The One!
This September, we took the trip of a lifetime to Italy. We had been planning this trip for quite some time. There were several reasons we put it off: COVID, a move to Florida to be close to our children and grandchildren, along with an unexpected health challenge.
Just when it seemed like Italy was just a dream way off in our future, our students presented us with an unexpected gift. They came together and gifted us an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy. We were blown away by their generosity and thoughtfulness. Everything about our trip was just fabulous! We posted lots of photos on Instagram and Facebook. But what we really want to share with you is one of the many encounters we had while we were there.
Those of you who know us well know how much we like meeting people. We truly love nothing more than making friends wherever we go. Running errands could take all day because we end up ministering to the people we meet along the way. Italy was no exception! One evening, while we were visiting Florence, we sat down to dinner next to an attractive couple. Grady started up a conversation with them, and before long, we found out that they were newlyweds visiting Florence from Venice. They were both very interesting and fun. The husband asked us how long we had been married and made a comment about how happy we seemed. Then he asked us, “What do you do for a living?” We told them we were ministers. Sometimes, when we say that, the conversation can be cut short. Not everyone is excited about talking to ministers of the gospel. But not this couple. The husband's eyes lit up! He told us about their wedding day and how he experienced so much joy that he said to his new bride, “My heart is so very happy! Surely there has to be a God!”
He had so many great questions for us. We sat with them sharing the good news of the gospel and how Jesus wants to have a relationship with us. It was such a special evening. We were so impacted by this supernatural encounter that we have shared it with so many of our friends and family.
You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” We thought that too. Here we are in this beautiful country experiencing so many wonderful places; why did this encounter stand out so much?
I asked the Lord during my prayer time about this, and the Holy Spirit reminded me to read over the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15.
Here is what it says:
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7 (NLT)
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.
This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
So Jesus told them this story:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?
And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.
When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
Imagine how all of heaven rejoices when we put value on one person. God values everyone, everywhere. There is absolutely no one who does not matter to God.
John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Think about that!
God loves everyone. This includes friends, family, and even our enemies.
This is God's love. It’s not a human kind of love based on good behavior. It is the unconditional love of a loving Father.
In Romans 8:38, Paul the apostle says this:
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you are “in Christ,” there is absolutely nothing that can separate you from His love. We are fully persuaded that God has called us to share this good news with everyone everywhere who is searching for the truth.
Not sure? Click on the “Contact” tab at the top of the page. There you will find our contact information. You may send us an email or give us a call. We are happy to walk you through the steps to help you understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
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Big News! May 28th
It’s been quite some time since we have shared any news with friends and family. We tend to post our day-to-day updates on social media. This news is a big deal, though—at least it is to us. After 23 years of being part of Charis Bible College, first as students and then as directors in Belfast, N. Ireland, Miami and Naples, FL, and Charlotte, NC, we are delighted to announce that we are stepping out into ministry as the evangelists God has called us to be. It's a big change for us, but…
Change can be an exciting new challenge for all of us. Our last year with Charis was truly one of our best and most challenging. Our graduating class was full of compassionate people who loved the Lord and had a great understanding of how much He loves them. In the spring, God started to speak to us about stepping out on our own. It's easy to ignore the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, but as we prayed it through, we realized we would be missing out on His plan for our lives if we did not put our complete trust in Him.
We have had a lot of encouraging words from friends, family, and partners to go for it, but in the end, it's really up to us to put our faith in His faithfulness.
Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”
We have been so blessed to be a part of Charis Bible College and Andrew Wommack Ministries. Charis is a great place to sit under the Word while being equipped to reach others with the gospel.
This is a new season for us. The message has not changed, but we are going about it differently. For us, stepping out means that we get to go out into the world and love others by sharing the good news of the King and His Kingdom, with signs and wonders following.
We are thankful to Andrew and Jamie for speaking the truth into our lives and trusting us with the Charis students. We love you both dearly.
We are so thankful for all of our students and volunteers at all of our Charis locations. It has been an honor to be a part of your lives. Thank you for helping us in so many ways. The list is too long to write out; you go above and beyond all that was required. We are forever grateful.
A big thank you to Wendell and Linda Parr. You have been the best examples to us of a godly couple, and we are just so thankful that God brought you into our lives. We love you both dearly!
To all of our friends and family: thank you so much for your continued support. You have stepped in and helped us through all of life’s challenges. Your prayers for our family, financial support, and fellowship have made the journey much sweeter. We truly love you.
This is the scripture we stand on:
In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Let's get out there and shine His love in the darkest places.
May His kingdom come, and may His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support over the years.
Big News…
It’s been quite some time since we have shared any news with friends and family. We tend to post our day-to-day updates on social media. This news is a big deal, though, at least it is to us. After 23 years of being part of Charis Bible College, first as students and then as directors in Belfast, N.Ireland, Miami, Naples Fl and Charlotte, NC, We are delighted to announce that we are stepping out into ministry as evangelists that God called us to be. It's a big change for us, But…
Change can be a challenge for all of us. Our last year with Charis was truly one of our best and most challenging. Our graduating class was full of compassionate people that loved the Lord and had a great understanding of how much He loves them. In the Spring, God started to speak to us about stepping out on our own. It's easy to ignore the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, but as we prayed it through, we realized we would be missing out on His plan for our lives if we did not put our complete trust in Him.
We have had a lot of encouraging words from friends, family, and partners to go for it, but in the end, it's really up to us to put our faith in His faithfulness.
Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
We have been so blessed to be a part of Charis Bible College and Andrew Wommack Ministries. Charis is a great place to sit under the word while being equipped to reach others with the gospel.
This is a new season for us. The message has not changed, but we are going about it differently. For us, stepping out means that we get to go out into the world and love others by sharing the good news of the King and His Kingdom with signs and wonders following.
We are thankful to Andrew & Jamie for speaking the truth into our lives and trusting us with the Charis students. We love you both big time.
We are so thankful for all of our students and volunteers at all of our Charis locations. It has been an honor to be a part of your life. Thank you for helping us in so many ways. The list is too long to write out; you go above and beyond all that was required. We are forever grateful.
A big thank you to Wendell and Linda Parr. You have been the best examples to us of a godly couple, and we are just so thankful that God brought you into our lives. We love you both dearly!
To all of our friends and family. Thank you so much for your continued support. You have stepped in and helped us through all of life’s challenges. Your prayer for our family, financial support, and fellowship have made the journey so much sweeter. We truly love you.
This is the scripture we stand on.
In John 10:10, Jesus said. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
Let's get out there and shine His love in the darkest places,
May His kingdom comes, and may His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support over the years
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