Rite of Passage: Not interested
For many years I served with an organization called Awe Star Missions. Every year, this ministry hosts a conference called iGO. Youth pastors, students, parents and missionaries from all around the world collide in one place for a time to focus on Christ’s commandment to go and make disciples of all nations. At this conference, God has spoken to many believers to engage with His plan of living out the lifestyle of a missionary. These...
Rite of Passage: Lessons from KFC
I started writing this article from a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Dublin, Ireland. Ireland is one of the countries I’ve always wanted to visit but never had. My great-grandfather emigrated from Ireland to the United States, and I would love to visit my roots. When I noticed that a flight out of London had a seven-hour layover in Dublin, I knew it was my chance to spend some time there. We landed early, and our plane was delayed going...
Rite of Passage: The Other Side of Cancer
I want to take this space to say thank you to the many who have prayed for me as I walked through the season of stage 4 prostate cancer. I have shared with you everything from my diagnosis, to treatment options, to making the final decision, to having my prostate removed. I had the surgery on Aug. 9. I didn’t pick the date; the surgeon did. But anyone who knows me knows Aug. 9 holds special meaning for me. On Aug. 9, 46 years ago, I...
Rite of Passage: Branch offices
It was my last speaking engagement before my surgery. I was invited to speak once on Saturday night and twice on Sunday at Altus, Martha Road. I have spoken there several times, and it is the kind of church that blesses you more than you can bless them. It reminds me of the church I grew up in; they just love on whoever walks through the doors. It’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive from my home to the church, so I left early on Saturday...
Rite of passage: Keys to the door
I am writing from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the walled city of Jerusalem. I wish I could take every one of you who reads this article on a journey to the Holy Land. In my travels, I have seen many mountains and beautiful scenery, but walking the land of Jesus feeds your soul. If God ever grants you the opportunity to visit, I recommend that you take it. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in the Old City, as it’s called,...
