Book Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow

There use to be an SNL skit about two muscle bound men who made fun of the scrawny wimps they dubbed "girly men." When I was not living the life of a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, I bought into the wimpy Christian stereotype. Little did I realize the grievous error I was making. Murrow brings some sobering thoughts to the subject that I believe are relevant for today's church around the world.

Traveling throughout the globe as a missions pastor I now see the stark differences in cultures where men have given over their God ordained roles. Male leadership is not simply needed in a healthy body of Christ, but it is part of God's plan for our society. Families need Godly fathers who are being challenged and discipled in the local body of believers, and who are the role models for those less fortunate families that have no Godly male influence.

Yes, Murrow brings out the reasons of why men hate going to church - but it is up to the men of the church to make the changes through the power of Spirit working in their lives. Read it men.

December 1941 - 31 Days that changed America and saved the world

This book, by Craig Shirley, is one that I recommend only because I am proud to have known many men and women who lived fought and sacrificed during the war won by our greatest generation.  Day by day, the author walks us through the events that some say changed our world forever. Yes, the greatest generation - who did not know at the time of how great their generation would need to become - was already poised to continue the sacrifices it would take to defend our great nation. The days of the Great Depression had done more to prepare us for the war than anyone would have ever imagined.

Shirley gives perspectives and provides insights in a manner that is easily understandable and leaves you with an appreciation of those 31 days in December that set the tone for a world saving effort. Some may say it is a slow read, but it takes on the pace of the events of the day. Get it and read it!

UPDATE: Honduras well drilling project

Last week I spoke with our ministry partner, Sandy Cheves.  Two important developments.

First, the paper work for the deed to the land where the well is to be drilled - and a new church planted - is moving along and Bro. Sandy believes it is safe to drill the well.  While the final deed may take months to move through the system, he and the leadership are satisfied that everything is in order.

Next, we have been offered the use of a portable generator that will enable the well to be drilled, pump installed, and water pumped from the well without first establishing the electrical service.  The cost of the electrical service was estimated at $5,500.  The cost to drill the well and install the pump is still estimated at $5,000.

Currently we have $2,175 toward this project, but need the balance of the funds in order to finalize the schedule date for the drill apparatus.  You may give online through WorldReach by clicking here, then clicking on the yellow "Donate Now!" banner.

If you have any questions, please contact me via jerry@worldreach.us or 678-753-3141.

UPDATE: Honduras well drilling project moves forward!

Our project to drill wells and build churches in two communities near Guaimaca, Honduras this year has taken a giant step forward.

The ministry with which we are partnering, BMDMI (Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International), is working to procure the title to a suitable piece of land being donated to the ministry by the community of La Heradura. The land is on the main road running through the community - certainly God has provided a very visible place on which to not only drill a well, but build a building in which to base His ministry to the surrounding area.

Sandy Cheves, who is leading the project in Honduras, has received a reasonable bid in the amount of $4,212 to run electrical power to the property. This includes all material and labor required to build an electrical service from the existing high voltage electrical power line located near the property to a 35’ pole and 25kw transformer to be located on the property.

This will provide the 120/240 volt power source for the electrical panel that will serve the well. It is also of sufficient capacity to provide electrical power to the church when it is built. In Honduras, it is necessary for the customer to provide the high voltage electrical service originating from a nearby power company line, and the transformer to reduce the voltage from 34KV to 120/240 volts.

This is the first major expenditure for the project and must be completed before the well is drilled, as electricity is essential for the well pump to operate. BMDMI awaits the funds before beginning the electrical project.

Please pray that the funds will be donated to move forward with the electrical service by the time the title to the land is procured. If you desire to assist by giving, you may give online by clicking on the red DONATE banner in the left column of this page, and making your donation to the "Honduras Well Drilling Project."

Feel free to contact us with any questions via email - jerry@worldreach.us, or phone - 678-753-3141.

To God be the glory, great things He is continuing to do in Honduras!

A personal prayer request for my upcoming surgery

WorldReach family, friends, and fellow born again believers in Jesus Christ, I have a personal request that needs prayer.

On Wednesday, 1 February 8:00am local time at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, GA, I am schedule to have a 1" tumor removed from the left frontal lobe of my brain. While indications are good that it is not cancerous, there is no way to be certain until after it is removed. By God's grace, there were no other tumors found in my brain.

Please pray for my family, our church family, and me. God has placed me in the hands of the best neurosurgeon in Athens - Dr. Kimberly Walpert - so please pray for her, and all of the hospital staff that will be assisting her and attending to me while I am there. Also, pray for the total restoration of the right side facial, arm, and hand nerves that have experienced numbness as a result of the tumor. Last, please pray that He who dwells in me will be evident to those around me through all I do and say.

My son Blake will be providing updates via my Facebook page regrading the surgery and post-operative progress. You can friend me on Facebook at Jerry Haas. Blake will also send out Twitter feed updates on my Twitter account - @jerryhaas.

I know God is in control, but I also know God answers prayer. Please pray as the Lord leads. As He wills, I will soon be back mobilizing and equipping the church for global mission!

God bless - and stay focused on Jesus.

Registration for Daytona Bike Week Ministry moved up

The ministry with which we will be partnering in Daytona for sharing the gospel during Datona Bike Week has moved up the final day of registration, so we need to have our team finalized by Friday February 3rd - one week sooner than originally planned.

Information about this short-term mission opportunity may be accessed by clicking here. It will take you to the previous WorldReach blog post describing this mission opportunity.

By the way, you do not have to be a motorcyclist to participate - just a desire to share your faith in Jesus Christ with others.

If you have already made the decision to go, you may sign up by clicking here.

For more information, contact the WorldReach office toll free at 888-540-6534, or email admin@worldreach.us.

UPDATE: Well driling project in Honduras

WorldReach is leading the effort to drill four wells around the Guaimaca, Honduras campus of Baptist Medical and Dental Ministries International (BMDMI).

A couple of weeks ago Bro. Bill Ricketts (Pastor - Prince Avenue Baptist Church), Sky Pratt (College Pastor - Prince Avenue Baptist Church), David Shivar (Campus Chaplain - Prince Avenue Christian School), and I met with Bro. Sandy Cheves, the BMDMI missionary with whom we have been partnering for many years, to review all that needs to happen in order for the wells to be drilled, and develop a list of prayer needs for our WorldReach family and friends.

The communities where Sandy believes the wells should be drilled are already engaged by BMDMI in the village water ministry. This consists of periodically taking a 250 gallon water tank to the villages and distributing the water to the residents. Also, the gospel is already bearing fruit in these areas as there are born again believers who participate in the church planting ministry conducted through BMDMI.

But the task of drilling the wells is not as simple as the decision to do so and raising funds to accomplish it. The wells must be drilled on property owned by BMDMI in order to assure the water will continue to be available to the entire community, and the well maintained in working order. Likewise, the ongoing costs for maintaining and running the well (primarily electrical costs to run the pump), need provision. Fortunately, BMDMI already has a model for this to be accomplished by utilization of a community co-op.

The next step in moving forward with the wells is for the community to donate the land to BMDMI on which the wells will be drilled. Sandy believes this will not be a problem because of the great need for potable water in the communities. But it takes time to complete all of the necessary legal steps to get the community's agreement and to obtain title to the property. Also, there are costs associated with the property transfer; estimated by Sandy to be less than $1,000, but not yet confirmed.

Once the property is obtained, the well drilling equipment must then be scheduled with the Honduras Baptist Association for use on the projects. In addition to the cost of drilling the well using the Honduras Baptist drill and drilling personnel, there are the costs of the well casing, pump, and electrical hook ups. While Sand believes all of this will fall under our $5,000 estimated cost, he is working to further confirm it.

The actual dates for mission trips to drill the wells is dependent upon land procurement and drill equipment schedules - so we do not have any confirmed dates for the trips at this time. Rest assured, as soon as we can confirm trip dates, we will let you know.

Right now, we need you to pray for these specific needs as the Lord leads:

• That the communities look favorably on the offer to drill the wells and to donate the land for this purpose.
• That all legal issues will move along smoothly, quickly, and inexpensively.
• That the Honduras Baptist Association drilling equipment and personnel are available to drill the well (viewed to be much less expensive, and more dependable than hiring an outside contractor) on a timely basis.
  
• That the time line will allow us to drill the wells this year - raising the funds and sending the teams to assist.
• That Sandy will have the wisdom needed to work through all of the issues with which he will be confronted in Honduras as he leads the effort there.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Please contact us with an questions or make comments by clicking below.

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Sign up for 2012 Daytona Bike Week Ministry!

Registration is now open for the 2012 Daytona Bike Week ministry. I will be leading the WorldReach mission team. The dates are Monday March 12 through Sunday March 18. While you may not be able to go for the entire time, the registration is flexible so that you can be there for any or all of these dates.

If you are going for the full seven days, we will plan on leaving Monday morning March 12 and driving to Daytona for arrival Monday afternoon. Our ministry dates will be Tuesday through Saturday, returning on Sunday March 18. We will be housed at First Baptist Church Daytona Beach.

Having participated in large event ministry at the past eight Olympics, I can testify to the way God moves in the most unusual ways at these most unusual events. You will be thoroughly trained to give your 3 minute salvation testimony, and in sharing the gospel.

Even if you have never shared your faith with anyone, you can do it in Daytona. The first person I ever led to Christ was at the 1996 Olympics. Since then I have personally shared my faith with thousands, and trained hundreds to do the same at large event ministries.

The total trip cost for this event is $175 (this is the pricing being charged by the ministry partner Daytona Bike Giveaway and is a flat rate regardless of the number of nights/days you will be staying). It includes the cost of housing, meals (breakfast and supper), and ministry materials. We will coordinate transportation using team member vehicles - or some may want to ride their motorcycles.

Registration closes February 10, as we will need to confirm our final team with the Daytona Bike Giveaway ministry by February 13 . This gives us time to pray, plan, and prepare so that we can be ready to complete the task to which we have been called in Daytona!

If you are interested in being part of the unique mission team at Daytona Bike Week, click here to register. If you have questions, please contact me via email at jerry@worldreach.us or via phone at 678-753-3141.