My name is Mike Edwards and have lived all of my life in the U.S., specifically Washington state, known as the Northwest. I haven’t done any formal ministry in the U. S., but have spoken several times in a church. However, just sharing the gospel in Washington, where I live, is challenging. The environment is very liberal and Anti-God. Very accepting of other religions except Christianity.
I was born and raised in the Jewish faith, Bar Mitzvahed at 13 years old and by 16 I began to question the hypocrisy around my Jewish faith as it applied to our lifestyle. Eventually, I quit practicing Judaism and took on the “I’m a good person” religion during my 20’s. During that time I was successful as a corporate Vice- President in building a chain of credit companies in the Western U.S. At 30, I was hired as President of a Point of Sale transaction company at which time I met my wife. When my daughter was born a year later, I was so impacted by her birth that I began searching for God but wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah. The CEO of the company was a Christian and invited me to join his Men’s Bible Study that was just starting the Book of Hebrews. Within two months of study, I accepted Jesus into my life. I was hungry and began to grow as a man, father, and disciple of Christ.
I feel compelled to speak to the body of Christ, especially men. My dream or vision is to challenge and encourage men to raise their standards of living more in aligning with Jesus, not the world. I see myself as an evangelist, writing books and speaking around the country at churches and conferences.
I think over time a key experience is the continued water down of our identity of what we call ourselves a “Christian.” If someone tells me they are a Christian, I’m not sure what that means to them. Peoples lifestyle and actions many times contradict what I define, or Jesus describes as a disciple or follower of Him. So this casualness motivates me out of love.
The biggest challenge for me is being invited int to speak at churches that are lukewarm on the principles and boundaries that the Word teaches us. My belief is that the Holy Spirit will present me those opportunities to speak nevertheless.
I am between churches right now because of moving to another city but am excited to have found a church body that I can join. But I don have pastor friends that are very supportive of my calling.
My wife is very supportive in me pursuing this calling. Her dad was an Assembly God pastor for 60 years and an amazing example of a Christian man. Our kids are grown and are finding their way in their faith right now. I believe they would support me from a relative perspective, not necessarily involved with me at this time.
A scholarship at CLI would give me an opportunity to give my faith a stronger foundation in me and the credibility that the church likes to see when inviting evangelist speakers.
Your prayers are so appreciated. Please pray that God will open the doors for my opportunity to evangelize and have the financial residual income means to put this first in my life.
I am Jennifer Michelle Jones. I am from the United States, and ministry is not necessarily hard to do here. The hard part is reaching people through the ministry. Here we have the freedom to choose our religion, or not to choose any religion. With all of the technology in our society preaches against Christians, it is hard to keep the faith. This makes Christian ministering difficult. People today find it easier not to believe than to hold on to faith in God through Jesus Christ.
I came to know the Lord as a child. I remember being about 4 or five and my mom telling me that God could see me anywhere (even under my bed). I was terrified, but curious as to know HOW that was possible and if it was true, WHY would God do that?
My ministry dream is not to change the world. That seems impractical. I do want to tell my story though to people in their hardships so they will know that amazing things can be accomplished through Christ. I may not change the world, but if I can reach just one person (who can, in turn, reach another person, etc.), my purpose is fulfilled.
The word that I think identifies me the most (and a nickname I earned over the decades) is Sincere (sincere). Whether I am speaking, writing, illustrating, listening, or observing, I am sincere in my mannerism. If I am making miracles through prayer or telling a ‘St. Peter was in heaven’ joke; my sincerity never fades, and that is my blessing.
The key experience that brought me to ministry was a simple second chance to make my life right. I had to be at the bottom of the well to realize I had to look up to get out of it. Now that I am out, I need to show others how to do the same.
The challenges in my area are that everyone is a preacher, and people think preachers want your money. People also live in fear and blame the negativity in our world on God. Citizen’s opinions are so outspoken that ministers cannot get the truth in edgewise.
I am still looking for my church in this town. I have been here three years now, and I don’t feel God calling from any of His houses here. People go to church here because it is socially acceptable, and walk away with empty pockets and empty stomachs (the Word ministers serve here is not feeding His people). I think this is why I am here, to change this view.
I am supported by my role in ministry by my father, who is also a minister. His faith strengthens my own. Speaking to him about any topic concerning religion has always been my favorite form of church. He is my mentor, my strength, and my rock.
CLI is very important to me because I was raised to know that money is the root of evil. CLI is no cost, so I trust that it is meant to lead ministers in the direction of God and not the direction of financial convenience for the institution. I hope to pass all I learn for free on, for free, and break the cycle of financial restrictions holding people back from their true walk with God.
Thank you for your prayers.
