Road Trip

Today I will be traveling across the nation with some great friends…well not in one day but you’ve got to start somewhere! We are actually taking an 11-day road trip. My friends Justin, Geoff, Noah and myself will all be on this adventure with some serious male bonding. Two of us will be driving the largest U-haul truck that you can drive with a regular driver’s license while towing my friend, AJ’s, Jeep behind it while the rest of the group drives our minivan behind. Aj will be moving down later this year to help start the church with us along with Laura’s parents. This is why we are taking the largest truck possible because we are taking some of our my in-laws’ property also. A lot of people have been asking what our plan and our route are, so I thought I would share the itinerary.  But before the plan you got to know the priorities.

Priority #1 --- Glorify God

All road trips can be crazy fun, and we want to filter ours though giving God glory. It will still be amazingly fun but will help in making decisions as we go--because a road trip is all about the spur of the moment decisions you make. So to help us decide what we are doing for the whole trip, we want to glorify Jesus.

Priority #2 --- Mature in our faith

All of the guys on this road trip are Christians, and we want to be more in love with Jesus when the trip is over. So we plan on praying with one another every day, studying God’s Word everyday, memorizing scriptures, listening to preachers’ messages on the iPod, talking with people and each other about Jesus, and seeking God daily.

Priority #3 --- People

We plan on visiting 3 key people on the road. Tom Rush and family in Walla Walla, Washington. Sarah Williams and Family (my sister) in Hamilton, MT.  And Kevin Fitzgerald and family in Atlanta, GA.  I am excited to preach at Tom’s new church in Walla Walla, see my family and niece in Montana, and reconnect with a man full of wisdom Kevin in Altlanta. I love people and can’t wait to see all of them.

Priority #4 --- Safety

We will be in the slow lane:)

Priority #5 --- Food

Here is a fun one…we are going to eat at some good and random stops. We have been doing our research and taking suggestions and are thanking God for taste buds along the way. A few places we are planning is like Minors in Yakama, Homemade Strawberry pie in Montana, Kansas City BBQ, St Louis Ribs, a secret place outside of Atlanta, Cracker Barrel in Florida and wherever else the Lord leads:)

So now that you know the heart of the trip here is the schedule:

Day 1: Olympia, Wa to Walla Walla, Washington (going to see Tom and serve at the church)

Day 2: Walla Walla, Washington to Hamilton, Montana (going to see my family)

Day 3: Missoula, Montana to Denver, Colorado (this will be the longest traveling day and we are hoping to actually make it to Denver)

Day 4: Denver, Colorado to Kansas City, Kansas or Missouri (hello BBQ)

Day 5: Kansas City to Nashville, Tennessee (planning on seeing a show some where even if it is country)

Day 6: Nashville, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia (seeing Kevin and enjoying the city)

Day 7: Atlanta, Georgia to Jupiter, Florida (we may make it in a whole day but we are passing through Orlando so you never know)

Day 8: Jupiter, Florida (unpacking the U-haul and going to the beach)

Day 9: Jupiter, Florida to Miami, Florida (just because we can)

Day 10: FREE DAY (only God knows where and what we will be doing)

Day 11: Jupiter, Florida to Orlando, Florida (I will be picking up my family: Laura, Jeremiah, Mailey, Mike and Jenelle; and dropping of the guys to head back to Olympia)

So there is the plan but we will see what actually happens. Appreciate your prayers for the trip and our family. We can’t wait to be in Florida and see how God works. Until then, we are enjoying this amazing ride. 

Fit for the field (week four)

You may think that because this is week 4 and the final week that the quality went down…you would be wrong. I was so blessed to go to class and be blown away every single day. It seem like the days just kept on blowing away my expectations, and when I thought it couldn’t get better God would just teach me more and more. I can truly see that Jesus put this whole course together and am so thankful to have been a part of it. I am also thankful for Kevin Fitzgerald for serving us and making the sacrifice to serve us. I know God did a great work and I give Him all the praise but I also want to recognize that He used His servant to bless us to. So I want to publicly thank Kevin & Amanda for all that they had done and what they are still doing. It was great meeting them and we are excited to make life long friends with this amazing couple. The last week was on continuing in the Spirit, and that is my prayer. We want to start with Him, be sustained by Him, and finish with Him.

WEEK 4: Continuing in the Spirit

Day 13 (7-5-11)

Session 56: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: On prayer (then a prayer meeting)

Session 57: Tony Montemurro from Calvary Chapel York, Pennsylvania

Topic: Staying the course principles

Session 58: Peyton Jones from Newbreed

Topic: Staying the course by grace

Session 59: Tony Montemurro from Calvary Chapel York, Pennsylvania

Topic: The word of God and the love of God

Day 14 (7-6-11)

Session 60: Sandy Adams from Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia

Topic: Marriage and Ministry

Session 61: Sandy Adams from Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia

Topic: Jeremiah; continuing on lessons

Session 62: David Shirley from Calvary Chapel Bible College, California

Topic: The ABC’s to the Holy Spirit

Session 63: Brian & Cheryl Broderson, From Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California

Topic: Q & A on marriage

Day 15 (7-7-11)

Session 64: Gary Lawton

Topic: Ministry has seasons, can be messy, and can be dangerous

Session 65: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Remain flexible & The danger of human effort

Session 66: Sandy Adams from Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia

Topic: Confronting legalist & embracing grace

Session 67: Sandy Adams from Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Georgia

Topic: Psalm 46: God is a refuge, river, and ruler

Day 16 (7-8-11)

Session 68: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Q & A time

Session 69: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Indispensible truths

Session 70: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Bullet points

Songs we are singing

People are always asking me for new worship songs, and asking me what songs I am currently singing. So I thought I would give you a list of songs that I am singing this week as we lead worship for a high school camp at Black Lake Bible Camp. Try searching for them on YouTube or iTunes and take a listen. This would actually be a great playlist to listen to in your car this summer! So start now, and maybe we can even sing some of the same songs this week together:)

Hosanna by Paul Baloche (G)

Song of hope by Robbie Seay Band (A)

All because of Jesus by Steve Fee (Bb)

Go by Hillsong United (Bb)

From the inside out by Hillsong (Bb)

Jesus paid it all  (Bb)

Glory to God by Steve Fee (G)

Only in you by Daniel Williams & David Pierce (E)

No reason to hide by Hillsong (E)

Lead to the cross by Hillsong (G)

I will lift my eyes by Bebo Norman (G)

You are all I need (bridge) by Hillsong (E)

True Love by Phil Wickham (G)

Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin (G)

Our God by Chris Tomlin (G)

He loves us by John Mark McMillian (Bb)

Came to my rescue (bridge) by Hillsong (Bb)

Forever reign by Hillsong(Bb)

Happy Day by Tim Hughes (Bb)

Adoration by Brenton Brown(G)

Mighty to save by Hillsong (G)

New Creation by Leeland (C)

Glorious by Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche (C)

Beautiful things by Gungor (Bb)

You hold me now by Hillsong(Bb)

I’ll fly away (E)

Everlasting God by Brenton Brown (Bb)

Fit for the field (week three)

Learning more and more about my own insuffiency, I am so glad that I get to learn from others, especially their mistakes. As we go out and plant a church, I am so grateful that I had this week to learn from people who are experienced and learn from their successes and mistakes. I think we all learn from mistakes, but we would be so much more blessed if we could learn from other people’s mistakes too so we don’t have to go through the pain ourselves. What an amazing time to hear how God has worked in these men’s lives. I was blessed.

WEEK 3: The do’s and don’ts

Day 9 (6-28-11)

Session 38: Pete Nelson from Colorado

Topic: Courage, fear, and idols

Session 39: Pete Nelson from Colorado

Topic: The mission, message, motivation, and method

Session 40: Bill Welsh from Refuge: Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach, California

Topic: Study the culture

Session 41: Peyton Jones from Newbreed

Topic: Be relevant

Day 10 (6-29-11)

Session 42: Daniel Bentley from Colorado

Topic: The church and practical tips

Session 43: Daniel Fusco from Calvary Church Planting Network and Calvary North Bay, California

Topic: The ramifications of planting a church for the lost

Session 44: John Chubik from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa School of Ministry director, California

Topic: The work of the Holy Spirit

Session 45: Daniel Fusco from Calvary Church Planting Network and Calvary North Bay, California

Topic: The things I wish someone had told me

Day 11 (6-30-11)

Session 46: Rob Salvato from Calvary Chapel Vista; California

Topic: Spiritual Warfare

Session 47: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: 1 Timothy (Look to the Bible for practical ways on church planting)

Session 48: Rob Salvato from Calvary Chapel Vista; California

Topic: 9 things to do

Session 49: Rob Salvato from Calvary Chapel Vista; California

Topic: 8 things not to do

Day 12 (7-1-11)

Session 50: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: 2 Timothy (Look to the Bible for practical ways on church planting)

Session 51: David Guzik from Calvary Chapel Santa Barbra, California

Topic: Paul’s conversion is a pattern for us (the personal history of Paul)

Session 52: David Guzik from Calvary Chapel Santa Barbra, California

Topic: Paul the leader

Session 53: David Guzik from Calvary Chapel Santa Barbra, California

Topic: Benjamin Franklin’s proverbs (and Q&A)

(7-3-11)

Session 54: Josh Black from Calvary Chapel Canyon Hills, California

Topic: Godly wisdom vs worldly wisdom (Sunday morning service)

Session 55: Kevin & Amanda Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Q & A session on marriage 

Yeah I said it (7-20-11)

This week I wanted to focus on some Bible verses that inspired me. I love God’s word and am so grateful that He speaks to us though it. I love being able to teach people about Jesus through His Word and continually point people to His truth. So even if you don’t read what I say, you will be blessed if you read these verses and apply them to your life.

Give God your best (prov 3:9-10).

Jesus went into a secret place to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35). Where is that secret place for you?

When you make it a habit to worship Jesus you will be sensitive to His Spirit (John 12:1-8).

Whatever you worship will rub off onto you. What or who do you smell like? (2 cor 2:14-17)

Paul preached a person and not just principals (1 Cor 2:1-5). We need to simply point people to Jesus.

We test the true gospel by God's Word (2 Cor 11:4). Have you read it lately?

It is ok to be yourself (2 Cor 10:12).

"As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." by Jesus (John 20:21) /// have you lost focus? 

We shouldn't be asking "is it ok to..." Rather we should be asking "is it good to..." (1 cor 10:23).

The Word of God is perfect and to be desired more than fine gold (read psalm 19). /// Are you reading, applying, and loving God's Word?

"The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (psalm 119:72). /// how much do you value your bible?

Fit for the field (week two)

What an amazing blessing and opportunity to be a part of this course. As I have had some time to reflect and pray through some of the stuff learned during this time, I feel so blessed to be able to apply it so soon. We leave for Florida in less than 2 weeks to start our adventure of planting a church and are pretty excited about the whole thing. Week 2 of Fit for the field was on launching out and we would love to have your prayers as we do just that. Again I highly recommend you googling some of these guys and listening to their podcasts. I am so grateful to have had them to teach us and show us a great example to take great leaps of faith for Jesus. Praying that His Kingdom grows!!!

WEEK 2: Launching out

Day 5 (6-21-11)

Session 19: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Vision (part 1)

Session 20: Peyton Jones from Newbreed

Topic: Gift driven ministry (building your team)

Session 21: Bill Welsh from Refuge: Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach, California

Topic: How to talk to God’s people (a message of love)

Session 22: Peyton Jones from Newbreed

Topic: Getting and developing your team

Day 6 (6-22-11)

Session 23: Daniel Fusco from Calvary Church Planting Network and Calvary North Bay, California

Topic: Outreach

Session 24: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Vision (part 2)

Session 25: Daniel Fusco from Calvary Church Planting Network and Calvary North Bay, California

Topic: Establishing your DNA

Session 26: Daniel Fusco from Calvary Church Planting Network and Calvary North Bay, California

Topic: Different launching styles and strategies

Day 7 (6-23-11)

Session 27: Kevin Fitzgerald & Jimmy O’Keefe

Topic: Evaluation (feedback from a service)

Session 28: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Be an example

Session 29: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Small beginnings and being faithful

Session 30: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Q&A session

Session 31: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Assistants

Day 8 (6-24-11)

Session 32: Rob Thompson from Calvary Chapel Bible College director, California

Topic: Becoming all things to all men and giving up your liberties 

Session 33: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Bullet points of wisdom (part 1)

Session 34: Brenen Beeler from Regenerate Church, California

Topic: Preparation (spiritual, personal, & practical)

Session 35: Session 33: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Bullet points of wisdom (part 2)

(6-26-11)

Session 36: Brian Bell from Calvary Chapel Murrieta, California

Topic: Friendships (Sunday morning service)

Session 37: Brian Bell from Calvary Chapel Murrieta, California

Topic: Q & A at his house

Yeah I said it (7-11-11)

“Well... I had a great birthday:)”

“We must look at earthly situations from a heavenly perspective & find out what Jesus says about the situation.”

"If you are spiritually strong then u are good wherever you go, if you are spiritually weak you are worthless wherever u go." by Phil Twente

“Got a fresh new pair of sanuks shoes for my birthday:) what did u expect?”

“When God made you He didn't make a mistake.”

“Going thru some change??? Praise Jesus thru it because God may be using it to show you what won't ever change (heb 12:27-29).”

“My son went to his first day ever of vbs...please pray for him.”

“If your gospel isn't found in the scriptures then it isn't the gospel at all (1 cor 15:3-4).”

“Jesus wants to manifest Himself to you. Check out these verses: Rev 3:20; John 14:21; Rom 5:5.”

"No longer do I debate is this right or wrong but I ask will this please my Father." by Chuck Smith

"Each day presents a new opportunity to experience God's presence." AW Tozer

“Last day of class for fitforthefield...was so blessed to be apart of this coarse and people's lives. It will be hard to say goodbye.”

“We need to preach GRACE. Accept GRACE. And embrace GRACE. Not the law or rules. God's GRACE trains us to live godly. (Titus 2:11-12)”

“Love can be a beautiful motivation.”

“When we sin we must turn to Jesus for forgiveness. We don't need to read the Bible more or wait to be good. Just repent. (heb 4:14-16).”

“The gospel isn't about being fair, it is about grace.”

“Fear comes when you are looking pass Jesus to the circumstances. Love comes when you are looking pass the circumstances to Jesus.”

“Remember that God is on His own time schedule.”

“You must not only do what Jesus wants you to do BUT do it in the way He wants you to do it.”

If you have a twitter account you can follow me @pastordwilliams. If you would like these thoughts sent straight to your cell phone as a text all you have to do is text 40404 and in the body of the text write: follow pastordwilliams. Then BOOM!!! These tweets will come straight to your phone thru out the day and you will be blessed. Thanks for reading and feel free to quote me:) 

Fit for the field (week one)

We are leaving the Bible college today and we have learned a lot but more importantly have fallen in love with Jesus even more. The word of God tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and after this course I fell like my faith is on steroids. Over the pass 4 weeks we have been in God’s word continually and seeking Jesus. I have had a total of 70 sessions this past month, which are an hour and a half long of Bible teaching each (a pastor’s dream:). And the speakers and messages have been amazing and powered by the Holy Spirit. So I thought I would start to share with you some of the speakers and topics that I have been blessed by and hopefully you can be blessed to. These messages will eventually go up online for free at www.fitforthefield.com but until they do you should check out some of these speakers and their messages online. I am sure if you listen to them you will be blessed!

WEEK 1: The minister’s personal life

Day 1 (6-14-11)

Session 1: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: A heart for church planting

Session 2: Demitri Nikiforos from Calvary Chapel Capetown; South Africa

Topic: Prayer

Session 3: Kellen Criswell from Refuge; Utah

Topic: Prayer

Session 4: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Loving God

Day 2 (6-15-11)

Session 5: Demitri Nikiforos from Calvary Chapel Capetown; South Africa

Topic: Prayerlessness is a sin

Session 6: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Your calling

Session 7: Kellen Criswell from Refuge; Utah

Topic: The gospel

Session 8: Phil Twente from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (missions pastor) ; California

Topic: Random wisdom (with a focus on prayer, being Spirit filled, and the Word of God)

Session 9: Brian Brodersen from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa; California

Topic: Romans 7:15-20 bible study and Q & A time

Day 3 (6-16-11)

Session 10: Demitri Nikiforos from Calvary Chapel Capetown; South Africa

Topic: The morning watch (a daily devotional life in the morning)

Session 11: Rob Salvato from Calvary Chapel Vista; California

Topic: Focus on Jesus and not serving

Session 12: Rob Salvato from Calvary Chapel Vista; California

Topic: Your Fragrance

Session 13: Rod Thompson from Calvary Chapel Bible College (the director); California

Topic: Authority, Finances, and Suffering (2 Cor 11)

Day 4 (6-17-11)

Session 14: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Priorities and Commitment (Be with God)

Session 15: Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspoint; Ireland

Topic: Personal purity

Session 16: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Sexual Temptation

Session 17: Jimmy O’Keefe from Harvest Christian Fellowship; Virginia

Topic: Going deep in the river (Ezek 47:1-12)

(6-19-11)

Session 18: Greg Laurie from Harvest Christian Fellowship; California

Topic: Loving God (Sunday Morning Service)

Yeah I said it! (7-5-11)

Here are some of my weekly twitter thoughts for ya. This week’s emphasis are on quotes and retweets. Be blessed!

 

"God doesn't have problems, only plans" by Corrie Ten Boom

"Faith dares to fail" by AW Towzer

"if one neglects the Bible, his soul becomes starved and easily stumbles." by DL Moody /// (1pet 2:2)

RT @RickWarren: We cant watch TV for 3 hrs then read the Bible for 3 min & expect to grow spiritually.

RT @louiegiglio: To say I believe in Jesus and not rely on Him is really saying I believe in me.

RT @darrinpatrick: Bad news:  

You are aggressive with your sin

Good news:  Jesus is more aggressive with grace

RT @stevenfurtick: Faith: SEES it BEFORE---ENDURES it DURING---UNDERSTANDS it AFTER

RT @PastorMark: The Christian life is not just doctrines you believe. It's fruit you produce.

"Trying to be happy without a sense of God's presence is like trying to have a bright day without the sun." AW Towzer

RT @realityla: All who follow Christ have not only a responsibility to learn of Christ but also to teach the things of Christ to others!

"whatever leaders may have, if they don't have character, they don't have anything." by Warren Wiersbe

"Leaders must learn to obey before they have the privilege of asking others to obey" by Warren Wiersbe

"When God wants to make a leader He takes all the time He needs." by Warren Wiersbe

"Leaders make mistakes, admit them, & ask God & people to forgive them. Then they go back to work & seek to do better." by Warren Wiersbe

"Leaders are primarily concerned with vision and revision, while managers focus on supervision." by Warren Wiersbe

If you have a twitter account you can follow me @pastordwilliams. If you would like these thoughts sent straight to your cell phone as a text all you have to do is text 40404 and in the body of the text write: follow pastordwilliams. Then BOOM!!! These tweets will come straight to your phone thru out the day and you will be blessed. Thanks for reading and feel free to quote me:) 

Prayer For These Men.

During the last three weeks, we have been blessed to be down in California studying God’s Word about church planting. It has been an awesome time and very encouraging to meet many men and their families so like-minded and wanting to serve Jesus in this way. Even though we are only here together for a month, and will be heading all over the world, it has been so good to get to know these guys and establish solid relationships. As I was thinking about them and praying for them I wanted to make a keepsake to remind me of their faces so I would continue to pray for them and the ministry that Jesus will fulfill through them.  So I made this banner with all of their faces to make sure I pray for them. I wanted to share it with you and would love for you to pray for them as well. We are a team of like-minded men that love Jesus and are being sent out all over the world. We are headed to the USA in California, Florida, Washington (Yes! Cameron #2 and his family will be church planting in Lakewood, WA!), New Jersey, and Colorado; overseas to England, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, Norway and Chile; and a few unknown locations.  It is so great to see God work and His Spirit equip His saints to do His ministry. So if you are praying for our family as we are heading towards Florida to plant a church, we would love for you to please join with us as we pray for these guys and their families as well.

Here are their names from top left  to right, and bottom left to right: Kevin, Mike, Pablo, Sam, Josh #1, Jordan, Esteban, Daniel, Damian, Blake, Cameron #1, Cameron #2, and Josh #2.

Your prayers are much appreciated!!!