Great family vacation!

The last part of June into the July 4th weekend, Holly, Silas, and I went on our yearly family vacation! It was especially exciting because Holly's brother was married. Holly sang at the ceremony, Silas was the ring-bearer, and I officiated the marriage ceremony. Then a couple days later, we left with my family to go to the lakes for 5 days. It is so relaxing to have hardly any cell phone signal and no TV; just family to spend time with.

What is also exciting is that God is really moving mightily in our hometown of Berne, IN! So many people are really being stirred by the Holy Spirit to grow in their faith and testimony for Jesus Christ. They want to see the town changed!! Please pray that God's will is powerfully done in this town! Thanks!

Flying to Canton, OH...

I am leaving in a few minutes to go to Canton, OH to perform a wedding for a couple from the bodybuilding industry. This couple has been a real joy to get to know, and I am excited about what God has for their future together.

Things have been very busy, so please continue to pray for strength to do all that God has asked of us - but nothing more. We need wisdom to prioritize in the way that God desires. Holly just relayed again to me last night that we are so privileged to be able to serve the Lord in this city! Your support and prayers make this all possible! Thanks!!

California trip...

Earlier in May, I took a ministry trip to Los Angeles. One of the main reasons for the trip was to continue to assist in the UNITY work among the churches in Hollywood - a work I've been heavily involved with over the past several years. The trip was nothing short of amazing, as God continues to further the unified work of the Kingdom there, and also grow hearts together as one through the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for wisdom for the leadership involved in this unity process, that we will truly hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches of Hollywood (Revelation 3:6).

It was also exciting to see a couple give their lives to Jesus that weekend! It never gets old seeing people give their lives completely over to the One who died to set them free from the sin that bound them! Praise God!

Traveling to Orlando, Florida...

I am leaving for Orlando, FL on Wednesday morning, and I am driving so I will need your prayers for safety. I will be ministering at the Orlando Europa Pro Show - a bodybuilding and fitness contest. I will also be staying the weekend with a great friend of mine who lives down there. It is always such an encouraging time, and God always works in both of our lives. Please pray that the Holy Spirit goes before me and prepares people's heart to hear about Jesus, understand, and accept Him into their lives as their Lord and Master. Thanks!

Great Bible Study Monday night...

What a great night Monday night was! Every other Monday night, a Bible Study has started over in Murfreesboro, which is about 30 minutes from our apartment in Franklin. It meets in a couple's home that I know from the bodybuilding and fitness industry. As of now, I will be leading the group and am excited to see so many people from this couple's gym attending to grow in their faith in God and their love for each other. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to move in powerful ways to change each of our hearts! Thanks!

Making connections...

It feels good to call Nashville home! We finally got all of our boxes upacked and furniture arranged, so it definitely is beginning to FEEL a little more like home. We obviously miss our many friends in LA, but God has blessed us with some awesome new friendships here in Tennessee. On the ministry front, I have been meeting with some people involved with the music industry to see how God desires for us to fit into this new industry. Please pray for wisdom and discernment so that we do not begin to pursue ministry that God has not called us to. We want to do His will and know that His power will work mightily if we follow Him.

Thanks for your many prayers on our behalf!

Relocation to NASHVILLE!!

I know it's been awhile since I last blogged, but that is because some major changes have taken place over the last few months...we moved to Nashville! It's a long story of how God revealed to us we were to leave Los Angeles and come here; but long story short, He opened some amazing doors and has shown us we are to help affect Nashville for Jesus Christ! Obviously, this place is quite a bit different from Hollywood, but it also has many similarities - especially as it pertains to the entertainment industry. I've already made a couple of connections here in the music industry, so I am excited to see what God does there. We also have a heart to continue the work we began in Los Angeles of unifying the churches here to have a measurable impact for Jesus Christ in the community. I will also continue to lead the Stronghold team as we minister at amateur and professional bodybuilding and fitness shows around the country. In fact, a few awesome couples from the industry live in the Nashville area, so we will be able to grow in our relationships with them.

If you would like to hear more details about the move and do not receive our ministry newsletter, please email me at "michaelw@strongholdministries.com" and I will email you a copy.

Thank you all for your prayers and support in this time of transition!