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Recent Posts & Updates
Fatherless Generation
This past week I have been wrestling with an issue that has haunted me my whole life: fatherlessness.
Strength and Renewal
One of the many joys of ministry is the privilege of walking with others as they experience who God is and grow in reliance and trust in Him.
Humble Leadership
Thursday is garbage day where I live and it took the simple act of a garbage pick-up to restore my faith in honesty and leadership development here in America.
Goals and Fear
Twenty-seven years ago I took a weekend to think about and write down some life goals. I broke them down to ten-year goals, five-year, one-year, and finally down to weekly and daily goals. I committed to pray over these goals every month.
Celebrating TUMI Newark
We have established the first TUMI class inside a Department of Corrections Facility in New Jersey.
The Black Church and Church Planting
The Black Church began with Church Planting and its future will depend on the recovery of this movement of reproduction, empowerment, and mission.
Beyond February
Peanuts, freedom, and sports sum up my childhood interactions with Black History Month. The month of February launched my predominantly white school into a building lined with posters of Black icons and library displays of books featuring children that looked nothing like anyone in my class.
Don’t Give Up On Me
I received a call from my friend Joe at a late hour, asking if I could pick him up from jail. I was not surprised to hear that Joe had been in jail. His life had been difficult.
Embracing Mercy
Before we joined World Impact in 1993, God called me to the city through the writings of Amy Carmichael, a single missionary in India who sought to rescue children and young women from the life of temple prostitution.
Love and Danger in the City
I spent seven years in one of America’s most dangerous cities, or at least that is what the media tells me. While I lived there I never felt like I was in danger.
Silencing the Noise: Follow Up
As I continue to think about the voice of God, I have been thinking more about silence. As an urban missionary I recognize that noise is all around us in the city. While we can’t eliminate all of that noise, we still want to be in a position to hear the Lord.
The Future of Ministry
As someone who has spent over 20 years in the throes of industry, I am frequently asked what common business principles can be applied to ministry and non-profits to help them run as a better organization.
Hearing the Voice of God
This is not a blog to provide great and practical insight into how to hear or discern the voice of God. Rather, these are some thoughts that I have been pondering this past month as I desire to draw closer to the Lord and hear His voice.
Let’s Change the Headlines
If you read our local newspaper, Star Ledger, in December you would have seen some depressing headlines about our city. One entitled “Homicide Hotspot” listed that Newark has the third highest homicide rate in the country, preceded only by Detroit and New Orleans.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
What is wrong with professional sports? Time and time again we hear about the actions or downfall of athletes, coaches, and others associated with professional athletics.
Pray Big
A few years ago one of my co-laborers, Bob Stevenson, brought a block of wood with the words “Pray Big” on it to our staff gathering. It was the start of the year and he challenged us to write down big prayers, asking God for big things for the upcoming year.
Testimony of Transformation
A couple months ago 20 men from our Dallas church plant filled vans and headed to Morning Star Ranch in Florence, KS, for a men’s retreat.
Reborn to Fight for Freedom
Today I am grateful for the unique way that the Body of Christ has fought, and continues to fight, for freedom. I am thankful for the men and women of God throughout the years who have stood on the knowledge that we are all imprisoned in our humanness until Jesus set us free, and let that knowledge embolden them to do courageous things for Christ.
