Here Comes the Son!

It has been a very cold and snowy year. In fact, I would say that it has been a long time since we have experienced a winter like this. It has been one that has convinced us to stay in and stay warm instead of venturing out. Well, all we can say is Praise the Lord "Here Comes the Son"! Pastor Lance and I have been doing a lot of thinking and planning about the direction of R.A.V.E.N.'S Midwest. More importantly though, we have been seeking God on the plans that He would have us to fulfill. It has been a rather quiet transition from the former leaders (Pastor Terry & Eileen) to us and we are rather thankful for that. However, the time has come to "Begin Again" so to speak, and begin to step out into this calling and to do so with the help of as many of you as possible.

We are very excited about what the Lord has planned. How and when He will do these things, well, only He knows His timing, but we are confident of the direction that He has opened up to us and we are humbly and boldly taking hold. Our intentions are to step out and step up in this community of Elkhart, In. in the Washington Gardens area. It has been laid heavily upon our hearts to take this ground for the Kingdom of God and to infiltrate this area, used so strongly by the enemy, and immerse it in the Spirit and Truth of the Lord!!! We know that it will not all be easy, but we can do all things and my Word tells me that "WHATSOEVER I LAY MY HAND TO SHALL PROSPER!!!" This work will prosper and NOT fail. If my God and King is going before me (and I know He is because he has given us this vision) and He is for me ...then tell me....WHO can be against me???!!! Praise the Lord!!

We have it so heavy on our heart for this whole area of Elkhart that we just have to go forward until we begin to see change and then...KEEP ON GOING!!! We began to lay the ground work last fall by walking the streets of this project area and meeting and praying for these people face to face. It was so amazing! We were meeting teens, young mothers and fathers, we met many, many children and elderly and even met quite a few drug dealers and users who, by the way, were some of the most respectful!! This is the power that the Lord grants when we walk in humility and servitude in LOVE one for another. I am continually in awe of the power and grace of my Lord.

Our goal is to begin to step out into the Washington Gardens area again the first part of April. We want to begin by going out and walking the streets again on the Friday eve. before our outreach to make the people aware that we are going to be in the area. Also, we will be setting up canopies so that they will have a place to come into for a real church service!!! We are so excited about this. We want not only to bless them with food and prayer, but we want to disciple them with the Word of the Living God. They need to see that we are serious about them and our God. It is important that we hold them accountable and that they see us being accountable for what we are sharing with them. After all, talk is cheap...actions are what they are looking at.

We are going to be holding Friday night meetings (for now) at our house until we can find the place that will facilitate us and others that will be coming in. We are beginning a "Discipleship" course that will last for the better part of 2 years. This means that it is going to take commitment and discipline! All are welcome, but you must be certain that you are willing and able to commit yourself and time to such a task. The Word says that "to whom much is given..much is expected". Where is your EXPECTATION at? We hope that it is in the Lord.

We are very excited about this "New Beginning" for us all and we hope that you will be too. It doesn't matter to us about numbers or size when it comes to this ministry, because God is in full control and He knows what He is doing! Thank the Lord. The only thing that matters to us is that we are pleasing unto the service of our Lord and Master and that we help Him to increase the Kingdom of Heaven and in doing so we will decrease the Kingdom of Hell. We are thankful that God found us worthy of such a task as this and we intend to do all that we are able to do to fulfill the plan He has for us. How about you? Are you ready to strap on your boots and take some high ground? Are you ready to say "Not my will, but your will be done" to the Lord? Is there anything that is more pleasing or rewarding to the Lord than to see His children flowing together in harmony and unity to see that the task gets done and we help Him to bring home one more prodigal? I can't think of ONE thing that we could do in this world and of ourselves that could even come close to doing the will of our Father.

We have been very quiet before the Lord and we have asked many, many questions of Him. When we didn't know what to do...we just kept on keeping on. It has been so quiet at times, we thought that the stillness would deafen us, but then God would speak. We have fallen under judgement and ridicule of man and that's o.k. We know that this is just part of MAN'S way, but know this...we will not be moved by it. We know that God is our source and our hope. Without Him there is just no need to even try. We are human and we know that we need Him. So, we intend to follow Him as closely as possible and to complete this work that He has begun in us! How about you? Would you like to be a part of this? It is truly an exciting time to be alive. there is so much going on around us in this world and God has found us fit for such a time as this. Rejoice!!! Our redemption is drawing ever so much more near!

Our plea to you is to get stirred up and on fire for God! The time is now. He desires to use each and every one of us in the giftings and callings that only HE has given us. Think about those special gifts , won't you? You and only you can reach that certain someone that is out there lost. You are that particular laborer that someone is praying in to a special some one's life. Will you be there to answer the call???? Are you willing and ready to answer to the One who called you and you denied Him? It is not easy all the time, but it is about eternity all the time! please consider these words written to you from the hearts of two people that just simply chose to answer the call and surrender unto the greatest King of all. Let's take as many souls with us as possible and let's start right here in our own backyard. Elkhart, indiana.....HERE COMES THE SON!!!