College Hour

Day One: We made it safely and on one accord. The trip was very long and the team was exhausted. We spent the first day at the Agape house orphanage with the children of together we can. There were 17 children all excited to see the FPU crew return to Haiti again. Little Dave is a 13 year old kid who loves me, when he saw me he came running with a head full of steam and jumped into my arms and held on for dear life.... It was just like a kid who hasn't seen their parent in a long time. I was in awe and so moved with emotion, the team and I cried and were seen wiping back the tears... I was reminded when Jesus said suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven. I was able to also see how important this work is In Haiti. Little Dave wrote me a special card that warmed my heart I hope to share it with you at another setting. Basically he messed me up and I will never be the same...we are actually born on the same day and really do have a connection and bond with each other...My trip was made well by my time at the orphanage. Praise God for the things he has done. Day Two: I was tired this morning when we woke up. I didn’t sleep that well the night before either, but once we were up & moving it was all good. Brother William Staley and I went to the minister’s conference and the ladies went to the public schools and ministered to the Haitian kids through a very special “Americanized” vacation bible school presentation..When we returned later that day it was an exciting time of reports and reflections. The Lord had met us on the journey! Souls were saved, encouraged, equipped and evangelized in the name of Jesus! The team was pumped up about what they had seen and heard. They were in awe as they served alongside other Haitian servants in evangelism.I'm so proud to have such an amazing team here with me on this FPU student mission trip. The lord has truly been good. In additional outreach events, we learned that the ladies had 25 in their community bible class today and Brother Staley and I had 25 in our Pastors conference as well. The work is growing and the momentum is too. Praise God for day two. Day Three: Incredible day today... The pastor’s conference was on fire ... We met in a new venue and the pastors we're very appreciative. Brother William was moved by the spirit of God in an amazing way, as he spoke with passion, zeal and a love for Gods people. The conference attendees were truly grateful for the word of the lord. The women of the team had an awesome time in community bible study today... They had a large gathering of sisters that came to be encouraged in the ministry. I was present to observe their labor and was so glad for the work of God in their hearts. The daughters of FPU conducted outreach and vacation bible schools for k-12 students... Our students were true servants and truly on mission for God. We saw God in amazing ways today and felt his presence in every step along the way. As we walked through the market place and greeted the Haitians we could see their struggles up close and feel their pain, but in spite of it all they were a proud people. They love each other and take care of each other and have a great respect for Haitian life. I marvel at their culture and their commitment to care for community. They have a strong sense of brotherhood and family that's second to none. We as Americans could learn a lot from the Haitians. I'm still in awe at the strength of the Haitian sisters. Each day that we are here we see them working in the market place, supporting their children, serving one another and still producing the love and care necessary to keep a country afloat...it was an amazing day! Day Four: Team debriefing was rich with interaction tonight. Everyone poured in their thoughts and reflections.  We heard from each team member, deep thoughts, memories and feelings for the lessons life had brought them on this trip. Some students have actually found out what was really important in life and have made plans to change things in their journey once they return to the states.Our Pastor’s conference graduation was a huge success 23 students received spring semester certificates for participation in the seminars on Ministry leadership and evangelism. It was amazing to see and officiate this work of the kingdom. The lord blessed our work this week, and we were able to train FPU students, and collaborate with International ministry leaders for the kingdom of God. Haiti really stretched us this time, we each left a little part of ourselves on that beautiful Island. The saints there were remarkable and the work of the ministry is so very great and the needs even greater. However, we leave knowing that God was glorified by our giving, serving and learning to Hope in Haiti. Thanks be to God for the things He has done.      

I stumbled across some amazing stuff the other day looking at Psalm 23. I was so amazed at the love and provision of God, that I had to tell you about it. You see, many times have I quoted  this chapter, and heard others do the same. But in a flash of a moment something occurred to me...The psalmist was reminding me of the mystery of Gods love and provision for me. This Psalm revealed the Lords blessings upon my life! It speaks of 17 ways that God has blessed me, is blessing me and will bless me...Incredible! Examine it for yourself, and receive the awesome blessings of the Lord. The Lord is my Shepherd…. That's Relationship! I shall not want…That's Supply! He makes me to lie down in green pastures…. That's Rest! He leads me beside the still waters….That's Refreshment! He restores my soul….That's Healing! He leads me in the paths of righteousness….That's Guidance! For His name sake…That's Purpose! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death….That's Testing! I will fear no evil….That's Protection! For you are with me!....That's Faithfulness! Your rod and your staff they comfort me…That's Discipline! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…. That's Hope! You anoint my head with oil… That's Consecration! My cup runs over….That's Abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life….That's Blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...That's Security! Forever!...That's Eternity! I hope that you have encountered God through this chapter like I have, what a joy to know that the Shepherd of my soul is keeping watch over every area of my life. Thank you Lord for the sweet reminder of Psalm 23 in a wicked and wayward world. For Christ and His Kingdom AW  

One of the greatest mysteries in the gospels is the mystery of having to prepare before doing ministry. It is said that Jesus (The Son of God, the Word of God, Visible image of the invisible God) Spent numerous hours in Prayer with his Father before going out to heal and to minister to others. In my goals of spiritual formation this Year, I plan to intensify my prayer life with the Father. Throughout the gospels, it is written 15 times that Jesus prayed. In these times, He prayed in the early morning hours in various places of solitude, such as on the mountains or in the wilderness prior to doing ministry. It is the opinion of this writer that it is of extreme importance, that the servant of the lord resembles the life of Christ if they want to be successful in the ministry of leading others. If Jesus Christ practiced the spiritual discipline of prayer in solitude, to be prepared for the work of leadership in the ministry, then surely I need to double the time that he had, if I am to be successful in my efforts. If Jesus labored in this world to gain victory over spiritual battles, I too must use prayer to form and to shape my life to do the Fathers will. I believe that there are many dynamics to leadership and many tools that are needed to serve others well. However, there is none more important than the dynamic of spiritual formation. In order to be a good leader, I have to first be taught and led. It is in the closet of prayer and preparation that I know I can get my heart in line before I get my script in line. In Marks gospel, I see what prayer and preparation did for Jesus before ministering to others who were in need. There are six observations I have discovered in this text.

1. Jesus before doing any ministry desired communion with his Father.
2. Jesus delighted himself in maintaining conversation with His Father who had all power of heaven and earth in his hands.
3. Jesus did nothing before consulting with His father prior to ministry responsibilities.
4. HE sought out fellowship with the triune council of Heaven.
5. Jesus through prayer would trust in the Spirit of God to illuminate His way while serving on earth.
6. Jesus dove into the great depths of prayer as a model of spiritual living that we might have an example to follow.

In the early chapters of Marks gospel, it is recorded that Jesus got up early to pray. This gives us the ability to see a picture of the Father in Heaven waking the Son to spend time with Him. It is a consistent picture of the fellowship Jesus has always’ had with his father throughout eternity.God in this passage is looking for the opportunity to meet with Jesus so he can give him instruction concerning the cases he will have for the day. The Father wants to use Jesus in the earthly realm just as He wants to use me. I cannot help but notice that there is something very precious about an early morning meeting with the Father.It is the observation of this writer that prayer in a solitary place is sweeter than a hurried encounter surrounded in noise. In the solitary place, my devotion is sacred and intentional. I have discovered that praying while in solitude will enhance my thought processes. Praying while in solitude will reveal greater depths of intimacy with God. When my mind, body, and soul are not in competition with anyone or anything else, praying in solitude changes me, before it changes anything else. As I close this post, I thank God today for giving me a model of prayer and spiritual formation, in the life of Jesus. It is in this model that I see the importance being alone with God. Every good student of the gospels takes serious the life of Christ, as he is the model minister of the new covenant. In Jesus is the example of a leader. He took care of his own soul before attending to others. I have learned that praying while in solitude exposes my real motives, and secret desires. When I pray in solitude it brings me bare before the throne, and makes me rely upon the work of the Holy Spirit to get my prayers right. Having the right place of solitude, makes the prayer experience sweet and refreshing. As I grow as a student in the ministry of leadership, I am convicted that I must have a consistent place of solicitude, if I am to draw near unto God. It is there that I can fully devote myself to the Masters voice and wait patiently for him to speak. As a form of my spiritual formation, I want to practice this discipline with diligence. I believe that Jesus knew the importance of prayer and wanted to give His undivided attention to the Father. Jesus knew that interrupted prayer, was not true devotion to God. He knew that prayer that was not in solitude could never be as rich of an encounter as that which was done in total seclusion. This type of spiritual formation and relationship is what I desire for the New Year in my leadership walk. As the triune God kept intimate fellowship with one another, so I desire the same thing as I journey on earth. For further reading check out the following resources. [1] Edward P. Wimberly, Pastoral care in the black church (Abington Nashville: Partheon Press, 1975), Pg 35-39. [2] Henry and Richard Blackaby, Hearing God's Voice (Nashville TN: Broadman & Holman, 2002), Pg 112-115. [3] Richard Foster & Bryan Smith, Devotional Classics (New York: Harper Collins, 1993), 203-242. [4] Angulus D. Wilson, Preaching and Prayer (Birmingham Al: Beeson Divinity School, Pastors Conference, 2007), pg3-8, Samford University Beeson Divinity School, Lecture 2007.

Go into all the world and make disciples... These powerful words of Jesus have catapulted Christians throughout the ages into mission mode. Because of the great commission we have been called by God to preach his word and compel humanity to follow Him. I am excited that right here in Fresno California our students are being mobilized to serve Christ throughout the world. In two weeks after commencement, a team of 15 witnesses will go on behalf of Christ from FPU to Haiti to spread the good news of the gospel. They represent several different majors, and cultures and journeys into the kingdom. (powerful stuff) In addition to this great work, we are celebrating our end of the year worship experience with the FPU Cross Winds choir and a very special Water Baptism Ceremony. Three student leaders will share their testimonies and then be baptized in recognition of their commitments to Christ. Two of them are athlete scholars and one an international ministry student from Congo, who happens to also be Mr. FPU! This is Fresno Pacific carrying out the great commission and making disciples....I am excited and would love for you to catch the wave also. For Christ and His Kingdom AW