At the first Christmas 2000 plus years ago,
Jesus stepped into a world filled with terror, turmoil and hopelessness. There
were no parades, parties or grandiose proclamations. Rather Jesus was humbly
laid in a cattle trough, animal urine scented the air, a teenage mom recovered
and undoubtedly a shell-shocked stepdad tried to make sense of this crazy turn
of events. Three decades later Jesus would launch a Kingdom movement in a world
consisting of a rigid religious establishment, a pagan empire and political
parties of all stripes. These groups, normally at odds with each other,
conspired to take Jesus out. They perceived this Jesus-threat great to their
power base.
I love Jesus’ approach to all of
this. He had no power base. No army. No money. No voting bloc. No motorcades or
Secret Service. No spin. No swords. His only weapons were a serving towel, a blood-stained
cross, an empty tomb, a bunch of scars and a few ragamuffin disciples who
didn’t start out too hot but ended up out-praying, out-thinking, out-serving
and out-living everyone else, and turned the world upside down.
Jesus befuddled everyone. He
didn’t get bent out of shape every election cycle. He didn’t fight, but chose
to give his life. He read God’s Word more than the newspaper. He prayed more
than He talked about praying. He built bridges rather than throw rocks. He
loved more than He hated and blessed more than He cursed. He was radically
inclusive, inviting all to follow him. Love Jesus or hate Jesus … the truth is
that no one who encounters the real Jesus ever stays the same. He was and still
is the hope of the world, the sin-substitute and the Savior of mankind. Wise
men still seek Him.
Our ministry with Grace
Adventures and the Capitol Commission stays focused on Jesus. God’s grace is
available to everyone, but we sense a great calling to reach out to leaders,
especially elected leaders. We pray and yearn for a revolution of hearts and
minds in our Capitol communities through the Person of Jesus Christ and the
Power of the Word of God. The harvest is plentiful. The opportunities are
everywhere. By God’s grace our best days are ahead. Wherever there is
Jesus…there is HOPE!!
The Kingdom is bursting
forth in 2015
·
Served as the Louisiana State
Chaplain with the Capitol Commission. It is an honor to serve with this
National Ministry that has ministers in over half of the state capitols in the
United States with new opportunities all over the country.
·
Finished my third year leading a
House of Representatives Bible Study during the Session in Baton Rouge. It is
thrilling to see influential leaders learn Scripture and yearn to walk as
followers of Jesus. Lead two Lobbyist Bible studies at the Capitol as well.
·
Spoke at the Louisiana Municipal
Convention at the Ragin’ Cajun Dome in Lafayette, LA to over 500 leaders at
their Prayer Breakfast. Over 100 leaders wanted follow-up and many expressed
written comments of hope, encouragement and decision for Jesus.
·
Helped lead and teach the Regional
Leader Faith Forums that invite elected leaders to gather monthly for Bible
Study, prayer and sharing. Several additional areas in the state are
considering launching new Leader Faith Forums.
·
Divine appointments continue with
leaders in Washington D.C., including Senate, House and The Fellowship. It is
always a joy to help co-lead the Louisiana delegation to the National Prayer
Breakfast annually.
·
Open doors to share the person of
Jesus with skeptics, atheists, agnostics, seekers, religious and non-religious.
I never get tired of sharing the Gospel.
·
Many new one-on-one appointments
with leaders have turned into friendships.
·
Taught ongoing Bible studies
every day of the week but Saturday. It is a joy to see men walk with Jesus.
·
Finished up this year serving
almost 10 years on the Board of Urban Impact in Central City, New Orleans.
·
Started speaking in churches and
community organizations on the topic of, “Is There Hope for America?” Many are
discouraged by the condition of our nation. I remind people that God is on the
throne and these are significant days for Kingdom work and prayer for
revitalization and renewal.
Community Speaking
Opportunities in 2015
Christian Legal Society Convention
Chris Fabry Live!
First
Baptist Church Covington
St.
Timothy’s Luncheon
New Orleans
Leader Forum
Northshore
Leader Forum
Leadership
St. Tammany
Christian
Legal Society
House of
Representatives Study
Lobbyist
Groups
Missions
Conference
Southern
Christian Writers Guild
Men’s
Retreat
Louisiana
Dental Center
Victory
Bible Church
Officer’s
Christian Fellowship
Capitol
Commission Gathering
Grace Harbor
Family
Leadership
Revisited
Legislator’s
Town Hall
Bottom Line
Luncheon
LA Municipal
Association Prayer Breakfast
Pulpit
Supply
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 a faith-based ministry, I am responsible to raise all of my
monthly support.
Please pray for:
·
Our grandson is scheduled to be
born around Christmas time. Please PRAY for the family. This will be an extra
special Christmas for all of the Sprague family. We are expectant and excited!!
·
New monthly commitments to join
the team.
·
End-of-the-year special gifts for
projects.
·
No emotional
appeals. No fundraising tactics. If you are looking for a Kingdom place to
invest, if our work registers in deep ways, c’mon and jump in and move Grace
Adventures forward.
Thank you
Donna and I would not be able to
strategically focus this way without friends who partner with us in prayer,
encouragement and support. We are most grateful. YOU play a huge role in every
business person who finds faith … every lonely leader who is encouraged … every
person who is reminded not to quit … every seed sown … every political leader
who discovers Jesus is worth following … every revitalized soul who discovers
their purpose. Paul put it this way in Philippians 4:17, “Not that I seek the
gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”
Merry Christmas,
Michael and Donna
2015 Highlights in Pictures
Christian Legal Society National Conference |
Municipal Convention |
Municipal Convention |
LA State Capitol |
Forcey Bible Church Retreat |