Arnold Classic...

Next weekend (March 4-7) is the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic bodybuilding show in Columbus, OH, and we (Stronghold Ministries) will be sending 3 team members to minister at the show: Andy and Deby Steiner and Fred Krause. I will not be attending the event due to a circumstance that will require all of my focus, attention, and love: the birth of our baby boy on or around March 4th! The Arnold is the largest bodybuilding and fitness show in the world, as nearly 300,000-400,000 people will attend the events and expo over that weekend. Please pray for Andy, Deby, and Fred to be led by the Lord and to show the love of Jesus to all they come across. Pray for open doors to share the good news about Jesus with athletes and officials. Also pray for favor with whomever they speak. Holly and I anxiously await their stories of what God does in Columbus...

Baby is close!

The arrival of our little baby boy is getting close! Anytime in the next 2-3 weeks, he should be here...Of course, Holly is a little bit uncomfortable at this point in the pregnancy to say the least. We are both so excited that the time will be soon and we will have our first child to bring up in this world! Please pray for a healthy baby and good delivery.

Yesterday was such an encouraging day from a ministry standpoint. I went with one of the ministry leaders that I know from the city to a homeless ministry up in Ventura county. The amazing thing about this ministry is the way that the churches in the city have come together. 18 different churches have pulled together in the name of Jesus to build a transitional housing facility to help poor and needy individuals get back on their feet and also develop a close personal relationship with Jesus. I have never seen anything like this, where churches have pulled together - not just for an event - but on a day-to-day basis. And the community has noticed! City officials are calling them asking how they can be of assistance! Truly, these believers are living out their faith in a very powerful way. I believe that LA churches are called to be in that kind of unity here. Please pray that God gives me and all who have this heart the strength and wisdom to make this vision a reality. We know it will only happen by the grace and power of our mighty God!

Community Trash Clean-up!

Members of our Bible Study have a heart for reaching out to our community and making a difference for Jesus Christ. They really desire to put their faith into action in a tangible way. So last Saturday, those who could make it embarked on picking up trash in a local park and underneath an freeway overpass. Policeman driving by were looking at us and various people stopped to thank us. It was amazing how something so small was noticed in such a big way. I know it encouraged all of us to be more active in serving those around us and doing it through the power of Jesus Christ who lives in us. And on top of all this, there's 9 less bags of trash laying around our streets!

Music Tour ministry...

Please pray for me as I travel on a small music tour with an artist who is a good friend of mine. I will be riding on the tour bus, so pray for divine opportunities to talk about Jesus and pray with individuals from the band. We leave Sunday for the first city and will be done Thursday evening.

Also pray today for our Hollywood Pastor's Unity Prayer meeting at 12 Noon PST. I have really been working hard with a few of the other pastors to begin working together in very practical and impactful ways to reach the Hollywood community. Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to lead us and that we don't get ahead of Him.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

A new year!!

A NEW YEAR is upon us, and we are really excited about what lies ahead for our family and ministry. We resumed meeting again at our apartment for our Thursday evening Bible Study after a brief break for the holidays. This group is really an encouragement, as these young people are eager to play their part in reaching this city for Christ. As the leaders, pray that Holly and I are filled with the Holy Spirit and power to equip these believers in a way that makes the most of their individual giftings.

Also, our little baby will be coming the first part of March, and yesterday we spent 6 hours at a lamaze class! I guess there's a lot to learn about having a baby! The reality of having a child is really sinking in...I never thought 9 months could travel so fast!

With this coming new year, I want to thank all of you in advance for your continued prayers and support. Please pray for breakthrough with several projects that we are bringing before the Lord. Thanks!

Video of our Thanksgiving project...

Here's something a little new for everyone to check out...a video! I just learned how to put a video together on the computer, and this is the finished product. It shows how a few from our weekly Bible Study who didn't go home for Thanksgiving or have family in the area to celebrate with came together to feed 32 different homeless people right in our little suburb of Studio City. A big thanks to Scott and Tara Blacquiere for heading up the project!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Ministering in Orlando, FL...

Tomorrow morning I leave for Orlando to speak at a Bible Study luncheon run by my friend Jeff. I've spoken there a number of times and always look forward to it. This evening has been a little unusual as I am writing this from a friend's house because Holly and I can't get to our apartment! The street has been totally blocked off because some man on our block has a gun and is threatening to kill himself. It's all over the news and it's only 2 buildings from ours...welcome to Los Angeles!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit empowers me and speaks through me to the hearts of these people...thanks!