. Hopefully a few more conference titles along the way.

Central Assembly - Sioux City, IA

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:31:55 -0600

Sunday, January 22nd led me back to avery familiar city, Sioux City, IA...Staci’s home town. Something that is unique about the Sioux City area is that all the Assembly of God churches are very close to a local high school. North High school is near First A/G; East High School is near Morningside A/G; and West High School AND Heelan (A Catholic school) is near Central Assembly even in South Sioux City, NE, South City High School is near river Hills Church. I look at this not as an accident but as Devine! How strategic?!

On this sunday morning I had the privilege to speak at Central Assembly with Pastor Bob Schoenherr. Pastor Schoenherr has been at Central almost 1 year and a half. What a difference in this congregation since I was here 3 years ago for a Sunday school class during a missions convention. People are growing, the church is growing, their is a freshness and energy. Exciting moments for this church are yet ahead.

I am excited too, to be able to brain-storm on some ways that the church could begin to build bridges with the local schools and develop relationships with the local principals. Relationships are hard work and takes time, but, as we pray and serve them, God will open doors of opportunity. So pray with me for Central Assembly as God leads them to coming alongside the schools near them! Thank you pastor Bob for the opportunity to come and be a part of your services.

30K Ask Me Challenge - Update

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 16:16:40 -0600

Since I posted this Blog post in September we have had almost $4,000 come in toward our project for the matching funds that is mentioned below. Keep praying with us!!

“I am so excited about the Animated/Video Gospel Presentation that Kent Hulbert is developing in partnership with Youth Alive. There is a critical need for a gospel presentation that utilizes contemporary media to clearly present the gospel of Jesus Christ to young people. If we continue to try to reach students using traditional methods, we will fail them. This generation is very media-conscious; their thirst for new mediums opens potential doors to otherwise hidden opportunities. Please prayerfully consider investing in this project. Your Involvement will affect the lives of many young people for eternity!” –Josh McDowell

Students are filling the halls of their school campuses, returning from summer break and excited about the possibility of reaching their mission fields with the message of Hope. To assist these Campus Missionaries in their evangelism efforts, we are developing the ‘Ask Me’ animated video gospel presentation. Light for the Lost is endeavoring to provide the funds for this exciting project.
Through the generosity of a private foundation focused on youth evangelism, Youth Alive/LFTL has been given a $30,000 Back-to-School Ask Me Challenge – a challenge to match, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000, development funds to support this adventure.

Donate:Ask Me Donation
What is the ‘Ask Me’ Project?
The ‘Ask Me’ project is designed to encourage student conversation centered around the statement ‘Ask me about Jesus’. The animated video project aims to present a multimedia gospel message to engage students through a variety of mediums such as an ‘Ask Me’ evangelistic website, apps for smartphones, downloadable resources, social networking sites, YouTube presence and other opportunities as they become available.   This Animated/Video Gospel presentation, in it’s final form will placed into numerous formats for students to use:  1. A Dedicated website where students can view presentation and:
a. Make a response to accept Christ. Working with Network 211, these students at this moment will have on-line follow-up if they have any more questions about this decision. We also have downloadable follow-up material for these students, free of charge, as well as find a local church near them. Already have this domain: www.askmeaboutjesus.com
a. Ask more questions: We will have an array of most common questions that student may ask and give apologetic answers. We currently have a developed a relationship with Josh McDowell and his ministry to provide this content.
 c. Direct link where to where students can share this presentation with others. Along with self-printable cards students can distribute to their friends, Desktop Wallpaper designs, e-invites, texting ideas.
2. ipods/iphone/ipad apps for similar type devices (Droid, IOS).
3. Download presentation to create their own DVDs.
4. Facebook app.
5. YouTube and other mediums as they surface.

The Challenge
The anticipated release date of the ‘Ask Me’ multimedia presentation is targeted for the start of the 2012-2013 school year. We need your help so we can begin the production phase as soon as possible to make this project a reality. Will you partner with us to reach the next generation of students with the gospel of Christ through the $30,000 Back to School Ask Me challenge? This donation matching challenge will enable students on school campuses across America to hear and respond to the gospel message. 
You can donate to the $30,000 Back to School Ask Me Challenge by:

OR BY MAIL: *Checks payable to Light for the Lost / Memo: 'Ask Me - 1855'
1445 N BOONVILLE AVE., SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802

First Assembly - Hannibal, MO

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:37:03 -0600

Sunday, November 20th brought me to First Assembly in Hannibal, MO with Pastor Aaron and Terri Gravett. Another neat part of the country I have never been to before. The area that inspired Tom Sawyer from the pen of Samuel Clemmens, aka.: Mark Twain. You definitely picture the story, the church is located on a beautiful hill top with an incredible view of the Mighty Mississippi river.

Pastor Aaron and Terri are bringing change to a very established A/G church. The worship, although using a lot of early 90’s music, Had a fresh edge to it. It just was a reminder to me. Too often as church leaders we rush to do current or new and forget some of the older music that can always be updated and still used with effectiveness. The Gravett’s had been the youth pastors in Hannibal before taking a pastorate in New York and then in 2007 came back and was elected Senior Pastor.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself with the Gravett’s, just real people who will share life with you. That is just so cool!
I’m excited for the direction of this church and what God is doing in it. Thank you Gravett’s for the opportunity to come!! This service brings the ministry travel to a close for the 2011 and begin to make plans for a busy 2012. Wow the years fly by.