Pastor Kevin Herrin addresses the “dead.”
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What an honor it was to stand before pastors, leaders and young pastors-to-be at the Bible school hosted by Pastor Raffa and Tina Rios and Missionary Robin Posgay. Over 100 students attended, on their way to receiving their Associates degree and eventually their Bachelor’s in Theology. This wave of interest has been fueled by the fact that Mexico has passed around 20 new laws that make it possible for the government to terminate any ministry that is not officially degreed. Now, ministers from Monterey and Mexico City are also contacting the school. It is, indeed, a great task on a very small budget, but God is giving them the grace to make it happen. This video is just an overview of my time there. We love you, Raffa and Argentina!
The sound track you hear behind the video is a song written by Michael and Brianna Cash of Sugar Land Family Church. All proceeds from their live worship album “For Life” go to missions, both local and international. We appreciate their heart for souls. To order your copy of “For Life” go to www.slfconline.com. Secure your copy for a love offering to missions. Thank you, Pastors Nathan and Dena Keller for your contribution to the pastors and future leaders of the Church in Mexico. Be blessed. Pastor Kevin Herrin
My 15 year old, Jade, yielded to her Daddy and sang a song that set her apart from what teens might normally be inclined to sing. She tackled the classic “Summertime” once recorded by Ella Fitzgerald. I felt she added a mark of additional class to the great night of talent at the Texas City High School Choir Concert. Please excuse the admirations of a proud Dad. Enjoy.
I have encountered people in life who would not go to the doctor for fear of what he would say; so consequently, their treatable condition continued to worsen. On the flip side, I have seen the eventual doctor visit reveal that nothing of concern was even wrong, and the report could have saved the person many days of worry and distress. I have found, as tough as it can be, that to face one’s fears is the optimum way to go in life.
I was recently faced with one such small matter. John Jacobs and Power Force were at our church. He asked me in front of the whole congregation if I would allow Russ, a 6 foot 4 inch, 330 pound marvel, crush a can of diet 7Up over my head. No one had ever been hurt, he said, except for the last pastor who’s knees had buckled a little. I knew I could trust them, but also know that accidents happen. All Sunday afternoon, I silently cogitated on the matter, never able to truly evade the knots in my stomach. Russ jokingly looked at me in front of the church, after he had smashed one on his own head, and slid his forefinger across his throat. We all know what that gesture means. Gulp. I laughed.
Toward the end of the show, John looked at me and simply said the ominous, “Pastor, it’s time.” After shedding all the paraphernalia, I ascended the platform. John, the former New England Patriots star, asked me to brace my neck for impact and I faced my giant. The loving, supportive members and guests of The Fellowship sat in silence and concern . . . with cameras ready. Seconds dragged on. I waited. I heard him grunt and felt a slap on my head and heard an explosion of diet soft drink overhead as the can split clean into upon impact. I was utterly surprised to realize I had barely even felt it. He even followed the gasps and “ohs” with a second. Once I knew my brains were still in tact, I faced the people, licking the sweet nectar from my lips as it dripped from my hair, and lifted my fists in the air in a triumphant sign of victory. I had faced Russ and would live to tell about it.
I once bungee-jumped from the highest location in the world (at the time) in Zimbabwe. Facing Russ and coming out the other side felt almost as good. Well, close. My friend, life is too short to not go through. Let us continue to face those things which threaten to hinder us in this magnificent journey called Life and Destiny. Face it! You’re meant for great things. Go through.
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- Kevin and the Giant
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- Victory!
That it is more blessed to give than to receive is understood by many. Except for the few among us who think only of themselves, we embrace this Christ philosophy. But usually it is on our best days, and only when given an opportunity which is so large, we cannot but stumble over it and fall flat on our faces if we don’t notice it. But when something comes into your life like Ike, things change, if you let them. You begin to look for opportunities to create giving.
I sensed during the presidential campaign that many so-called Republicans were leery of the notion of just giving out free food to people for an extended amount of time. It reminded them too much of the welfare system and its over-use. I am conservative in my voting on any given day, but I reminded our church that both parties needed to get back to God’s Word on the issue of helping the poor.
In a nutshell, liberals must remember that Jesus is the one who made up the story of the Master telling the “wicked and lazy servant” that he should have at least deposited His money with the bankers so that He could have gotten His own money back with interest. He then took from the servant with one talent and gave it to the servant who had doubled his five talents into 10 talents. Like it or not, this is the “rich get richer and the poor get poorer” reality. God cares where we put His money. The church is called to give “hand-ups”, not just “hand-outs.” We are called to make disciples, not create perpetual “baby chicks” with their mouths open for supply.
On the flip side, conservatives need to remember that everyone deserves a chance to receive that hand-up. We cannot afford to judge people based on their appearance or social condition. Everyone needs help now and then, or they are anti-Christ. Even Christ said He could do nothing except His Father give Him strength. Jesus was emphatic that He took the treatment of His “little ones” personally. He vehemently linked Himself to those “naked, imprisoned, thirsty and hungry.” When we’ve done it to them, we’ve done it to Him.
My life will never be the same after Ike. I pray God gives you the same revelation He has given me . . . minus the storm, of course. What a rewarding life it is, indeed.
Okay, there have been a handful of times in my life where I laughed so hard I almost completely lost my breath. This video is one of those times. I stumbled upon this video after watching an elderly man laughing at the Comedy Barn, having been brought on stage by the comedian. His laughter stoled the show so much that they just put a mic in front of him and let him laugh. I then found the link to this video featuring this very man.
It has been said that laughter is a medicine. The Psalmist said in Psalm 126:2 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter …” I believe this video will produce a result in your heart that speaks for itself. Take five minutes and enjoy!
While we were handing out food in Freddiesville and Hitchcock, Texas, two small towns that took on four to eight feet of water in their homes and businesses, I met Larry. We had just dropped off about 15 meals to two families living beside one another, with cold drinks, peanut butter, Clorox bottles for cleaning up mold, and gummy bear candy. Larry was so moved, he asked us if he could sing for us. His family and friends stand in the background with the food as he sings.
Though I did not have a “professional” video crew going out with me to get the full scope of what we’ve been able to do in the past six weeks, I wanted to give you a sense of what a day in my life has been like. This particular day was our last day to take food out to individual houses. I only was able to video a few families. Many are not comfortable being filmed at their weak moments. We had to be careful. 30,000 meals later, we are finally winding down and looking for our next assignment. The video is just under 10 minutes, so if you have a little free time, take a look.
This Halloween night, Melissa and I set up our candy bowl outside of the house. Our neighborhood is a hub for the “trick-or-treat” crowd. Parents come from all over town to walk our street with their “demons.” Last year, we were prepared and had cards to put in every child’s bag that read, “Want to get rid of the creepies? Jesus Christ gets rid of all things creepy. Find Him at The Fellowship.” But Ike kind of threw us off schedule this year and we forgot our cards. Instead, we set up a photo place and took pictures of kids for free. We released God’s blessings on every person and then I filmed a “Twilight Zone” bit of footage. It was a fun night of giving to the people and letting them see the love of Christ on a night dedicated to the “darkness.” Send the link to someone who might need it.
We have been privileged to have Service International, a volunteer ministry from St. Louis Family Church, basing out of a location we secured for them after Hurricane Ike. They are going to homes we have secured for them to help the homeowners clean out mud and debris. Many have called from other churches across the nation asking what they could do to help if they sent volunteers. We are happy to announce that S.I. is done with the facilities that will house the volunteers, up to 30 at a time. Check out the video to see what is available.
