Balancing Acts

Church Planting is one of the hardest things I have ever attempted to do. Nothing can really prepare you for the uncertainty, criticism, loneliness, and challenges this endeavor brings. Because my husband is bivocational, Most of the work falls on me in addition to taking care of my home and kids. Many nights while my family is sleeping peacefully, I am praying, editing the website, designing brochures, working on outreaches,etc etc etc. Since we share the preaching duties, I also have to prepare messages when its my time to teach. Many days I miss the mark on balancing everything. I try to adhere to a list, but sometimes the list gets tossed to play with my son or spend extra time with my daughter. Since she is a teenager, I try to take advantage of every opportunity I have to spend time with her. I have found that enthusiam makes up for my huge techy learning curve. I'm not the administrator type, more the visionary type and I am being stretched in every area of planting. I feel like Mrs Incredible. Sometimes I cry out in pain or thru tears, but I do it shaking, trembling and afraid. I never say that's not my area of gifting, I just ask God for grace to do it! I'm blessed to have previous ministry experience where I was always being stretched and challenged in one way or another. When I reach my breaking point, I just remember that His grace is sufficient. When I'm weak, God is at His strongest! Plus, I'm more powerful than any devil on my worst day!!

Is Jesus Talking About You Behind Your Back?

Jesus is talking behind your back When John the Baptist was processing his depression and despair in Matthew 11, Jesus sent him a pretty straightforward message. In summary, Jesus reminded John of the validity of His ministry as the Christ, and commanded him to persevere. You can read the whole response in Matthew 11:1-6 . I’m sure it brought limited consolation to John, and maybe even felt a little cold or callous. But after John’s messengers left, Jesus started talking about John to the crowd. Keep in mind, John wouldn’t have heard any of this part. Jesus starts saying all kinds of terrific things about John behind his back. He even gives him the distinction of being the greatest man ever born of a woman (Matthew 11:11). Pretty high accolades coming from the Son of God. But these words would never reach the ears of John the Baptist. Because Jesus didn’t intend for John to hear them. When John died and entered into eternity, I wonder if he read John 11:11 and thought: Why didn’t you say so, Jesus? It would have been nice to know how much you thought of me while I was rotting in prison. I guess Jesus wanted John to place his confidence in the character of God rather than affirmations sent by human messenger. You may be in a similar spot today. It’s been a long time since anyone told you: Good job. I’m proud of you. You’re making a difference. Perhaps Jesus is talking about you behind your back. He’s proud of you. He sees potential in you. He’s accomplishing far-reaching, logic defying purposes through you. Stay faithful. Even if it doesn’t seem like God is speaking directly to you. There will come a day when all of your labor in the Lord will be rewarded openly. It’s not in vain.

Share and Enjoy: Pastor Steven Furtick is the Lead Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Miracles Happen When You Believe!!!

Just wanted to share this testimony from one of our newest group members Tim. Tim is not homeless, he is from one of the other churches and is going to be leading a group in the near future. Last Sunday, Tim shared how the Dr's felt his wife was miscarrying and his faith was really shaken. He felt totally helpless and had resigned that the child was dead. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me that they had given up and needed to be encouraged. Immediately the prophetic voice of God rose up and spoke powerfully in a 5 minute message. I proclaimed that we speak life over the child and it would live and not die!! As I began to pray for them, I began to weep deeply and sweat profusely from the heat that was going thru my body. I knew God was touching his wife Bethany's womb. I encouraged him again before we left to keep speaking life no matter what the devil or the Dr said. Monday, they went to the Dr's and he said she had miscarried because they could not hear a heartbeat or visualize the baby on ultrasound. The next day the Dr called and said Betheny's hormone levels were still too high and to come back in. They did the test again still no baby, the Dr said the baby is gone. Next Day Dr gets lab results Betheny's hormone levels are even higher. He calls Tim again and tells him to bring Betheny back. Tim said he just kept remembering my words to keep speaking life no matter what the Dr's and the devil said. After going thru this emotional rollercoaster, God showed himself mightily for this couple. I am pleased to let everyone know that they found the baby on ultrasound and it is alive with a strong heartbeat. Can you say creative miracle? Thank you guys for praying with me and for me concerning our friends we serve under the bridge. Our group was so excited and expectant this morning can you imagine the excitement during our study today on Joy!! Please continue to support us in prayer and financially we are making a difference in the lives of the people of Austin. Tim had the biggest smile on his face today when he shared his testimony. I felt like running around the bridge shouting!!!All I could do is cry and shout Glory!!

Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives!!!

Pastor Regina

Fiesta BackYard Bible Club in Pfluggerville

This was our first ever attempt at doing a backyard bible club. I am used to planning VBS for large groups and I really struggled with planning on a smaller scale and budget. But I love how God uses the simple things to teach us lessons. It doesnt matter how long it took me to paint a chili pepper or make a twister game from a tarp. The smiles and excitement about having God be there new boss was priceless. I will never forget those precious faces, my super 14 of which 9 got saved. I love those kids. So as I look forward to doing the club again in Kyle with my neighbors, I say "VIVA!" Can't wait to see how God uses us in Kyle.

Bad Girls! Bad Girls! Whatcha Gonna Do For Some Free Childrens Ministry Curriculum

I cannot begin to express the fun and excitement of our adventures last night. I normally check craigslist everyday for freebies that we can use in our ministry. My kids have there faith set for a nice big TV. But yesterday, I saw this ad for free childrens ministry curriculum. The kicker was it was at midnight when I saw the post. I started to wait until morning, but my heart said nahh you better go tonight. Good thing I'm so directionally challenged, because if I would have known how far it was to the church I would have waited. It was an hour drive both ways. We perservered and finally found the chuch, we hit the jackpot. This church had the best of the best curriculum. I even found some curriculum that I was saving to buy, God provided. After we sorted and picked the stuff we could use, the kids and I headed home only to be pulled over by the Pflugerville police. The kids were making a joke about it, I didnt find it funny at all. Then they asked what happens if they take you to jail. Mind you I knew I wasnt going to jail for a tail light being out, but I told them they would have to go to juvie. The officer was really nice gave me a warning instead of a ticket, praise God!!! He gave me shortcut directions to my house, instructing me to go thru Hutto. So the kids and I continue merrily on our way following his directions to a tee. As we enter Hutto, the bright lights flash again. Oh no not another policeman. We pull over in a school that had a large hippo in front of it. I just begin to get even more irritated. When the officer came to the window, I gave him my previous citation and he said I had to go thru the process again. The kids are laughing. I'm not laughing. He writes me another citation and gives ryan some stickers. I tell him that the Pflugerville officer gave me these directions and he said Mam, Your going the wrong way. Arrrg !! So I asked him for directions and we hit the road again. The kids are tired, sleepy, and cranky. I won't even get started on the bazillion tolls I had to pay. My brilliant daughter asks, What if the Kyle police stop us? No one else better stop me tonight, I might go Madeah on someone and have to go to jail. My husband finally realizes that we are not back from our adventures so he calls and needless to say I had nothing to say. I just wanted to get home. When we arrived home the kids couldnt wait to tell there dad about our brushes with the law. I went in and headed straight to put my pjs on. Alex went to fix the light and I sat among my treasure and thanked God for his goodness.


Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives,

Pastor Regina

Life Under The Bridge

Our family is enjoying helping at Church Under The Bridge every week. We learn so many new lessons each week and never leave the same. For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to minister to a young women who is severely drug addicted and ill. For the past couple of weeks I've brought extra food and drink for her because she is usually starving. She is so rude and demanding, she curses me out and spits on me, but I still serve her and pray for her. My husband doesnt care for her much because of her outrageous behavior, she doesnt like men. I'm sure she has been raped and assaulted when she was high, so she has no use for men. Her appearance is like someone from a third world country. She is covered in dirt and her clothes are filthy. I'm sure this is a protection mechanism, so know one will touch her. Last Sunday, she went on a tirade disturbing our small groups, not to mention scaring the crap out of about 65 volunteers from a visiting church. I had to ask her to leave, literally running her off the property. We had this huge shouting match in the middle of I-35, the busiest hwy in Austin. I just kept screaming that God loved her and that I would pray for her and not give up on her. She used every profane word in the dictionary and made up a few too. But I did see a look in her eyes that said " Don't give up on me!" That day I learned a valuable lesson. The church needs to be shocked and shook up, we are surrounded by hurting people, yet there cries seem to fall on deaf ears. We have become desensitized to the needs of the unsaved and those surrounded in darkness. It's not just the poor and drug addicted. I've noticed an increase in suicides in the modeling industry as well. The beautiful and unlovely, oh so different, yet so similar. Lord help us minister to Your children in relevant ways that will touch and transform there hearts. I find in these situations, I am hopeless and need Your help. If its something simple like making a sandwich or handing out a drink, its all good. But when I'm cursed and spit upon, thats when I feel most like you. Lord Keep me on the altar, until nothing of me is left and only you remain.

Outreach Ministry 101

Alex and I have been priviledged to serve at "Church Under The Bridge" for the last couple of weeks. Words cannot express all the life lessons learned. Humility, unconditional love, hope and faith were abounding. The needs are so great, yet hope abounds in great supply. I've met so many wonderful people and every week I'm more grateful when I leave. This week I drove around the city praying as I felt led. I ended up at the Bridge Headquarters, not actually intending to go there but being led there. I'm going to be volunteering beyond the Sunday church service. I spent a great deal of time this week trying to find meeting places in Austin. Praying for Gods favor to show us a place that we can rent cheaply. I also met a wonderful lady from Hawaii with 6 kids who did my inspection. She lives in Kyle and needs a new church can't wait to have them over. I'm almost finished with the website content. I did the marketing promo stuff this week. I'm making great progress. Going to move our first launch party back a couple of weeks until I finish the website and locate a meeting place. I'm working on the invitations for the party, its hard juggling everything but God has somehow equipped me to do it.

Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives!

We are a real church now!!

Exhilaration cant even describe the feeling of being a legal church now. We are doing the little things now to setup things for the church. The website will go live soon. Working on finishing up the content and launching our friendraiser campaign. So glad this is God's church and not mine, because the weight of this ministry is great. We have made some more ministry friends this past weekend. Apostle and Pastor Bowen, only words to describe them is OMG. Apostle Bowen gave me a Rhema word that rocked me down to the core. Pastor Bowen is such an amazing women. Her name is Regina too, so she can't be anything else but great huh!! I loved the spirit of excellence in there church, the members were so loving and kind to us. They encouraged us and poured hope into our souls. They had an awesome testimony of how God brought them to Austin. So similar to our story it was amazing. Thank you God for sending angels along the way to encourage and refresh your saints. They truly washed us with the word and Your Love Lord.

Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives,

Pastor Regina

WE"RE HERE!!!

Praise God,

Among the bed bug bites, leg cramps, arguing kids and accident, we made it to Kyle in one piece. I totally love our new home. It was way more than I expected!! God is so good in that way. Our friends from Faith Element church arrived to help us unload the truck lickety split and my cousins arrived later to put the beds together and help unpack. They were a God send. I can truly see Gods hand in our relocation. He provided for us every step of the way. We had nothing saved and what we saved had to be used earlier in the year for an emergency. God provided the finances supernaturally. Things have been really tight for us since arriving, but Alex has a job now and I can some what sigh in relief.

For other planters, I hope this encourages you to keep perservering even under insurmountable odds. I kind of feel like I'm in dream hoping to never wake up. I can sense my destiny is starting to unfold. We've had to make lots of sacrifices, personally and financially, but in the end it has been worth it!! God has been sooooooo faithful. I still have to pinch myself that God actually chose Alex and I to lead a church. I have never seen my husband so confident and assured that this is what he was born to do!! Keep us in your prayers and we continue to follow God in this crazy partnership called church planting.


Be Blessed,

Pastor Regina