Happy Thanksgiving!
All of us at Six11 Ministries wish you a very blessed, graceful, and fulfilling holiday. May the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you, as Father-God draws you closer to Himself.
As many of you know, my wife and I are spending two weeks in Uganda. Below is a “prayer list” we put together, so that those who want to pray with us, can do so. Thanks in advance for your prayers and support. Look for an update when we get back!
Hey All,
This Friday, Emily and I head out to Uganda Africa. We are stoked about going. We are humbled by God’s invitation. We are seeking prayer and counsel from you all while we are there – for us, our team, and the people we will be encountering (with great expectations).
We will be gone until December 12 (a total of 16 days), so I have written out 16 prayer requests – one for each day. Uganda is a country of witchcraft, deceit, bitterness, crime, and the like. So, we need prayer warriors to stand with us in shining forth God’s Glory, Truth, Grace, Love, and Holiness!
Beyond the “daily” prayer requests listed below, please keep an extra prayer covering over the following:
- our team: for unity, strength, patience, discernment, wisdom, grace, and God’s Agape Love
- our health: that we do not get sick in any way (from bugs, food, drink, or the like)
- our safety: that God would protect us from all types of harm and evil deeds
- our kids: that Emily’s parents would be strengthened, that the kids would be well behaved, that “homesickness” would not distract us or the kids from having fun and growing in the Lord
DAY 1 – (US to Amsterdam) pray for our traveling, that no one gets sick, our luggage doesn’t get lost, the plane’s take off and arrive safely
DAY 2 – (Amsterdam to Entebbe, Uganda) pray for continued travel, that we recover quickly from our travels, that we take opportunities to minister on the plane (those divine appoints God has for us)
DAY 3 – (Arriving in Masaka, Uganda) pray for energy today as the GPS (prayer conference) starts, safe travel for those coming from other countries, that God’s Spirit would descend upon the Church and begin to set the place on fire
DAY 4 – (GPS) pray that God will impart His message to those who are speaking (including myself), that His testimony would be heard and glorified, that His mission would be acknowledged and put into action
DAY 5 – (GPS) pray for the teams that will be ministering to those with AIDS/HIV, for those who have been orphaned by AIDS, for those impacted by AIDS worldwide (today is World AIDS Day) – that God would have mercy and bring continued healing that would end this horrible epidemic
DAY 6 – (GPS) pray that God’s Spirit would fill all who are present, that God’s Love would dominate the hate and strife within the Ugandan land, that God’s Grace would extend from the Church to all who live in Uganda and the surrounding countries
DAY 7 – (GPS) pray for healing for those who are seeking it, for comfort for those who are desperate for it, for salvation for those who do not personally know Jesus, for life for those who are on their death beds
DAY 8 – (GPS) pray for unity within the Ugandan churches, within the African churches, within the global Church – that Christ’s Body will work as ONE body, of ONE Lord, through ONE Spirit, in order to make God’s Glory known throughout the world
DAY 9 – pray for the Hope School we will be visiting, that God’s Name would continue to be upheld there, and that the Hope of Christ would impart onto all who enter through the doors of the school; pray for building materials to come through for the new building project … pray that the teachers that they would be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus
DAY 10 – pray for the church services many of us will be participating in (myself included), pray that all who speak are empowered to do so by God’s Spirit and Holy Passion
DAY 11 – pray for a restful day as we will be taking the “day off” to relax and freshen our own spirits, pray that we are obedient in doing whatever the Lord asks – no matter what
DAY 12 – (head to Kampala / Pregnancy outreach) pray for our next travel ventures, for Veronica’s pregnancy outreach (the only one in the country!), for women who are pregnant and thinking of having abortions – that God would change their minds and continue to provide for them, that the Church would arise and be burdened to take on this ministry full time … for strength, wisdom, finances, and favor for Veronica
DAY 13 – (Orphanage / Prisons in Kampala) pray that we would be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to the children we meet, those in prison, those who are prostitutes, those who are disabled, and any one else we encounter who is in need of the Saviors healing touch and love
DAY 14 – (Woman’s Conference) pray that God will minister to the women who will be attending this one-day conference, that He would restore them and help them to see themselves as He does – His beautiful daughters … pray for those leading the conference (Emily is one of them) that they would speak God’s heart for these women, that God’s Spirit would be received and that chains would be broken off from those who have been penned up by abuse, self-hate, prostitution, and past mistakes
DAY 15 – (Tourist day and heading home) pray that we take what God has given us these two weeks back home and that we keep alive the message of Christ and what we have seen Christ do … praise God for all that He has done within the people of Uganda and His Church … pray for safety as we come home
DAY 16 – (Amsterdam to US to Fort Wayne, IN) pray for strength, rest, humility, as we continue to make a long travel home … pray our luggage returns with us safely, that we get through customs without any problems, and that we remain healthy
Thank you all for your prayers! We love each of you, and know that you will be faithful in praying for us – seeking the Lord’s throne on the behalf of Uganda and our team. Thank you for being obedient. Look for an update when we get back!
For God’s Eternal Glory,
Shawn and Emily
A Texas student was attacked after school – because he is gay – while his assistant principal and bus driver ignored his plea for help from his attackers. The gang chased Jayron Martin to a neighbor’s house, where they beat him with a metal pipe. Things stopped after the owner of the home came downstairs with a shotgun and scared the group of attackers away.
Just wrote a new article dealing with this question. Click here to read it.
In a great move on their part, Exodus International has finally issued an official statement in regards to the Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 (see post here and here about the Bill).
The letter expresses Exodus’ opposition to the bill, stating that it would prevent the Body of Christ from ministering to the gay community, as well as show that the Church is not a safe place for them to enter. Additionally, as Warren Throckmorton states, (one of the signers of this letter) this bill would also “impair AIDS progress in Uganda”.
Needless to say, this bill is essentially cruel and unjust. Thankfully now, people extending from Exodus to various World Governments are standing up and letting their voice be heard for those who seemingly have no voice.
I just posted a new article I wrote – for parents – on loving a child who is gay. This article offers some sound advice in dealing with a child’s news that they are gay. Additionally, this article is good for those walking along side parents of gay kids. There is practical advice in how to minister and why ministry needs to happen.
You can find the article under the heading “Student Ministry”.
Your comments are welcomed.
My friend Kendall, who is a “missionary of prayer” at IHOP-KC, recently sent a challenge out to those in the Church. It is based on one simple command: Love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 ESV
Read his article here, and be challenged to love – regardless – today and tomorrow.
I haven’t done one of these for a long time … so I figured it was about time I started again.
This week’s song was sung while at our retreat this past weekend. It’s an old song; but it’s a song that has brought a whole new meaning to me as I sing it, in regards to God being my Father and His great love for me.
As you read the Gospel of John, there is one name that is mentioned over and over again – we find out later that this name belongs to the Gospel writer. John was an apostle of Jesus; he performed miracles in Acts; he was a prophet of Revelation; he was a church planter and a visionary. But it was only one title that he choose to acknowledge and make himself known as: “the one Jesus loved”.
I used to think that this was pretty egotistical of John to call himself that; I mean, doesn’t Jesus love everyone equally? Then I started to think about my identity, and who/what I align myself with. I have aligned myself by what I have done (youth pastor, preacher, writer, artist, etc), and who people have labeled me as (gay, weird, unmanly, messed up, etc). But is this really who I am? Is this really the identity I want to hold on to and claim as “yes, this is me”?
I think, maybe John wasn’t being egotistical at all, but rather he was tapping into something that many of us ignore to see. I think, what John was saying was this: “I belong to no one else but the Father, and even though I am very gifted in many areas, and even though I have accomplished much in my life, and despite what others may think of me, I want to only be known as I really am: God’s son … the one whom He loves.”
Can we say the same?
Think about these questions …
- Who am I?
- Who does God say that I am?
- What identity will I choose to live in – today and tomorrow?
We are made in the image of our Father (Genesis 1:26-27). In Christ, we are adopted by the Father (Romans 8). As God’s children we have been birthed by God (John 1:12-13), and have been lavished upon with His eternal love (1 John 3:1), which can never be taken away (Romans 8:38-39).
This is who we are. This is the identity we need to claim for ourselves. This is truth; and in this truth comes freedom and life.
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his handsHe knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I callI have a Father
He calls me His own
He’ll never leave me
No matter where I go
*This song is by Tommy Walker, but was sung by Jeremy “Passion” Manongdo.
By now it’s all over the web, and rightly so. What the Uganda government is trying to pass into law – in the name of God – is nothing more than a bill “not of God”.
Here are some updates, for those who are following the story; and for those who are new to what’s going on. As I said before, everyone everywhere needs to be praying about this situation. This bill is not about denominations, religious agendas, or “pro”/”ex” gay theology … it’s about one thing: demonstrating God’s unconditional love to those He created in His image.
Please join the fight. Stand in the gap, upon your knees, for those who are innocently being killed.
- US Senators are finally speaking out, so is the US Embassy in Uganda.
- Ex-Gay Watch notes that France is speaking out.
- Pastor Rick Warren, and wife Kay, speak out against the proposed Bill.
- Exodus (finally) speaks out against the Ugandan Bill (… I’m taking it as such anyways).
Dr. Warren Throckmorton has been a lead “fighter” in speaking out about this bill. Visit his site for up to date info, and join his Facebook group concerning the Anit-Gay Bill in Uganda.
In addition, let me (once again) publicly state my feelings on this issue:
- This bill is WRONG
- This bill does NOT demonstrate God’s Love or Truth by any means
- Christians, Politicians … everyone … everywhere … NEED to continue to speak out against this bill.
- Six11 Ministries DOES NOT support this bill in any way, and will continue to speak out against this bill – or any bill like it, in any other part of the world. The message of God is Love, found within the Grace and Truth of Jesus Christ. Plain and simple.
I ask for your prayers as some friends and I gather at the base of the Blue Mountains for a weekend of pursuing God. This is a retreat I have been a part of for a number of years – meeting twice a year. I have been to a lot of retreats, and a lot of worship “things”, but nothing really compares to what this weekend offers. I find God’s presence thick within our worship times, and I find His grace pouring forth from the teachings and small group times like a rushing waterfall. It’s amazing.
Previously, I wrote about “Gay Bashing” and the (future)-end of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Both of these topics revolve around a bigger issue: the Hate Crimes Bill – which is slated to be signed into law by President Obama this Wednesday.
There has been a lot of talk from Christian circles, on why this bill should not be signed into law. From what I can gather, their sole point is this: the Church will be limited (silenced) on what they can and cannot say about homosexuality. A valid concern for pastors who hold a strong conviction that homosexuality is wrong.
But, this is an invalid point to use in protesting a bill that will (hopefully) bring better protection to those within the GLBT community. Let’s be honest here, Church, many gays face unjust discrimination everyday. Many are killed, beaten, jailed, fired, and the like, just for being gay. Many things are done, as the Church stands by in silence. How is this “loving our neighbor” as Jesus taught?
Put yourself in their shoes. How would you respond? How would you want the Church to respond?
If we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), then that means everyone is made in the image of God – regardless of their race, gender, and sexuality. Now, I am not saying that people are born gay – I don’t believe. What I am talking about, though, is that life comes from God – all of life comes forth by the Word of His mouth; and because of this, God cares about every life – every person – regardless of race, gender, and sexuality.
If God cares about all of us equally, then we, His Bride (His hands and feet), should care about others equally. One of my favorite passages sums this point up quite nicely:
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:20-21
We are constantly reminded, by the words of Jesus, to think of others over ourselves. In a sense, we are asked to walk in their shoes – not just gays, but those in poverty, oppression, widows, and fatherless – and view the world from their eyes. Too often, though, I think the Church has failed to do just that; turning a blind eye to injustice, while protesting those who go against their beliefs.
Sounds harsh; but it’s true.
The Church is quick to stand up for injustices against themselves, and, in some cases, the Church is willing to stand against the injustices of those who can’t stand for themselves (like racism, poverty in other countries, and abortion). However, almost never does the Church stand against the injustices of those in the gay community. Why? (I say almost never, just in case there have been cases where the local church has actually done this.)
What’s my point? Hate is wrong. Injustice is wrong. Jesus speaks very clearly on these subjects (check out the Sermon on the Mount). Therefore, His disciples (i.e. the Church) should also be against such things.
Church, Jesus assured us of certain things. One of those being this: you will be misunderstood and persecuted. People are going to reject God’s truth, and stand against the Church, as the end draws nearer. We should get used to it. We should not be looking to the government for “our rights” or for our voice to be heard clearly. Our voice is given by God. Our rights come from God. And, it is through His grace that such things come forth.
Another assurance, is that we are to stand against injustice just as God stands against it. Since He desires none to be lost (2 Peter 3:9) in the end, we should at all cost show our fallen world His saving love and grace – regardless of our own personal preferences. We live life for His glory, not our own. We are here to proclaim His kingdom, not our here. God desires all of His children to come back home to Him, including those we sometimes think are too far gone from His reach (i.e. the gay community).
I seriously think that if Jesus were here, He would stand FOR the passing of this bill. In fact He would pass a law against ALL hate and injustice within the world; regardless if those He fought for believed in Him or not (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
The only people who are able to silence our message of God’s redeeming love, is ourselves. God’s message is not confined to man-made laws, but it does get silenced through a Body that allows hate to freely reign.
