“If we take comfort in our own love for Christ, we are building on a sandy foundation. But if we lean on Christ’s love for us, we are on a rock.”
-Bishop J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. 2 (Luke)
Care Net: I love the gospel and all the associated truths about how our standing with God is based not on how hard we are holding on to him, but how hard he is holding on to us. I’m also grateful for a ministry that allows me to lead our “Church Initiative” in a way that is grace-based, gospel-centered, and non-political. This global pandemic has definitely presented challenges to those of us who are committed to relational ministry. Most of my travel for 3-6 months was canceled and many of us have been asking the question: How do we save the world when we can’t even leave our homes?! I’m grateful, however, that in the midst of all the barriers and confusion, many of us have found a renewed appreciation for the value of reflection, prayer, patience, creativity (e.g. I’m getting really good at Zoom calls!), and preparation.
Indeed, this is a season of preparation and if you would like to join us in this ministry of offering compassion, hope, and help to those facing pregnancy decisions you can take our signature course for the church called Making Life Disciples right now here at no cost.
Book: Here’s some feedback[1] from the article I wrote for Care Net’s network on “How to Reach Those Who’ve Been Hurt by the Church:”
- “I just read thru the ten tips and wow where have y’all been for 20 years…I think there is real hope for me now so THANK U SO MUCH!” -Holly
- “I was involved in a church for 20 years that made it into two books by Ronald Enroth: Churches That Abuse and Recovery From Churches That Abuse. Your point regarding separating God from the church—seeing them as one and the same—was the most important lesson that my wife and I learned. But the deep emotional damage still makes it impossible for my wife to attend a church again—even after being out of the former group for now 20 years.” -Bill
- WOW! This was an incredibly encouraging, Biblically honoring, and practically applicable post – thank you for such an authentic, faithful and God-honoring words! Truly blessed me!”- Steph
And here’s some feedback on the book How I Became Christian Despite the Church itself:
- “It was great! Very relatable and moving.” -Nathan
- “I finished your book this past Saturday. Great insights from God’s Word!” -John
- “I could not stop reading your book… I was up til almost 3 am! Good job, writing about difficult and complicated issue(s). I hope that I can share it with my brother someday… It took a lot of guts to write your story. It will bring freedom to many people..!” -Carla
- “Just finished your book and all I can say is, ‘Wow!’ Thanks for enduring to write it. My story is somewhat differing at some points but spot on in others. You’ve added deeper value to my own personal pain in a manner that helps me make better sense about deep wounds. I know others have or will benefit from your unselfish work here. So, I just wanted to say thank you.” -Ed
- “I believe you have helped me understand how to finally forgive… when he feels like he has done nothing wrong… it’s chapter 5… it’s my favorite (so far) … it’s words are healing… beyond… thank you!” -Jill
- “Really enjoyed your book. I love that you share your vulnerability and struggles in a real way. We need more of that in the Christian community. Your story needed to be told! I am grateful for your friendship and encouragement!” -Erik
- “My sisters all very touched by your book: ‘. .. he has something to say to the church. He was such a product of abuse!! Tell him we are really being blessed by his humble heart!!’” -Jim
Church Planting: Now that the book is done, I’m turning my attention to strengthening discipleship and exploring planting an EPC church in the county where I live. I’m five minutes from a major university, Rowan, in one of southern NJ’s few growing counties, where there is no EPC church, and over 50% of the 360K population identify as irreligious.
Incredibly, there is also no strong pregnancy center (PC) near Rowan. And so I’d like to integrate a plan into my part-time project to also, in time, establish a PC in close proximity.
This project easily blends with what I’m doing full-time with Care Net and is already, thankfully, fully funded for the first year by my denomination and one EPC church in our area. Your prayers, however, are greatly appreciated as I get started—especially in this unknown, post-COVID-19 reality!
As always, thanks so much for caring about and praying for my ministry, as well as reading and sharing my journey. May the God who holds us by our right hand (Psalm 73:23) continue to give us fire and hope.
“Setting out is always a leap of faith, a risk in the deepest sense of the term, and yet an adventure too. The familiar and the habitual are so falsely reassuring, and most of us make our homes there permanently. The new is always by definition unfamiliar and untested, so God, life, destiny, suffering have to give us a push—usually a big one—or we will not go.”
-Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
[1] Some names changed to protect anonymity.