The past week, we had a chance to get-away for a few days in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We met up with Johnny and Sherry Perry, and their daughter, Maci, from our home church in Lufkin, Texas and started the LONG drive to the Smokey Mountains. It was well worth the trip!! 

Johnny Perry currently serves as the Assistant Pastor at Cornerstone UPC.  They are a great family that know how to have fun.  We miss them, as they were our neighbors until we engaged in full-time evangelism. Maci has grown up, quickly, and is becoming a beautiful young lady.  She certainly added many extra laughs on this vacation.

The Perrys have always been known for their close-knit family.  They enjoy each other's company, and somehow, after 19 years, Maci still likes hanging out with her parents!  This speaks volumes about this family.

Ken and Johnny love to flip into one of their many characters, and carry on conversations that "apparently" only they can understand!  Last Christmas, they took their Laramie & Cletus show on the road.  Hopefully, this year will be no exception.

En route to Gatlinburg, we learned that our good friends, Tim and Holly Downs, were also taking a few days to rest and they agreed to make to the long journey, as well. This family is incredibly used in the kingdom of God. They travel year round teaching outreach/soul winning concepts.  It was very refreshing to be with our friends.  We had great times, making great memories, and got the much needed "away-time."

Jayme Tharp, our dear friend from Knoxville, was kind enough to reserve a cabin for us, so that we could really get "away."  We would be without cell phone coverage, without wireless internet, and without a working commode!  Although his intentions were good, we noticed that the cabin had not been updated in approximately 50 years…

Secondly, we discovered that the rooms had not been cleaned since the last tenants.  For proof of this, we need not look any further than the master bedroom and bathroom.  There was plenty of evidence located within the commode…. to ensure us that our assumptions were accurate!!!  A handful of towels that had been used for ulterior reasons, were also left on the floor!

After two minutes of looking through this "unique" cabin, we were convinced that we would rather drive back to Texas, than sleep there! What a memory this will be!!!

To our dear friend, Jayme Tharp, we hope he is reading this….  It really wasn't his fault.  He had not been in this cabin, and there were plenty of others to chose from…..  We just want to give him a hard time!   

We packed our things, once again, and headed for the main strip in Gatlinburg, praying that the Lord would help us find a nice place to spend our vacation.  He certainly did!  We found a two bedroom, recently, renovated, condo, that was one block from the main street… and the commodes even worked!  What an incredible condo, with an incredible view! If you are ever in Gatlinburg, stop by the Grandview Cabins and Cottages. 

While in Gatlinburg, we enjoyed wonderful dinners, exciting entertainment, wild rides (well…Johnny and Maci did!!), saw bears, hiked rivers, played mini-golf and even got some rest!!!

On Sunday, we were in service with our friends, Jayme and Rose Tharp and NLDM. This dynamic church just renovated their new sanctuary. It is unbelievable!  Their website is close to being completed,  and they are taking it to the next level! The worship was amazing! The response was tremendous!  What an incredible time we had with one of our favorite churches!

Northgate Pentecostals in Colleyville, Texas is pastored by our great friends, Brent and Gina Jones.

Brent and Gina Jones, along with their beautiful girls, Rylee and Sydnee, are a "touchable" family and a wonderful example of true Christianity.  

After teaching soul winning, personal evangelism, and lifestyle evangelism concepts….. we spent some time in the community putting these things to work.  Within minutes of leaving the sanctuary, Bro. Jones met a Hispanic family that was cooking-out in their backyard.

He "personalized" this family, made an instant connection, and was fortunate enough to receive a personal invitation for dinner!  Although he continued to knock doors, and hand out fliers, he assured this family that he and his wife would return, in a few hours. (Later, Brent and Gina returned to this residence for a wonderful meal, and great fellowship). 

As a result of this personalization…. Linda was our first visitor on Mother's Day!  And believe it or not, she was the last person to leave (including the church members).

During the Mothers Day service, Gina's sister, Telica, was the recipient of Northgate's mother-of-the-year award!  This truly amazing lady has faced a life altering disease… and has maintained the "fruit of the spirit," like no one else we have met!!!

Her testimony is encouraging for all, and life changing for her immediate family members and friends.  Without obtaining her release, I will not go into details… However, I will tell you that the only words that she can speak with ease are, "I LOVE YOU!" Her inspiring story is absolutely amazing.  Her son, Luke, honored his mother with a Mother's day speech that was very moving. 

During our outreach efforts, we were able to connect with, and "personalize" a numerous amount of people!  The entire church is excited about, and believing God for a large harvest, in the near future.  Although the harvest will not come without work, I am believing that several in this church are ready to go to work!

During our time together with his church, we grew to appreciate several people who spent time in their community reaching for "missing" people.

We also want to thank Jose, Robert, Tony, and Richard, for their help with outreach.  These guys drove over one hour to assist in reaching the Hispanic community.  This is an Apostolic concept! (Special thanks to Pastor Tom Foster who released these men to help our outreach endeavors!)

The following Sunday, we all agreed upon a "goal" of 40 first time visitors.  We wanted as many as the Lord would allow; however, in an effort to personalize each guest, 40 visitors would be a realistic number. God blessed our efforts, and we had over 50 first time guests in service!

After the service, the church grilled hot dogs, and "personalized" each guest!  We were so amazed at the number of guests that stayed and ate lunch.  Some two hours after church service ended, many guests were still hanging around…enjoying a time of fellowship!

By Sunday night, the retention efforts were in progress.  Brent and Gina, as well as several others, were planning their week of "follow-up."  Many church members left that service with a renewed passion for loving, reaching, and be-friending the people of their community. 

We are so excited about the future of this church!!! 

To our friends, Brent and Gina, we would like to thank you for a great two weeks together!  Thanks for your friendship, and your incredible leadership in the kingdom of God! You are real "heroes" of faith!

IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE PENDULUM HAS BEGUN ITS JOURNEY TO THE OTHER SIDE.  A PARADIGM SHIFT HAS OCCURRED, AND MANY ARE JUMPING ON BOARD TO RIDE THIS WAVE AS FAR AS IT WILL GO. 

FRUSTRATED PASTORS ARE REFRESHED AND LAITY ARE EXCITED.  SOUL WINNING HAS RESURFACED, AND WE ALL KNOW IT'S BEEN WAY-TOO-LONG!

*SOUL WINNING IS NOT A HIP TERM, NOR IS IT A NEW IDEA. 

HOWEVER, WHEN THE OUTREACH FRENZY IS OVER, AND THE "NEWNESS" WEARS OFF…. WHERE WE WILL BE??????????????

AS THE CLOCK CONTINUES TO TICK, AND THE EVENTS OF THE END TIME PLAY-OUT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES…. LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT BROUGHT US HERE!   

ALLOW ME TO SUGGEST THAT THE KEY TO END TIME REVIVAL IS NOT ANOTHER FANCY SERMON.  IT'S NOT HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN PUT INTO THE OFFERING PLATE.  AND IT SURE ISN'T THE POSITION THAT WE HOLD IN OUR LOCAL ASSEMBLIES…

I AM CONVINCED THE ANSWER IS "LIFESTYLE  EVANGELISM!"

……………………………..

CURRENTLY, I AM TEACHING A SERIES ENTITLED, "LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM: GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS."

IT IS A SERIES OF BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN BE UTILIZED EFFECTIVELY BY EVERYONE!  

ARE YOU TIRED OF DEFERRING TO THE "SPECIAL" PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS?   FRUSTRATED WITH AN INEFFECTIVE OUTREACH PROGRAM?  LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSONALITY?

*LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT GOT US HERE…….. 

*LET'S GET BACK TO LIVING AN INTENTIONAL LIFE!

*LET'S GET BACK TO DAILY EVANGELISM.

*LET'S GET BACK TO SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH EVERYONE!

*LET'S GET BACK TO: LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM!

IT STILL WORKS!  

We just finished a wonderful week with Pastor Randy Penrod, his great family and the sweet people of Calvary Christian Fellowship. This church went out of their way to make us feel welcome and a part of the team! 

Wednesday evening, we taught on Lifestyle Evangelism and encouraged the church to personalize everyone. We met again Thursday night and watched the Lifeline DVD and taught on practical steps in outreach.

Friday and Saturday we battled rain, but between storms, we were able to get out into the community and met some kind people who are also hungry for God.

By Sunday, we had 35 first time guests. With guests and "home folk", this came close to, or broke, the church's attendance record! We placed an emphasis on interacting with the guests and letting them know that we appreciated them.

We are excited about what God is doing in Fairborn and believe greater things are just around the corner for this church!