I believe that Spring has finally arrived! The flowers are in bloom, the trees have began growing their leaves, and pollen doth abound. It seems as if I cannot keep our car clean no matter what I do. I ran it through the carwash the other day, and before I got home it was covered in a yellow dust. Unfortunately, our van is black. It looks awesome when it is clean, but this time of year it looks more like a yellow-jacket. But we are very thankful that our winter is past, and the spring time has come. Along with the new sprouts and blooms, God has brought new opportunities to me and Michele and this ministry.
Last month, I had the wonderful privilege of traveling Roanoke, VA and ministering to leaders from all across the state of Virginia at the Church of God “Equippers Conference”. I was given four 1-Hour sessions to teach on the subject of praise and worship, and what a glorious time we had. I received the evaluations from each of our students and was able to read what God did for them in the classes. There were words like, “Transformation”, “Forever Changed”, “I will never view worship the same way again”. There were so many additional comments that indicated how God used four hours to radically change those who attended. Praise the Lord!
For Michele, March brought about some amazing opportunities for her. Last month, she was crowned the new Mrs. Virginia United States of America. She will go on to represent the state of Virginia at the Mrs. United States of America pageant being held in Savannah, GA July 22-28, 2012. Already, God has given her some amazing opportunities to minister to women, and has been invited to share at a women’s conference the end of this month in Richmond, VA as Mrs. Virginia. This will be the first of many stops for her on this journey as she continues to share the love of God with many of these women who have only been concerned with how they look. And already, many women who are reading her blog and Facebook updates are responding to the challenges that Michele is sending out. Hallelujah!
Perhaps one of the most life changing opportunities presented itself two weeks before Throne Zone and was made official the week following Throne Zone. We were contacted by the owners of Titanic- the museum attraction in Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge, TN- regarding their upcoming 100th Year Memorial Tribute to the Titanic. The Titanic sank April 14, 1912 at 11:40pm, and now- 100 years later- the Titanic Attractions will host a Memorial Tribute to honor those passengers aboard its maiden voyage. More specifically, they wanted to hire Christian Producers to organize and execute this musical tribute. I have been contracted out as the Music Producer/Director, and Michele will serve as the Producer of the entire program which will take place on April 14th.
They gave us complete liberty to pull together and organize this memorial tribute, and gave us certain elements that they wanted to incorporate into the program. Their main concern, they wanted a good flow for this memorial tribute. And, of course, flow is what we know how to do in this ministry.
It has been A LOT of work, but it has been very fun. We have been working with Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Choirs, Soloists, Bagpipers, Pyrotechnic Directors, and the media. As a matter of fact, you may have already seen the Titanic on the front page of USA Today, as well as their special edition insert with exclusive coverage on the Titanic. We will have National Geographic TV, The History Channel, Canadian TV, and all the major US networks covering this Memorial Tribute. Additionally, there will be International TV Correspondents, as well as USA Today and NY Times.
Now you may be asking how does that fit into the vision and scope of ministry for His Call? Well, let me share.
They have allowed us the opportunity to pull together the music for this event, as well as all of their participants. Therefore, we have created a “flow” for the program that will present the salvation message in a unique format which will follow the historical documentation of testimonies and events from the passengers aboard the Titanic that fateful night.
One such story comes from the Rev. John Harper. Rev. Harper was scheduled to go to Chicago to preach at Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church. He was to have sailed on the Lusitania to preach, but felt directed by the Lord to change his travel to the Titanic. An English man had a bad feeling about his traveling on the Titanic, and therefore offered to pay Rev. Harper’s total passage aboard another ship. However, Rev. Harper felt compelled to travel on the Titanic.
In the book, “The Titanic’s Last Hero”, the account of Rev. Harper’s last convert is document. I would love to share an excerpt from that book (p.9)
During those final fifty minutes, George Henry Cavell, who was clinging to a board drifted near John Harper. Harper, who was struggling in the water, cried, “are you saved?” The answer returned, “No.” Harper shouted words from the Bible; “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Before responding, the man drifted into the darkness.
Later, the current brought them back in sight of each other. Once more they dying Harper shouted the question, “Are you saved?” Once again he received the answer, “No.” Harper repeated the words of Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Then the drowning Harper slipped into his watery grave. The man he sought to win put his faith in Jesus Christ. Later he was rescued by the S.S. Carpathia’s lifeboats. In Hamilton, Ontario, George Henry Cavell testified that he was John Harper’s “last convert.”
Harper’s last convert was won by Harper’s last words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
I had no idea that there were actually eight ministers aboard the Titanic, all of whom were lost at sea. But thank God for this wonderful account of George Cavell giving his heart to God.
Concluding the actual ceremony, people will be given tours throughout the ship. In the final exhibit, there will be cards printed up with scriptures just like Acts 16:31. People from around the world will hear of this story, be able to read the scriptures, and without a pulpit or church setting, thousands of people will be introduced to the scripture, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” How amazing God is.
Please know that as you continue to sow your seed into the fertile ground of this ministry, you are impacting lives. God is opening doors to us that quite honestly are somewhat intimidating and overwhelming at times. Yet, we believe that as He opens these doors, our responsibility is to walk through these doors and watch what HE does, and how HE does it.
Without your faithful support each month, Michele and I would not have these types of opportunities to share the love of Jesus, and help lead people to the Throne Zone dimension of God’s presence. For that, we say a very special THANK YOU! Always remember that each of these souls we are touching will be added to your account as you are helping us to go the distance as we continue to answer HIS CALL.
We love you very much and believe God has great things in store for you. Just like this Titanic opportunity, it may not look like what you think it should look like, and it may come at an unexpected time. But always remember, He opens doors that no man can shut, and closes doors that no man can open. Our job is simply to walk through every door that HE opens, trusting that it will lead you and me to His perfect will for our lives. Be ready, be positioned, and walk through the open door!
The winter is now past, and your spring time has come!
SAVE THE DATE: August 2-4, 2012- Throne Zone Carolina Check out www.HisCall.org for more information
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