Celebrate King Week by celebrating the gift of life

The above video is Dr. Alveda King, whose father Dr. A. D. King was killed in the civil rights struggle one year after her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down in Memphis...Dr. Alveda knows much about costly struggles and causes that require all that we have to give.

The heroes of the civil rights movement own a rightfully deserved place of honor in the history of this nation.

My own brush with this movement was brief, but very meaningful.

I marched with Hosea Williams in Cumming, Georgia in 1986. I was serving as a Southern Baptist area church planting leader in the area north of Atlanta. We were trying to plant some new churches in Forsyth County and frankly we ran into opposition in part because we were planting integrated churches...this was 1986 not 1946.

About this time Hosea Williams had led a small peaceful march through Cumming during which time his little group was attacked with words and flying objects. Several weeks later Rev. Williams called for a major march in Cumming. The organizers of that march invited the local clergy to join them...it was one of the greatest honors of my life to be a part of this event, it is a memory I will always cherish. Thankfully things changed rapidly in Forsyth County, Georgia, we planted North Lanier Baptist Church and since that time scores of new churches have been planted...churches that embrace all races. I know its not much of a "civil rights" history, but it is mine and from that moment to this I have remained passionate for this issue.



Which brings me to the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday, I am thrilled to announce that the Light House is hosting an amazing weekend with Dr. Alveda King. Dr. Alveda King is the niece of the late Dr. MLK. Not long after she lost her uncle to an assassin's bullet, her own father too was killed in the struggle. I can think of no one more suited to help us focus on the life and ministry of the King family than Dr. Alveda King - you see Dr. Alevda has dedicated her life to the protection of the unborn. She is a passionate speaker who will along with sharing the great tragedy of abortion will offer real solutions for our generation.



It was in January when the Supreme Court opened the flood gates for abortion in Roe VS. Wade. It is tragically ironic that as we move from a month when we celebrate the birth of the most amazing baby in history we move into a month that can be connected to the loss of more than 48 million babies since that fateful day in January 1973.

Please take the time to come and hear Dr. King on January 9Th, 7pm at Wornall Road Baptist Church 400 West Meyer (corner of Meyer and Wornall in the Brookside area of Kansas City) and then join her for a very special breakfast 8:30am at United Believers Church 7546 Troost in Kansas City, there is no cost for either event. Learn more at http://www.lighthousekc.org/.

In the middle of a miracle

I am completing four months as the Executive Director of the Light House. www.lighthousekc.org.

Each week our committed staff reach out to more than 20 young ladies who are in need of love, compassion, direction and guidance. Each year more than 500 young ladies call our 24 hope line seeking help with a pregnancy. During its 24 year history, God has used the Light House, its staff and supporters to rescue more than 1100 babies...and so much remains to be done. For the first time in 15 years the teen pregnancy rate in the USA is rising once again. For the first time more and more young teenage girls are choosing to become pregnant, and fewer are choosing adoption.


These young ladies need our help, their babies need our help, their fathers need our help...they need to know first hand the Gospel of Jesus, they need to know first hand that they can break the cycle of poverty and teen pregnancy, they need to know first hand that there are Christians who are reaching out to them and their babies.

Our ministry is a costly ministry...in many ways. It is also the most rewarding ministry with which I have ever been involved. Almost all of our funding comes from individuals who, under the leadership of God entrust us with funds to carry out this ministry. There is often "just enough" and it is often "just in time".

As we open the generous gifts of our donors we at the Light House are indeed touching a miracle. As our expenses have grown, as have yours in your own home or business, the need to save life continues to grow as well. Everyday in this ministry we pray that God will give us our “daily bread” and every day He does.

Recently we were near the end of the month and our financial resources were stretched to the limit. One of our staff called to express and immediate need of one of the young ladies in our home, this need required expenditure that day. As I examined our cash flow I knew it would be a challenge to meet that need. So, we prayed…and opened that day’s mail….and there it was, just enough money given by our generous donors to met that immediate need. You can be certain that when you send a gift to the Light House God is using your gift to save the life of a baby in the womb while providing hope and help to a young lady. You can also be certain that your gift on that day was a direct answer to our prayer. Finally, it is highly likely that your gift will be used that very week, maybe even that very day to directly impact the lives of a young lady and her baby.

Thank you for your ongoing support of God’s work here at the Light House, every gift is an answer to prayer, every gift is a miracle.

Only Trust Him...only trust Him now

Growing up as the son of an SBC pastor, I can't begin to imagine the number of times I have sung that famous old invitation hymn, "Only Trust Him". Here I am now, almost 50 years old, and every day I learn to trust Him more and more. The older I become, the more He proves His providential care to me.

I am serving in a role now, as the director of maternity ministry where the needs are great, every single day. When you care for six to ten pregant teens in a residential setting and three times that many in other settings, when you understand that one in four teen girls has an std, when you realize that for the first time in a decade the teen pregancy rate is rising, when you see how human life is devalued in our culture...you understand just how great the needs really are....and when you look at the bank account, you realize how small the resources appear. Yet, the resources are not small. God is all over this ministry...He continues to bring young people to us that need hope. He continues to cause Godly men and women to suport this ministry with their time and treasure. And He continuly reveals that He is able to meet each and every need.

A week ago I had no idea how we were going to find the resources that we so desperatly needed. But God knew, and He provided. How alive we feel when we live by faith. Walking on the water, falling in, getting wet and being carried back to the boat by Jesus is a far better experience than just hangin' out in the boat. No doubt one of the weakness of the church in America today, is that with all of our resources, all of our wealth, we don't have to live by faith. What a loss.

Now back to Muller.

In recent days as I felt the pressure of meager resources combined with mega needs,I was drawn to the story of George Muller. His life is a powerful inspiration to me. The following is a portion of a message by John Piper concerning Muller.

"George Mueller was a native German (a Prussian). He was born in Kroppenstaedt on September 27, 1805 and lived almost the entire nineteenth century. He died March 10, 1898 at the age of 92. He saw the great awakening of 1859 which he said “led to the conversion of hundreds of thousands.” He did follow up work for D. L. Moody preached for Charles Spurgeon, and inspired the missionary faith of Hudson Taylor.

He spent most of his life in Bristol, England and pastored the same church there for over sixty-six years...

In 1834 (when he was 28) he founded The Scripture Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad, ....Five branches of this Institute developed:
1) Schools for children and adults to teach Bible knowledge,
2) Bible distribution,
3) missionary support,
4) tract and book distribution, and
5) “to board, clothe and Scripturally educate destitute children who have lost both parents by death."

The accomplishments of all five branches were significant, but the one he was known for around the world in his own lifetime, and still today, was the orphan ministry. He built five large orphan houses and cared for 10,024 orphans in his life. When he started in 1834 there were accommodations for 3,600 orphans in all of England and twice that many children under eight were in prison. One of the great effects of Mueller's ministry was to inspire others so that “fifty years after Mr. Mueller began his work, at least one hundred thousand orphans were cared for in England alone.”

He did all this while he was preaching three times a week from 1830 to 1898, at least 10,000 times. And when he turned 70 he fulfilled a life-long dream of missionary work for the next 17 years until he was 87. He traveled to 42 countries, preaching on average of once a day, and addressing some three million people....
From the end of his travels in 1892 (when he was 87) until his death in March of 1898 he preached in his church and worked for the Scripture Knowledge Institute. At age 92, not long before he died, he wrote, “I have been able, every day and all the day to work, and that with ease, as seventy years since.” He led a prayer meeting at his church on the evening of Wednesday, March 9, 1898. The next day a cup of tea was taken to him at seven in the morning but no answer came to the knock on the door. He was found dead on the floor beside his bed.

The funeral was held the following Monday in Bristol, where he had served for sixty-six years. “Tens of thousands of people reverently stood along the route of the simple procession; men left their workshops and offices, women left their elegant homes or humble kitchens, all seeking to pay a last token of respect.” A thousand children gathered for a service at the Orphan House No. 3. They had now “for a second time lost a ‘father'.”

He had read his Bible from end to end almost 200 times. He had prayed in millions of dollars for the Orphans and never asked anyone directly for money. He never took a salary in the last 68 years of his ministry, but trusted God to put in people's hearts to send him what he needed."

You can find the entire message about Muller on Piper's web site at ww.desiringgod.org

We are hitting the beach

It was without a doubt the "greatest generation". It has been said that D Day, June 6 1944 was perhaps the single best example of the greatness of that generation. As our troops were pinned down, they would seek a radio operator with a functioning radio who could communicate to the great ships off the coast and lead them to direct their fire toward the enemy strong holds.

John Piper reminds us that prayer is among other things "war time" communication. As we move from the safety and comfort of our "home" shores and take the battle to the enemy, we need the power of God to be focused on those "strong holds" of the enemy. Piper further reminds us that prayer is a powerful tool that far too often is used far too little.

The Light House is in every way, attacking the darkness with light. We are passionate about saving human life, saving children in the womb and we are passionate about the saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To that end, God is moving among us and providing real and exciting opportunities to expand our work. At the same time we are facing extreme attack by our adversary. So, here I am, calling on you to pray for us. Pray for God's provision, His protection and His guidance. I am convinced we will soon move toward victory, a victory that only God in response the prayers of His people can provide

There is grain in Egypt

Gen 42:1 When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
Gen 42:2 And he said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.

On March 30, 2008 I preached from this text at The church@brookside.While reading Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening (a must read for every believer!) I was blown away by Spurgeon's insight on this text, God seems to speak to me every time I read Spurgeon's words. As it has often been said, it's a pretty good idea for all of your spiritual heroes to be "dead guys" because there is no chance for them to fall into a moral failure.

Spurgeon correctly draws a parallel between God's provision for Jacob in his day and God's provision for Christ's followers today. There was no way for Jacob to foresee the life saving provision of grain (in the midst of a great famine)which God would provide. Likewise we receive God's full and abundant provision for our lives from the most unexpected sources. To carry the Biblical truth even further, the provision of grain in Egypt was made possible because of the sinister plot of Joseph's brothers to sell him off as a slave to Egypt. What man meant for evil, God used for good....pretty cool, huh?

In recent months I have witnessed my own "grain in Egypt" story. As you know 2 years ago I began to lead a little band of mostly elderly believers to replant the once great Wornall Road Baptist church here in Kansas City. From a small group of 20 with no money and very few resources, God has given us great abundance. Our attendance is well over 100 and we enjoy connecting to 4 "daughter churches" who share our building. Money has never been a problem, God has always provided, leadership has never been a problem, again God has provided.

Today in our worship service we ordained to the pastoral ministry Kumar Venugopal, Kumar was born in India and raised as a devout Hindu. Today, by the sovereign grace of God Kumar is a Christian. Beyond his conversion, God has richly gifted him as a teacher, preacher, evangelist and leader. Our church needed a pastor to serve on our team who could lead in the area of evangelism...Kumar is that pastor. For those of us at The church@brookside, there was "grain in India". God met our need from the most unlikely of places...pretty cool, huh?

Now I am praying for grain for the Light House. My full time voactional ministry is serving as the Executive Director of the Light House. The Light House is a ministry to mothers and their babies. We are a state licensed residential maternity home and adoption agency. We have assisted with more than 1000 births and 350 adoptions.

In recent weeks the number of young ladies we are reaching has steadily increased as have all of our expenses. Mother's Day is a big day for the Light House, nearly 40 area churches will conduct special "baby bottle offerings" for us. But for now, and I mean today, we are facing critical financial needs. Daily we pray for God's provision, and today is no different. This coming week is critical for us. Our "grain bins" are empty...and yet we know there is grain in Egypt...maybe you are the one, like Joseph in Egypt through which God will chose to supply our need. If you have been patient enough to read this blog to this point...it maybe because God is going to move you to provide the "grain". In all of my 25 years of ministry, I have never faced a week like I am about to face...our ministry needs are so great, and our resources are simply not enough.

Each day as we open the mail at the Light House we are blessed by our partners who support us, and do so faithfully...but for this week, for the time between now and Mother's Day the donations from our regular partners will not be enough. Yet, the grain will come...and next Sunday evening I look forward to sharing with you a very current "grain" miracle...and maybe God intends to use you in that miracle.

the very best wine

As I have assumed the Executive Director role at the Lighthouse www.lighthousekc.org
I have been drawn toward the story of Jesus recounted in John’s Gospel, chapter 2. In this story our Lord turns water into the very best wine. He chooses to accomplish this task by asking the servants to fill several large jars with water. John records that the servants filled the jars “to the brim” and then He turned the water into wine. The effort of the servants was needful, but not sufficient. In addition, their commitment to fill them to the brim made possible all the more wine for all to enjoy. Our (my) labor and obedience is needful for this ministry, but it is not sufficient. Only the divine intervention of Christ will turn our labor into “fine wine.” This ministry requires much of its leaders, volunteer, partners and donors all of which is needful, but without the Spirit of God it is not sufficient. I can say without reservation that on numerous occasions in recent weeks I have witness diligent, committed labor and giving by our Lighthouse family, and time after time I have seen the very hand of God respond to that commitment and pour out His blessing on this ministry.

It has been my privilege to serve in a variety of ministry settings over the past 25 years, but none compare to the urgency and uniqueness that is the Lighthouse. Yesterday I picked up the phone here in the office, the caller was leader from a teen shelter. She said she had a 15 year old girl at the shelter that was pregnant and she had no place to go, no one in her family would take care of her. After I explained the nature of our ministry and our willingness to reach out to this young lady, the caller was so impressed by the compassion and scope of our ministry, she asks if she could get a job with us.

Twice in recent weeks we had an opportunity to minister to two young ladies who were instructed by their parent to get an abortion, or don’t come home. Because of your passion for life realized by your commitment to this ministry, there is a place for young ladies with no where else to go. There is a place for that precious new life to be loving received. Because of your sacrificial work and the blessing of God – there is truly a Light House for those who need shelter from the storm.

Our expenses at the Light House, just like yours have increased in recent months. Gas, utilities, food, insurance all cost more today than a year ago. The need is great and it is growing. There are so many young ladies who have no where to go, there are so many precious little babies who need your help…for these little ones it truly is a matter of life and death. Ask God what He would have you do, be like the servants in John chapter 2, bring in the “water” and let God perform a miracle. To put it plainly...if God moves your heart..don't miss out on the miracle, give and I promise it will be used to directly impact the life of a young lady and her newborn baby, meeting their physical needs at the same time communicating to her the truth of the Gospel

I see the light!

2008 marks my 30th year of church planting. As a college freshman in 1978 I was called to become the first pastor of a brand new church (split) in Liberty, MO. We met in a storefront above a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner office. Since that time I have had the unbelievable privilege of planting a dozen churches and serving as a church planting leader Nationally, Statewide and most recently locally in the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association.


I have had the incredible excitement of being around hundreds of church plants in these 30 years and hanging out with some awesome leaders like Peck Lindsay, Charles Channey and Paul Johnson.


By all accounts it appeared that my remaining years on this earth would be focused on church planting. My DOAM retired at the end of 2007 and I had submitted my resume to the Associational search committee. Many of you, my closes friends had provided letters of encouragement to me and recommendations to the committee. I was really blessed by your support.


Recently I picked up a book at the suggestion of the new President of the North American Mission Board, Geoff Hammond. While hearing Hammond speak to a group of us a few months ago he remarked that a book by Erwin McManus had impacted his life in a big way. That book was "Chasing Daylight'


I quickly found the book (go out and buy it today!) and began to read it, and then share some of its insights in my sermons at Wornall Road. (I have been working for two years to replant an urban church called Wornall Road, and I am having a blast! God has shown up among us and the last two years have been amazing)


As I am reading a preaching the topics in this book, God is revealing much about Himself to me and much about my life to me as well. McManus concludes that sometimes the very blessing of life became a hindrance to living a life of faith. In other words the more we are blessed with, the more we risk losing when God calls us to an uncertain future. McManus reminds us that we often require provision as a basis for vision, when in fact the scripture makes it clear that vision proceeds provision. McManus unpacks these truths in the context of the story of Jonathon and Saul found in I Samuel chapters 13 and 14. As you recall the Philistines were causing trouble as Saul was camped out under a pomegranate tree with his army of 600 Saul was afraid to move, he was afraid to loose his army. Meanwhile, his son Jonathan instructed his armor barer to go with him to fight the philistines because God may give them the victory….and off the two of them went, headlong into an uncertain future, but moving directly into the will of God. Too often churches and leaders are so concerned with “holding on” to what we have that we fail to see the opportunity that lies before us in the risk of the journey. You can listen to the sermon (shameless plug) on this topic on the Wornall Road website at www.wornallroad.org, go the audio archive and the title is “an uncertain journey” dated November 11. Little did I realize the impact of that sermon on my own life.

I told you this book was having a profound effect on my life…really profound. I had always assumed that in one way or another my future was here, serving in the Blue River Kansas City Association. I assumed that my future was as a church planting leader, as catalytic missionary or as director of missions. After all God had blessed me with a secure position surrounded by people who loved me and affirmed my ministry. In these past days as I read this book and focused on the Biblical text contained in it I became aware that God had some task for me far outside of my comfort zone. I began to understand that God was calling me to leave a secure and certain future and follow Him with the same abandon that I did 30 years ago as an 18 year old church planter (with very little to lose I might add).

To that end, in recent days God has made it clear to me that it is His plan for my life to leave my work here in our Association in order that I might accept the invitation from the Light house ministry here in Kansas City to serve as their next Executive Director.

The Light house is one of the largest and oldest ministries to mothers and their babies in this region. Among other things, the Light house provides a residential home for teenage girls facing an unplanned pregnancy, they have assisted in more than 1000 births of babies and as a state licensed adoption agency they have placed more than 300 babies in adoptive homes. The Lighthouse also provides parenting skill training for new parents as well as abstinence programs throughout our community. The Light house exists to provide hope and life in the name of Jesus.

The Light house has a staff or more than 20 people and a residential home in the Hyde Park area of Kansas City. It seems to be a risk for Jill and me to move into this new and demanding ministry role, but we are certain it is exactly where God wants us to serve.

I will still be available to preach, lead conferences and do some consultation with churches and leaders on issues of church revitalization and church planting. Contact me if I can assist you or your church in any way. And of course, I would welcome the chance to share with you how your church could be involved in the life saving ministry that is the Light house.

I have never been more thrilled and terrified about a ministry in all of my life! Just as when Jill and I moved to Canada 8 years ago, we know this is a risk....but we embrace it to the max!

I have seen the light! and the Lighthouse is my new calling.