Is Ministry On The Horizon?

It has been quite a while since I have given an update. It is the day after Christmas and I actually have a few moments to sit and catch those who might be interested up on our lives.

Kelli is feeling much better. This, of course, was the main reason for our relocating to Colorado. It is truly a blessing to have her up and about, laughing, and able to be involved in our lives like she used to be. She is missing being in ministry very much, and sometimes gets lonely, missing her friends and those from Desperation Church that she was so close to.

Our five children are all healthy and doing well. Conor is on staff at Rev5, and is loving the chance to disciple and mentor other young people in their relationships with Jesus. Kolten is working for a computer company and designing web-sites. He is also engaged to be married, to an incredible young lady, on June 5th. His fiance', Amy, has become a special part of our family. Caleb is 17 in three days and is doing great. He's applying at different jobs and looks to be getting hired on at Papa Murphy's Pizza (I am praying that he is, because I absolutely love their take-and-bake pizza, and feel that the Lord is strongly leading him in this specific direction). Michaela just finished being in the play, "A Christmas Carol". She stole the show and is growing into an awesome woman of God. Merci is also growing and doing really well in school. She has not made many friends, and this is something that we are praying for daily.

We've attended multiple churches, but settled at a Calvary Chapel church, which is located just two houses away from where we live. We love being able to walk to church, and the worship and teaching have been nice. We miss 'community' there, however, and wish for closer relationships with others. We're confident that God will bring that in His time.

I have worked at Schwan's Food Company for about three months, but have recently resigned. I was working 13-15 hour days and, although I was successful in the company's opinion, the hours were requiring me to be apart from the family too much. So, I find myself, once again, in the process of looking for employment.

The Lord has been up to much... in me... during these past four months. I have found that the 'pastor' inside of me is not so easy to suppress. Over and over I find that I land smack dab in a conversation with a customer or co-worker, or someone else I randomly encounter, where I am sharing God's great love and grace. I am often asked if I would ever consider starting something new... where I could share Christ more regularly. What is strange is that these requests are coming mostly from non-believers, and those who have walked away from the Church. This has caused Kelli and I to begin prayerfully considering pioneering something. We are not even sure what it is, or what it could look like.

Having Kelli back... and excited to serve Jesus, in this way, again... has been refreshing and rejuvenating for me. Although there are hundreds of churches in Colorado Springs, we actually live near the city of Manitou Springs, where there are surprisingly few churches, and surprisingly many who are needing Jesus. So Kelli and I are prayerfully considering what the Lord might have for us in the future. Truthfully, we have so many questions: Should this be a 'church'? Should it be a simple Bible-study? Should we podcast (something we receive quite a few requests for)? How can we pay for this? How can we practically minister to the poor, which is our heart, while allowing us to teach verse-by-verse and emphasize community and family? Do we know enough people that have the same heart who would partner with us? Should we start something brand new, or simply join something that is already existing?

As you can see... we are still seeking much direction. One thing I am certain of: I want to glorify Jesus, without it becoming a 'show'. So much of what we've witnessed has become all about the production of weekend services and pleasing people, rather than authentically seeking God's creative, unique will... and guidance. Galations 1:10 is still one of my life's verses: "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Serving Christ with passion and authenticity is something that we've found to be a rare and special thing... when, and if, it is found.

Of course, I still must feed my family and pay the bills... so I'm looking for employment, as I consider all of this. I'd ask all those who know us well... who are still reading all this... and who pray, to please lift our family up to the Master. We desperately want God's perfect will for us. We want Him to be be seen in us. 
We simply want Him to be authentically seen... period.

I'd appreciate your prayers... and your thoughts and comments, if you have them. May God bless you in this coming year, and may Jesus receive the massive glory that He's due, through the way each of us are living our lives.

Michael