Grace Adventures: December 2013

Merry Christmas from Michael and Donna

Our new calling is almost three 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.

The Kingdom is bursting forth in 2013:

A new Bible study started at the State Capitol for members of the House of Representatives. Imagine some of the most influential leaders discussing how the Word of God relates to life and work.

Many new friendships among Legislators, government leaders, lobbyists, staffers, political operatives, journalists and security staff.

Michael with Gov. Jindal

A new study was just approved at the State Capitol for year-round staffers in the House, Senate, and Jindal Administration.

A study for Lobbyists. Yes, Lobbyists.

A lawyer who, last year put faith in Jesus, is now teaching the Bible and preparing for seminary.

A business man is sharing his faith hundreds of times and leading a seeker investigative study.

Outreach event where over 200 people registered a faith decision for Christ.

Leadership St. Tammany

Business leaders received training in apologetics and how to share the good news.

Military leaders encouraged, invested in and then sent out to impact their world.

Open doors to share the Gospel with atheists, agnostics, seekers, skeptics, irreligious and religious. The mission field is white unto harvest.

New one-on-one appointments with leaders all over the state. What a spiritual feast. Only God!

Numbers of divine appointments with national leaders in Washington: with the Senate, House, Christian Embassy, The Fellowship and Prison Fellowship.

Just this week, a businessman attending his first Bible study ever commented that he wanted to learn “anything and everything” he could from the Bible.

Abraham Lincoln famously said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.”

Our Message

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.

Community Speaking Opportunities in 2013

Louisiana Legislative Retreat

Building Dedication

Veteran’s Hospital Staff

Praying at LA House of Representatives

LA House of Representatives

New Orleans Leadership Forum

Leadership St. Tammany

LA Dental Association

Officers’ Christian Fellowship

Urban Impact

Touch Global

Christian Legal Society

Channel 10, Cable Television

Pulpit Supply

Men’s Retreats

National Day of Prayer

Leadership Revisited

Colorado Disaster

North Carolina Adventures

North Carolina Adventure

Commissioning Address

Forcey Missions Conference

Missions Conference

Christian school

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:

New monthly commitments to join the team.

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

End of the year project:

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. Last year’s end-of-the year giving allowed our lean ministry budget to do additional outreach and free up Donna somewhat with some strategic bookkeeper help. Thank you.

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.”

2013 Special Memories