Need some prayer...

Back in March, I had an interesting trip to Columbus, OH for a bodybuilding show that ended in the ER at the Ohio State University hospital. There was an abscess on my leg that turned into staff infection. Thank the Lord that we caught it early enough that no major damage was done. After some heavy antibiotic, it was gone. Well a couple days ago, I noticed another spot on my leg that kind of looks the same as the other abscess did at the beginning stages of its growth. Sometimes, staff infection will lie dormant in your body and then rear its ugly head. Please pray that God heals the spot and that it isn't staff infection. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Birthday!!

Yesterday, August 18th, was my birthday! It's hard to believe that I am 33 years old. And for those of you who do not know, I will be a father in my 33rd year on this earth - Holly is pregnant! Words can't express how excited we are to bring a child into this world. We need much prayer for wisdom and strength to raise this child in the ways of the Lord. What a blessing that God has bestowed upon us.

Please pray for our Hollywood Pastor's Unity Prayer we have tomorrow noon. Pray that God would reveal to us how we should pray for not only this city, but also for our hearts - that God would change us pastors to be more like Him. Without HIS perspective and His power, we will never see a change. God, please let the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ be released in Los Angeles!

Powerful weekend....

The 2009 Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Show was definitely one to remember! God afforded Stronghold Ministries new opportunities that we have never had. First off, I want to thank contest promoter Tim Gardner (in the top photo) for allowing us to have a booth at the show where Stronghold Ministries handed out free waters to athletes, fans, and officials. It was a huge success and many people who didn't know about Stronghold became aware. Not only that but Tim also allowed me to stand up at the Saturday night show and speak to the crowd about Stronghold and its mission. Tim, thanks so much.

Also a huge thank you goes out to Tom Toy, who put together a visit to the Tampa Bay Boys and Girls home with some of the athletes. It was a big success as well, as the video from that outing was played in front of all the fans at the Saturday evening show. The video can be viewed on you-tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTk5cMaMVMk

Tom also was the one who organized and purchased all the waters for the event and had Stronghold Ministries labels made for each individual water that we handed out. Not only that, but he also had members of his small group fellowship help work the booth, all wearing Stronghold Ministries t-shirts. It was absolutely amazing! Tom, may God bless you for all your hard work. It is so much appreciated!

And on top of all that, God worked in new ways in so many people's lives! In fact, I only got a couple hours of sleep on Friday and Saturday night because of all the people that God had us minister to. Keith Jones (in the bottom photo) was ministering with me for the weekend, and God used him to touch many as well. Keith is such a blessing for Stronghold, and every weekend he ministers with us, it becomes more evident. Thanks for being such a blessing in my life Keith!

And a big thank-you to everyone who prayed for this weekend. Your prayers were powerful and effective!

Leaving for Tampa...

Please pray for me as I'm heading out the door for the airport to fly to Tampa, FL. There is the Tampa Pro bodybuilding show that Stronghold will be ministering at as well as speaking to the Tampa Boys and Girls Club on Thursday afternoon. Please pray for a powerful weekend where the Holy Spirit moves mightily and changes many lives! Thanks!

Exciting times in Vegas...

I love it when God surprises us! And that is exactly what happened in Vegas over the weekend when Stronghold ministered at the USA bodybuilding championships. Our outreach in the bodybuilding industry focuses mainly on the professional athletes, so at an amateur event like this, we meet with the pros who come to watch or work for their supplement companies to sign autographs. However, with the economy, many of the supplement companies are choosing not to spend the money to fly their athletes to the events if they aren't competing; instead, they use locals to work their booths.

Well the first night we were there, we were able to minister to a few of the industry people we knew, but overall, it was a relatively quiet night. Naturally, I thought Saturday would be the same, but it was totally different! God just started sending people our way - some that we knew, but also some that we didn't! From noon Saturday until 11pm that night, I don't think Fred Krause (a Stronghold team member) and I stopped talking! It was simply amazing how God showed up and allowed us the opportunity to speak into so many people's lives. God is definitely alive and moving in the bodybuilding industry!

And on another note, today was the first meeting of local pastors in the San Fernando Valley (northern LA) to pray, and it was such a joy to be a part of it! Now there have been prayer meetings and gatherings started in 3 major areas of LA - the West Side, Hollywood (the one I organize), and the Valley. Unity is a very difficult path, but God is proving faithful to move powerfully if we unite and begin to act like the unified body of Christ. Please continue to pray for direction and more pastors to join together...

Heading to Vegas...

Please pray for me and Fred Krause as we head to Las Vegas for the USA bodybuilding championships. It is the largest amateur bodybuilding and fitness show in the U.S. We will be there Friday and Saturday praying with the athletes, reading the Bible with them, encouraging and counseling them, and simply showing them love. Please pray for the love of Christ to be evident in us and that we would have the exact right words to speak to everyone we come across. As always, thanks for your prayers!

Back to LA...

It was a great time of being home in Indiana, spending time with family and friends. It always encourages me so much when I hear of all the people who are praying for us and this ministry! It truly is what gives us the strength to press on, knowing that we are not alone in this journey.

One of the highlights of the time was being able to perform the wedding of my best friend Andy Steiner. His wife Deby is from Bern, Switzerland, and she is such a blessing to Andy. I pray that God gives them many wonderful years together in serving Him.

While I was home, I made a brief trip to Tampa, FL to speak to Team BodyTech. It was amazing to see and hear the responses of the athletes as I talked about Jesus our Savior who washes away our sins and gives us Life! I believe that God changed, encouraged, and strengthened many lives that night. Praise God!

Please pray for me and Holly as we jump right back into work here. We ask for wisdom for our tasks and power from our God to carry them out. Thanks!