War? Which one?

The dinner table was spread at Ruby Tuesday's on August 27th in Scranton, PA. Seated around the table Greg Terry and Larry Mininger, Missionaries, Sgt Rock and Carolyn and I from Texas, but then it gets really interesting, Vladimir Krutchkov from Russia; Ivan Prokopenko from the Ukraine and Igor Enstein from Israel. 

The war? Not the war on terror; nor the political war; nor the war of our countries in any way. No our conversation was built around being Warriors in the Kingdom of God. Ivan spoke with a sparkle in his eyes of the song they sing about being a "Soldier for Jesus". 

Our conversation was about the Jewish people in Brooklyn NY, Scranton, Russia, the Ukraine and Israel, hopelessly addicted to drugs. Then the conversation went to our similar pains in Amarillo, TX. 

We spoke of our methods of identification and ministry to those hurting and hopelessly living on the streets as homeless. 

We spoke of the hope that is in Jesus and our willingness to take the Gospel to them. There is hope in Jesus, there is a path but just doing church is not going to get it done. 

I left overwhelmed by the opportunity for a man like me, messed up but redeemed, to sit at the table with such great men of God. Carolyn and I will not soon forget this encounter that took place. 

Thanks to Bishop Doug Beacham for making this happen! Thanks to Greg and Larry for driving 600 plus miles to make this a meaningful meeting. Greg's ability to speak Russian really broke down some walls quickly. 

It proves one more time, living for God is one of the most exciting lives one can live. 

I close with a questions, 
"Which war will you spend your time studying the most?" 
"Which war and to what degree will you fight the fight?"

For the Overlooked and Ignored, 

Gary Burd, National M25 Director