Last week, our Victory Weekend team was heavily involved in helping the people of West Virginia recover from the recent devastating floods.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the West Virginia Relief with both supplies and prayers. You have righteously ministered to “the least” in accordance with the Lord’s instructions. And, thank you for lifting up prayers for those people and communities who have lost everything.
Three tractor-trailers have been sent with supplies from generous Virginians. The first was sent out on Tuesday, June 28, to Clendenin in Kanawha County. The second was sent out earlier today, Tuesday, July 5, to Clark in McDowell County. The third will be sent early tomorrow, Wednesday, July 6, to God’s Pit Crew, which will later be distributed to the various locations where greatest needs currently exist. Our supplies are heading to help so many, so may this update encourage you this day!
If you are interested in supporting the continued efforts towards West Virginia Relief with finances, click here and choose “WV Relief.”
As we have been collecting items for our next-door neighbors, I have been thinking a lot about how we as Christians are called to come alongside others to assist them in times of need. I believe that God has equipped every one of us with talents, resources, and other provisions to help those facing life’s storms, whether it may be a flood, a loved one facing cancer, financial hardships, family strife, or any other issue not listed.
The key is to make ourselves ready and willing at all times, relying on God’s strength by reading His Word, talking with Him, and surrounding ourselves with Christian accountability. Then, we are truly able to provide Godly services filled with wisdom, as we give a compassionate word, give of our finances to help others, supply food to those who are in need, provide shelter to those lacking protection, or any other instructions God gives, so that we give Him glory.
Speaking at the 22nd Annual America Birthday Celebration on Sunday, July 3 energized me. I shared with an audience of 1,000 people who all can have freedom in their lives, using the NASCAR flags of how to both begin and finish the race well. God empowered me as I spoke with 12 people about starting and restarting their walks with the Lord, and how they can succeed for His glory. We also honored 22 veterans, military personnel, and first responders that evening as well. What great knowledge to know that we have freedom in this country for 240 years and freedom in how Jesus suffered and arose from the Cross in just 3 days!
I am sure that you have had times in your life when you have desperately needed a Godly example to help you. Just as much as we need people, we need to be available to help those in need, as all relationships bring us together for His glory. This Thursday, I plan to raft along the river with my brother, Wayne. He is celebrating his 79th birthday, and this is his first time rafting. He gets to share this special time with his two daughters and several of his grandkids. I am grateful to have a close relationship with my brother as I do!
Remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will guide you to those who need something to sustain them during a time of crisis. As you broaden your personal outreach, you will be amazed at how God opens doors for you to accomplish more for Him. You will be even more impacted by how He satisfies the longings of your heart to serve Him by serving others. It is powerful!
A Ministry Friend has blessed us with a $200,000 Matching Challenge that will go towards impacting the Kingdom of God. Between now and August 31, your gift will be matched dollar-to-dollar. Imagine your gift, and without doing anything, it is immediately doubled. What a blessing we have received to meet! You can personally be a part of the Victory Weekend outreach by praying for our team and me. Please also pray about how God would have you respond to this Matching Challenge!
To date, we have had 28,568 people in attendance at 11 churches, 2 speaking events, and 5 Victory Weekend Events, with 773 decisions made for Jesus, and 484 veterans, military personnel, and first responders honored! We are thrilled at what God has been accomplishing, as we have been meeting people’s spiritual needs in so many ways.
In Matthew 25, Jesus shares His expectations for all of us to be mindful to find those who are thirsty, hungry, without clothes or shelter, sick, or in prison, so that He can say to us, “… I tell you the truth whatever you did for the least of these you did for Me” (verses 37-39, 42-45, NIV). I pray these verses encourage you as you prayerfully consider how you can be a part of our $200,000 Matching Challenge. To help today, click here and choose “2016 Matching Challenge.”
Also, the Together 2016 Conference is gathering 1 million (you read that correctly!) Christians at the National Mall on Saturday, July 16, in Washington D.C. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., there will be Christian artists and speakers to encourage those in attendance.
Help us fill up a 55-passenger bus to leave the Ministry Office at 8:00 a.m. (arriving in D.C. around 10:30 a.m.) and returning to the Office at 9:00 p.m. (leaving from D.C. around 6:30 p.m.). The cost will be $35.00 per person (includes bus and parking at RFK Stadium). To reserve your seat today, call Brandon at: (540) 433-0769. For more information, click here.
As July continues and my Update concludes, may the Prayer of Jabez be our anthem moving forward into the future for His glory!
“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)
With great gratitude for you and witnessing God’s work in your efforts,
Steve
