Saturday, October 02, 2004
IMPORTANT NEWS
10-2-04
Yesterday I was taking a walk and praying. God led me into a divine appointment. I met with a pastor last night and this morning. God could use that encounter to greatly change the lives of many people that both of us know. This could begin very soon and last for many years to come.
BACKGROUND
I was seeking a place to host the Friday Community Gathering. It was Friday evening and I wanted to learn what the sidewalks were like in this neighborhood at that hour. The plan is to have a weekly potluck dinner. This will be for food, fellowship, fun, prayer and recording messages for the emerging web site. The goal is to meet within walking distance of campus. Hundreds of students that live on campus do not have a car. There are several churches in the area. Yet as I mentioned this during a meeting last week, a staff member expressed concern about the safety of walking even a few blocks.
I have lived in the same apartment complex on Swiss Ave that is within three blocks of the seminary since 1991. I have walked these streets until midnight all those years. During those hundreds of hours of exposure I have experienced a handful of awkward encounters. None were really dangerous.
But then I recalled that I had also worked for years in South Dallas amidst the crack houses. I learned to develop strong faith that angels accompany me everywhere. I have an abiding confidence that Almighty God keeps harm away from me. My faith is growing in that way as I drive on the freeways. God protects me from those folks that come up quickly behind me going more than 80 miles an hour.
During this walk yesterday I began to see it through the eyes of someone that came from an ordinary suburban neighborhood. There are pockets around here that are run down. In order to get to two of the churches that I had in mind a person needed to pass by these. It could be frightening. And there is real crime in the area.
I became discouraged. I felt sure that for years God had been developing this vision in my heart. I just did not know where or when to begin. But I kept praying. Then the Holy Spirit brought to main the image of a building that is right across the street from campus.
It is the white building at 1213 N Washington near the Fina gas station. Years ago it housed a building maintenance contracting company. Currently it does not have a sign. Months ago there was a sign saying Mahogany Dance Company. I went in a met Pastor Gilbert. He told me of his journey to start an African American dance company 30 years ago when he was 15 years old. It has gone through many changes. And five years ago God brought forth a church as a parallel ministry. Haziel Cathedral Ministries
He invited me to the dance rehearsal this morning. It was awe-inspiring. There were two dozen very well trained and dedicated dancers giving elegant expression to biblical passages and Christian concepts. They were getting ready for a major performance to be held in November. He also told me of how God has opened doors for them to go our to the multiplex to dance to the Christian hip hop songs and interact with those God draws.
The longing of Pastor Gilbert’s heart is to see those of every race and nation come together in the name of Jesus and love one another. He shed tears when I told him how I often relate to international students at the seminary just across the street. I told him how I am seeking a place to meet weekly for potluck meal, fellowship, fun, prayer and recording.
NEXT
He and I will be meeting to discuss these matters this week. Pray for the Lord Jesus Christ to guide our conversations, plans and actions. This could start VERY SOON. And it would be JUST in the nick of time.
In order to get the ball rolling with Ears to Hear then there needs to be dozens of short messages recorded for the web site. I have passed out the orange card with the toll free phone number and pass code but so far none have shared a testimony. Hopefully after there is a large sampling then they will better understand how to model their message. On Friday evenings in a room away from the talkative eaters will be the recorder and small audience for the speaker to address. Those weekly messages will begin to create the needed momentum
While there I will have an opportunity to cast the vision briefly verbally as well as using print, CDs and DVDs. That will enroll the Launch Team of intercessors, advisors and donors.
Watch for an update on the Friday Community Gathering soon.
Also before that I hope to publish the Big Picture flow chart. Then the Launch Team of intercessors, advisors and donors can be on the same page as Ears to Hear emerges.
John 4:10 PM
TODAY WENT WELL
10-1-04
THANKS again for your prayers.
Yesterday evening after your prayers, the Holy Spirit led me to sift through many old and new files. This helped me in the early morning to update the graphics I used previously and add a few more new ones.
The meeting itself went very smoothly. There was good rapport and understanding. This person appreciated how this proposal will meet various needs. To assist with the fund raising this professional suggested that I emphasize the uniqueness of this emerging ministry. That will help to distinguish me from the many other charitable options.
When asked for referrals none came to their mind right away. They promised to pray about it. It was clear that they wanted to help me get going. I said as you pray believe that God will certainly give you the right names. I will be following up on this contact.
I have been making a presentation about every other day for two weeks. The practice has been improving my performance. The meetings have ranged from 30 to 60 minutes. Most have been in the 30 to 40 range.
The face-to-face presentation needs to be much shorter for the busy business owners. This can happen as I put many of the details on the web plus a DVD that I give them. There needs to be FEW well selected pages left with them. Those include the form asking for referrals and the response card for monthly donations. I hope to finish both of those very soon.
I am in the process of sifting through the many projects and tasks. I am grouping them in to Now, Soon, Later and Much Later. I hope post a mind map of this overview on a web site soon. That will help me to better FOCUS on the short term because I can SEE how it leads down a path toward desired results.
Obviously God can change things any day and any way. But this method of lining up the ducks gets them out of my head. It puts the zillion ideas outside of me so they can be better organized. I have been shooting from the hip for many years but not scoring well. SO this is another approach.
John 3:56 PM
Thursday, September 30, 2004
KEY MEETING FRIDAY
9-30-04
I have an appointment on Friday October 1st at 1 p.m.
More than any other meeting this one could be key. This person is a professional fundraiser and has worked for years nurturing relationships with many generous donors.
My challenge is to craft a short and effective presentation this evening and tomorrow morning. This needs to graphically communicate how the innovative new ministry I am launching is designed to compliment the goals of the established institution. Thus the person I am meeting with may feel led to introduce me to those who are already motivated to generously support education and missions.
I am asking for God to clearly guide me in preparing the diagrams and minds maps. These will cast the vision swiftly. Then I ask for referrals or better yet introductions to those who are like-minded.
John 3:46 PM
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