Emmanuel Christian Fellowship - McGregor, TX

We’ve all heard it:  “It’s not the kids that are the problem…it’s the parents!” Talk to your favorite educator and see if they agree!

Being a parent is a difficult job if it’s done right.  Michael Hindes has written a letter to THE WORLD RACE parents who are in the process of seeing their kid launch out into international ministry.   The promise and hope of what they’ll see and experience is thrilling, but ONCE the kid gets home, it’s obvious that they’ve changed…big time!  Anyone who is a parent or has hopes to be a parent needs to take the time to dial-in to the words conveyed in Michael’s letter.  CLICK HERE TO READ!

ENJOY!

Mike  xo

Pour yourself a glass or cup of your favorite morning beverage and then take in the powerful truths in this video:  

TWR VIDEO - CLICK HERE!!!

Patti and I met Ashley Higgins, Lindsay Nelson,  Birkleigh Foreman and  Drea Statzer at Training Camp last June.  It would be their option to tell you their story, but I remember specifically Lindsay approaching me after one of the sessions and her eyes filling up with tears and holy fire.  It is like she stepped from one world, into Kingdom, in a moment.  The awe and wonder (words we don’t use very often at church) consumed her.  Same with Birkleigh and Drea.  The kids that God sends to  THE WORLD RACE all have a story.  They all have an influence that includes their past, but few allow themselves to be chained to that past.  It is the same with every one of us who lives beyond our own redemption story!  It should motivate us to move past the old wounds, old bondage, old offenses and old failure.  We SHOULD be inspired to grasp TODAY in hope and expectancy!  HE is for us!  Who can be against us?

The Apostle said it best:  “…but one thing I do…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.

Thank you ladies!  Thank you Ashley!  Your words hold weight and the majesty of Christ!

Mike

We’ve gotten a couple of weeks behind in publishing our podcast.  Paul’s sermon from 11-1-2009 is now available for download and we should have Sammy’s sermon available in the next day or two.

David

“H” squad is done in about two weeks.  Some are still pushing the envelope in ministry!  Samantha “Sammie” McCowan is one of those kids that just gets it done.  She is an amazing person who Patti and I have really grown to love and appreciate.  There are some really big gifts on “H” squad.  Sammie no doubt has left her mark on THE WORLD RACE and a multitude of folks scattered all over the world!

CHECK OUT HER BLOG HERE!!! It blows the mind!!!

Mike

Caitlin Woodward was on the first World Race Squad that I met in Swaziland back in 2008 (Traday’s squad).  She is now co-leading one of the squads that launched in August 2009.  Her last blog includes a video that is so powerful!  Take a peek and remember to pray for all the racers on the field!  See Caitlin’s Blog:  CLICK HERE!

Love and Miss You!

Mike

One of the principles of the Kingdom message is that we get heaven.  An absolute truth:  WE GET HEAVEN!  I’m all about heaven…you are all about heaven….we are all about heaven!  BUT, we are not just hanging on until we get there!  We are not praying for an escape nor are we just waiting out time until God calls us home.  We are pursuing and spreading the rule and reign of God…here…now…it’s our passion!   Yes, we get heaven but we have work to do and the goal of our life IS NOT ABOUT GETTING TO heaven!  With that being said, I want you to check out Darci Simpson’s latest blog…CLICK HERE. I had SKYPED with her earlier this morning and she was telling me that one of her best friends had just finished her battle with cancer.  We chatted briefly and I had told Darci it was all going to be ok.  Then within a few moments, Darci posted her blog.  As I looked at the pictures of Jodi and read the blog, the Lord filled my mind with a video of something that I’ve never seen!  I responded to Darci what I saw…here is the excerpt:  “What a beautiful woman!  When I saw her pictures on your blog, I saw the Lord’s face with tears streaming down as he hugged her into himself.  Babe…it was a delicious homecoming.  Her smile was off the charts!  Absolutely glorious!  I’m crying now myself…but I’m telling you…heaven rocked at her arrival.  It’s all ok.” I do not have the proper words to describe this!  We do get heaven!  We do!  It will be amazing and has been amazing for all who have gone before us!  Therefore…let us run this race!  Run! Run! Run!  Let’s go for it!  Spend it all!  Heaven awaits, but we have things to do for the Kingdom…NOW!

Encouraged beyond words!

Mike

I wanted to make a special effort to remind our people that Sammy Haynes will be in the house on Sunday, November 8th to bring us a word. Most likely, he will have some of his congregation with him as well. This will be a great day for all of us, not just because Sammy is an awesome preacher and a fine man, but because many of us feel a connection to Sammy on some level. We cannot define it or put a name to it, but in the spirit Sammy is somehow linked to us and us to him. Please be praying for him and for what God might want to do through him.

Paul

“L” squad of THE WORLD RACE has launched!  Patti and I are very proud of this new squad.  I wanted to introduce them to you by posting a link to Andrea Wendel’s blog site. Andi is one of two squad leaders.  An amazing woman of God.  Check out her stuff.  The woman is pack’n serious God juice!

Mike

Two more months!  That’s it and Kara is done with THE WORLD RACE. I HAVE to brag on her.  The woman has gone to a whole new dimension.  I think it was Thursday evening at that the AWAKENING CONFENCE in Brasov Romania where Kara ended up with the microphone.  200+ people crammed in a very tight space…worshipping…ministry loosed…people laying all over the place.  I looked at Hindes to check if he had authorized it and he lipped sync’d to me…“this is going to be good”.  Then…for about 5 minutes Baby went off!  I can’t remember everything she said, but it was along the lines:  “I’ve held back and those days are over”. As a result, others on her team and many in the conference stepped up and out into more boldness.  She literally unlocked the chains for quite a few people.   It was glorious!

I talked with Kara quite a bit about her next steps after the race.  I am quite hopeful she’ll go for the things that she has in her heart!  Let me thank you again for your support of our Kara!  She is not the same and probably never will be.  Your financial support and prayer cover has helped her turn the corner to a bright and vivid destiny.  Please continue to pray that she’ll finish well!  “H” Squad is on the way to Ukraine.  Patti and I will see them in Vienna for the final debrief in November.

Love you!  See you Sunday!

Mike

Ok…so this is probably a shameless and proud projection of a family member’s accomplishment, but I think it’s worth your time to watch this new video.  Patti and I know what it cost Jon and Paige personally for Jon to produce this new album.  There has been an intense war over this new project.  If you’ll take a moments to watch, I think you’ll understand why.  The new Desperation Band album hits the shelves September 15th.

By the way…we miss you people!  See you soon!

Mike

LIGHT UP THE WORLD VIDEO:    CLICK HERE!