World Renewal International
Friday, July 27, 2007
We Prayed 2 Corinthians 12:9 and" Many People Experience Jesus"
[F-Row Doug Newnum, Mark Montford, Steve Lindley, back row, Dan Downer, Gary Jones and Gary Wright. Mike Cruse was stuck in the Chicago airport and not available for the photo]My last posting about our weekend of ministry in Ohio left a few things out. God really blessed us in spite of all the negative things that happened. By Monday night Carol had her car back and it was no expense at all. The new water heater was in place by Monday night too. We are grateful for Grants Transmission in Greenfield, Indiana and Wendall Hester and his HCP Electrical Contracting for taking care of this so quickly. Thank You.
I am so proud of the way our guys in Renewal handled the weekend. When they had their equipment stolen, and we know musicians have close attachments to their stuff, they handled it well. They did not lose focus of what we were doing in ministry. We claimed 2 Corinthians 12:9 as the police patrol pulled away leaving us with what equipment we had left. We asked God to help us in our weakness of equipment. I believe He did. As we called ahead for help, those people not only gathered equipment to help us, that prayed and alerted others to pray. Our guys started calling friends and family to pray for us. Soon it is apparent, that a large network of prayer was formed.
The second thing we prayed for in our circle of prayer that day was that in spite of our lack of equipment, people would experience Jesus as we sang and played. I have been in ministry for over 38 years now. I am used to comments people make about our ministry. The response of last weekend was one that I will never, ever forget. People did experience God and they let us know. The response of so many praying a prayer of repentance at Jackson Friends Church in Massillon, Ohio on Sunday morning was awesome. In the other events I can only say that Christians let us know in a very clear and unusual way that God was there. Thanks for your prayers for this ministry.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
What the enemy meant for evil, God used for good.
It is a weekend that Renewal and I will not soon or ever forget. We ministered in 6 events in the span of 30 hours. We put up the sound system and took it down then put it up and took it down, put it up and took it down. But, it was worth it.
On Friday night we traveled from Indiana to Columbus, Ohio. Even before we got to the motel it started. Carol called me on my cell. "The transmission on my car is broke, when I shift, it does nothing. I was in line at the Taco Bell to by supper for Jon and now I am holding up all the drive through customers. It will not roll even when we try to push it. I am waiting for the wrecker."Carol was upset and I was feeling like a helpless husband.
We stayed in a motel. Dan Downer and I arrived first. It was late when Doug Newnum and the rest of the band pulled in. It was really about 1 A.M. There was not a good place to park the van and the trailer holding the sound equipment. During the short time we had to sleep, thieves crossed the property behind the motel, hiding from the security cameras they cut through the device holding the padlocks on the trailer and stole a guitar, mixer boards, cymbals, microphones, cords and a suitcase of Mike Cruse's clothes. [Mike was not with us that night as he was doing a benefit concert in Illinois.] We are still discovering what was lost. We filed the police report and headed on to our 4pm event in Canton, Ohio on the campus of Malone College. We called ahead and told the event staff of our loss and that we would need help to put together a sound system.
It would not be easy. We are a band and that means lots of instruments. Our keyboards were still in the trailer, but many of the cords and stuff to make them work was not. Steve had drums but no cymbals. Mark had lost his favorite, one of a kind, and expensive guitar.
When we pulled into the parking lot of Malone College, Clark Hoopes, father of Matt Hoopes of the popular Christian contemporary band Reliant K was there waiting for us along with Phil Disabitino, Minister of music at Canton First Friends Church. What faithful servants these men were and are. They, in just a short time, had pulled together equipment to help us get through that night and the weekend. We were already an hour late on our setup time, they had young men there to help us with the long trek from the trailer to the crowded stage. Gary Jones of Renewal, soon arrived with his sons Avery and Eli and added more borrowed equipment.
The Spirit of Jesus was clearly felt by all as we ministered in two Mission Banquets celebrating what God was doing in the lives of missionaries from China, India, Albania, Hungary, Rwanda to Baltimore, Maryland. It was a night of celebration and a renewing of the challenge to take Jesus to those who do not know Him. Now it was 9:30 P.M. and time to take down the equipment and go to Jackson Friends Church.
We pulled into their parking lot at about 11P.M. No one was there. I called the number given to me on my cell and Walter Harris soon came and let us into the church. In the short time between Jackson Friends and Malone College I learned that Mike Cruse was stuck in Chicago airport. The airline had been behind. Mike missed his flight to join us for the Sunday events. He would miss the Sunday morning services. He also was stranded. I called my wife Carol who went to the World Renewal office and tried to find a hotel for Mike as United blamed the air controllers and would not give Mike a voucher for hotel. She got Mike's hotel room, called him with the arrangements and went back to bed at about 1 A.M. just in time to get up, travel 2 hours to preach near the Illinois line. What a woman!
Meanwhile, back at Jackson Friends we were setting up the patched together sound equipment for the Sunday morning 8:45 and 11 AM services. We all got to bed back at Malone College dormitories about 2:30 AM.
At 8:45 we stood on the stage of Jackson Friends, a large church between Canton and Akron, Ohio. It was such a different event than the night before. We sang and preached and gave witness. A large number of people prayed prayers of repentance in both services. God was there. It was serious, it was joyful, it was tearful,it was wonderful. When it was over I went to the airport to pick up Mike Cruse while the band took down the sound equipment.
My son Jon called. "Did you hear what happened?" I swallowed hard and said, "No, what happened?" Jon said, "I was asleep this morning and was awakened by a bad smell. I opened my bedroom door only to see that the water heater was on fire!" He said the blaze was huge. Jon turned off the electric box near the water heater, then turned off the main breaker. He then ran upstairs to our main floor got a water bucket and returned to the basement. "Dad, by that time the I got back the fire was huge! But I got it out. No wood caught on fire." I was so glad Jon was wise and did not get hurt. I was glad our other son, David, was not hurt along with our house guest, Katie. I was glad our house had been saved. Then I laughed at the enemy and said outloud, "Does the enemy think we will quit? Trying to burn down my house and kill my children. Does he think we will quit? He is a fool."
We ate lunch at Max and Erma's, after learning that Malone College Dining Hall was now closed, we were too late. We finished lunch at 3pm. Then headed back to the Johnson Center at Malone College.
We were to begin a concert at 6:45 PM. Arriving, we found it was a huge distance from the parking lot to the stage. When they created this building they were not thinking of moving sound equipment. It was a big stage but the evening included a choir and an orchestra. Not enough room. Besides they said we had to have our stuff up and ready by 5:30 for the choir to practice. Whew!
The guys did it but we very concerned. We had to wait for more equipment, this was the largest room we had ever played in, it is huge with about a 60' ceiling. Thank you Clark Hoopes and the young men you had to help us, you are great servants of Jesus!
We began the concert not really sure of how we sounded, as there was no time for a sound check. The audience really worshipped the Lord. It was great. Then the next event started. We led in a time of worship, two sets. Our friend, Dr. John Williams, President of Evangelical Friends International, preached on "Being Transformed by Christ." As the invitation was given we played and lead in our favorite time, altar time. It was great! Jesus Christ was there. The altar of prayer was crowded with those seeking Christ. It ended at 9:10 PM. We started the tear down the equipment and the long trek to the parking lot. Clark and his crew helped us again. It was after 11PM when we pulled into the McDonald's restaurant. I bought the band their supper and they headed home. We rejoiceed in what God had done. We prayed and thanked the Lord for using us and helpin us.
We felt blessed that so many of our friends and family had let us know they were praying for us. Our World Renewal office staff had rallied many to pray for our circumstances. Thank you Peggy and Edna and Carol. Thanks to all of you who knew and prayed for us. Thank you all who didn't know and prayed for us. It was a blessed series events. What the thieves and our enemy meant for evil, God meant for good. You do not have to read the last page to see, God wins. Just look around we are on the winning team.
Thanks for stopping by.
On Friday night we traveled from Indiana to Columbus, Ohio. Even before we got to the motel it started. Carol called me on my cell. "The transmission on my car is broke, when I shift, it does nothing. I was in line at the Taco Bell to by supper for Jon and now I am holding up all the drive through customers. It will not roll even when we try to push it. I am waiting for the wrecker."Carol was upset and I was feeling like a helpless husband.
We stayed in a motel. Dan Downer and I arrived first. It was late when Doug Newnum and the rest of the band pulled in. It was really about 1 A.M. There was not a good place to park the van and the trailer holding the sound equipment. During the short time we had to sleep, thieves crossed the property behind the motel, hiding from the security cameras they cut through the device holding the padlocks on the trailer and stole a guitar, mixer boards, cymbals, microphones, cords and a suitcase of Mike Cruse's clothes. [Mike was not with us that night as he was doing a benefit concert in Illinois.] We are still discovering what was lost. We filed the police report and headed on to our 4pm event in Canton, Ohio on the campus of Malone College. We called ahead and told the event staff of our loss and that we would need help to put together a sound system.
It would not be easy. We are a band and that means lots of instruments. Our keyboards were still in the trailer, but many of the cords and stuff to make them work was not. Steve had drums but no cymbals. Mark had lost his favorite, one of a kind, and expensive guitar.
When we pulled into the parking lot of Malone College, Clark Hoopes, father of Matt Hoopes of the popular Christian contemporary band Reliant K was there waiting for us along with Phil Disabitino, Minister of music at Canton First Friends Church. What faithful servants these men were and are. They, in just a short time, had pulled together equipment to help us get through that night and the weekend. We were already an hour late on our setup time, they had young men there to help us with the long trek from the trailer to the crowded stage. Gary Jones of Renewal, soon arrived with his sons Avery and Eli and added more borrowed equipment.
The Spirit of Jesus was clearly felt by all as we ministered in two Mission Banquets celebrating what God was doing in the lives of missionaries from China, India, Albania, Hungary, Rwanda to Baltimore, Maryland. It was a night of celebration and a renewing of the challenge to take Jesus to those who do not know Him. Now it was 9:30 P.M. and time to take down the equipment and go to Jackson Friends Church.
We pulled into their parking lot at about 11P.M. No one was there. I called the number given to me on my cell and Walter Harris soon came and let us into the church. In the short time between Jackson Friends and Malone College I learned that Mike Cruse was stuck in Chicago airport. The airline had been behind. Mike missed his flight to join us for the Sunday events. He would miss the Sunday morning services. He also was stranded. I called my wife Carol who went to the World Renewal office and tried to find a hotel for Mike as United blamed the air controllers and would not give Mike a voucher for hotel. She got Mike's hotel room, called him with the arrangements and went back to bed at about 1 A.M. just in time to get up, travel 2 hours to preach near the Illinois line. What a woman! Meanwhile, back at Jackson Friends we were setting up the patched together sound equipment for the Sunday morning 8:45 and 11 AM services. We all got to bed back at Malone College dormitories about 2:30 AM.
At 8:45 we stood on the stage of Jackson Friends, a large church between Canton and Akron, Ohio. It was such a different event than the night before. We sang and preached and gave witness. A large number of people prayed prayers of repentance in both services. God was there. It was serious, it was joyful, it was tearful,it was wonderful. When it was over I went to the airport to pick up Mike Cruse while the band took down the sound equipment.
My son Jon called. "Did you hear what happened?" I swallowed hard and said, "No, what happened?" Jon said, "I was asleep this morning and was awakened by a bad smell. I opened my bedroom door only to see that the water heater was on fire!" He said the blaze was huge. Jon turned off the electric box near the water heater, then turned off the main breaker. He then ran upstairs to our main floor got a water bucket and returned to the basement. "Dad, by that time the I got back the fire was huge! But I got it out. No wood caught on fire." I was so glad Jon was wise and did not get hurt. I was glad our other son, David, was not hurt along with our house guest, Katie. I was glad our house had been saved. Then I laughed at the enemy and said outloud, "Does the enemy think we will quit? Trying to burn down my house and kill my children. Does he think we will quit? He is a fool."
We ate lunch at Max and Erma's, after learning that Malone College Dining Hall was now closed, we were too late. We finished lunch at 3pm. Then headed back to the Johnson Center at Malone College.
We were to begin a concert at 6:45 PM. Arriving, we found it was a huge distance from the parking lot to the stage. When they created this building they were not thinking of moving sound equipment. It was a big stage but the evening included a choir and an orchestra. Not enough room. Besides they said we had to have our stuff up and ready by 5:30 for the choir to practice. Whew!
The guys did it but we very concerned. We had to wait for more equipment, this was the largest room we had ever played in, it is huge with about a 60' ceiling. Thank you Clark Hoopes and the young men you had to help us, you are great servants of Jesus!
We began the concert not really sure of how we sounded, as there was no time for a sound check. The audience really worshipped the Lord. It was great. Then the next event started. We led in a time of worship, two sets. Our friend, Dr. John Williams, President of Evangelical Friends International, preached on "Being Transformed by Christ." As the invitation was given we played and lead in our favorite time, altar time. It was great! Jesus Christ was there. The altar of prayer was crowded with those seeking Christ. It ended at 9:10 PM. We started the tear down the equipment and the long trek to the parking lot. Clark and his crew helped us again. It was after 11PM when we pulled into the McDonald's restaurant. I bought the band their supper and they headed home. We rejoiceed in what God had done. We prayed and thanked the Lord for using us and helpin us.
We felt blessed that so many of our friends and family had let us know they were praying for us. Our World Renewal office staff had rallied many to pray for our circumstances. Thank you Peggy and Edna and Carol. Thanks to all of you who knew and prayed for us. Thank you all who didn't know and prayed for us. It was a blessed series events. What the thieves and our enemy meant for evil, God meant for good. You do not have to read the last page to see, God wins. Just look around we are on the winning team.
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Could you pray with us?
Thanks for coming to our site. Renewal, the band and ministry team that travels with me have an intense 48 hours ahead of us. At 4-6 pm we will provide the music for the Evangelical Friends-Eastern Region Mission Banquet. We will do the same again at 7-9 pm. Brehme Centenial Center is located on the Malone College campus, Canton, Ohio.
On Sunday morning we will be at Jackson Friends Church,Massilon, Ohio. We will do an 8:45 am service and then a 11pm service.
We will then go back to the Malone College campus for a 6:45-7pm Pre-service mini-concert. We will lead worship in the 7pm service as Dr. John Williams will bring his message on "Transformation." The number of people that will be in these 5 events will provide a great opportunity for the Lord to work throught our eyes.
I have told you this just to ask for your prayers for the next 48 hours. Pray that as we minister Sunday morning that those who do not know him will be introduced to Him. Pray that we would encourage and challenge church leaders in the evening services. Our desire is simple, that people will experience Jesus.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sweet Sounds?
We had our grandsons here at our house for the last several weeks. Now that they are gone it is so quiet that it hurts. I do not have the vocabulary to describe my feelings about grandchildren, just like I do not have the words to describe how I feel about our Lord Jesus Christ. We get all involved in our worlds of "getter done" and miss so much of what He has already done.
I have to admit that my favorite event of their visit was hearing my three year old grandson, Addison, pray. Addison had problems talking. He was so slow to pick up words and was way behind what the experts said he should be. He was tested for a variety of problems. At one point the doctors said he had made up his own language. It made us all concerned. A couple of months ago they removed his tonsils, adenoids and a dislodged tube in his ear. It seemed to open up the Niagara Falls of communication for him. Now we can't get him to shut up!
I so enjoy hearing him talk. He is a pretty boy. Often he was mistaken when he was younger for being a girl. He is just really cute. He also has a sweet little voice. One day several weeks ago before their visit he went to his mother and said he wanted to call Papaw on the phone. I only got a voice mail recording, "Papaw, I love you. I love you Papaw, Goodbye." I saved it and have listened to that little voice and message over and over. When I had to get a new phone, I made sure his little message was part of the transfer of information.
Several times when they first arrived, I asked Addison to pray for us at meal times. He would just get embarrassed and shake his head no. It was not until his mother visited one of her friends who had a little boy named Asher, that Addison was willing to pray. You see Asher is older and he prays at meals. Upon returning to my house, I asked Addison to pray. Seemingly, remembering his friend Asher praying, Addison decided he could pray too. His prayers were long and detailed. He thanked God for Batman, Spider man and the little plastic wildlife animals Papaw had bought him and his brother. He prayed for his "owies" the scraped knee and the elbow he always tells me he hurt months or seconds ago. His prayers were so long that other family members would start to whisper, "Say 'Amen!' Addison, say 'Amen!" He only seemed to say, "Amen" when he was good and ready which was none too soon for the others waiting to eat. I could not always hear what that little voice was praying but it was one of the most sweet and enjoyable sounds I have ever heard.
It made me think of Jesus and his coming to earth to show us "How". Addison it seems needed someone his age, Asher, to help him see he could pray too. It makes me think of the importance of on-the-job-training in discipling others. We need to see someone like us doing what we should do and then we can do it too! Paul encouraged other Christians in 1 Corinthians 4:16 "I urge you to imitate me." We need to learn from others example, we need to be a model for others. We will probably hear some more sweet sounds when we do.
Thanks for stopping by.
I have to admit that my favorite event of their visit was hearing my three year old grandson, Addison, pray. Addison had problems talking. He was so slow to pick up words and was way behind what the experts said he should be. He was tested for a variety of problems. At one point the doctors said he had made up his own language. It made us all concerned. A couple of months ago they removed his tonsils, adenoids and a dislodged tube in his ear. It seemed to open up the Niagara Falls of communication for him. Now we can't get him to shut up!
I so enjoy hearing him talk. He is a pretty boy. Often he was mistaken when he was younger for being a girl. He is just really cute. He also has a sweet little voice. One day several weeks ago before their visit he went to his mother and said he wanted to call Papaw on the phone. I only got a voice mail recording, "Papaw, I love you. I love you Papaw, Goodbye." I saved it and have listened to that little voice and message over and over. When I had to get a new phone, I made sure his little message was part of the transfer of information.
Several times when they first arrived, I asked Addison to pray for us at meal times. He would just get embarrassed and shake his head no. It was not until his mother visited one of her friends who had a little boy named Asher, that Addison was willing to pray. You see Asher is older and he prays at meals. Upon returning to my house, I asked Addison to pray. Seemingly, remembering his friend Asher praying, Addison decided he could pray too. His prayers were long and detailed. He thanked God for Batman, Spider man and the little plastic wildlife animals Papaw had bought him and his brother. He prayed for his "owies" the scraped knee and the elbow he always tells me he hurt months or seconds ago. His prayers were so long that other family members would start to whisper, "Say 'Amen!' Addison, say 'Amen!" He only seemed to say, "Amen" when he was good and ready which was none too soon for the others waiting to eat. I could not always hear what that little voice was praying but it was one of the most sweet and enjoyable sounds I have ever heard.
It made me think of Jesus and his coming to earth to show us "How". Addison it seems needed someone his age, Asher, to help him see he could pray too. It makes me think of the importance of on-the-job-training in discipling others. We need to see someone like us doing what we should do and then we can do it too! Paul encouraged other Christians in 1 Corinthians 4:16 "I urge you to imitate me." We need to learn from others example, we need to be a model for others. We will probably hear some more sweet sounds when we do.
Thanks for stopping by.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Thanks For The Beds!
I am grateful for those who have helped us with the Christ's Compassion Orphanage in Haiti. We were not prepared to start an orphanage but we have taken 20 children off the streets and fed, clothed and careed for them. We have a fine house, but no furniture, no beds, stove or refrigerator. Now, because of generous Christians from Mt. Carmel, IL. to Greenfield and New Castle, IN we have some beds. I received these pictures today and thought it might be and encouragement to all. The bunks [2 beds] cost $120 each but as you can see they have nice clean sheets and clothes. Thanks so much. We need 5 more bunks. We need an electric water pump and tank $1000 as there are bathrooms but no running water. We have a hand pump well. We are buying drinking water for the children's safety, one of our main costs. We need a cooking stove $500 and a refrigerator $500. "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans...in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." James 1:27
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, July 2, 2007
"Gene, you can't let him drive the truck."
A friend from college called me last week and told me this story. He was one of the members to the first ministry team I ever served with. James stayed at our house one summer. He worked with my father during the day in construction work. My dad was a bi-vocational minister most of my life during the time I lived at home. He was a pastor on Sundays and evenings and then did construction work during the week. One day James asked my dad if he could borrow the truck for a date that night. Dad said, "Okay." [Pictured-James the year this story took place.]
Later, that night my mother asked James what he was getting all dressed up for. James explained to her he had a date and was going to use the truck. Soon, James could hear mom telling my dad that he should not let James use the truck for his date. James assumed that mom was just giving him a hard time. James had upset my parents with some of his late night hours. James could hear mom telling dad, "Gene, you can't let him use the truck!" Dad said, "But I promised him he could have it." Mom said, "Then,let him have our car, but do not let him drive the truck." As James listened to there conversation he was surprised by the reason mom did not want him to use the truck. Soon dad was explaining to James he could not drive the truck but could take their car on the date. So after Dad lectured James on driving safely, James took the car on his date.
The next morning James and dad had gone down the road only a couple of miles in the truck to work when dad said, "James, do you hear that? Do you feel that?" "No," James said. They stopped and checked the truck. They found one wheel that was about to fall off! There was only one lug nut holding the entire wheel onto the car!
Later, that night my mother asked James what he was getting all dressed up for. James explained to her he had a date and was going to use the truck. Soon, James could hear mom telling my dad that he should not let James use the truck for his date. James assumed that mom was just giving him a hard time. James had upset my parents with some of his late night hours. James could hear mom telling dad, "Gene, you can't let him use the truck!" Dad said, "But I promised him he could have it." Mom said, "Then,let him have our car, but do not let him drive the truck." As James listened to there conversation he was surprised by the reason mom did not want him to use the truck. Soon dad was explaining to James he could not drive the truck but could take their car on the date. So after Dad lectured James on driving safely, James took the car on his date.
The next morning James and dad had gone down the road only a couple of miles in the truck to work when dad said, "James, do you hear that? Do you feel that?" "No," James said. They stopped and checked the truck. They found one wheel that was about to fall off! There was only one lug nut holding the entire wheel onto the car!
Dad went around and took one lug nut from every wheel and secured the shaky wheel so they could get to safety. "James, I don't think you would have heard or felt that wheel before it fell off the truck on your date last night!" Dad said. James agreed.
The reason mom did not want James to take the truck, James had heard mom explaining to dad was that the Lord had told her there would be a problem with the truck. She was insisting he use the family car, but not the truck. James said to me on the phone, "I think your momma saved my life!" James is a pastor in Lyons, Georgia today. Many people have come to know Jesus because of James Aycock's ministry.
When momma told me, "The Lord is telling me...." She always had my attention. Thanks momma. Thanks for living a life listening to the Lord Jesus and explaining to me along the way how to listen too. I'm tying to listen Momma.
Thanks for stopping by.
When momma told me, "The Lord is telling me...." She always had my attention. Thanks momma. Thanks for living a life listening to the Lord Jesus and explaining to me along the way how to listen too. I'm tying to listen Momma.
Thanks for stopping by.
