I picked up Pastor Troy, Melanie and Kayla Friday afternoon in Chicago and headed for Elkhart. We hooked up with part of the team --- Rich & Debbi, Brother John, Sonny Cruz, and Steve for some "triple P" -- pizza, praise, and prayer. Sonny played his guitar and we prepared for what turned out to be another awesome night on the streets.
We were joined on the streets by Lance Prathaftakis, Amanda & Erica (from SPA), Anthony LeBlanc and Michele Ware. We spent most of the night in the Washington Gardens Projects area. Eileen surprised me by getting cake and ice cream earlier at one of the apartments and then around 20 of the kids came running out to wish me a happy "50th" birthday then sang happy birthday. This was very touching to me seeing the excitement of the kids as many of them hugged on me. You'll never know how special it is to work with these kids unless you come out and try it for yourself. It was a blessing to see Melanie in full swing ministering and loving on the kids. The enemy has tried to take her down but she is an overcomer as was shown throughout the weekend. It was awesome to see Pastor Troy in operation in Washington Gardens for the first time. We had one situation where a brother was being very disrespectful with some foul rap. Pastor Troy and the rest of the team moved in and a short time later it was Pastor Troy rapping for JESUS and bringing the house down!!! The people really enjoyed it and many lives were touched for Jesus Friday night. We got to bed around 2:00 a.m. to catch some sleep before the Saturday outreach.
The Saturday Outreach was probably the largest one ever in Elkhart. Nearly everyone that was out on the street the night before showed up again along with Joe Saylor who is always a big help on the outreaches. Anthony, Sonny, Brother John and Pastor Troy led the youth in rapping and singing praise to JESUS!!! The team worked hard to serve GOD's people. We served them bbq chicken, polish sausage, hotdogs, pork bbq, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, donuts, pop and water. It is such a blessing to us to bring joy and a good meal to the people. The relationships continue to grow and we are ministering to many families on a one on one basis. We are working with the people to build leaders so that they can join us and hopefully take the leadership to change the neighborhood for JESUS!!
We followed the outreach with a river float from Bristol to Gordie & Dee Clarks house in Elkhart. It was a very relaxing and refreshing event. Eileen had another birthday celebration planned at the Clarks. As I was getting out of the water I could see many friends sitting outside waiting for us. We had another awesome time before getting to bed around 1:00 a.m.
Sunday was fantastic starting out at the Word of Truth Church in Milford. Pastor Troy preached a powerful message there touching many lives. We then headed to Lance & Leigh's for lunch and more fellowship. We left there in time to get to The Crossing in Goshen for Pastor Troy to deliver the WORD again!! This is a place of gang banger and ex-gang bangers, saved and unsaved, anyone and everyone is welcome at The Crossing. The HOLY SPIRIT was welcome also and showed up in a BIG way as many were prayed over to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Lives were touched in a massive way and several opened up to things the enemy was trying to bring them down with. We prayed for deliverance from these strongholds!! It ended up being another late night but so much worth going without sleep to touch peoples lives for JESUS!!!
We got up early this morning to meet with Pastor Val from Elijah's Fire International Church for breakfast and fellowship before heading for Chicago to take Pastor Troy, Melanie, and Kayla back to the airport. Again, Pastor Troy left Elkhart well rested.
We thank our leaders for coming to join us on the streets of Elkhart!!!!!
PICTURES FROM THE WEEKEND:
Some of the beautiful little girls eating ice cream and cake Friday night
Pastor Troy prays before the meal
Many came out to eat!
Brother Anthony LeBlanc & Brother Sonny Cruz get their PRAISE ON!!!
Kids from "The Garden" get their PRAISE ON!!!
Pastor Troy ministering at "The Crossing"
Pastor Troy & Brother Mike Lechlitner double team Mark Neterer
Jeremy in prayer over all that is going on!!
Lance & Leigh Prathaftakis get prayed over!
I get a chance to minister to a young brother (Kevin) really wanting to make a change in his life.
4 comments:
This was a GREAT WEEKEND indeed! God was really awesome---as usual when His people GO in His name!
This area of the country really suprised me. Being more accustomed to "Big City" situations, I was amazed at the concentration of both gang and drug activity in the Miachiana area.
I can truly say that RAVEN MIDWEST is in a VERY strategic place in this nation during this critical hour in time. Thank you guys for being faithful, obedient servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was such a BLESSING to be with "The Boys" out and about as well. You men of God are such an encouragement and source of strength and friendship to me. Terry, Steve and Lance are just awesome brothers in Christ doing an AMAZING WORK for the Lord there and to get to "hang " with Anthony, Rich, John, Kim, Gordy, Sean, The Prath-Boyz, Joe, etc.. really blessed me! Thank you guys!
Mel also had a GREAT time with everyone and her HEALTH was AWESOME! Go JESUS Go JESUS Go! She loved gettting to be with Eileen and Leigh and getting to work the Sat Outreach with Jodi too! YOU LADIES ROCK!
As for Terry's comment about being, "Well rested..." You guys need to REALLY interced for that brother :) He leaves NO MOMENT unaccounted for! He'll be down here in Daytona with me in a few weeks and we'll show him "well rested" PRAISE THE LORD! hahaha!
Pastor Mike at Word of Truth was such a gracious and awesome host there Sunday and we truly had a great time with our friends there!
The Crossing was "off the chain" and we were blown away by the things that God is doing there through the team of Bro Rob and Bro Mike!
Looking so forward to being back that way in a couple of month! Jesus is the Lord!
Hey Pastor Troy,
It was awesome having you up here with us. I have to ask.. When are you going to get that "RAVEN- JET"?? So you can up and see us more often (haha)
A true leader: Knows the way, Shows the way and Goes the way... and you sure do all three.. thank you for your example..
God bless ya man love ya...
-Steve
Interesting site. Useful information. Bookmarked.
»
Your are Nice. And so is your site! Maybe you need some more pictures. Will return in the near future.
»
Post a Comment