Friday, December 19, 2008

God Answers Prayer...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Your prayers have been so powerful over the last three days! We cannot thank you enough for remembering to lift our requests to God. Here are just a few of the answers that have already come to us (and we know more will be revealed in the coming days):
  • One of the film projects that you all were praying for might have the funding it needs to begin filming! I called the producer on Wednesday and he gave me the great news. What's even more exciting about this project is that it has the potential to reach many people around the world with the clear message of salvation through Jesus Christ! We will continue to pray that the money actually ends up in the bank!

  • God really revealed to us that HE will give us total and complete certainty concerning each of the ministry opportunities that have surfaced. This will certainty will come because HE will open the doors and place the ones He wants us to do in our laps. In Hollywood, things usually happen for those who rapidly pursue after opportunities, but God is asking us to simply trust Him. He will bring these things to us as we wait on Him. Praise God!

  • This may sound really simple, but our computer that had a virus on Monday is now miraculously fixed! I just prayed over it yesterday before I gave it "one more shot" at working, and it worked! A big thank-you to whoever else was praying that our computer would work...

  • Obedience will be the word for this coming year - simply being obedient to everyday do what God has asked us to do. If we accomplish this - seeking first God and His kingdom everyday - then everything else will be taken care of. We thank God for the PEACE that He has given to us in this fast. How comforting to know that the God of the Universe is battling and going before us to prepare a way!!

Again, we thank you all for your support in this vital time. God has and will continue to answer our prayers. And as He does, I will be sure to give you the report. May God bless you all richly for your kindness to us...

Michael and Holly

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Day Three Prayer...

Day Three: Yesterday was an exciting day as God revealed some specific things to us! Let's keep going! On this third and last day, please pray for these areas of ministry:
  • Bodybuilding - Many great strides have happened over the last year in the bodybuilding sector of our ministry. God has given us much favor, and thus, we need to know if He is asking us to attend more contests. We've seen salvations this year within the industry, so naturally, we want to keep pressing forward.

  • Church Involvement - We praise God for our church family here in LA! They have been invaluable to us, and we have grown so much by simply being faithful to plug in there. Pray that we follow God in being all that He's asked us to be within that body of believers.

  • Thursday Evening Bible Study - We are praying for direction with this Study that meets every week in our apartment. The response has been amazing over the last year and a half, but we are asking God to show us how we can improve it to better meet people's needs.

  • Finances - Over the past few months, Stronghold has been hit pretty hard due to the economy. And for all of the opportunities that possibly lie ahead in 2009, we are definitely going to need the help of individuals who feel led to give. Please ask the Lord if you are to partner with us in reaching the sports and entertainment industry for Jesus Christ. Truly, Stronghold Ministries has a unique approach that God continues to guide and bless. Will you join us?

Thanks so much for your faithful prayers! Tomorrow I will relay some of the answers to prayer God has given...

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Day Two Prayer...

Thank you so much for praying on day one for Holly and myself! I've received a number of emails/calls letting us know that you're praying for us. What an encouragement!

Day TWO: Please pray about some opportunities that have possibly opened up in the area of our entertainment ministry in 2009. We need God's guidance to know if these are avenues we should pursue or simply let go.

  • 1 Music Tour - The person leading this tour is someone I've prayed for a number of years now. However, this may or may not be God's timing to minister to them. Pray for certainty in our decision.

  • 4 Film sets - There could possibly be 4 movie sets that would be open for us to minister. Again, these are seemingly great opportunities, but we want to walk by faith - not by what seems to make sense.

It has been so exciting to see all the seeds that have been planted in people's lives on film sets over the past year! Individuals have expressed to me how their lives have changed due to God's presence through Stronghold Ministries. Pray that if it's God's will, more lives could be impacted on film sets and band tours in 2009! Thank you for your prayers and support...

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Day One Prayer...

Well, it's pretty obvious on our end that Satan doesn't want all of us to be fasting and praying these three days. Last night, our computer for no reason came up with a virus. But praise God, we are going to keep pressing through by the power of the Holy Spirit. The verse that God keeps showing me in this time is Revelation 3:7-8 = "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

The common prayer for all 3 days and all our areas of prayer is that God would truly only let us go through the doors that He is opening, and not even let us go through the doors that He's closed - no matter how much we may desire to do the latter. Our lives are His, and we ask that only HIS WILL be done. And if something is His will, we know that all hell could not close a door that God has opened!

The first area of prayer is my relationship with Holly, and in turn, our relationship with God. This is where it all begins. We pray that what God has called us to do would only drive us closer together, not further apart. We pray that God would speak to us as one flesh - that He by His Spirit would speak the same things to both of us. We pray that we both would be able to live out the giftings God has given to us in perfect UNITY. We also pray that every day that goes by, we would love each other more and more with the love of Jesus Christ.

In terms of our relationship with God, we pray that our eyes would be opened every day to see more and more of who God is. And as He reveals this to us, we pray our hearts would overflow in love, praise, and thanksgiving to God for His indescribable blessings! We also pray that we would be disciplined to spend time in His word and prayer - not just out of mechanical routine, but out of a true desire to know Him more! We pray that we would see and hear God as clearly as we see and hear each other. And finally, we pray that the blessings God shows to us, we might in turn extend those blessings to others with hearts that long to give.

And with each of these next three days, please pray for protection from the enemy and his attacks in the name of Jesus! Thank you all for your prayers in these days...We're excited to see what God does!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A time for prayer...

The last couple of weeks since returning from Thanksgiving have been a time of getting back to my regular discipleship meetings with individuals, as well as meeting with other Christians to discuss what needs to happen in the next year to follow where God is leading.

Now is an urgent time of prayer for Stronghold Ministries. There are a number of opportunities that have presented themselves for 2009, but we don't know which are God and which are not. These doors that God is potentially opening are literally doors that people around the world have been praying about for years! But God has shown us that this is a serious time, because Satan desires for us to go after what seems to make sense - and really those opportunities will lead to great harm. We greatly desire wisdom and spiritual sensitivity, and we know that God will give them to us (James 1:5).

Please consider joining us December 16-18 for a time of fasting and prayer for these decisions that need to be made. I will blog on those days for specific requests. Thank you for your prayers. We love you all...

Friday, December 5, 2008

Thanksgiving in Berne, IN...


Thanksgiving was such a blessing because Holly and I got to spend it with our wonderful families in Indiana. And the amazing thing is that our parents only live 4 miles from one another!
In addition to family, many of you who support Stronghold Ministries live in the Berne, IN area, so we were priviledged to say "Hi" to some of you. We are truly thankful for all of the blessings in our life, and all of you who pray for and support us are some of our biggest blessings! Without you, our life and ministry in California would not be possible.
All praise, honor, and glory go to God for His indescribable goodness...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Photos from the Rough Hustle set...




Just got back from Mesquite, NV and ministering on the film set of "Rough Hustle." Here's a few pictures to enjoy! God did amazing works in many of the people on the set. I praise Him for His faithfulness!

Tomorrow Holly and I leave for our hometown of Berne, IN to celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas with both of our families.

Thanks for keeping Stronghold Ministries in your prayers...


Friday, November 14, 2008

Stronghold on location...


Please pray for me as I minister in Mesquite, NV tomorrow (Nov 15) thru Wednesday. The "Rough Hustle" movie set will finish filming there. Pray for God to break some specific strongholds in people's lives as well as heal those who have been through alot emotionally lately. Thanks everyone!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Stronghold in FLEX magazine...


Make sure you pick up the December 2008 edition of FLEX magazine. On page 204 you will read the mention of "Pastor Mike" praying with Phil Heath. And then on page 363, you will see a picture of me with the other FLEX Achievement Award winners. Praise God for his favor upon this ministry!

The above picture was taken at the Olympia Victory Gala where the industry awards were handed out. I received the "Steve Stone Memorial Award" given in memory of Steve, who passed away tragically just one day before this picture was taken.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Ministering on a film set...

On Friday October 31st, I began working as a chaplain on the film set of a movie called "Rough Hustle." I will be on the movie shoot until November 20th. I am excited because God has already been working in a number of people on the set. It never ceases to amaze me how people in Hollywood want to talk about their faith, God, and the life of Jesus. Please pray that God uses me to show Christ's love and servanthood to those in need of it...Thanks!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Changes...

Hey everyone! Yep, I'm trying something new! New is good, right?!

It is my desire to keep everyone more up to date with what is happening with Stronghold Ministries. God continues to move in mighty ways, and you guys need to know about it! News, pictures, testimonials, and events will be placed here for you to check out.

Exciting times are ahead for Stronghold Ministries, and I pray that you will partner along with us in the journey. We greatly desire your prayers and support! Your prayers can open up the doors of opportunity, bring God's blessing and protection, and also encourage us in our mission. This ministry is funded strictly by donations, so the more that is received, the more lives God can impact through Stronghold! Every donation you make is tax-deductible. Just click on the "Donate Now" icon on the blog side-bar and follow the instructions. Thanks!

To get more info on the ministry, please log-on to http://www.strongholdministries.com/

Check back here often and I hope to talk to ya' soon!