Out final update from Kenyan Soil…



Yesterday was a bit of a tourism day for the West Mountain team. We had three of the team members do a game drive. Although I wasn’t on the drive I have heard some fun and exciting stories and it seems pretty evident that all had a enjoyable time. The first time you see African wildlife in Africa, uncaged it is quite the experience. Two of the three had never been to Africa, so I can think back to my own first experience and I am certain it must have been a special kind of childlike imagination for them to see the animals living in their own true home. With the exception of the elephant orphanage these animals are free to roam in almost any direction. There is a fence of sorts trying to prevent them from wandering into the city of Nairobi. It was only a few short years ago a lion crossed through the fence and tragically ended the life of some poor man who negligently thought he was safe near the road in Nairobi.

Some others of the team including myself went to Figgy Farms and were blessed to be received by Prisca and Valarie, George Kimani’s wife and oldest daughter. We took time to catch up on things there in the Kimani house, pray for them and over some health related issues, before returning to the hotel where we met up with the game drive team. After a quick freshen up, we went to the Carnivore, as was mentioned in the previous update.

Today we went for a short excursion to see about a requested item from my very own daughter back home in Texas. George knew just where to find it and the team spent up the remaining Kenyan Shillings that had been in their pockets since the first day. We had some American style burgers on the roof of the Sarit Center Mall and then we all climbed into the Land Cruiser for one last ride in Nairobi this year. George drove us past all the government building and gave us the grand tour of the Harambe road, down town Nairobi…

It was a slow drive back to the hotel as George pointed the truck in the right direction. He didn’t make the twin turbo purr like he had on many of our drives. You see for George and I, this is a bit of a sad moment. The end of the trip, the see you later between two great friends. As we arrived at the Hotel, Quick was standing on the porch waiting to see us. George assured him he wouldn’t leave without a proper goodbye. Quick had stayed back to rest today figuring he didn’t need anything in town more than the extra rest gained in the comfort of the Hilton Garden Inn.

George sat with us in the lobby and gave his farewell speech. He shared with the new members of our team the testimony and long relationship that we have had and how it has blessed his family and changed his life to severe as our mission driver. He handed out gifts of fresh roasted Kenyan coffee to all the team and said goodbye.

I walked with George to the truck, and with a hug and a handshake we were separated for another year. The goodbye moments in this country are so difficult. But a difficult goodbye is fruit of a real relationship.

As I walked back to my room alone I thought of all the wonderful times I have spent on this continent. Of the experiences and friends I have made here. I thought about some of the men and women that I knew here and have ministered to that have passed away. I thought about just how much this place really has changed in twenty years. There must have been some sadness in my eyes as I stepped into the room because Rachel met me with a warm embrace and confirmed that it had been a great trip.

In a few hours we will be at the airport and soon we will be in the air. Please continue to pray for us as we travel and try to make it home to our family and loved ones. There is a sacrifice that comes with these trips but there is a even larger blessing…

Arise and Go…that was the last encouragement I gave to the Kenyan church and it’s my encouragement to you now…wherever and whatever God is telling you….Arise and Go!

LAIKIPIA MISSION 2026 — DAY FOUR REPORT

Today marked the fourth day of our mission and, sadly, the final day for our USA mission team.

As usual, our day began with everyone preparing for the day's activities. By 9:00 a.m., we were already at the church, and the USA team joined us at around 9:30 a.m. We began the day's session with a brief time of worship, after which we welcomed the USA team to share their final words with the congregation.

Each member of the USA team had an opportunity to encourage, bless, and say goodbye to the congregation. It was a very touching moment as they shared from their hearts. Pastor Todd then wrapped up the session with a powerful teaching on “Rise Up and Go,” drawn from Acts 9. His message challenged the church to arise, respond to God's call, and move forward in obedience. He concluded the teaching by praying for the congregation.

We then entered into a special farewell session. The hosting pastor expressed his sincere appreciation to the entire USA team for their commitment, sacrifice, love, and support throughout the mission.

He then invited me to share my final words with the USA team. Honestly, this was one of the most difficult moments for me. I was overwhelmed with tears of both joy and sadness. It was difficult to imagine that after everything we had experienced together, we had finally reached the moment of saying goodbye. I did my best to express my gratitude and appreciation, although my emotions made it difficult to speak. It was a beautiful and deeply emotional moment that I will carry in my heart.

We finally came to the end of the farewell session, followed by photographs, hugs, and final moments together. At approximately 12:20 p.m., the USA team departed.

After their departure, we returned to continue with the mission program. I want to sincerely appreciate the Kilgoris mission team, who have been outstanding throughout this entire mission. I am incredibly proud of them. From the very first day, they have given me the support, commitment, strength, and encouragement I needed. They have truly demonstrated what it means to serve together as one team.

We went for lunch and later returned to continue with the afternoon program. One of the pastors from Kilgoris took a significant part of the afternoon session, encouraging the church on growth and maturity in Christ. It was a challenging but very necessary message that spoke deeply to the church. The congregation was encouraged to move beyond spiritual infancy and grow into maturity in their walk with Christ.

The afternoon session ended at around 4:30 p.m.

We also had a few challenges today, as three of our Kilgoris team members were not feeling well. We thank God that I was able to get them some medication, and by the time we prepared to go for the revival meeting, they were feeling much better.

We give God all the glory for what He has done throughout this mission. Though the USA team has now departed, the mission continues. We are looking forward to a successful day tomorrow and a powerful Sunday before we begin our journey back home on Sunday afternoon.

To God be all the glory!

The harvest is truly plentiful, and we are grateful for every opportunity to serve the Lord and see lives transformed.

Laikipia, we are not done yet. We press on

Day 4 in Rumuruti…


The last day for me always starts off with a bittersweet mix of emotions. I am happy in a way to be headed home to my two beautiful children and yet it is still sad to be leaving these great friends here in Africa.

We were given a bit of a late start time on the last morning and so the process of packing up our bags and loading them on the land cruiser was not rushed. Tying the bags on to the top of the truck just like you might tie a diamond hitch to lash the burden to a mule. My mind did wander to a time, when not to long ago, that might have been the most practice way to reach a place such as Rumuruti. Maybe a string of camels would have been the most practical means of travel 80 or 100 years ago. We had a wonderful breakfast at our chalet house that raised the bar for Kenyan cuisine. In all my trips to Kenya the experience this year was the most comfortable by a considerable margin. We took our “until we meet again” photo with the staff who took such great care of us there in those few days we were blessed to be there, and then we were off for the last sessions of the conference. The last sessions for the American team, the Kilgoris team is still there going strong even now.

When we arrived it was a quick greeting in the yard of the church, some serious business talks for Pastor Steven, Pastor Ezekiel and myself, and then a swift briefing to the team about our morning schedule, and into the church we went.

The volume at which they turn their sound equipment to is no secret, for any one who has made these trip in the past with us you know exactly where the knob is turned…MAX! With clapping hands, jumping and bouncing feet, and swaying and dancing, the church was worshipping with all of their might. Wewe wewe Bwana, wewe wewe Bwana….yes Lord, yes yes Lord….it’s certainly a message we can get behind. After the song was finished there were some introduction and then your very own West Mountain representatives were all up to speak. One by one the team opened their hearts to the church, sharing scripture, testimony and encouraging these people who only a few days ago were strange faces in a crowd. But not one of us could say that now. They were the farthest thing from faces in a crowd. They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, ministers, worship leaders, deacons…they were people we knew details about, they are our friends! You should be proud of each and every person here because they represented the love of Jesus, all in their own special way. In some ways I think this is the most diverse  group I have ever been with here in Kenya, to represent our home congregation, and the love for Jesus that we try to flesh out for our own community. These are the men and women we did battle with in the boma’s surronding the church, the ones we cried with and the ones we laughed with, and it was time to give them our last efforts of encouragement from God’s word and from our own mouths. I don’t think any one of us took lightly the task of making those last moments, with the Rumruti church, be obedient words from the Holy Spirit that might truly make a difference to these wonderful, wonderful, people.

There were not very many dry eyes in the church when the time had elapsed. Leaving on time is not entirely an option that we can dismiss. Law and regulation in this place put extra burden on our driver George. If an accident happens it could be tragic, but if it happens at night it can be considered negligence on his part and therefore we do our best to honor the rules that George is to follow as a professional driver in this amazing country. What that meant for us was that we had to leave, want to or not, so we could get to Nairobi in a responsible timeline. Quick, myself and then Ezekiel might have all broken the time we were allotted that morning to speak, but it was unavoidable.

Ezekiel spoke to us as a farewell and did so with such an emotion and passion that I can still feel the love he has for us and especially for Christ a day later. He spoke of scripture, he gave testimony, and he shared his hearts desire to see more souls know who Jesus is. But it had to end.

We were soon dismissed and the photo session began. Tears were flowing from so many as they hugged me and didn’t want to let go. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to figure out all the possibilities of combinations a deck of 52 cards can produce, but I’m pretty sure that is a small number in comparison to the combinations of pictures that can be taken by a Kenyan church at dismissal time for a mission team. A man looking from afar might think it was some form of a slow motion ritual dance in which each person is required to hug every person there. I don’t mind it at all, which might surprise some of you who have ever tried to hug me in the church at home. But that too, had to end.

I know there were tears in my eyes, although I was doing my best to hold them back as Jackalynn, Gloria, Lydia, and Margret stopped by the window of the land cruiser to grab my hand one last time. They were still there as we began to drive past the pastors and Ezekiel, I shared that one last smile for the year. Tears made their way down my face as we pulled away from the gape in the fence that acted as a exit from the church grounds where I thought that no one could see, except maybe George, but he already knows the way I feel about leaving. We have done it before and God willing we will do it again. He has been there with me and encouraged me so many times as we had to leave other places, and I have seen it in him too…these trips do something to your heart and it cannot be concealed from the people around you when it does.

Now we are in Nairobi, we are in the American comforts of a Hilton Hotel, and we are to begin our long flight path home tomorrow. We have had a nice time of fellowship and fine dining at the Carnivore and I finally had the words I felt necessary to express my gratitude to all who have prayed and given to make this all possible. This is more than another trip, this is a milestone for a faithful group of men and women from a small town in the Transmara mountains of Africa. It has been ten years of transformation and growth, hard work and determination, but mostly God’s grace and His gift of faith, to make this possible and still yet to see it come to happen. It wasn’t a perfect trip, but it was a testament to how big God is and how much can be done with so little when you know the value of your fellow man.

The poverty in that place is on another level from where we have been ministering in the past decade. New challenges are going to be faced as we move forward with this ministry. But they are welcomed. Because God knows the answers we don’t have to, because He owns it all we do not need to worry where it might come from, but mostly because He loves these people we must love them too…We can not provide all they need, but we can share Jesus.

There is so much more to this story, there are so many things left to do and to say…

One time the scripture tells us that because Lazarus had died that “Jesus wept”

For almost a day and a half I can’t help but wonder as Jesus was with us in spirit, and He gave out the gift of grace to so many to receive salvation, if He to might have been weeping tears of joy…for those we were blessed to meet had been lost but now…but now many of them have been found.

Thank you church for sending me, and for sending us…

Joshua 6 reminds us that God doesn't ask us to trust Him only when His plan makes sense. Israel had to keep God at the center, follow instructions that seemed unusual, trust His promises, and believe He could accomplish what they could not. Jericho teaches us that the size of the obstacle doesn't determine what God can do. The question for us is whether we'll trust God enough to obey Him when we can't see how His plan will work.

Sermon Outline

1. Put Jesus at the Center
2. Trust God Even When His Plans Don’t Make Sense
3. God Always Keeps His Promises
4. Nothing is too Difficult for God

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you most about the way God chose to bring down Jericho? Why do you think He chose to do it this way?
2. What does it practically look like to keep God at the center of your decisions, family, work, or relationships?
3. Rahab was not the person you might expect to find in the middle of Israel's victory story. What does her story teach us about God's promises and His grace?
4. Where in your life are you facing something that feels bigger than your ability to handle it? How does Joshua 6 challenge the way you see that situation?
5. What is one thing from Joshua 6 that you want to carry with you this week?

Rumuriti Day 3…


Today was a true Kenyan day of ministry…the planned teaching did happen, but not as we thought it would be. Kenyan time was the name of the game today.

After breakfast we had a late start, it was scheduled that way from the beginning so it didn’t come as a surprise. But once we arrived you could see the disappointment in the face of the Kilgoris pastor. Ezekiel came to me shortly after arrival to discuss the obvious. No one was there. Pastor John of Rumuruti had overlooked a very important fact of market day in Rumuruti. With a culture that is consisting of farmers and ranchers (loosely using that term), market day could not be skipped. Remember the poverty here is intense and to skip a opportunity to sell a few head of livestock could be the difference between eating or going hungry this next week. With no refrigeration the slaughter of a animal for your own food is a very uneconomic choice. It is much more productive to deal at market for items in trade and gain the entire value of the animal. The market day overlook created an issue with the attendance and with the plans of man, but maybe that was the problem.

We continued anyway…not how we planned, but in the way that God allowed. Men abandoned the church because it was almost entirely a female presence to begin with. While Rachel and Becky took the group of women and began to share God’s word with them. Listening and encouraging them in areas of life that are difficult for the Massai in this struggle between tradition of culture and the freedom of Christ being offered through the much needed discipleship. I was not in the meeting but I’ve heard testimony of a few of the struggles, I can tell you for certain that the FGM culture was a main topic, that these women are ready to fight against it, that they need God to intervene in a big way if the curse is to be broken. Things were dark but there seems to be light breaking through in a big way. Simply knowing that someone has your back on the topic could be a turning point for the boldness of these ladies to aid in fighting this battle.

We men all grabbed our chairs and took too the shade of a euphorbia tree. We opened with a prayer and then began to find out what questions the men and pastors had to ask. They wanted to know about unity, they wanted to discuss FGM, they wanted to seek any advice that we could offer. As a group we were all feeling the weight of the issues and were able to encourage one another. The pastors from Kenya joined our team and spoke into their lives, encouraging them that they knew of places that had battled this already in the past and they shared testimony of God delivering their own community from these practices.

It certainly didn’t go as imagined today, but I have faith that God worked it out to be even better than I could have ever imagined.

After taking lunch we went back out to the open air crusade in the heart of Rumuruti Town. Music and dancing went on for a considerable time to draw a crowd and finally it was cut off to allow the testimonies and gospel. Becky was up to share her testimony and did a great job, she spoke truth, shared some scripture, and personal testimony. Robert Grimes then got to speak and share testimony, he shared stories of his own personal salvation and it was a blessing for the crowds that were nearby. Reggie wrapped up the crusade with more truth and the gospel, providing yet another wonderful perspective to speak to the very soul of those listening so intently to each word he was speaking. The three of them all boldly, and with much diversity, showing a true image of the love of Christ for all to hear, presenting such a wonderful invitation for the people in the crowds to respond. Upon the conclusion of the messages music would start back up and the celebration was to continue. This part of the Kenyan culture escapes my understanding, as many times as I have been here, and as many times as I have seen this take place, the style of worship they break into so immediately after a serious message confuses the western mindset I carry with me as I go. It seems to me to be disruptive to the work to be done, they however, manage to communicate in the perceived chaos and connect ministry leaders to those who need prayer and counsel while simultaneously starting a conga line through the streets. It is quite a thing to witness…the sounds, smells, and emotion make for an unforgettable experience.

We have finished our day now, we have had our evening meal, and it is time to go and find rest after a long day. This day didn’t go as expected from the beginning, but it went. This day still allowed us the hard conversations with church leaders and pastors concerning the evil practices consuming the traditions and enslaving the young women of the Laikapia region. The day didn’t allow us to see the fruit that we might have hoped, but we were certainly able to cultivate some new ground and drop a lot of seeds into the tillage. We can hope and pray they are obedient to God’s word, and we can stay in contact and return if the opportunity is presented to further disciple the wonderful people in this place.

We knew coming here there were a lot of unknowns, overall the changes made were minor, the work done was toward the goals we had, and the harvest was plentiful. Pray for our last morning of teaching time. We will all be sharing a charge to the church, and reading from the word of God to encourage the believers here. Then we are to start our long journey home. A game drive for the team members new to Kenya, and then a quick trip the the airport will be in our near future.

I’m happy to be here, but once we leave this place I’ll be ready to be home with the travel behind us. Please continue to pray for our trip and for those who are left here to fight the good fight. We all need all the help from God that we can get.

LAIKIPIA MISSION 2026 — DAY 2 & 3 UPDATE

Hello Church,

Day 2 and Day 3 of our mission have been very successful and truly blessed!

Our days have been starting at 7:30 AM and ending around 10:00 PM, and we thank God for giving us strength and grace.

On both days, we began with door-to-door evangelism. We divided our mission team into three groups, and we were able to reach and speak with many people in the community. By the grace of God, a total of 52 people have given their lives to Christ!

Indeed, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Matthew 9:37)

Our team members have done exceptionally well. Everyone has been active, committed, and serious about the Great Commission. We are grateful to God for every person who has been reached and every soul that has responded to the Gospel.

The afternoon sessions have also been a great blessing. Our brothers from the USA have been sharing powerful messages from the Book of James, challenging and encouraging us to live out our faith through action.

Tomorrow, we are looking forward to another powerful day as we continue with the Leaders' Session and later take the Gospel to the marketplace through an open-air meeting. We believe God has prepared more people to hear His Word and encounter His presence.

To everyone who supported us, prayed for us, and helped send us on this mission—thank you so much!  Your support is making a difference, and we do not take it for granted.

Please continue praying for us and supporting the mission as we reach more people for Christ.

The Great Commission is our mandate.
The harvest is ready.
And we are willing to labor!

To God be all the glory!

Rumuruti Day 2…



Day 2 may have been even better than our first day. We started the day off with our breakfast at the Daisy Chalet. But soon we were off to the church.

Door to door evangelism in the morning took us up until lunch. The poverty here is at such a level that I may have never witnessed. As we went and shared the gospel, the overwhelming evidence that we were in the presence of need was too much for the Kilgoris team. Tears began to flow as we heard the testimony of the people we had gone to witness too. Willingness and pure need for the hope of Jesus have made for a bountiful harvest of new brothers and sisters in Christ. I have never been anywhere that had such a harvest. Best we can tell our team from West Wountain had more than twenty Rumuruti Massai souls to the Kingdom of heaven this morning before lunch. The teams were splitting up today as the teams got more comfortable and we were reaching more people, but with limited translators we didn’t get a all inclusive record of the mornings work. We can rest knowing God’s record book reflects more accurately than ours and we are not in competition so the exact number is of no consequence. The team did all they could with what time we had, stewarding every resource and opportunity at our disposal.

After breaking for lunch we were back in the church for testimony. Rachel was able to give testimony from her experience in Kenya ten years ago. Her story of healing in her own life was so encouraging to the church members but there was more to come. The Kilgoris team member Jackalynn Sakaja was following next with her testimony of God’s miracles in her life as well. This is a lady that was beaten down, literally and emotionally, by a husband and culture that would, apart from God’s hand, have no chance of escape. She, however, was set free at the hand of God and so was her husband. She shared with the congregation of the miracles that have happened in her life as her husband has been saved, stopped beating her, quit drinking alcohol, and started being good too her as he should. She told us the whole truth, that even though he did get saved, he did change, and he is continuing to change, she still needs prayers. She desires he would attend church, which still has not happened. He is a good man, I know him, and I was there at his moment of salvation. Join us in prayer for David Sakaja, pray that even more miracles can continue to change the life of Jackalynn…she is faithful to make disciples…and my favorite part of her testimony was near the end when she stopped, wipped the tears from her eyes and said,

“I know my husband is changed or he would have never agreed that I could come here!”

I can tell you with certainty, this is the story I referenced in the first update of this trip, this is a testimony that changed my life. There was never a day in my life that I was more certain that God was with me, than the day I returned the home of David and Jackalynn Sakaja. I’ll not publish the story in it’s entirety at this time, but I would love to speak to you about it in person upon my return, and share more stories of Kenya.

Reggie stepped up after Jackalynn and spoke with great boldness and delivered so much truth and wisdom from the third chapter of James. He humbly spoke of the tongue and the power our words hold, he communicated with excellence how we could never control our words on our own but that with God it was possible. Jesus didn’t die to send us a holy spirit with tied hands. He shared with us a part of his own journey of learning to control his tongue, and how after receiving the gift of salvation that because of the power of the Living God he was able to move closer himself to the image of his creator.

Quick quickly started chapter 4 of James but he was cut short by time. He too did a Wonderfull job communicating a encouraging word from the first several verses of the chapter. We were running low on time by that point in the day, and in order to be respectful to the people of the church we had to stop by the hour of 4 pm. The crowd consists of mothers, fathers, shepherds and others that had to get children fed, animals tended, and chores done before dark and before they returned at 7 pm for the night revival being taught by the Kilgoris church.

Today was a eye opening day for me. A first not just for Kenyan ministry, but a first time to ever experience a region that doesn’t know the name of Jesus. Four homes in a row we went to this morning had no bible, they had never been to a church, they had never heard the name of Jesus.

My testimony for today is the story of a 90 year old man who for the first time heard the name of Jesus. He said he had never seen a bible nor had any idea of the story or content held within the pages. The moment he stepped into my view I was captivated by the life I could see in his eyes. They stayed squinted, the whites of his eyes were yellowed and bloodshot, the skin of his face was as old and wrinkled, but he was listening with a passion not often witnessed. He and his wife of similar age, stood and held hands, something I’ve never seen from a Massai, as they prayed to receive salvation. Their son stood watching intently and had been there as the gospel was presented, he also with a tear in his eye, stepped up and halfway through, began to pray along side his parents as they all received salvation at the same time. His wife and cousins were saved in the next few minutes and the process of discipleship started immediately. If I’m being honest I felt frustrated that I had to move past that place, I didn’t want to continue to take the gospel further into the bush at that time, I wanted to stay and teach this new family of believers all the things of the bible that I could until it was time to fly home. I would be happy to go to that place from daylight to dark for the remainder of this trip and teach those few until time to board the plane and come home. But that is the job of someone else, I’m almost envious of the man that will get to sit down with that old man and watch his eyes as he hears the story of the word of God for the first time.

Not more than 100 yards away from that mans home I was blessed to lead a young shepherd, who had been raised catholic, though the gospel, and he too prayed on the spot to receive salvation. He questioned about what came next and we were excited to see he already recognized there was going to be more to this choice than just a quick prayer. Within only minuets of my flesh wanting to stay with the old man, to teach him all I could… God confirmed that it might have been good to stay and talk with him, but it was best that I keep moving forward with the gospel.

The stories from this day might have no end, but it is time to wrap up the day here. Please join us in prayer today as we prepare for the morning that we have coming soon. Tomorrow morning it’s time to tackle the FGM, it’s time to address the culture of a proud tribe. Ill be forced to say things to these people that you’d never imagine if you didn’t get out of the USA. We will preach boldly the truth of scripture and have the discipline to leave our opinions unspoken in order to try and bring freedom to generations of young women and young men of the Massai people. If it is God’s will the messages tomorrow will prevent actual torture from being inflicted on little girls by their mothers and grandmothers. I’d be absolutely lying to tell you anything other than the simple fact that I am scared about tomorrow. I’m not afraid to be obedient, I’m not afraid that I’m not prepared, I’m just afraid that they won’t receive the Word of God…I’m afraid that I might be the plan that God has used to set them free and that I might fail. It won’t paralyze me, but make me rely totally of Jesus, and that is the best place I could be. I couldn’t imagine a better group of men to fight this with than Reggie, and the Roberts. They are a unique balance of grace, boldness, matter of fact, that God has seen fit to put here at this time, for this purpose. Rachel and Becky to speak into the lives of the women and have a compassion that men do not generally possess. God sent them here with us as well, for this day, even before time was being counted, God knew.  But I will pray, and I will step into that church in the morning prepared, God has to take over from there. Failure is not an option. Allowing my flesh to get in the way is not an option. Complete submission, total obedience,  a saturated reliance on the Holy Spirit to do it’s job is the only hope. Jesus is the only hope these young ladies have. I am totally unworthy and unqualified to do this, BUT GOD told me to do it anyway.  Pray for me, pray for us all, pray for the hearts of the resistant, the boldness of the ones who want to fight for freedom, the West Mountain team, the Kilgoris team, pray for us all!!! Please!

We believe, we obey, and then we will see what God does and where we are to go from here.  

Thank you for all your prayer up to this point. I believe it is evident that the Spirit of God has come here ahead of us, and we are seeing the harvest of the work that God has prepared for us to do together.

Day 1 Rumururti…


Rumuruti has been quite a surprise. Going to a new place, especially in Kenya, has always kept hidden it's surprises. Generally requiring that we explore our options and look into all the available resources to see how we can find better food options, cleaner lodging, and sometimes even availability of drinking water. Things needed to be clarified before trying to plan for the next anticipated trip. We used any extra down time to scout out options that might be necessary to  extended trips in the future.

This trip has not been that way. The accommodations and food quality here are the highest I’ve ever experienced in this country. We are comfortable, well fed and learning that standards of Kenya are constantly striving to raise themselves. This country is modernizing at a rate unlike any I’ve seen in the twenty years I've traveling here.

Our ministry started with a quick greeting, only about 10 minutes, followed by another 5 to organize and then we were off. Door to door in the Rumuruti outskirts. A shrubby desert plain, with many different species of plants and cactus like trees. Most of which are armed with razor sharp barbs or thorns. As we walked out away from the church Pastor Uziah warned our group about the threat of cobra’s in the cool shady places of the area we were walking through.

It was only a short walk to the homes of the local families and we were greeted with hospitality and willing ears. Our team all gathered back to share testimony of salvations happening all around. Men, older men in our experience, were hearing and receiving the gospel. We hope this is the beginning of something here in the Laikapia county and surrounding area.

As we started the teaching in the conference this afternoon we had another great surprise in store. Along with the intro of the book of James was offered an invitation. Several women went out with Becky following the invitation and four made a decision to follow Christ.

Day 1 in Rumuruti turned out to be a day of salvation, a day to be remembered forever. I hope that in my last days that I will be able to recall the days like this one, to tell this story and others like it to my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The team we have come with this year has done so well and are such a blessing to the people here. The Kilgoris team is going above and beyond, the focus and work they are demonstrating is amazing. It is a true inspiration to see the progress that has been made over the past few years.

LAIKIPIA MISSION 2026  | DAY ONE – THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Hello everyone,

Our day began as early as 5:00 a.m., when every member of our mission team woke up and prepared to leave home for Kilgoris Town, where we were to assemble before beginning our long journey to Rumuruti.

We had a few eventualities, including some members arriving about 30 minutes later than the agreed time, but this was due to reasonable circumstances. By 7:20 a.m., everyone was together, our vehicles were fueled, and we gathered for prayer before setting off.

By God's grace, we had a smooth and safe journey. Our first stop was Kericho Town, where we took some refreshments and refreshed ourselves before continuing. We later stopped at Subukia, where we had an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and surroundings of the Subukia shrines.

As they say, you can't separate evangelism from tourism!  We were grateful for the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of God's creation along the way.

From Subukia, we proceeded to Nyahururu, where we stopped for lunch and shared a meal together as a team. At 3:30 p.m., we began the final leg of our journey to Rumuruti.

By God's grace, we arrived and checked into the hotel at approximately 4:45 p.m., which will be our home throughout this week. Most of our team members were understandably tired after the long journey, but at the same time, everyone was excited and ready for the task ahead.

Then, around 6:30 p.m., the USA mission team, led by George, arrived safely in Rumuruti and checked into their hotel. After 8:00 p.m., I had the opportunity to go and welcome them personally. We spent some time together, shared a meal, and fellowshipped as one team.

What a beautiful way to begin this mission!

The journey has been long, but our hearts are full of expectation. We believe God has brought us to Laikipia for a purpose, and we are trusting Him for open doors, divine connections, transformed lives, and a powerful move of God throughout this mission.

We therefore continue to ask you to stand with us in prayer and support. Your prayers, encouragement, and generosity are helping make this mission possible.

Please keep the entire team in your prayers as we begin the work ahead.

The Great Commission is our mandate.
Laikipia, we have arrived!
All glory to God!

The Cover photo is the team at the Great rift valley, the picture above is "Serious Business" as Pastor Ezekiel likes to say!

Hello Church!

We have travelled a long way and we are finally settled into our home away from home. We have been blessed with our travel this far and we are all heathy.  

Everything up to this point has been exhausting. Long hours on planes and long hours driving across Kenya. We can not complain about any of it because we all know we are here to do what God has called us to. We know that tomorrow morning is the beginning of something great. There isn’t a lot to tell you at this point about the trip that will seem very meaningful, but I think we could all agree, avoid the Paris airport if you can fly somewhere else!

Our reuniting with George, Ptah, and Ezekiel was great and exciting as anticipated. Pastor Felix came along as well and was a welcomed bonus for us to be reunited once again with two of our favorite Kenyan pastors.

Tomorrow morning we will have breakfast and head out to the new church. We will meet many new pastors and greet many familiar faces from Kilgoris, of whom we have done ministry with many times.  Door to door evangelism will keep us occupied until we brake for lunch then Robert Quick, or better known here as “the evangelist” will kick off the Book of James. Bro Robert Grimes will follow him and then Reggie Musgrove and I will wrap up the afternoon sessions sometime around 5pm. I think we are all excited to be here and ready to teach the material that we have been preparing for some time now.

It is near 3 in the afternoon Texas time but for us it is nearing 11 at night. So I will end this and try and get some rest. But before I go I would ask that you reading this, might pray for us to all be ready and rested tomorrow, pray that we might be able to sleep despite the time difference in our mind, pray that the hearts of those we will speak with tomorrow will be open and willing to receive God’s word, and that we will speak it out with boldness and clarity. Pray for the men doing the difficult work of translating and all those who are tasked with administration of this trip and keeping things organized. Pray however you feel led to pray but please remember us as you do your tasks this week.

Thanks again for everything, From Kenya,

Joshua 5 shows us that crossing into a new season doesn't mean we're immediately ready for what comes next. Before Jericho, God reminds Israel who they are, what He has done for them, and who is ultimately in charge. Through circumcision, Passover, and the encounter with the Commander of the Lord's army, God prepares their hearts before He prepares them for battle. Sometimes God wants to do something in us before He does something through us.


Sermon Outline

1.  Circumcision- Get your heart right. 
2. Passover- Remember who brought you here. 
3. Commander of the Lords Army- Surrender your Agenda

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you most about the fact that Israel had crossed the Jordan but still had things God wanted to do in them before Jericho?
2. Why do you think God dealt with Israel's identity and covenant relationship before He dealt with their enemies?
3. What are some ways we can become so focused on "what's next" that we overlook what God may be trying to do in us right now?
4. Which is easier for you: remembering what God has done, trusting Him for what He's going to do, or surrendering your plans to Him? Why?
5. Joshua asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” How can we fall into the same mindset—asking God to get behind our plans rather than asking what He wants from us?
6. If you were completely honest with yourself, what might God be asking you to surrender before you move into your next season?

Pastor Ezekiel Kantai and his wife Abigail 

A JOURNEY THAT GOD STARTED TEN YEARS AGO… AND A NEW CHAPTER IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

As I read Pastor Todd’s words, I found myself going back in time.

I remembered that first journey in 2016. I remembered the conversations, the prayers, the dusty roads, the mountains of Transmara, and the dreams that seemed much bigger than what we could see at the time.

Ten years ago, I shared with Todd a dream that God had placed in my heart,to go beyond my own community, beyond my own church, and take the Gospel to places I had never been.

Today, that dream is still alive.

And this September, we are preparing to take another step,not because everything is easy, but because the Great Commission is still calling us.

This time, we are going to Laikipia/Rumuruti.

We are going to people who need to hear that there is hope in Jesus. We are going to families who need healing, marriages that need restoration, pastors who need encouragement, young people who need direction, and communities that need to experience the transforming power of the Gospel.

We will go from house to house.
We will preach in the open air.
We will meet with pastors and leaders.
We will minister to men and women.
We will speak about marriage and family.
We will address difficult cultural issues with truth, love and compassion.

And above everything else, we will go because Jesus commanded us to go.

But there is something I want to say from my heart:

We cannot do this alone.

Some of you will not be able to board the plane. Some will not walk those dusty roads with us. Some will never stand before the crowds or sit with the families we will meet.

But you can still be there.

You can pray.
You can give.
You can stand with us.

Every amount given toward this mission becomes part of the story God is writing in Laikipia/Rumuruti.

Your gift can help put transportation on the road.
Your gift can help provide ministry materials.
Your gift can help us reach another village.
Your gift can help feed a team serving long hours in the field.
Your gift can help create an opportunity for someone to hear the Gospel for the very first time.

And perhaps one day, someone we meet on this journey will stand up and say:

“Because you came, my family changed. Because you came, I found Jesus. Because you came, I discovered hope.”

That is why we go.

Ten years ago, we could only see the beginning.

Today, we can see the faithfulness of God.

What started with a conversation on a journey through the mountains has become a mission that is crossing boundaries and reaching new communities.

Now I'm asking you to become part of this next chapter.

Please pray for us.
 Please believe with us.
 And if God places it upon your heart, please support this mission financially.

No gift is too small when it is placed in God's hands.

We are preparing to go.

Laikipia/Rumuruti, we are coming.

Not simply as visitors.

We are coming as servants.
We are coming with the Gospel.
We are coming with hope.
We are coming with faith.

And we believe t

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19

The Great Commission is our mandate.
The Gospel is our message.
Souls are our burden.
And Jesus is our reason. 

Image is Robert Quick and George Kimani in the "HOT BOX" 

As I woke up this morning, the first thing to consume my mind was that it was only one more day before we head back to Africa. This mornings cool crisp air almost felt like the Kenyan mornings as I stepped outside to begin the long list of last min chores I have to complete before the days end. I still have some packing to do, some hay to put out, a spot in the fence that I want to check, and an assortment of other task that need to be completed today. Uriah is gathering the horses and mules, to catch them for a morning ride, Rachel and Faith are out for a run, and I sat down to let you all know that we appreciate all you’ve done to send us once more. I wanted to let you know that we are ready, we are prepared, and we are excited to go…once again!

Soon after sunrise our group text came alive with a weather report of Rumuruti. Looks like 50 degrees will be a low and 85 the high for the week. That’s good productive temps for a outdoor bible conference. This year we will teach many scriptures and do many things but one of the goals we have is to teach through a considerable amount of the book of James. Therefore, pray with us and for us as we go, that God speaks through us into the hearts of all who hear. We would ask you to join us for this to be a productive journey that will change the hearts and lives of those people we are fortunate enough to speak with, and that new people will choose to follow Jesus as a result.

It’s hard to think of Kenya without thinking about the wildlife. I’m sitting here now listening to the call of a crow, he is no doubt enjoying this weather every bit as much as I am. It does however remind me of one of the African proverbs that I find invokes some curiosity in me. This simple saying can help us speak into the lives of these men and women even though they experience life so much differently than we do.

“If you ask the grass, the zebra is the threat, and the lion is the protector.”

This is, to me, a real way to help visualize the vast differences in the way we view the world and the life in it, contrasting the Massai people we are going to minister too. The culture they have been raised in stirs their own convictions just as being raised in the Sabine River bottom as an American has shaped me. It’s difficult to walk into another mans land, see things we would describe as evil and see them embrace that very thing as a way to protect their children…that is however, the reality and the task for our trip this year. We live in a world softened by the modern comforts of this western life, a world where the average person will pay almost any cost for this comfort…and label it as being disciplined.

If you ask the older ladies in the Massia culture, we, the team of Americans teaching the scriptures, are the enemy, and they are the lions bound to protect what has been for thousands of years. If you ask the older men, they will tell you too, that like the actual lions, the women provide the daily provisions and they are there as the male lion, to protect from physical threat.

We have used this mentality in the past to help other churches escape the brutal FGM culture which stains the past of the Massai people. We are hopeful that this year will be successful in Rumuruti.

Therefore, please join us as we go to fight this war with a lost culture. We need the softness of Christ and we also need the sharp sword of His word to cut through all the tradition and pierce the hearts of all the people of God who resist. But let us not forget, before any of this can work we need to be dealing with a person who knows Jesus and who has the conviction of the Holy Spirt to guide them. So pray for salvation, pray for boldness, pray however you want too, but please do battle with us, though prayer, this next 10 days as we go and try our best to tackle the challenges God has put in front of us this year.

I can only speak for myself, but I am happy to be the vessel that is tasked to take this word to Rumuruti in 2026. I am blessed to have the team I have to go and fight this with me and we are blessed to be joining the Kenyan team also. I sometimes get wrapped up with the wrong details and think that they are joining us for this mission to battle for the kingdom, but the truth is we are going with them. All the emotion and conviction that we have to try and help is just the beginning of the burden that this Kenyan mission team feels for their countrymen, their tribesman, their brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are still many items on our list yet to be covered, if you still have a desire to help it’s not too late. Give in the offering boxes this Sunday or Give online and the funding can still get to where it needs to be.

Thanks,

Todd Crabtree

This is the update Ezekiel posted to his church and friends in Africa!


A DREAM BECOMING REALITY

Just sitting here thinking about our upcoming mission in Laikipia, and then this picture popped up.
For a moment, I just stopped and looked at it.
This picture took me back ten years,back to our very first mission together with Pastor Todd in the mountains of Osinoni.
I remember that journey so clearly. As we were coming down after ministering at the mountains, I shared something that was burning in my heart. I told Pastor Todd that my desire was not only to do ministry within my own area, but to take the Gospel beyond our boundaries,to other communities, other regions, and eventually to other countries.
At the time, it was simply a dream.
I did not know how it would happen.
I did not know where the resources would come from.
I did not know how many years it would take.
I only knew that God had placed the desire in my heart.
Today, ten years later, I look at this picture and realize that God was already writing a story that I could not see at the time.
What started in the mountains of Osinoni has brought us to places we never imagined. The relationship that began through that first mission has grown into a partnership, a friendship, and a shared burden for the Great Commission.
And now, as we prepare to cross over into Laikipia/Rumuruti, something even more beautiful is happening.
This time, we are not simply going as individuals.
Ten equipped leaders from Kilgoris DCMI Church will be crossing over from Kilgoris to Laikipia to join the mission and minister alongside us.
That touches my heart deeply.
Because the dream was never just about me going.
The dream was about seeing a generation equipped, prepared, and sent.
Ten years ago, I was talking about wanting to go beyond my boundaries.
Today, God is allowing us to send others beyond theirs.
That is what makes this moment so special.
I am also deeply grateful to Pastor Todd and Church at West Mountain, Texas, for believing in the vision and faithfully facilitating and supporting this mission. Thank you for walking with us through the years, for praying with us, giving toward the work, encouraging us, and believing that what God is doing in Kenya is worth investing in.
Sometimes God gives you a dream before He shows you the road.
You carry the dream.
You pray over it.
You wait.
You take one step at a time.
And then one day, you look back and realize that God was faithful all along.
From Osinoni in 2016 to Laikipia in 2026.
From a conversation about a dream to ten equipped leaders being sent out.
From one mission trip to a growing partnership.
From a young pastor carrying a vision in his heart to watching that vision become reality.
This is more than a conference.
This is a testimony.
This is a dream becoming reality.
And as we prepare for the River of Life Conference 2026, “From Trials to Triumph” (James 1:2–8), I can only say:
Ebenezer! Thus far the Lord has helped us. — 1 Samuel 7:12
The journey continues.
Laikipia, we are coming.
The Great Commission is our mandate.
Jesus is our message.
People are our mission.
And God gets all the glory.

Joshua 3–4 reminds us that God often calls us to move forward before we can see exactly how He will make a way. Israel had to trust God’s presence, step into the Jordan, and watch Him do what they could never do themselves. But God didn’t want the miracle to be forgotten—He commanded them to remember and to tell the next generation about His faithfulness. The same God who made a way for Israel calls us to trust Him, follow Him, and remember what He has done.

Joshua 3-4

Sermon Outline
1. Follow God, even when its unfamiliar territory
2. Prepare yourself for God to move
3. Move forward in faith
4. Remember what God has done.
5. Tell the next generation

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever been in a season where you knew God was leading you, but you had no idea how things were going to work out? What did that season teach you about trusting Him?
• What is something in your life right now where you feel like you're standing on the edge of the Jordan? What makes it difficult to take the next step?
• What usually keeps you from taking a step of faith—fear of failure, wanting more control, uncertainty, waiting for more confirmation, or something else?
• Think about a time when God made a way for you that you couldn't have made for yourself. How does remembering that experience affect the way you face what you're dealing with today?
• Why is it so easy to forget what God has done for us when we face the next difficult thing? What helps you remember His faithfulness?
• What is something you've learned about God through your own experiences that you want your children, grandchildren, or someone younger in your life to know?

Hello Church Family,

Once again it is time for our Kenya mission team to start the long journey across the world. Excitement of being in Africa again fills every part of me as I pack items into my backpack. It’s been twenty years since I first had the chance to travel to Africa, and I can’t possibly put into words the changes it’s made in my life. This September 26, we will depart Texas to return to the Kenyan countryside. We will see the rolling mountains, the iconic Acacia trees on the horizon, and the unmatched sunsets in the distant west. The stars at night shine brighter in Africa than they do in even the most remote wilderness areas of the contiguous USA. Twenty years ago I departed American soil for the first time. Now it is not the mystery of Africa that stirs me, but the work of ministry we will get to do there this year.

As we drove, the red dust swirled behind, you’d think it had been years since it last rained the way it lingered in the air. The green leaves heavy on all the things growing along the roadsides would tell a different story. Everything was so green, except for the heavy coating of red dust clinging to anything within twenty feet of the roadsides, it was green. It was a new road, one less traveled by the western visitors than most, and for the three of us in the small diesel safari van, we were excited! God’s prompt for me to go to Kenya was not subtle in my own mind, in fact it was quite direct, but that had been more than ten years previous to this point and I was begging to hear from Him again. We hit every bump, every rock, washed out trench, and pothole the old road had to offer as we traveled toward the new church that we had so recently been told was our next stop. A place with a young pastor eager to make disciples and ready to put in the work required of him. Even now as I’m writing this, I can close my eyes and see the mountainside, the near perfect rows of corn planted on the impossibly steep grades of the Transmara terrain. It was as beautiful a land as I’ve ever seen. As I looked at this place I had never seen before, the possibility of God’s creation gets to jump from the landscape straight into every bit of the imagination that I can muster. What was this place like thirty, forty, fifty, or one hundred years ago. How wild was this place? How did the people survive in such a place as this when the powerful wild animals of Africa roamed untamed in comparison to their now dwindled numbers? I was lost in my own daydreaming of days long ago, when the small mud walled dwelling first took my attention. Then another, then yet another, all the way up there! Upon further inspection I saw more than the houses, I saw men, shepherds, flocks, cattle, I saw opportunity. Having a craving for adventure, and no desire to spend another day preaching in a church building, I knew what I had to do. Leaning forward I got the attention of the man in my lead, and with not as much persuasion as I anticipated, Pastor Eric agreed to let me take the gospel to the ones “up there”.

That was 2016, and as I look back on that day it still plays a huge part of shaping me into who I am. I would love to sit down with anyone who cares to know more and give you the entire progress of that day, even show you the notebook and names of the people I met and for whom I prayed. But that’s a story for another time. That simple act of following God’s initiation in my life allowed me to be ready for this day, ten years and a few months later. Since that trip we have worked alongside that young pastor you know as Pastor Ezekiel, and he is a true definition of a man who loves God. In 2017 when the church allowed me to lead the Africa trip, Ezekiel shared his dream of being a missionary with me and asked me to aid in training him for the task. Yes, we did a mission trip two years ago, and yes it was a great success, but we both knew there was more to come. Which brings us this years trip, a monumental step in the life of the Kilgoris church that you all have been so gracious to give toward each year since 2016.

This year’s trip takes us across the country of Kenya. From the beautiful transmara mountains to the valley of Laikapia. Being in a new area of Kenya I’ve never been before I’m at the mercy of the things I can read and the pictures I can find, but the short overview of the area is that it sets on the equator and is in the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Forget everything you thought about Africa if you think hot desert, this is a beautiful green rolling mountain terrain with an average elevation of 6,300 ft, with temps averaging from 52 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

However exciting that might be we have a even greater reason to be excited…A new church, a new group of people, a new place to share the good news of Jesus.

Pastor Ezekiel has described this place to me many times, the most practical way is to say this…
“they are a people who are twenty years behind in the church, and in their cultural practice!”

We have our work cut out for us this trip as we head into the great unknown, mostly because of what we do know. Physical abuse within marriages and FGM (female genital mutilation) are our two biggest topics we have been asked to tackle head on upon arrival. It’s something most Maasai overcame the better part of two decades ago. It’s not that these things go unnoticed, or are practiced in secret, these are common cultural practices that are not hidden and are still active in the Rumuruti Village  we plan to visit this year. Along with this ministry there will be a variety of other ministries happening, sometimes all simultaneously, pastors conference, marriage conferences, women’s and men’s break out sessions, door to door evangelism, and open air crusades are all on the itinerary.

That all being said to say this! We need, and we cherish your prayers. I personally have seen prayer answered my whole life, and I know that most of you reading this cannot travel with us this year. BUT YOU CAN PRAY! Pray for us as we travel, as we prepare our lessons, as we build relationships with new people, as we maintain relationships with old friends and ministry partners. Pray for our heath, and that we obey God in his prompting, pray that we have bold faith. Pray that God is working ahead of us and that He has the hearts of the people prepared to receive what He plans to do as He uses us in Laikapia/Rumururti this fall.

Our team this year consists of Robert Quick, Robert Grimes, Reggie Musgrove, Becky Pope, Rachel Crabtree and myself. We would love to answer any questions or speak to you about the trip or any of the many giving opportunities that are associated with this years trip.

Todd Crabtree 903-720-6625

Joshua 2 reminds us that God is often working long before we can see the evidence of it. While Israel is preparing to enter the Promised Land, God has already gone ahead of them and prepared the way in Jericho. Through Rahab, we see what happens when someone hears what God has done and chooses to trust Him before she sees the outcome. This chapter challenges us to trust God's promises, act on what we know, and remember that God is working even when we can't see it.


Sermon Outline
1. God's work often begins before we see it.
2. Faith responds to what God has revealed.
3. God can use unlikely people in His purposes.
4. Courage isn't the absence of fear.
5. Rahab makes a choice.


Discussion Questions

• What are you currently facing that makes it difficult to believe God is working because you can't see any evidence of it?

• Are you trusting God based on what He has said, or only when your circumstances give you reason to trust Him?

• What has God already told you to do that you're delaying because you don't know how the situation will turn out?

• Could your frustration with God's timing actually be revealing a lack of trust in God's sovereignty? Why?

• Where are you tempted to take control because you don't trust God to be working behind the scenes?

• If you truly believed God was already working ahead of you, what would you do differently this week?

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites are camped on the east side of the Jordan River, poised to finally enter a new season and conquer the Promised Land. God takes this moment to encourage Joshua, promise to be with him, challenge him to obey, and call him to action.

Sermon Outline

• Presence – Joshua 1:1-6
• Obedience – Joshua 1:7-9
• Commitment – Joshua 1:10-15
• Impact – Joshua 1:16-18

Application Points

• Respond immediately when God calls you into a new season
• Be patient in the current season until God finishes what he is doing in your life
• When God asks you to change something, don’t wait for a convenient season
• Be aware of what season you are in and what God is doing in your life

Discussion Questions
God’s Presence

• What are some times in your life that you were aware of God’s presence with you?
• Do you see any common elements in those times, something that invited his presence?

Commitments

• What are some of the important commitments in your life right now?
• Are commitments a healthy thing?
• Do you feel you have too many or too few commitments?
• Do any of your commitments conflict with each other?

Understanding the Season

• Do you tend to lag behind or run ahead of God’s leading?
• How would you describe the season you’re in and when did it start?
• What do you like about this season? What is hard about it?
• What requires strength and courage in this season?
• Have you let go of the old things God asked you to leave behind in this season?
• Have you embraced the new things God has for you in this season?
• Are you growing or stagnating?
  • If growing, in what ways?
  • If stagnating, why?
• What is God teaching you or building in you in this season?
• Are you being patient and cooperating with God in the growing process?
• What does God want to do in this season of our church, and what is your role in that?

In John 21, Jesus meets Peter after his greatest failure and asks him a simple but deeply personal question: “Do you love Me?” Jesus shows us that our relationship with Him matters more than our performance, reputation, or past failures. But genuine love for Jesus doesn't stop with words—it leads us to obedience, service, and a willingness to follow wherever He leads. As we close this series, we're reminded that beneath every question God asks is an invitation to examine our hearts and respond to Him.

Sermon Outline
1. Jesus Meets Us in Our Failure
2. Jesus Goes to the Heart
3. Love for Jesus Always Leads to Obedience
4. Following Jesus Means Following Him Wherever He Leads


Discussion Questions

• If Jesus asked you today, “Do you love Me?” how would you answer—and why?
• What makes it difficult for us to believe that Jesus still wants to use us after we've failed?
• What is one area where your love for Jesus needs to become more than words and show up in your actions?
• Where might Jesus be asking you to simply “follow Me” right now, even if you don't know exactly where He's leading?
• What do you think Jesus was trying to get Peter to understand by asking the same question three times?
• What tends to compete with your love for Jesus—comfort, success, relationships, busyness, fear, or something else?
• How would your life look different this week if loving Jesus became your primary motivation for what you do?
  
  

 

Jesus asks a deeply challenging question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” It is possible to speak the language of faith, attend church, and affirm that Jesus is Lord while still resisting His authority in our everyday lives. Jesus teaches that a life that will withstand the storms is built by coming to Him, hearing His Word, obeying what He says, and digging deep before the flood comes. The storm doesn't create our foundation—it reveals it.

Luke 6:46-49

Sermon Outline
1. Saying “Lord” Isn’t the Same as Following the Lord
2. The Foundation Is Jesus and His Word
3. Obedience Builds What the Storm Will Test



Discussion Questions

1. What do you think Jesus means when He asks, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?”
2. Where do you think it is easiest for us to say the right things about Jesus but struggle to actually obey Him?
3. What does “digging deep” into our foundation look like in everyday life?
4. Why do you think Jesus uses a storm to reveal the strength of the foundation?
5. Think about a difficult season you've walked through. What did that experience reveal about your foundation?
6. Is there an area where Jesus has spoken clearly through His Word, but obedience has been difficult for you? What makes it difficult?
7. What is one practical step of obedience you could take this week to strengthen your foundation?
8. If the “stream” hit your life today, what would you hope it reveals about your relationship with Jesus?

For 38 years, this man has lived with the same condition, the same disappointment, and the same excuses. Then Jesus walks into his situation and asks a seemingly obvious question: “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus wasn't asking because He didn't know the answer—He was inviting the man to confront whether he was willing to leave behind what had become familiar and follow Jesus into something new. The same question confronts us: Are we willing to let Jesus change the things we've learned to live with?

Sermon Outline
1. Jesus Sees You Where You Are — vv. 1–6
2. We Can Get Comfortable Being Stuck — v. 7
3. Jesus Calls Us to Respond — vv. 8–9
4. Jesus Wants More Than Circumstantial Change-- vv. 10-17



Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you most about Jesus' question, “Do you want to be made well?” Why do you think He asked it?
2. What are some things people can become comfortable with, even when those things aren't healthy or God's best for them?
3. The man immediately explained why he couldn't get well. Why do we sometimes find it easier to explain our circumstances than to take responsibility for our response?
4. What might “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” look like practically in someone's life today?
5. Is there an area of your life where Jesus may be asking, “Do you want to be made well?” What would responding to Him look like?
6. What's the difference between wanting Jesus to change your circumstances and wanting Jesus to change you?

Isaiah 6 reminds us that God's call always begins with God's presence. Before Isaiah was commissioned, he encountered the holiness of God, recognized his own sin, received cleansing through God's grace, and only then responded with complete surrender. God's question, "Whom shall I send?" was not about finding a volunteer but revealing a willing heart. The same pattern remains true today: God reveals Himself, transforms us by His grace, and invites us to trust Him with whatever assignment He gives.

Sermon Outline

1. Before God uses You, he reveals himself to you. 
2. Before God Uses You, He Cleanses You. 
3. Before God Tells You Where to Go, He asks if you WILL Go

Discussion Questions

• What stood out to you most about Isaiah's encounter with God in this passage? Why?
• Isaiah was surrounded by uncertainty when King Uzziah died, but he saw that God was still on the throne. Where do people tend to look for security when life feels uncertain?
• What are some things that can distract us from seeing God's presence and greatness in everyday life?
• Isaiah became very aware of his own shortcomings when he encountered God's holiness. Why do you think an honest view of ourselves is an important part of following God?
• Isaiah didn't have to fix himself before God could use him—God provided the cleansing. How does that change the way we should respond when we feel unqualified or have failed?
• What is an area of life where it can be difficult to simply trust God and say, "Yes," before knowing exactly what He's going to ask you to do?
• What might "Here am I, send me" look like in ordinary life—not necessarily going somewhere, but being available to God where you already are?
• If you were to take one step toward greater obedience this week, what might that look like?

God's question to Moses, "What is that in your hand?" wasn't really about a shepherd's staff—it was about whether Moses would trust God with what had already been entrusted to him. After years of failure, obscurity, and believing his best days were behind him, God reminded Moses that He specializes in using ordinary people and ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. In the same way, God has uniquely placed each of us in families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships where we can make an eternal impact. Ministry isn't reserved for pastors or missionaries; every believer has been called and equipped to faithfully use what God has placed in their hands for His glory.

Exodus 3-4

Sermon Outline

1. God uses broken people, NOT perfect people. 
2. God uses ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. 
3. God places purpose in every believer. 

Discussion Questions

1. Moses believed his past failures had disqualified him. Have you ever felt like your past or your mistakes have limited what God can do through you? Why?
2. What do you think the "staff" in your hand represents? What gifts, opportunities, relationships, or resources has God already entrusted to you?
3. Why do you think so many Christians separate their job or everyday life from "ministry"? How does Exodus 4 challenge that way of thinking?
4. Who has God placed in your sphere of influence that no one else is uniquely positioned to reach?
5. How would your attitude toward work, school, or home change if you truly believed it was your primary mission field?
6. What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally use what God has placed in your hands to serve or point someone toward Christ?

Every question God asks in Scripture is an invitation to examine our hearts, and the very first question He asks is, "Where are you?" In Genesis 3, we discover that sin always promises more than it delivers, leaving us burdened with shame, fear, and the desire to hide from God. Yet before God speaks words of judgment, He comes looking for Adam and Eve, revealing His heart of grace and His plan of redemption. The same God who pursued them in the garden still pursues us today, inviting us to step out of hiding and walk with Him again.
Genesis 3

Sermon Outline

1. Sin Always Promises More Than It Delivers 1-7
2. Sin Always Leaves Us Hiding 7-10
3. God Comes Looking 8-20

Discussion Questions

• The serpent's first attack was on God's character, not His command. Why do you think believing lies about God often comes before disobeying Him?

• Have you ever looked back on a decision and realized sin promised something it could never deliver? What did you learn from that experience?

• Adam and Eve responded to sin with shame, fear, blame, and hiding. Which of those responses do you most naturally identify with, and why?

• Why do you think our instinct is to hide from God when we've failed instead of running to Him?

• God asked, "Where are you?" not because He lacked information, but because He wanted Adam to honestly assess his condition. If God asked you that question today, how would you answer?

• What are some modern-day "fig leaves" people use to cover shame or avoid dealing with their sin?

• How does it change your view of God to realize that His first response to sin was to pursue people rather than abandon them?

• What's one practical step you can take this week to stop hiding and respond honestly to God's invitation to draw near?

Peter closes his letter by reminding suffering believers that the Christian life is not sustained by self-confidence but by humble dependence on God. Humility trusts when God's timing is different than ours, releases worry instead of carrying it alone, stands firm against the enemy, and rests in the confidence that God will finish what He has begun. The pathway to strength is not through pride or control, but through surrender to the mighty hand of God.

1 Peter 5

Sermon Outline
1. Humility shapes how we lead and follow
2. Humility trusts Gods timing
3. Humility releases worry to God
4. Humility stands alert against the enemy
5. Humility rests in restoration


Discussion Questions

• Where in your life are you struggling to trust God's timing instead of trying to force your own?
• What burden have you been carrying that God is inviting you to cast on Him today?
• How has pride—or self-reliance—shown up in your life recently, and what would humility look like instead?
• Where do you sense the enemy attacking your faith right now, and how can you stand firm in Christ rather than give in to fear or discouragement?
• If you truly believed that God cares for you and that His mighty hand is over your life, what would you do differently this week?