It has been a wonderful and eventful start to my ministry with the Crisis Response Team. One of my first activities was to attend a training session that the Crisis Response Team was giving for Zions Evangelical Church in Bland, Missouri.
This training educates the church regarding the Crisis Response ministry, shows how to plan and prepare for local crisis events and prepares the church to serve at other crisis sites. My goal in attending was to learn about the training that we provide so I could help lead these type sessions in the future.
Check out this video for more on the Crisis Response Team and our ministry.
A funny thing happened on the way to Bland…
The training was being held in Bland, Missouri and flew from California to St. Louis, Missouri on September 20. I arrived late at night and stayed at the Marriot Hotel near the airport. I decided to pick up my rental car when I got in, around midnight, so I could leave first thing in the morning from the hotel.
I got up early and went out to my car at about 6:00 am to start the 90-minute drive over to Bland. However, I had a slight issue. My rental car had been stolen. At first, I was thinking maybe I parked in the wrong place, but after wondering the parking lot I could not find the car. I have traveled for over 40 years and have never had a car stolen. I could not believe it. So I went to the Hertz rental car location at the airport, reported the incident, talked to the police and after 90 minutes was able to get on the road with another car.
During my drive to Bland, I called my wife and told her about the incident. She was extremely encouraging and she reminded me that the enemy can steal my rental car, but he cannot steal my joy. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and grace.
I sent a note to the Crisis Response Team leading the training and let them know what happened. Needless to say, the church will probably remember me… lol
The training session went very well and the church had over 15 people in attendance. Several of those attending the training session also went to Corpus Christi, Texas in October to serve with the Crisis Team for a week.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Prayer Requests
- Wisdom and guidance in continuing to get together with California churches and pastors as well as other churches in the Western US to encourage that to organize and send teams to Crisis Sites
- Continued prayer for building up my financial and prayer partners. I have raised about 20% of the required funds to date. My target is about $55,000 for the year which is mainly for travel expenses. Please pray that the funding can be secured soon, in order that I may be able to get more fully into my role.
- Spiritual growth as I continue my onboarding process and training.
- Wisdom for the Crisis Response Leadership Team on determining which Crisis events we can support and those which we cannot.