by Caleb Moore | Feb 8, 2018
When I first started as a church planter it was just me and my wife attending our new church. We knew if we were going to get this thing off the ground we might need to add a few more bodies, but I had no idea how to start a church. What I did know was two things, motorcycles and tattoos. So I drove around Tulsa until I found a tattoo shop the Lord placed on my heart. I wasn’t sure how to start the conversation, so I just started to take them pizza once a week.
It was there that I met Alex. He was one of the tattoo artist and an army veteran. One day he followed me outside and told me that he had been praying and asking if God was real. He told me that he was uncomfortable with the subject, so he informed God that if He was real He was going to have to send someone his way to start the conversation. The very next day is when I first showed up with a pizza in my hand. Alex let a few weeks go by, but then he asked me to pray for him, and that began our friendship.
Alex began to attend our church on a weekly basis, and you could always find him sitting next to the senior adults who took him under their wing, even though he had a giant devil tattooed on his neck. They didn’t see his exterior; they saw a man full of love and potential. For six years I ministered to Alex as he wrestled with his demons and severe PTSD from his time in the military.
Occasionally his girlfriend would call me in the middle of the night terrified because Alex had a gun to his head threatening to take his own life. I would show up and always say the same thing, “Alex, you know I’m supposed to baptize you not bury you.” Eventually he would put the gun away, and we would cry and hug it out.
One of the ways he dealt with his issues was to go on long camping trips alone. One day I got a phone call that, while on one of his trips, he had been in a car accident and was in critical condition. I dropped everything and drove seven hours to be by his side. Alone in a hospital room I held his hand as he passed away. I cried like I haven’t cried in a long time as I told him once again, “Alex, I was supposed to baptize you not bury you.” Although he had never gotten baptized I knew his love for God was real.
The next day his mother arrived hoping to see her son, and I had to tell her the bad news. In the same way I had held her son I held her as we cried together. This is a tough story, but to me it is what ministry is all about. Jesus got His hands dirty. Spiritual growth looks different in all of us, but I saw Alex grow in leaps and bounds. I saw God transform his heart all because of a cheap $5 pizza and an ignorant young pastor who had no idea how to grow a church.
All I knew then, and all I still know now, is that God just asks us to trust and to try. I had no idea what was waiting for me the first time I walked into that tattoo shop, but God did. I still call those guys my friends, and I’ve been blessed by their friendship. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to become weary from doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I consider it an honor to have held the hand of my friend as he got to meet his Savior.
Dear church, let us step outside our comfort zone and love those around us because you never know who God has waiting for you.
by Caleb Moore | Jan 25, 2018
We’ve all been at that point where your car is beginning to show some wear and tear. A few minor things might need to be fixed and it seems like it might be easier to just get a new car.
I mean, you’ve earned it right? You work hard for a living and support your family, so adding a car payment on top of an already tight budget is possible, and it would be nice to have those heated seats in this cold weather. You could do it and still live within your means, so it wouldn’t be an immoral decision. But I want you to consider something first.
Have you ever thought about saving money as a way to serve God? Not saving simply for the sake of preparing for upcoming needs like a new washing machine or medical bills. That is always a wise choice. I’m talking about saving, so that when a need arises that would benefit the Kingdom you can give generously without trying to figure out how to pay for it later.
There have been many times when I have heard of a single mother whose car has broken down, or they have a leak in their roof that needs to be fixed before the damage just gets worse, and I find myself wishing that I could help out.
We tend to think that someone else will help, that they will eventually find a way, and we dismiss it and go on with our lives. From experience, I can tell you, often times they have no solution, and it doesn’t work out on its own unless someone steps in to help.
Recently our small little church came across such a need. An elderly woman had been sleeping outside of her single wide trailer because black mold had taken over her home. She never asked for help, but the city said it wasn’t safe or legal to live permanently in a homemade shelter, especially with the cold weather that was on the way.
Her dilemma was posted on social media and lots of people prayed for her and said they hope it works out. As appreciated as those prayers were she was still sleeping outside. I brought this need before the church, and people were quick to help. The church leadership quickly gave me the resources to go and buy her a new trailer so that she could have a warm home this winter. They did it without voting or having to raise funds on a Sunday for months until we had enough. No, they were able to do it because they had set aside money for emergency ministry opportunities.
This set a great example for me, and I know I can’t always ask the church to do what I am capable of doing. I might not be able to set aside enough to buy a trailer, but I can set aside enough each week to buy a meal for someone. And as time goes by, I hope the money I set aside apart from my tithe and regular budgeting can help someone in their time of need.
This has several benefits, first it helps us stay “Kingdom-minded” on how we budget and spend our money. The things God has blessed us with are meant to be a blessing to others as well.
Secondly, it makes ministry more personal than just writing a check and letting the others do the rest of the work. There is nothing wrong with simply writing a check sometimes, but there is something special that happens when we get our hands dirty and invest in the lives of someone who is in our own social circle.
And lastly it sets the example for my kids that, as Christians, we all carry the responsibility of showing others what the Kingdom of God looks like.
by Caleb Gordon | Dec 13, 2017
This last weekend we saw the video of the young man who was bullied at school. Kids made fun of his nose and poured milk on him. This is just outrageous. There are no words to express the heartbreak I feel in my heart over things like this. I was bullied in school. I remember once parking in the ‘wrong parking lot’ at school. There was the “JOC lot” and then the “regular lot.” I parked my 1978 El Camino in the JOC lot one day. I came out at 3 p.m. to filthy and foul language splattered all over my car, why? Because I parked in the wrong lot. Kids can be horribly mean.
Kids are mean. I remember the pain I felt because of what those students did to me. Why did they do this? Because they wanted to make sure that the other students did not see their flaws. So they shine the light on someone else’s flaws in order not to be hurt first. The whole “eat before being eaten” mentality. Yes, it stinks, but sadly it’s the sinful and broken world in which we live. I thank God I had a strong family and solid youth group with students who loved and poured into me because I sure was not getting that my first two years of high school.
Dear Christian Student,
You need to be the person that steps in and LOVES other kids who are not the cool kids. You need to step in and befriend the kids who have no friends. That is exactly what happened to me. At the end of my sophomore year of school and the beginning of my junior year of high school, a young man named Andy Myers stepped in and became my friend. He was the CLASS PRESIDENT. He was athletic and super talented. He stepped in and offed me his friendship. I took it.
Come to find out, he was crazy in love with JESUS, and that was what truly shined through. He loved Jesus more than he cared about what other kids thought. So he became my best friend in school. His faith had legs. His faith had action. He did not just talk a big game in his church. He showed off a big game in the halls of his school. And because one guy stepped up and DID what he said he BELIEVED, it changed my world!
You have the power to change someone’s world today. Put your feet down and start walking out your faith in real ways in the hallways of your schools today. Show off the love of Jesus to people who are different from you or are in a different social status. You never know how that can affect someone. I can say with certainty I am the man I am today because Andy took time to be my friend and show me what the love of Jesus really looked like.
Be the change you say you are!
by Brian Hobbs | Nov 29, 2017
Saturday Night Live’s “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy” once hilariously said, “If the Vikings were around today, they would probably be amazed at how much glow-in-the-dark stuff we have, and how we take so much of it for granted.”
If you stop to think about it, I think other generations would be amazed at how much stuff in general that we Americans have and how much we take it for granted.
From toy catalogues to today’s Amazon wish lists, this glut of stuff on which the American dream is built is especially noticeable at Christmas. This notion of materialism runs exactly against the grain of the Christmas story and real meaning of Christmas.
Think about the fact that God chose Mary, who was not rich, to bear the Son of God. Think about the fact that there was no room for Joseph, Mary and Jesus at the Inn in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7). Think about the fact that angels proclaimed the first Noel to humble shepherds, not rich emperors in Rome.
All throughout the New Testament, we see that Christ Jesus and His followers had compassion and concern for the poor (Matt. 5, 19:21; Gal. 2:10). It was the rich and the self-righteous who drew the Savior’s scorn.
In American Christianity, contrary to Christ, we often times neglect the poor and favor the rich. Sometimes we do this consciously, sometimes without awareness.
For some of us stuck in this mold of materialism, what we need is an Ebenezer-Scrooge-like overnight awakening to open our eyes. For others, what we more need are daily, subtle reminders that we are called to remember the poor and to show love.
Christmastime is the perfect opportunity to give more than you typically do. Christmas is a time to share with others from what God has given you. This can come in the form of giving to your church, to charities but also to individuals. Ask God to show you how to give more and do more. For when we give, our heavenly Father sees it and is pleased.
If, by God’s grace, each of us do more to remember the poor this Christmas, the world will be amazed. They will be amazed, not by how much glow-in-the-dark stuff we have, but how the Light of Christ shines so bright in the darkness.
by Anna Clement | Oct 18, 2017
Recently, I had the honor to speak on behalf of Mission OKC at a gathering of Christian women in Edmond, Okla. Also speaking at the luncheon was a man, named Ross Alan Hill, founder and former president and CEO of the Bank2 in downtown Oklahoma City.
After sharing the heart of our ministry for my portion of time, it was Mr. Hill’s turn to give his testimony. This man, now in an enviable position of influence and esteem, shared about the brokenness he experienced throughout his life. He shared openly about his failures and how he found a new life after turning from the world and following Jesus.
I was inspired by his testimony, but the part of his story that sticks with me was about a pastor, who befriended him as a young man. Growing up, Mr. Hill was a failing student from a broken home living in poverty, but the pastor of his church mentored him. When it came time for Ross to graduate high school, he knew, since he had failed the entrance exams, there would be no future for him to go on to college. However, his pastor and mentor showed Ross favor, walked him into the administrator’s office of the local college, where the pastor vouched for Ross’s character. It was on his recommendation that Mr. Hill attended and later graduated college.
The genuine care and concern of that pastor toward this seemingly insignificant young man has resulted in a life changed for the better, benefitting our community and building the Kingdom. When introduced, the most notable achievement spoken of on behalf of Mr. Hill was that he has shared his personal testimony of how Jesus has changed his life with the more than 2,200 employees, customers and every first-time visitor at his office.
In Phil. 2:19-21, Paul is writing to the church. His heart is heavy with concern for their spiritual wellbeing. Paul expresses how badly he would love to personally visit them, but he was in chains for the preaching of the Gospel. In his stead, he was planning, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to send Timothy. “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ,” Paul stated
I don’t know what the field of up-and-coming ministers and notable Christian pop personalities looked like in Paul’s time, but to hear him talk, as if he is surveying the field in his own mind, wondering whom he might send to minister to the church in his stead, Paul wasn’t most concerned about their level of education, their attractive presentation or whether they have built a good “brand.”
The number one quality he was considering was, “Whom among these ministers can I trust to genuinely CARE for the people? Who among them will put the needs of the people first in the way Jesus calls us to? Who will serve? Who will listen and show humility? Whom can I trust not to harm or take advantage of the people?”
The breakdown in ministry comes when we overlook the seemingly insignificant people of whom Jesus has sent us to care, and instead, try to land the “Big Fish.” Everyone would love to have a church full of healed saints, who are the movers and shakers, the dealmakers of the town. The truth is, people in need of rescue are seldom in flattering positions. Every healed person was once lost and broken until Jesus made them whole. A worthy servant is willing to faithfully serve and care for the least, the last and the lonely.
As we invest in the lives of those around us, the Kingdom will grow, and we will share in their legacy of faith.
I am challenged as I wonder, would Paul be able to recommend me? Would he be able to say of me, as he said of Timothy, “She has proven worth as a servant of the Gospel. She genuinely seeks the welfare of others”?
May this be the standard we, as disciples, follow, so many more Ross Alan Hills will find the love of Jesus, live for Him and change their world.
by Stacy Neuschaefer | Aug 2, 2017
I have friends I consider heroes. They have adopted a child from foster care, a local adoption agency or an international agency. They give me a picture of God’s work in my life. When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, John 1:12 included me. It says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” (NIV). I became a spiritual child of God, adopted into His family. I am thankful for my friends who have made a difference in a child or several children’s lives.
Imagine hearing of a man who has rescued more than 12,000 orphans. Shocking, right? Known as the “World’s Largest Family”, Charles and Esther Mulli(y) had six biological children before adding the 12,000 adopted children. The Mully Children’s Family (MCF) continues to grow. The story of Charles Mully and his family has been made into a full-length movie.
You do not want to miss the movie “Mully,” coming to select theaters October 3-5. I saw a prescreening of the movie in June and am excited many will have the opportunity to view such a well-made, heart-wrenching documentary. Abandoned as a six-year-old in Kenya, Charles Mully beats the odds with God in his life. Miracle after miracle takes place, elevating a poverty-stricken orphan to heights of riches. Remembering his days on the streets, Mully reaches out to his first orphan in the slums of Kenya, which becomes the first of thousands of orphans he rescues. This amazing story will astound audiences and leave them asking, “How can I make a difference?”
The Mully Children’s Family has partnered with World Crafts, a division of Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) to make a difference in the lives of some of the rescued orphans living in East Africa. World Crafts purchases products from the Yatta Vocational Training Centre, operated by the MCF in Kenya. Approximately 100 women a year come from a life of exploitation to participate in the training center where they receive counseling, learn a skill and practical life skills. By purchasing a Yatta Necklace or a Yatta Purse through World Crafts, you can directly influence the lives of these women. You can also check out the other artisans World Crafts promotes on their website, www.worldcrafts.org.
For more information about the movie, buy tickets for the limited showings, or to set up a private showing of “Mully”, go to www.mullymovie.com. You can make a difference.
The movie trailer: http://mullymovie.com/photosvideos