Why in the world am I bringing up politics? Believe me, it is the last thing I want to do in this divisive day and age that we are living in. Bringing it up is a great risk for anyone, but it’s worth it to me and here is why. It is because politics and … Continue reading JESUS FOR PRESIDENT • Is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican?
Loving Afghans and Having a Heart for All Refugees
It has been a crazy few weeks getting to help so many Afghan families. It is mixed with so many emotions for us. Sadness for their situation and their families stuck in Afghanistan, but also filled with so much joy as we get to meet and build relationships with so many new families. Afghans have been … Continue reading Loving Afghans and Having a Heart for All Refugees
Confessions of a Redeemed White Man-What the Black Community Wants to Know from White People about Racism
NOTE: I am coming at this as a typical white American. I cannot speak to KKK, hate groups, etc. because I simply do not understand that stuff. I am only addressing black and white issues because of what happened over the past couple of weeks. There is certainly racism towards refugees, immigrants, Latinos, Native Americans, … Continue reading Confessions of a Redeemed White Man-What the Black Community Wants to Know from White People about Racism
Prayer Challenge: The Key to Loving People You Don’t Love
Something I have learned about prayer is that prayer usually moves and changes my heart. You see, when we pray for someone or something, God positions our heart where it needs to be. It is truly a miracle, and I mean miracle! Think about the miracle of loving your enemy that Jesus and the disciples … Continue reading Prayer Challenge: The Key to Loving People You Don’t Love
One of the Best Days of My Life: In Cuba!
Jeremy and I went to Cuba recently to visit Yadir and Ania's family (the Cuban couple on our team) and to see the work that is going on there now. Before moving to the U.S., Yadir was one of the main leaders who started a church planting movement that produced 3,000 churches in 2 years! … Continue reading One of the Best Days of My Life: In Cuba!
Connect By a Dream
On a recent cross outreach I got to meet this sweet girl who came up to me. Maybe she was just curious about what we were doing, but she didn't seem that interested in connecting. That is until I felt like God wanted me to tell her something. After I shared it with her, her … Continue reading Connect By a Dream
Your Role in Missions. It is Probably More Than You Think!
I meet with a lot of people. Often times I meet with normal people with normal paying jobs. Sometimes I meet with CEOs or people who run their own businesses. I get asked this question all the time, "How can I get involved in reaching others or living for Gods will?" When I get asked … Continue reading Your Role in Missions. It is Probably More Than You Think!
Response to the Muslim Refugee Ban
After giving this weeks events much thought, I wanted to respond to the Muslim refugee situation. It is not going to surprise anyone that Loving All Peoples wants refugees here and loves Muslims. You have seen that consistently from us for many years. We were of course deeply saddened by the decision. I thought it … Continue reading Response to the Muslim Refugee Ban
The “Radical Way to Respond to Racism
The weeks after the death of the 5 police officers in Dallas I tried to write about race in this country. It is obviously a very emotional and highly sensitive issue for everyone. In fact, I wrote a really long blog post but never sent it. I never felt quite right about it. I know … Continue reading The “Radical Way to Respond to Racism
Hard Questions: A Challenge to Christians and Christian Leaders
Before I start out, I want whoever is reading this to know that I have struggled mightily with this issue for years. Struggled with what the truth is and if and how I should encourage others in it. I have devoured the scriptures because of it, sought input from others, and of course sought God … Continue reading Hard Questions: A Challenge to Christians and Christian Leaders
Carrying the Cross Among Addicts and Prostitutes
This day was going to be another crazy day! We took the cross down to the Harry Hines area recently to love on and meet with addicts and prostitutes. We have learned that many drug addicts and prostitutes hang out early in the morning because they are either out all night or they are needing … Continue reading Carrying the Cross Among Addicts and Prostitutes
Partnering with Christians of All Nationalities
Look at this small group of people in this picture. These are church leaders we are training from a church here in Dallas which is made up of several different nationalities: Chinese, Africans, Hispanics, and many more. In the 15 years we have been doing ministry with internationals in Dallas, we have figured out something. … Continue reading Partnering with Christians of All Nationalities
The Church’s Response to the Gay Community: The World is Watching
This is a very difficult issue for Christians I know. It is a difficult issue for me as well. But I do want to share my heart on this issue with the hope that along with truth, we can extend grace and love to all people for the sake of Christ. A much needed grace and love in … Continue reading The Church’s Response to the Gay Community: The World is Watching
Is Our Christianity Even Christianity at All?
I would say that what I am about to bring up is my biggest heart cry for Christianity in America. I want to challenge you with this big and difficult question. Is the Christianity we are living even Christianity at all? It is a vital question that is beyond fair to ask. Our salvation could depend on … Continue reading Is Our Christianity Even Christianity at All?
Navy Seal, FBI Agent, and a Disciple Maker
Two buddies of mine let me go along with them to the shooting range. Stephen is a Navy Seal and Jeff is an FBI agent (formally Army) and shooting instructor. This was only my 3rd time to go to the shooting range. To say the least I was a bit intimidated but at the same … Continue reading Navy Seal, FBI Agent, and a Disciple Maker
This Guy is Hungry!
I'll never forgot this moment. We are carrying the cross down a busy street in Dallas and this guy in the picture just comes running down the street towards us. And I mean running. He had his shoes off so that he could run faster! Immediately it reminded me of Peter seeing Jesus on the … Continue reading This Guy is Hungry!
Amazing Connection Opens Doors in a Apartment Community
Sometimes we question how often we are supposed to carry the cross. All we know is that God wanted us to do it. This week our team felt like we were supposed to prayer walk around the Vickery Meadows area but we weren't sure if we were supposed to carry the cross. We decided not … Continue reading Amazing Connection Opens Doors in a Apartment Community
Breakthrough in Brothels
As most of you know, we formed a team of Asian believers because most of the brothels in Dallas are Asian. This makes it very difficult to connect with them culturally and therefore makes it extremely difficult to find openness. We have always had it on our hearts to create this team, but just didn't … Continue reading Breakthrough in Brothels
Can God Use “Unqualified” People to Reach Others?
We were on an outreach the other day carrying the cross in an area known for drugs and alcohol. We walked up to this group of men who were in front of a liquor store and just started talking with them. We were greeted very well and ended up talking for about 30 min, praying … Continue reading Can God Use “Unqualified” People to Reach Others?
We Can Rescue People
Hey, I am excited to be back doing ministry! Our family is all doing great! Thanks for all of your help and support! So something crazy happened to us a few months ago that I wanted to share because I feel like God gave me a message through this incident. Melissa and I were at … Continue reading We Can Rescue People
Looking Like a Fool Produces Fruit
1 Corinthians 4:10 "We are fools for Christ." I just want to show you what can happen when we simply do what God says to do, even if it sounds crazy. I believe God gave me a promise that He would lead me to people who are hungry for God. Now, how He said to … Continue reading Looking Like a Fool Produces Fruit
Befriend a Refugee Family
Refugees come from all over the world to Dallas. Many have lost and suffered more than any of us could imagine. When they come here, many do not have anything or anyone. It is an extremely difficult and lonely situation. How would you want to be treated if you lost everything and were forced to … Continue reading Befriend a Refugee Family
Impacting the World by Loving International Students
I pray that you will grasp the unbelievable opportunity we have here in Dallas to truly affect other parts of the world. We are looking for people that will go and reach and love international students here in Dallas. There are around 800,000 international students who study in America every year. Twenty thousand alone in … Continue reading Impacting the World by Loving International Students
It is Easy to Reach Out to Muslims!
Reaching out to Muslims is much easier than you would think. Many think that we have to be "trained" or come up with some plan on how to share our faith. We think that sharing our faith can only be done by going up to strangers and sharing our belief system and dismantling theirs! This … Continue reading It is Easy to Reach Out to Muslims!
Loving People of Other Faiths
Did you know that the DFW area is getting close to being 50% international! Right now it is 44% international and it is growing. Just take a minute and think about that. We are talking around 2,500,000 people of other cultures and faiths who live here! That is a lot of people. Is that a … Continue reading Loving People of Other Faiths
Reaching the Unchurched
Although it is great if people end up in a church, the answer may not always be bringing people to our church. The population of the United States is around 313,000,000. How many Americans regularly go to church? I have studied surveys about how many people attend church in the United States and nobody can … Continue reading Reaching the Unchurched
Loving People With AIDS
We are looking for people that will go love and befriend people living with AIDS at a home for hospice and respite patients who are dying or are in the critical stages of their illness. The goal is simply to love them, be a friend, and share your life with them. One of the sad realities … Continue reading Loving People With AIDS
We Want to Help You Reach People
We are so passionate about giving someone an opportunity to know God and to experience love from another. There are so many people to love and so many people that need to know God in this city and around the world. In reality, only a very small percentage of people in this city have someone … Continue reading We Want to Help You Reach People
Do You Know That God is Crazy About You?
I want to show you this short 5 minute video. But first, do you know that He is crazy about you? I know I struggle with this. At times it is a major battle for me. If I do not understand and accept that God is crazy about me, then I can forget about having … Continue reading Do You Know That God is Crazy About You?
Do We Make Spreading God’s Love Way too Complicated?
We had a Muslim family over for dinner the other night, which we do often. We had a great time! We know this family very well and get together often. We really love each other. As we sat at the dinner table, we talked about new things in our life, funny stories, and shared with … Continue reading Do We Make Spreading God’s Love Way too Complicated?
Earning the Right to be Heard
What a great night at the drum circle. Just loaded with all kinds of people and unique stories. We have a friend at the drum circle who we always talk to. One night she started talking about religion. She comes from a Christian background, but does not consider herself one anymore. She is still seeking. … Continue reading Earning the Right to be Heard
Making Friends at the Hare Krishna Temple
I am not going to attempt to give a detailed explanation of what Hare Krishna is or what they believe. But basically, it is a form of Hinduism and they worship the Krishna deity. You can find lots of stuff on the internet about it. It is a religion that is pretty new to America … Continue reading Making Friends at the Hare Krishna Temple
Going to Mosques and Temples
One great way to make Muslim and Buddhist friends here in America is to go to their places of worship. I went to one Mosque for an entire year to meet people and to learn about Islam from their perspective instead of sticking with my outside view of it. This was a great help! Now, I … Continue reading Going to Mosques and Temples
Loving Muslims
I would say that at least half of the refugees whom we work with are Muslim. They come from all over Africa, Burma, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Muslims have become a huge part of our life. We love Muslims. They are some of the most hospitable and generous people that I have ever met. I know … Continue reading Loving Muslims
Are People Really Interested in God?
Our team does the best we can to hang out with people from all walks of life. We are not perfect at doing this by any means, but we are trying every week to do better. We hang out with Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Agnostics, and Atheists. We hang out in temples and mosques and go … Continue reading Are People Really Interested in God?
Cookout with Buddhist Friends
Recently we have been receiving many Buddhist people from Burma. Believe me when I say this, Buddhists are fun! They are very care-free people. I have loved getting to know them, and I am learning so much from them. Before this year, I really didn't know about Buddhism or about their culture. They love when … Continue reading Cookout with Buddhist Friends
Loving the New Age Community
I have been going to a drum circle at a bar for about two months now. I fell in love with it immediately. My kind of crowd! Reminds me that following Jesus does not mean we cannot have fun! Believe me, that is what much of society thinks. At least that is my experience from … Continue reading Loving the New Age Community
Loving the Gay Community
We started working in the gay community. Our journey led us to meeting some great people and we have gained many great gay friends. We started out wanting to learn about the gay community and we felt God was leading us to a hospice house for men who were dying of AIDS, which led us to … Continue reading Loving the Gay Community
Reaching the Sex Industry
Why did I get interested in the sex industry? It was after I watched a movie called "Trade" about sex trafficking. It totally broke me. At the time we were mostly working with refugees, and I didn't know why God so strongly put this on my heart, but I knew we were about to dive … Continue reading Reaching the Sex Industry
Loving Addicts
Our team also does a lot of work outside of the Vickery community. We have been working in a lower-income apartment complex. This was a new experience for me to say the least. I truly didn't understand the "poor" in Dallas. There is an apartment complex that is one of the worst crime infested communities … Continue reading Loving Addicts
Carrying the Cross
I know I will get a lot of different responses to carrying a cross. First, let me explain the reasoning of why our team sometimes carries the cross. Our heart is to show an expression of Jesus to people that is pure; separate from religion, politics, and even American Christian culture. You might think that carrying … Continue reading Carrying the Cross
THE STORE OF KYLE
Melissa and I started the clothes closet because clothes were a very big need for the refugee families. Many refugee families come to America with almost nothing. We ran that clothes closet for almost 9 years. When refugee families would come to the clothes closet, they would always call it "The Store of Kyle" so … Continue reading THE STORE OF KYLE
Working with Refugees: The Beginning of Loving All Peoples
The Vickery Meadows community is where Melissa and I started our ministry in February of 2003. Our heart was to go where we didn't see ministry happening and that was Vickery. For those who don't know about Vickery Meadows, it is about a 4 square mile lower-income area where over 25,000 people live. There are … Continue reading Working with Refugees: The Beginning of Loving All Peoples