Mercy Maternity Home
01/28/12 12:49 AM Filed in: From the Pastor
For years I had preached against abortion and participated in various aspects of the pro-life movement but offered no positive alternative for moms who felt that their situation was too desperate to give life a chance. After a few years of intentional silence, a dream was birthed in my heart to have a home for unwed moms who felt the pressure to have an abortion but desired to give their child the gift of life. The home next to our church property was available but the homeowners were not going to reduce their asking price of $210,000.00. The Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati Airport also wanted the property and made an offer near or at the asking price. It looked as though fate had intervened and the dream had died.
A few weeks passed and the owners contacted me to give our church one last opportunity to make an offer. The bank required approximately $30,000.00 to be raised before we could finance the balance. We had no available funds. I made a simple request on one specific Sunday and things began to move forward quickly. In one month we had signed the contract and the entire $30,000.00 was raised. Then, an additional $25,000.00 was needed for a new roof, to replace outdated windows and to upgrade every room in the house. God was faithful and our congregation worked hard to complete the project. We even had an odd occurrence when a couple drove their car into the unfinished garage that resulted in an insurance settlement and a completely renovated area for the girls to relax, watch television or have devotions.
Today, the doors of Mercy Maternity Home have been opened for nearly 12 years. During that time over 80 babies have been born to the moms that have lived there. This ministry would not be possible if individuals turned a deaf ear to the cries of the unborn. I’m grateful to serve a congregation who understands that our faith in Christ requires a commitment to the gift of life. I’m grateful to others in our community and in other parts of our nation who stand with us financially to provide a safe place for moms that desire to do what is appropriate for their baby. I’m grateful for our director, Cara Gault, and for house parents and volunteers that serve in this ministry and make the day-to-day operation of MMH a reality. And most of all, I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and young ladies who genuinely need a safe place for a short season. Mercy Maternity Home is such a place and we are blessed to be part of that journey.
A few weeks passed and the owners contacted me to give our church one last opportunity to make an offer. The bank required approximately $30,000.00 to be raised before we could finance the balance. We had no available funds. I made a simple request on one specific Sunday and things began to move forward quickly. In one month we had signed the contract and the entire $30,000.00 was raised. Then, an additional $25,000.00 was needed for a new roof, to replace outdated windows and to upgrade every room in the house. God was faithful and our congregation worked hard to complete the project. We even had an odd occurrence when a couple drove their car into the unfinished garage that resulted in an insurance settlement and a completely renovated area for the girls to relax, watch television or have devotions.
Today, the doors of Mercy Maternity Home have been opened for nearly 12 years. During that time over 80 babies have been born to the moms that have lived there. This ministry would not be possible if individuals turned a deaf ear to the cries of the unborn. I’m grateful to serve a congregation who understands that our faith in Christ requires a commitment to the gift of life. I’m grateful to others in our community and in other parts of our nation who stand with us financially to provide a safe place for moms that desire to do what is appropriate for their baby. I’m grateful for our director, Cara Gault, and for house parents and volunteers that serve in this ministry and make the day-to-day operation of MMH a reality. And most of all, I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and young ladies who genuinely need a safe place for a short season. Mercy Maternity Home is such a place and we are blessed to be part of that journey.
Laughter from Heaven
01/19/12 08:32 PM Filed in: From the Pastor
The year was 1998 and we had recently moved into our current sanctuary. It had been a big step of faith for us, nearly tripling our mortgage payment. Our attendance and income had yet to see the anticipated increase and we were simply holding our collective breath. A more recent addition to the worship experience was the use of quality projection and I truly believed it was in our best interest as a church to purchase one for ourselves. The only problem was the cost, $10,000.00.
I can still remember the expressions on the faces of our church board members when I presented this request. They wanted to embrace this new project with the same enthusiasm as their pastor, but common sense and budget realities required at least some caution! The meeting ended with a no decision on the projector, and a wait and see approach as to how to move forward.
Sometimes a pastor struggles to wait and this was one of those times. I was certainly aware of the financial realities and knew wisdom guided our decision. I was simply consumed with the desire to purchase a projector but had no idea how such a large sum of money could be raised, especially with the current financial crunch.
A defining moment came one evening a few weeks later while sitting in the front row of our sanctuary as a missionary spoke about God’s provision. He was there to raise our awareness to world missions but my thoughts were fixed on the enormous costs of that silly projector. I was way too preoccupied and even a little embarrassed that this purchase had consumed so much of my energy. It was in that moment that something supernatural happened. In one of those divine moments where heaven seems to invade our human experience, in my mind I literally heard laughter followed by the words, “If you only knew how much money it was going to require for you to do the things I’ve called you to do.” It takes longer to write this story than the whole experience itself took all those years ago. All I know is that with the laughter and fresh word in my spirit, my soul was quieted and the restlessness concerning the projector immediately disappeared.
I have no memory of how we paid for that first projector. I do know it’s now impossible to think of a church service without using that form of media to communicate the gospel. Few weeks, however, will go by even all these years later without thinking of that moment when the Lord laughed at my little faith and challenged me to dream bigger dreams. He gave me my own Isaac that night and I hold to that experience now more than ever.
I can still remember the expressions on the faces of our church board members when I presented this request. They wanted to embrace this new project with the same enthusiasm as their pastor, but common sense and budget realities required at least some caution! The meeting ended with a no decision on the projector, and a wait and see approach as to how to move forward.
Sometimes a pastor struggles to wait and this was one of those times. I was certainly aware of the financial realities and knew wisdom guided our decision. I was simply consumed with the desire to purchase a projector but had no idea how such a large sum of money could be raised, especially with the current financial crunch.
A defining moment came one evening a few weeks later while sitting in the front row of our sanctuary as a missionary spoke about God’s provision. He was there to raise our awareness to world missions but my thoughts were fixed on the enormous costs of that silly projector. I was way too preoccupied and even a little embarrassed that this purchase had consumed so much of my energy. It was in that moment that something supernatural happened. In one of those divine moments where heaven seems to invade our human experience, in my mind I literally heard laughter followed by the words, “If you only knew how much money it was going to require for you to do the things I’ve called you to do.” It takes longer to write this story than the whole experience itself took all those years ago. All I know is that with the laughter and fresh word in my spirit, my soul was quieted and the restlessness concerning the projector immediately disappeared.
I have no memory of how we paid for that first projector. I do know it’s now impossible to think of a church service without using that form of media to communicate the gospel. Few weeks, however, will go by even all these years later without thinking of that moment when the Lord laughed at my little faith and challenged me to dream bigger dreams. He gave me my own Isaac that night and I hold to that experience now more than ever.
A Pastor's Prayer
01/06/12 05:07 PM Filed in: From the Pastor
God, I thank you for the honor of serving as the senior pastor of Christ’s Chapel. It has been an amazing journey that now exceeds 25 years. You’ve shown your faithfulness and power so many times and on so many levels. Thank you.
I pray for the body of believers that make this church their spiritual home. Bless their lives, protect them from harm, give them provision, watch over their children and grandchildren, guide their steps and preserve their hearts. For those who are married, secure their relationship with their spouse. Dear God, keep us pure, both in our hearts and in our behavior. Help us to discover your purposes for us this year that give honor to you and establish your kingdom more firmly in our church and around the world.
Father, give us divine guidance to appropriately balance your heart for outreach and discipleship. I know you’ve called us to reach our communities with compassion and to tell the lost about Christ, the Savior of the World. Please give us added avenues into our neighborhoods that will uplift the name of Jesus. But God, help us to equally care for and train those you’ve already given to us to become all that you desire for them. May we all grow in the things of the Lord and honor you with our lives.
God, we live in unsettling times economically. I’m asking you for the gift of provision for every individual and family in our church. Also, I ask you for a strong year financially for our church. We need a strengthened general fund and an ability to pay our mortgage and eliminate our debt. You alone are our provider and I trust you to show yourself faithful in matters of finance.
Father, our nation is in the midst of an election cycle and our citizens will vote this November for a new congress and president. I ask that the journey will be directed by your hand, the people of God will vote your heart, and that our nation will experience revival that will renew the church and usher in a harvest of souls.
In the name of Jesus I bless the people I am so blessed to serve. Amen”
I pray for the body of believers that make this church their spiritual home. Bless their lives, protect them from harm, give them provision, watch over their children and grandchildren, guide their steps and preserve their hearts. For those who are married, secure their relationship with their spouse. Dear God, keep us pure, both in our hearts and in our behavior. Help us to discover your purposes for us this year that give honor to you and establish your kingdom more firmly in our church and around the world.
Father, give us divine guidance to appropriately balance your heart for outreach and discipleship. I know you’ve called us to reach our communities with compassion and to tell the lost about Christ, the Savior of the World. Please give us added avenues into our neighborhoods that will uplift the name of Jesus. But God, help us to equally care for and train those you’ve already given to us to become all that you desire for them. May we all grow in the things of the Lord and honor you with our lives.
God, we live in unsettling times economically. I’m asking you for the gift of provision for every individual and family in our church. Also, I ask you for a strong year financially for our church. We need a strengthened general fund and an ability to pay our mortgage and eliminate our debt. You alone are our provider and I trust you to show yourself faithful in matters of finance.
Father, our nation is in the midst of an election cycle and our citizens will vote this November for a new congress and president. I ask that the journey will be directed by your hand, the people of God will vote your heart, and that our nation will experience revival that will renew the church and usher in a harvest of souls.
In the name of Jesus I bless the people I am so blessed to serve. Amen”
Prayer and Fasting
12/30/11 10:34 AM Filed in: From the Pastor
We serve a God of fresh starts and new beginnings and each New Year creates amazing opportunities for those who desire to embrace them. But let’s be honest. We live in unsettling times. There’s a degree of uncertainly in the world today. Economies are struggling and nations are feeling the stress of political change and citizen unrest. It touches each one of us to some degree on a very personal level. Even our church feels the impact.
Because these things are true, beginning 2012 with a season of collective prayer and fasting is not only appropriate, but it is also spiritually strategic. The combination of prayer and fasting is a biblical model that finds its roots in both the Old and New Testaments. I encourage everyone to participate in some form of fashion. Here are a few details to consider…
The 21 days begin on Monday, January 9th and conclude on Sunday, January 29th .
During Monday – Friday the weeks of January 9th, 16th and 23rd, the sanctuary will be open from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. for those who would want to come for prayer.
During our Wednesday evening services (the 11th, 18th, and 25th), a portion of our worship time will be devoted to prayer.
A simple definition of fasting is that it is a season of abstaining for spiritual purposes. Although most apply it to food, others choose to refrain from certain activities and instead use that time for prayer or Bible reading.
Fasting food ranges to eating only certain types of food (fruits, vegetables, etc.) to abstaining from food altogether. Some fast a day or two each week of the fast, a meal or two each week of the fast, eating only one meal each day of the fast, etc.
Some focus their fast on what they drink instead of what they eat. For example, some will only drink water. Others will give us things like soda, coffee, etc.
As you can tell, fasting is very personal. It’s also very private. The journey of fasting is what is most important and I believe God knows our efforts and pays attention to our sacrifice. I hope we all participate on some level. Happy New Year!
Because these things are true, beginning 2012 with a season of collective prayer and fasting is not only appropriate, but it is also spiritually strategic. The combination of prayer and fasting is a biblical model that finds its roots in both the Old and New Testaments. I encourage everyone to participate in some form of fashion. Here are a few details to consider…
The 21 days begin on Monday, January 9th and conclude on Sunday, January 29th .
During Monday – Friday the weeks of January 9th, 16th and 23rd, the sanctuary will be open from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. for those who would want to come for prayer.
During our Wednesday evening services (the 11th, 18th, and 25th), a portion of our worship time will be devoted to prayer.
A simple definition of fasting is that it is a season of abstaining for spiritual purposes. Although most apply it to food, others choose to refrain from certain activities and instead use that time for prayer or Bible reading.
Fasting food ranges to eating only certain types of food (fruits, vegetables, etc.) to abstaining from food altogether. Some fast a day or two each week of the fast, a meal or two each week of the fast, eating only one meal each day of the fast, etc.
Some focus their fast on what they drink instead of what they eat. For example, some will only drink water. Others will give us things like soda, coffee, etc.
As you can tell, fasting is very personal. It’s also very private. The journey of fasting is what is most important and I believe God knows our efforts and pays attention to our sacrifice. I hope we all participate on some level. Happy New Year!