New Initiative in Ministry

From the start, Grace Adventures has focused on reaching Political, Business and Spiritual

leaders for Christ, one leader at a time. During the month of April we launched a new initiative at the State Capitol to reach out to our elected leaders while they are in a nine-week session gathered in Baton Rouge. I am spending three days a week at the Capitol from April through June 6th.

A Representative recently asked me, in front of many other Representatives, why I was spending three days a week at the Capitol. I said, “I want to help leaders think through the ‘Big Questions’ of life. I want leaders to win not just in politics, but in life. I don’t want leaders to climb the ladder of success only to get to the top and discover their ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. I want leaders to be healthy spiritually, physically, mentally and in their families, because they will serve better. I want everyone to get to know the real Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible and not the one who people make in their own image. If you get to know the real Jesus you will be turned upside down, you will be stunned, amazed, challenged to no end and inspired. I believe things can happen at the Capitol in Jesus that could never happen through politics. Walls can come down and relationships of friendship can be built. I don’t believe the Kingdom of God will ever arrive on Air Force One no matter who is the President. I don’t believe revival will start in Washington DC. I believe it is possible for a revitalization to start in an unexpected place …  like Louisiana and it could spread to the nation.” This is why I am at the Capitol.

 

National Day of Prayer

State Capitol Senate Chamber, Baton Rouge

On May 2nd, I had the honor of helping lead the National Day of Prayer event at the State Capitol. Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Broome, and Speaker Pro Tempore Leger participated as members of the Capitol, and the community gathered to seek God’s face and ask Him to bless and heal our land. We prayed for seven mountains of influence that included Government, Military, Family, Church, Business, Media, and Education. I began with these words, spoken to our founding Fathers from eighty-one-year-old Ben Franklin at the 1787 Constitutional Convention:

“And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.”

 

Ministry Opportunities

Open Doors for Ministry continue to come to speak the gospel and words of encouragement and challenge to groups in the community and at the Capitol. This month I delighted in speaking to the Louisiana Dental Association, started a new Bible Study at the Capitol, opened the House of Representatives in prayer on April 30th and was the Honorary Chaplain for the Day. It was fascinating meeting with the Israel’s Ambassador to the United States on the 65th anniversary of the restored nation of Israel. I am continuing my work in New Orleans and the Northshore as well. This includes five ongoing weekly Bible studies, discipleship and appointments. It is a busy time and I will be ready for a little downtime after June 6th.

Jonathan and Patricia

 

We will head to Texas this weekend to celebrate as Patricia receives her Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology!! She has labored hard, working full-time and going to school full-time. She has a huge heart to help others. What tenacity and staying-at-it power! God bless you Patricia.

Wrap-Up

Books I’m Reading

1.   7 Men and the Secret of their Greatness, Eric Metaxas

2.   Operation World, The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation, Jason Mandryk

Donna and I appreciate you. It is a delight to have friends who care and pray. We can only do what we do because friends stand with us in the Great Commission. Thank you. Please let us know how we can serve you. Our prayer is you too will find delight in God and experience His nearness and blessing.

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

 

My Cup Runneth Over

The last two months have brought great opportunity.  The following are a few praises and prayer requests:

PRAISE

Joe Gibbs Event – A group of men joined together to bring 1000 guys from the community to hear former Washington Redskin Coach and NASCAR Owner, Joe Gibbs.  He spoke on Getting Men off the Sidelines and into the Game.  329 men marked on their cards that they invited Christ into their hearts.  329!  Check out GamePlanforLife.com

 

Speaking Opportunities – Legislative Retreat, Victory Bible Church, Leadership St. Tammany, Wedding, Baby Dedication, Christian Legal Society.  My goal is to spend more and more time speaking to community organizations about the need for spiritual renewal and revitalization in our community and country.
 

Discipleship – A number of men have recently come to faith and I am following up.  It was fantastic to see one of the men authentically give his testimony before I spoke to a lawyers group in New Orleans.  He was a great object lesson in the power of the gospel.
 

Preaching Opportunities – It was a huge privilege to be a speaker at Forcey Bible Church’s Missions Conference in Silver Spring, MD.  Many responded to the invitation.  Donna spoke at a women’s luncheon after church.
 

 

 

“We preach Christ and Christ crucified.”  1 Cor. 1 & 2

National Prayer Breakfast – Once again, I helped co-lead the team from Louisiana to the National Prayer Breakfast.  Dr. Ben Carson seems to have launched a national movement after his keynote address.  The trip included key appointments with political leaders in Washington, DC.   Here Donna is pictured with Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist.
 

Disaster Response – I like to do little projects to keep my hands in the TouchGlobal Disaster Response Ministry.  It was fantastic to meet with leaders from New York City who are figuring out how to follow-up in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
 

 

Urban Impact – I enjoy serving as Chairman of the Board at Urban Impact in Central City, New Orleans.  The ministry has purchased St. Monica’s Church and school and has renovated the property.  It is thrilling to see kids have a place to play, learn and worship.

PRAYER

 

1. Pray for full recovery for Donna after her recent knee surgery.

2. Pray for my ministry starting in mid-April through mid-June in Baton Rouge among Legislators during the 2013 Legislative Session.

3. Pray for open doors, changed hearts, wisdom and boldness.

4. Pray for revival, revitalization and renewal in the United States.

 

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

Great Free Tool to Use in the Battle!!

What a blessing and privilege to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the great state of Louisiana and beyond! At Grace Adventures we strive to initiate a movement for Christ in the political, business and spiritual arena and we are confident countless others are with us or will become with us in this endeavor.

The battle for truth rages on in the United States, with the political and cultural “high ground” going to the adversary too much of the time. The church has often responded with fear, isolation or political rhetoric. This strategy has produced mixed results at best. Jesus ushered in a spiritual kingdom and intensified the battle for truth that can’t be fought with the weapons or strategies of this fallen world. Only His gospel can change people from the inside out. The cause of Christ is not primarily advanced by changing laws but by making disciples. We have been given a great and grand commission to make disciples … and a strong part of the commission is to go specifically to Kings and all who are in authority (Acts 9:15, 1 Timothy 2:1-4). My ministry is to make disciples particularly at this leader level.

I recently heard a state senator say the feedback he receives runs 1000 negative comments for every one positive. He said if he ever gets a positive comment he prints and saves it. It is rare anyone ever says they are praying for him. Many officials have told me they have never had someone come and pray for them or ask how their spouse and kids are doing. This can change. A true renewal of God’s grace and truth is needed in our dear land.

I would like to strategically invite you to minister smack in the middle of the political arena.

Here’s how! Would you consider committing to pray for your elected leaders just as the Apostle Paul taught in 1Timothy 2:1-4, “that … prayers … be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority. I have a free tool that has helped me tremendously and I encourage you to try it. You too can faithfully pray for the elected leaders in your state weekly or daily. Simply go to www.pray1tim2.org, click on your state, and then click weekly or daily. You will receive the names, pictures and contact information for six of your state officials to pray for. What a tool!

Let me know if you try www.pray1tim2.org!!

Prayer Requests:

Love for God (Mark 12:30)

“Pray, then that the supreme motivation for obedience to the call of Christ in all that we do is love for Him.”

Genuine Love For Others (Mark 12:31)
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.” (I Thess. 3:12a)

Fruit of The Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23)
Pray that the fruit of the Spirit, the very beauty of Jesus, will be evident in our life.

Wisdom and Knowledge (James 1:5)
Pray we will be granted this wisdom and will be filled with the knowledge of His will and understanding when establishing priorities, facing decisions, and solving problems.

Courage (Ephesians 6:19)
Pray that we will have the courage to boldly share the truth of the Gospel regardless of possible opposition and rejection.

Disciples (Matthew 28:19a)
Pray that we will experience the joy of guiding others to salvation, and “teaching them to obey everything Christ commanded them.”

Upcoming Trips
Pray for me as I lead teams of leaders to a training event with apologist Lee Strobel in Dallas and the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours

Donna & Michael

Our new calling is almost two years old now. GRACE ADVENTURES sprouted with a dedication to reach Political, Business and Spiritual leaders for Jesus, one leader at a time. This ministry is like a tiny, tiny, tiny mustard seed that gets planted in the ground. No one says, “Amen” to a mustard seed. Nobody says, “Yeah, slow organic growth.” So many want the Kingdom style to be swift, forced, visible, and powerful, but Jesus says go with the mustard seed approach, emphasizing slow, steady, stealthy, healthy planting, watering and cultivating. In time the Kingdom bursts forth with fruit 30, 60 or 100 fold. The grand vision is to serve behind the scenes to reach and train up leaders so that these Christ-followers from the political, business and spiritual arenas become fruitful in the community. 

 

 

 

Our Message

Our son, Jonathan, and his
wife, Patricia

Our message simply put is JESUS. Our interest is not for people to love Christianity but to love JESUS. Our focus is not so much to get people to heaven but get people to a personal relationship with God and then heaven gets thrown in. We cannot fix anybody, but we can bring people to the real JESUS and allow Him to do what we could never do – transform a human life. We desperately want to learn from Richard Halverson, former Chaplain of the United Stated Senate, “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise.” GRACE ADVENTURES exists to introduce leaders to Jesus Christ and disciple them so that they may effectually impact their sphere of influence for the glory of God.

 

Opportunities Tripled in 2012!
·      Louisiana Legislative Retreats
·      Writer’s Guild
·      Veteran’s Hospital
·      LA House of Representatives
·      SIGMA, Oil & Gas Convention
·      Leadership St. Tammany
·      Impact University
·      Dental Association
·      Rotary Club
·      Urban Impact
·      Touch Global
·      Christian Legal Society
·      Great Lakes Church Planters
·      Pulpit Supply
·      Men’s Retreats

Urban Impact Building Dedication, New Orleans
 

 

The Kingdom is Bursting Forth 

·      A newly saved political/business leader sets up regular appointments for me to share Jesus with his contacts. Many have trusted the Lord for the first time.

·      Business leaders have caught the vision for sharing the message of amazing GRACE and asked me to train them to share with their friends.

·      I asked a city political leader about his spiritual life. He said, “I do not have a spiritual life, but I would like to have one.” We are now meeting.

·      A business man climbed the ladder of success and learned his ladder was leaning against the wrong wall. He has discovered Jesus was the one who was missing from his life.

·      An opportunity is emerging to lead state elected leaders in Bible study.

·      Over a hundred have received training in apologetics and how to share the good news.

·      Pastors are being encouraged to continue the fight. Shepherds need shepherds and friends too!

·      Wonderful friendships have blossomed with the Capitol Commission, SEARCH ministries, Touch Global, Urban Impact, National Prayer Breakfast, etc.

·      This year has been filled with open doors for Bible study, outreach and personal conversations with judges, lobbyists, leaders at the Pentagon and White House, State and U.S. Senators and Representatives, business and spiritual leaders. The mission field is as big as God chooses.

 

Retreat at Officer's Christian Fellowship in Pennsylvania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Update

I have not mentioned finances since last December.  For a man who has been called “pathetic” at fundraising, God gave us enough to get started. The core of the ministry has been supported by people making monthly commitments to GRACE ADVENTURES, and this has been supplemented by one-time gifts. I am grateful. As I go into 2013, I have monthly commitment for 80% of my needed support, but still need to raise 20%. As a faith-based ministry, I am responsible to raise all of my monthly support.

 

Please pray for:

·      New monthly commitments to join the team.

·      End-of-the-year special gifts for projects.

End of the year projects for 2012:

Last year’s end of the year giving enabled us to do much additional outreach. Our small, lean ministry budget was supplemented to allow us to do beyond what was possible.

Merry Christmas,

Michael

Hug Your Pastor

Grace Adventures reaches out to political, business and spiritual leaders for Christ, one leader at a time. I want to see leaders healthy and fruitful. Since October is PASTOR APPRECIATION month, I would like to focus this newsletter on our pastors and spiritual leaders.  They are people too, and need encouragement. Take a look at some startling statistics that reek in the spiritual leader graveyard:

·         A staggering 18,000 pastors annually exit vocational ministry never to return

·         For every 20 pastors who go into ministry, only one retires from the ministry

·         3500 churches die each year

·         80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role according to George Barna

These stats are alarming. I grieve many times when I listen to the hearts of spiritual leaders. Sometimes the grimaces, the third degree burns, and wounds of the soul I see cause my stomach to turn more than any ER situation I have encountered. I admire the overwhelming number of spiritual leaders I know. These statistics can and must change. I delight in spending time with spiritual leaders, listening to their stories, processing pain, sharing hope, praying and longing for the Spirit to show up and bring salve to the raw inner places of their inner world.

Have you ever seen the show “Dirty Jobs”? The host Mike Rowe, explores the hardiest, messiest and strangest jobs around. For instance, Mike has highlighted:

·         A coal miner

·         A mule logger

·         A lightning rod installer

·         A worm dung farmer

·         A sewer inspector

I’d like to propose that Mike look at one of the toughest jobs anyone could do – A Spiritual Leader. It is spiritually, mentally, physically demanding. So this month pray for spiritual leaders, encourage them, and hug your kids and your pastor. They deserve it.

The Lion Chaser’s Manifesto:

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion.  --Mark Batterson

Read it. Post it. Live it.

Prayer Requests for Grace Adventures:

·         Evangelize  those who have not yet experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16)

·         Establish  those who have a desire to grow in their faith and in their knowledge of the Scriptures (Colossians 2:6-7)
·         Equip those who have been called to spiritual leadership (Ephesians 4:11-12)
·         Encourage the Church to participate in the process with us (1Timothy 2:1-4)
·         Enlist & Enable individuals, businesses, and churches to become strategic prayer and financial partners (2 Corinthians 8:3-6)
·         Engage those who desire to participate in the ministry by offering their time and talents (Matthew 25:20)
·         Entreat God to bless all facets of the ministry as we look to Him for wisdom, guidance and ways to bring Him glory (1 Chronicles 4:10)
·        Enjoy  the opportunity to witness God move in miraculous ways (Psalm 37:4-6)
and financial partners (2 Corinthians 8:3-6)

 

Michael, along with government leaders, met with Leading Global Islamic Terrorism Expert, Brigitte Gabriel of ACT for America.

Election Year Exhortation

1. Everybody Pray!  OK?

2. Everybody Vote!  OK?

3. Everybody Be Civil! OK? I didn’t hear you!

4. Everybody Needs Jesus! Agree?

John Adams to Abigal Adams:

My dearest friend, I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings upon this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof. (Now inscribed on White House State Dining Room mantle.)

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

Cup Licking Does not Satisfy

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”  (Ps. 42:1-2a)

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.’”  (John 4:13-14)

I’ve probably told this story dozens of times over the last couple of months:
 

“Picture a thirsty person holding a cup of water. Now picture that person sticking their tongue out and licking the outside of the cup in an attempt to quench their thirst. This is a picture of religiosity. It is easy to focus on the cup and forget the contents. People spend so much time arguing over who has the best cup while not drinking from any. Cups come big, little or mega size. Some are ornate and some simple. Some are loud and some plain. Some are contemporary and some are old-fashioned … Endless cup arguments and cup licking … People are attracted to different cups but cup licking the outside of a cup will not quench thirst …ONLY THE LIVING WATER IN THE CUP CAN SATISFY! Faith can be expressed in many forms, but the form is not what satisfies … only JESUS CHRIST quenches real thirst.”
 

Through the ministry of GRACE ADVENTURES I find that people in the political, business and spiritual realms are indeed thirsty. Many have had bad experiences with a variety of cups. Others admit they were more into the form of the cup and didn’t focus on the substance in the cup. It happens to well-meaning people all of the time. Others have never even had a cup. It doesn’t matter. I meet people where they are at and talk to them about the Living Water. It is amazing what happens when someone starts to drink. Not long ago, a man who recently trusted Christ told me his life has been totally changed. Another leader, who met Jesus a few months ago, has caught the vision to help other thirsty people. He finds it a great spiritual buzz to give his life away to help others. People who are attending Bible studies are finding their weary souls renewed and replenished. Opportunities abound daily to bring people to the One who calls himself the Living Water.
 

It is fascinating working with leaders in these days of austerity and trouble. I relate it to the days of Jeremiah. Storm clouds were on the horizon and Jeremiah’s grace adventure was to call people to God. Resistance was severe. God’s mouthpiece was laughed at, mocked, put in the stocks (which were reserved for false teachers), a cistern, etc. The people loved to listen to the health, wealth and prosperity prophets who said, “All is well. Peace. Peace.” Finally after forty years, the storm clouds were so close that the king ordered Jeremiah brought out of the prison and asked him, “Is there a word from the Lord?” We live in these days!!!! Leaders are asking me, “Is there a word from the Lord?” Yes there is!!! The Kingdom of God will not arrive on Air Force One. Jesus Christ quenches thirst. Really. It is happening.

Plaquemines Parish Flooding after Hurricane Isaac

Yes, those are cattle on the porch!

 

Prayer

 

·         Keep praying for my dad. He didn’t need to have his leg amputated. After a month plus in a rehab hospital he is home and waiting upon multiple skin grafts. It is complicated but slowly improving.

·         Pray for God’s favor upon appointments. Nothing is better than FAVOR. When you see God doing what you can’t do … it is glorious and amazing.

·         Thank God for open doors. I can hardly believe the doors that are opening!! One appointment leads to the next that leads to the next. One evening, all within an hour, I got three appointments that were “ONLY GOD” appointments. Leaders need Jesus and His enablement.

·         Got to visit Jonathan and Patricia Labor day weekend in Dallas.

·         Pray for spiritual renewal in America. It happened once. Why can’t it happen again?

·         Our home made out well during Hurricane Isaac.  We evacuated to a friend’s home.  Our power was only out for two days.  Pray for the people who had home damage.

 

 

Attention Men:

I will be speaking at three Men’s Retreat’s. If you are interested … here is the contact information:

 

·        October 12-14 - Faith Community Church, Camden, DE (302) 697-1673

·        October 19-21 - Forcey Bible Church, Silver Spring, MD (301) 622-2200; Retreat being held at Skycroft Retreat Center

·         November 2-4 - Burke Community Church, Burke, VA (703) 425-0205; Retreat being held at White Sulphur Springs, Manns Choice, PA

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael