NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

For those who have kept up with me regularly, you know that I started a pastorate September 27th.  I have spent my first 3 months getting to know people and laying foundations for following God.  In addition my travel has continued, but I have become selective in the opportunities that I take.  They are more geared to leadership audiences on the subject of prayer and spiritual awakening.

The two highlights have been speaking to the Illinois Baptists Pastors' Conference in November, and leading the Directors of Missions for the state of Alabama.  In both instances the people gathered were delighted and the Lord blessed our time with encouragement and renewal. 

I heard the best story since I can't remember when, and time mitigates against me recounting it in print, but the summary version is that approximately 600,000 Bengali Muslims have come to Christ in the last few years.  Most likely, about 100,000 of those group came through a man named Abdul.  He was ostracized by his family as a boy for asking questions in Islamic school.  They built a hut for him in the backyard and banished him to it, refusing to speak to him.  Eventually a Christian befriended him, and Abdul became a Christian.  He began preaching, receiving constant beating and eventually one so severe he was left for dead.  Undeterred he continued until eventually the village listened and from there this movement began.  I've left out so many wonderful details, but you get the picture.

Could you imagine what would happen in our culture were we to have the same zeal?

God's favor be upon you.