Praise God!

Some ministries can go on for a long time before ever seeing the fruit of their labor. I was challenged by Bill Hybels book, Just Walk Across the Room, when he says that sometimes as believers, our job is just to take someone from a negative 7 to a negative 4 on how they feel about God and the Gospel. I'm a salesman. I like to "close the deal." Jesus tells us in John 4 that some will sow and others will reap their hard work. Today, I was blessed to reap the harvest!

An ex-dancer friend of mine found out that I was going to a club this week-end, she told me about a friend of hers, Hollie that was a dancer there. I contacted Hollie and then I met her boyfriend, Jose (one of the managers at the club) and we spent about 3 hours together on Saturday afternoon talking about how God is working in their lives.

Then today, I got a message from Hollie saying, "I can't wait anymore. When can I get baptized?" Less then 2 hours later, a small crowd of our Eastview staff witnessed the baptism of our new brother and sister in Christ, Hollie and Jose.

I know that God has amazing things in store for them and I look forward to see how they will continue to be salt and light wherever they are. I also know that satan will enjoy attacking them and discouraging them in their new faith journey. Please join me in battle to support and encourage Hollie and Jose through our prayers.

Leading up to Saturday....

First- thank you for the many prayers! We felt your prayers and God was totally moving before us and opening the way. Looking at what has transpired in the past several weeks - I can see why I was hearing the strong voice of God specifically telling me "You need to go to Kappa on Saturday night before Mother's Day." It's difficult to explain to someone how you hear God speaking to you- especially so specifically in this case. Let me tell you all the praises and open doors that God provided by obeying his command to Go! The chain of events......

1. I have felt the calling for some time now to begin an outreach in the strip clubs. I've met with several church pastors/leaders in the Peoria area to begin this outreach (most of the clubs are in the Peoria area.) We made some preliminary assignments to get about 10 area churches together to unite and plan together this summer to begin the outreach. I was perfectly fine with the timing- felt no rush and kept praying. In my mind I thought- we'll get started some time this fall.

2. About 2 weeks ago- I started getting this feeling (like I couldn't breath) and a sense of extreme urgency that YOU specifically need to go to Kappa Saturday night before Mother's Day. I heard it... but it was still a matter of how exactly do I do that?

3. Monday- I get a call from Bath & Body Works-saying they have items they want to donate to the church for Mother's Day- do we have something we can do with them? Immediately, I knew what that meant- it was the final confirmation I needed and I just had to drive there- ask for a manager and get permission to come back.

4. Monday night- I drove out to Kappa with a good friend, Michelle, and talked to the manager. I asked if we could come back on Saturday for Mother's Day and bring dinner to the girls. Evidently, because of health department guidelines- that was not an option. So- I said fine, I have gifts- can I just bring the gifts?... "Why do you want to do this again?" My reply- don't you have a lot of single moms? I want to show them appreciation. Wow! That's really nice of you.

5. Wednesday night- I find out that one of the dancers from Kappa has been attending Eastview for the last several months. I text her, ask if she's working on Saturday and if I can meet her. She replies- yes- she's working- yes - she would love to meet me AND her boyfriend (one of the managers) AND one of the DJ's there have also been attending!! She invites me to her house on Saturday afternoon.

6. Thursday morning- my bible reading was from John 4. Have I read the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well? Yes! But, it hit me differently this time. My great group from Peoria and I had been brainstorming different names..... Meet me at the Well seemed perfect. (Since "meet me at the well" was already taken for a blog- that's how it became "Meet me at Jacob's Well") I LOVE IT!

7. Saturday afternoon- I go to my new friend's house and she invited the 2 others that have been joining her at Eastview. I was there for over 3 hours and we talked about all kinds of things... the greatest included how/what/when/why they all want to be baptized together....I am amazed at how God is using this dynamic 3 on the inside to be the salt and light. I didn't know anything about them before wanting to go there- but God did. I pray that our going was an encouragement to them in their faith and it will give them additional boldness as they are there. For us going to the club where they would all be working a few hours later... they provided an extra feeling of safety and comfort knowing that we had other believers that would have our back.

Look at that... a perfect 7.

Preparing for Mother's Day

Thank you to those of you that donated items for the special Mother's Day gift bags! A lot of the dancers are single mothers- so this will be a great opportunity to open the doors! We had a great time of preparation- we made hand written notes and included our contact info- and now we'll pray for future follow-up. Our prayer is that this intial contact will just be the beginning of new friendships and relationships with these precious women!
We spent time praying and reading John 4. If you've not read it lately- it will help you understand what and why we're going into the strip club.
What's inside the bag? Candle (made by Ginger), tickets to the children's discovery museum, box filled with chocolate hugs and kisses, gum, candy, Biaggi's free appetizer and free drink coupons, toothpaste, lotion, and our hand written note. Most importantly, the love and prayers that went into each and every bag.

What is Meet me at the Well?

Meet me at the well comes from John 4, where Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. This woman was known to be "living in sin" and no respectable man would have ever talked to her in public. But, the Gospel is for every person, no matter what his or her race, social position, or past sins. Jesus crossed all barriers to share the gospel, and all those that follow Him must do the same. Will you?

Jesus always met people right were they were. His actions were questioned by the religious leaders and this was his response: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Let's GO be LIGHT in the darkness!