This popular song found a new meaning for us this week. We were heading to Dallas, but about 20 minutes northwest of Houston, a car pulled up beside us and was pointing at our trailer. As we pulled over, we noticed smoke! 

We had blown a tire on the mobile baptistery and were running on the rim! Unfortunately, our new trailer did not have a spare tire or a jack! There was an RV dealer close by, but they had already closed. The tire store in town had closed too! Welcome to Small Town USA!

We finally pulled limped the trailer…at about 5 miles per hour…to a truck stop down the road. They allowed us to drop the trailer overnight, until we could get help the next day. We drove back to Houston (the hotel in Small Town USA was pretty rough), and spent another night at the same hotel we had just check out of that morning! We were right back where we started!

The next day, Day's Tire and Auto Center in Waller, Texas, sent a mechanic to the truck stop to fix our tire. He was so kind and helpful. After paying for the repair (and purchasing a spare), we were back on the road!

Due to an incredible "revival" atmosphere, Pastor Lewis requested that we continue another week with the Pentecostals of West Houston. This is without a doubt one of the finest churches in Pentecost! Not only did we experience true revival with this wonderful church, we also made new friends!

If you or someone you love lives remotely close to this assembly…… encourage them to visit!  They will love the Lewis family.  While they are mightily used of the Lord… they are also easily entreated.

Each service was power packed, and contained a specific message for the moment!  His Word was confirmed "each night" and a multitude were filled with the Holy Ghost! 

Throughout the week, we focused our attention on the guests who came out for each service.  We made sure to leave our comfort zones, and "personalize" as many people as possible.  Although this took a little time… the results were visible from the very first night!  Almost all of the guests returned for each scheduled service.    

On Thursday night, God performed amazing works! Several people were physically and emotionally healed during the altar service.  To God be the glory! 

On Friday evening, we were honored to spend time with a portion of the leadership team.  What a tremendous time we had during the "open forum" question and answer session.  By the end of the evening, an openness took place, and some spoke about their painful pasts, and where God has brought them from….  

Saturday night was an especially powerful service. The presence of the Lord covered the sanctuary, and the Lord spoke directly to the congregation!  Many of these sweet people spent approximately one hour in the altar in deep prayer.  There was a heavy burden released for those that are outside of covenant relationship with the Lord.

Sunday morning the atmosphere in the sanctuary was electrifying.  An incredible display of praise and worship ushered us into the presence of the Lord. Many were filled with the Holy Ghost during this time.  At the close of the service, three more were baptized in Jesus' name, and many more received the Holy Ghost. (One young lady was so excited about receiving the Holy Ghost… that when she stepped into the water to be baptized….. she began to baptize herself……).

 

Sunday afternoon, the youth hosted a fund raiser for their homeless ministry.  The music along with the skits, as well as sincere praise and worship choruses… took this fun time to another level!  By far, this was the most exceptional youth event that we had ever been a part of.

Please check out the pictures from this event, as Bro Hodges & Sis. Katie were the dubious recipients of this Oatmeal Plunge experience!

Sunday evening was also a life changing service!  Many more were baptized and many more received the Holy Ghost during this service!    

As always, we give all the glory and honor to the Lord, and realize that He is worthy!  It is because of His goodness that great things happen……

As a final note, please do not discard the tremendous ministry of "door knocking."  Possibly, the reason that door knocking has received so much scrutiny is due to the intrusive/confrontational approaches that many have taken.  We teach biblical concepts that allow door knocking to be exciting, fun, and by all means, non intrusive!  (We must knock doors while there is time).

On a monthly basis, we see hundreds connected to the local assemblies via this door knocking ministry.  In fact, the majority of the guests that visit during the revivals we are connected with… are a direct result of door knocking!  And the overwhelming majority continue to attend that local church, long after we are gone.

The key to any outreach endeavor is "personalization"! 

In the near future, we will be selling a series of outreach oriented sessions that are sure to revolutionize your local "outreach ministry" endeavors.  The material will be easily absorbed, and the cool thing is that "everyone" in your local assembly can be effective in this type of outreach!

We love and appreciate each of our family members, friends, and fellow laborers in the Gospel.  Please continue to reach out to everyone…everywhere!

What an incredible time we have had with this great group of believers! Pastored by Scott Lewis, the Pentecostals of West Houston is a church that's on the move!  Brother and Sister Lewis are two of the kindest people we have ever met. 

Pastor Lewis recently broke his leg while playing baseball. He lined one off the wall in deep center, and was expecting the ball to go over the fence.  As he was rounding first base, he tripped over the first baseman, and broke his leg.  While I am sure that the true story is somewhat more balanced than the version I just relayed, the fact remains that his leg is still broken…. and it hurts!

We have grown to love and admire this pastor and his family in a short period of time.  His leadership is remarkable, and he places a great deal of trust and support into the leaders of this local assembly.  He is a people builder, as well as a fantastic prince of a man.

I was 15 minutes late for the first night's seminar on altar ministry.  I took a wrong turn or two, and then misplaced the keys to the toy hauler.  Fortunately, Bro. Oyer, the assistant pastor, held down the fort!

Our first revival service was Tuesday evening, and it was power packed.  Large crowds showed up throughout the week, as we saw at least 15 people receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and 11 baptized in the name of Jesus Christ!

The church has been so kind to Julie and me.  They have accepted us, and allowed us to feel as if we are part-of-the-team.

The outreach and personalization has been successful at every level.  The youth have caught the concepts, and they have performed at unprecedented levels.  They are unified in spirit and direction. 

Each day, they have joined us for several hours for outreach into their community, and they have done so with an enthusiastic attitude.  The atmosphere is electric, and filled with faith!  They are expecting God to add to the youth group, as never before!  Please click here for some great shots of these young folks, "Taking it to the streets!"

This past Sunday morning, we had 64 first time guests.  Due to an incredible job at personalizing each guest, the many of them returned for service that night!  Several Bible studies are on-going, and many are scheduled for the near future.

 

This is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse churches we have had the privilege of visiting!  What a tremendous environment!  What a tremendous vision! This is truly an environment that any culture, race, or ethnicity can come and feel "at home."

It's been wonderful being around my dear friend, Shon Husband.  He is doing an excellent job working in several strategic areas of this church.  He has developed into a tremendous tool in the kingdom of God, and his future is full of promise.

Georgette, his wife, gave birth to a beautiful 6 lbs. 4 oz. boy, Kelyn Kenneth Husband, on Wednesday. Congratulations to this family on their new arrival!

Although we were scheduled to be in Dallas this week, we have elected to remain an additional week with the POWH. Please keep this church in prayer during this special week.