Monthly Archives: August 2010

A Movement of God

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Over 20 years ago, God allowed me the joy of meeting one welfare mom and mentoring her only son. This relationship with Velma and her son has changed the direction of my life. The ministry of H.I.S. BridgeBuilders was begun as a result of this kingdom relationship. Each day we are marveling that in cities across the United States and now, internationally, God is multiplying the impact of this relationship. We are amazed that the ministry of H.I.S. BridgeBuilders is now global. Recently while attending an International Board meeting for H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, Int’l., I heard some great news. A church in Northern England has adopted our work and is helping to fund components of the ministry to the least of the least of Europe and are also sending teams of people.

Remarkably 5 years ago while on vacation celebrating Michael’s graduation in Cancun, we were next to a man from England on a 3 hour bus ride. When he heard of the ministry that our entire family did and so many others from area churches among the poor, he was stunned. He said he quit going to church but that he would want to be a part of a church like this. Ironically, every time I go to Romania and stop in London, we have prayed and asked God how we can serve this great city and partner with a local church. By God’s grace, He has given us a church to work with not only in Romania, but prayerfully in London as well. God is moving in marvelous and miraculous ways.

The ministry in W.V. brings great joy to my heart. The faith and faithfulness of Ray and Tressa Shaw and Gwen Cornman is a constant encouragement to us all. The Lord continues to use this humble group of servants to reclaim their city for Christ. They are prayer warriors and kingdom collaborators. Recently they served their city with a Back to School/Health Fair Event. City-wide businesses, churches, and individuals donated enough funds and school supplies to purchase and fill 250 backpacks. Ray shared a message of hope in Christ and covered the day in prayer before the event began. Christian music filled the entire 3 hours. God again gave us favor with the residents. There was such a sense of peace and joy. Both the children and adult residents were so appreciative of everything. Our staff was constantly greeted with BIG smiles and “thank you’s.” One little girl was amazed at how nice the backpacks were, saying “All this really nice stuff for free?” Tressa told her that it was a free gift from Jesus, just like salvation.

In San Antonio, it is a blessing to see the Lord continue to work through my parents, Ruben and Sandra, my twin brother, Mel and our staff assistant Norma Duran. The Lord sustains them through believing prayer as well. Daily God is adding to their numbers, those who are being saved in the inner city of San Antonio. The after school computer classes are thriving as an open door to kids and adults to witness and disciple. The Lord has brought a brother in Christ named T to walk with Mel in the city. T has been radically transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and is a great servant leader to the men of the community. They too distributed school supplies to more than 150 children in the Wheatley Courts area of San Antonio last Saturday. One of the exciting things about block parties in San Antonio is the wide variety of churches and ministries who participate. To see the Body of Christ alive, active, reaching out and touching the community is one of the most exhilarating experience we have. These block parties are a microcosm of what the Lord teaches that the church should be about in the world. Sharing, testifying, worshiping, giving, discipling, loving—the action words of the church are seen and not just read or heard. “I was hungry, and you fed me; I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was lonely, and you visited me.” He accepts even the most meager gift given to the most insignificant child as a great honor to Himself.

I would ask you to pray about going with us to one of these cities over the next 12 months. We will be going on a mission trip to Romania October 21st through the 29th. We will also be setting up a trip to visit W.V. and San Antonio. Please begin praying now about joining us in the movement of God’s people to be His agents of transformation to the lost and the least. Please let me know if you are interested in one of these trips and I will forward the details. God is at work, will you join Him?

Medically, the biopsy reports came back and the cancer that reappeared is the same mutation as before. This is good news and an answer to prayer. We did a C.T. scan yesterday and will get the results back Friday. We are continuing to believe by God’s grace that we are healed. All for the glory of God and God alone.

Loving Like Jesus

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It amazes me that throughout the scriptures we see the power of a simple act of love. Remarkably, even though the disciples walked with Jesus, they would miss the power of a cup of water in Jesus name. The woman at the well was first confronted by a rabbi, teacher at the well when no respectable person would be there. She was there desperate for love and met Jesus who went out of his way to love the Samaritan woman and meet her at her point of need…love, water, worth, relationships…eternal life. Jesus was available and among the least for most of His ministry!! The disciples transacted and bought food and witnessed to no one but Jesus transformed this one woman who then went and reached her village for Jesus. A sinner set free from sin to be a witness of God’s amazing grace.

I am thankful for the 1000 backpacks that were so graciously given to our “I’ve Got Your Back” back to school initiative. It is amazing that when we shared the good news over 100 adults and children prayed to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It was a joy to see the many volunteers from OakCliff Bible, Concord Church, Highland Park Presbyterian, and Prestonwood who not only gave the gift of school supplies but were at the event today face painting, serving food, giving manicures and haircuts, playing football and sharing the gospel. Over 1000 kids were given a gift for Jesus to start the school year. My greatest prayer is that we who are disciples of Christ would take the next step of living Christ’s love in us to others. Many prayed for today, others lovingly filled the backpacks and many came to be God’s hands and feet to the least and the lost. There is a great burden in my heart that so many never move to actually be among the people we serve. We have become transactors and not transformers. We who know Jesus as Savior are called to be like Christ, yet so often we are never with His people whom we are to love more than ourselves. Media and technology are amazing gifts from God to communicate the truth of God’s Word but these must be partnered with God’s people on the ground, loving, serving and touching the least and the lost. There’s nothing as powerful as the ministry of presence! I pray that each of us would continue to ask God to enable His love to control us and lead us to be available, accessible and among His people. Service in God’s love is a bridge to salvation. Today thousands were loved, and hundreds of lives were impacted for all eternity through the gift of God’s love in the form of a backpack.


Medically, we had an MRI scan and all is clear. We are still waiting for lab results from California. We continue to believe God for our healing for His glory! We love you!

Celebrating God’s Goodness

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We just experienced God’s goodness in a remarkable way. I was thrilled to perform the wedding of my oldest son, Michael to Caitlin this past Saturday. As I reflect I am overwhelmed with gratitude to our great God.
The first thought that enters my heart is that God answers prayers exceedingly abundantly above all we can think or imagine. Caitlin is a precious gift from God. She is beautiful and godly and a tremendous complement to Michael. I am thankful as well for the visible demonstration in Michael and Caitlin of the impact of godly families, but also the blessing of the local church. There are so many who have prayed for them, invested in them, taught them the Word, or simply modeled godliness. I marvel at their faith and faithfulness to God. Both Michael & Caitlin were faithful to mentor kids and families in the inner city while attending college. They continued to be a witness for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in their Christian fraternity and sorority. I am humbled that when Michael was growing up, he heard my heart that my chief desire for his life was to know God, hear God and obey His will for his life. When Michael was a freshman at T.C.U. my Alma Mater, he called and told me the Lord was leading him to go to U.T. I can clearly say my first thought was, “why U.T.?” I prayed and had a peace in my heart that Michael was following God’s plan and not my plan! What a great blessing God had for Michael when he met Caitlin at U.T. So often, as parents, we must never forget that God has plans to bless our children. It is His will that I pray for all of our children, even if I don’t understand. We rejoice at this new beginning for Michael and Caitlin and are thankful for your love and prayers for them as together they experience daily the goodness of God. We rejoice that we now have a new Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fechner, Jr. The Lord is so faithful and good.
Medically, we are still waiting for the biopsy results and are going to be setting up some more tests. I am expectant of healing and thankful for every day to proclaim the goodness of our Great God. We love you and thank you for your believing prayers