Anyone who knows me understands that I am totally committed to missions. It seems that I have spent the vast majority of my ministry life in challenging teens to give to Speed the Light, men to Light for the Lost, and the local church to a passion for missions. It has been my honor to travel several million miles in an attempt to fulfill the Great Commission by sending and equipping missionaries and ministries.

As much as I enjoy missions trips, I am convinced that my calling is that of the sender. In an attempt to fulfill that call, I have told and retold many stories of the faith and faithfulness of students, adults and their gifts to missions. There was Amber in Georgia, Sarah in Montana, Grant in Oklahoma and countless others. But none of these stories compare to the one I heard on Mother’s Day…Clare of Missouri.

I was there the evening that Pastor Don opened his wallet and gave six year old Clare a crisp five dollar bill. As you can imagine, her eyes grew large at the prospects of all that money and the possibilities. However, by the time she got home, the first thing she looked for was her BGMC Buddy Barrel. The next step was to deposit the entire five spot in Buddy’s head. As I heard the story, I informed Clare that the good pastor’s intent was that she spend the money on herself. She quickly corrected me with the words, “But Jesus put it in my head to give it to put it in my barrel.”

I may have endless stories of greater faith and much larger amounts, but none are as good as this one. You see, Clare just happens to be my oldest granddaughter. And it sure is exciting to see the family tradition passed on to the next generation.

Last week while on the Light for the Lost tour in the Potomac District, I made a new friend. My host and banquet emcee was Johnny Green. Johnny pastors a great church in Jessup, Maryland and serves as the LFTL rep for the northern half of the district at the invitation of District Men’s Director Bobby Basham.

Johnny and I covered more than 1,300 miles and six banquets together in one week. In those few days, you either become great friends or tolerant team members. We became great friends that discovered we had more in common than a last name, even though he spells his incorrectly.

I am not sure I ever met a man that had more distinct chapters in his life story and yet each of them were obviously part God’s great plan. He grew up as part of a large family in Georgia, served in the Air Force for twenty years and has pastored for the past five years. Johnny is a prime example of a man who has experienced diverse careers while remaining in God’s will during each.

One of my favorite Sundays ever was in church with Pastor Johnny, his wife Alice and their amazing congregation. People don’t get any better than this. As we say back home, ‘they about preached me to death’. And the best part… they are my new friends.

The last few days of any year are committed to a review of God’s blessings and anticipation of what the new year will bring. One of the most amazing gifts of any year is the many pastors and leaders that honor me with the invitation of ministry to their congregation or event. There were very few weekends this year that I did not have such an opportunity. It started in January with ministry from Florida to Minnesota and finished this month at one of my favorite destinations…Jack Fork Assembly of God in southeastern Oklahoma.Many of you have heard my story of Jack Fork or viewed the video documentary of their commitment to Speed the Light (STL).

It was more than twenty years ago that Pam and I, along with our then two small children, first made our way along the asphalt, gravel and dirt roads to a handmade block building eighteen miles from the nearest business. My passion for missions has never been the same.As District Youth Director, I challenged leaders across my home state that any AG church could give at least $1000 to STL. This small church of a few actually believed me. That first goal and gift led to even greater vision. Jack Fork continues to give multiple thousands to missions, based upon the words of the founding pastor, Eva Lois Harris, “People may not even know where our little church is, but it does not excuse us from our part in the Great Commission”. Her daughter and successor, Ruth Deskin, along with her husband Doyle, remain faithful to that commitment.

And once again, Pam and I pulled away from the church and travelled the muddy road with a renewed conviction that we have no excuse in doing ‘our part in the Great Commission’.Thanks to many of you for allowing me to participate in your ‘part in the Great Commission’. As much as I enjoy the Christmas season, it is always a thrill to move on to what God has planned in the coming year. Thank you Lord for allowing us the honor of being in on what You are up to!