Pastor James’ Blog

It’s been a few days since i’ve taken the time to blog (but I do update on facebook for those of you that have it!) and much has taken place in recent days.

   We have been blessed to have had some local media exposure – that we could never in a million years have afforded.  Cindy was interviewed by “Texarkana HomeTown Magazine” (TV) and then FBC sent a camera crew out to do a video clip about the ministry at Life House (it was posted on youtube as well as facebook) and then Cindy and I appeared on the local Channel 10 “Heart To Heart” tv program.  Also, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention sent a film crew to Life House to take a segment about our ministry for the 2010 Dixie Jackson State Missions Offering DVD.  All of these opportunities “fell into our lap” – without any work on our part. God did it and we thank Him for the open doors He has given us.   We are praying for the exposure to help us continue to reach people for Him. 

Our noon (Tuesday and Friday’s) feeding ministry has more than doubled in three short weeks. Our Coffee Shop Free breakfast on Sunday morning has totally outgrown the coffee shop area and now tables are overflowing into the foyer area and we still need more room.    Our worship center is now packed – (great problem to have – not complaining) and we are working, praying, thinking about how best to get more room for it in the building.  God has blessed beyond all measure.   We have literally outgrown this building and need more space – and that will come when God is ready for it.  We are trusting Him to help us pay off this building and then build a large, open, metal building so that we can branch out and do ministry in an even better way.  PRAY for this to happen as Jesus wills.  

    We will CONTINUE to be faithful to feed, clothe, love, share Jesus and be HIS hands and feet to all we come in contact with.   Pray that we will continue to see souls saved and that we will make a difference in the lives of the people we come in contact with.  

Tonight we have a joint worship service scheduled at the Life House building with our sponsor church, Shiloh Baptist Church , Texarkana, AR.  Bro. Todd Reed will be preaching for us and the Life House praise team and band will be leading the worship. Debbie Reed will be singing for us too.  I am totally looking forward to the service!  It’s gonna be great to blend the two churches together in worship.   

Next Sunday night, Rock Creek Baptist Church of Maud, Texas will be coming for a joint worship service.  Pastor Steve Minter will be preaching and it’s gonna be a great time of worship at the Life House building.   YOU are invited to any or both of these services. 

THANK YOU to all of you who love souls- who pray for us, support us, help us with food, clothes, and more.  God is using so many of you to help us and we THANK YOU!!

Pray for us and come see us soon! Come experience Life House for yourself.  

                                                                                                        Pastor James

Yesterday was an awesome day at Life House. The Lord was so present. Many people commented after service how they felt God’s Spirit moving among us.  God blessed with 96 present and many were “first timer’s”.  We continue to see new people from the community and we continue to see a field that is “white unto harvest”.  Pray for us as we labor in the harvest.  We are praying for continued growth, dedicated members and people that “have a mind to work”.     God blessed the services Sunday with great fellowship, people in the altar and a real spirit of worship.  

Sunday night we had Praise & Prayer Service and it went great. Our people began to share their hearts about their desire for Life House and for what they long for God to do in and through it.   Circle prayer closed the service and we dismissed to go out to Hwy. 82 for an end of the year fellowship.  Some 43 people showed up and ate burgers, many swam, drove the golf cart and just “hung out”.  Great time of fellowship and getting to know each other better.  

Today  was Labor day.  I planned to try to get some yard work done.  Since we are almost never home and when we do come home it’s usually late ….the yard really needed some serious attention.  I felt that “TODAY WAS THE DAY” and was gonna jump right in and get it done.   One of my new friends, that I met at church this weekend, asked if he could come help. All I had to do is go by and pick him up and he wanted something to do today.  I began mowing about mid-morning and while starting the front yard a neighbor – a man from down the street that we have been praying for, came riding up on his LARGE commercial mower and started mowing.  I was shocked.  When we got through mowing the front yard, I was going to let it dry so I could go over it again later.   I headed out to pick up my new friend and bring him to help and when we got back he started “weed-eating” and I started cutting limbs and clearing some fence that needed it.  Later I jumped on the riding mower and was going around back to mow  and the neighbor came riding up again with his mower and helped get it done too!!  When I thanked him he just said, “I just wanted to help. I would have mowed the back when I was over here the first time but didn’t think the back gate was open.”     18 months ago he would barely look our way, barely wave and for months never spoke to us.  This is the second time he’s helped me with my yard.  – GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING IN HIS HEART!  Pray for HIM.  I won’t give his name out here but God knows who he is.    Anyway, to close this blog (I warned you that it was rambling) – I’m thankful for the help these two men gave me today.  18 months ago I probably wouldn’t have felt comfortable in their presence. I probably would have spoken quickly and moved on.  I wouldn’t have allowed them in my life and surely not in “my space”.   What a blessing I would have missed.  One knows the Lord and has “come home” to Him after having problems in his life recently. One of them needs the Lord and i’m praying that somehow He might be saved soon.  Pray for Cindy and I to be the witness’ we need to be.    Long day, yard looks great -   till tomorrow….NIGHT!   Pastor James

    The ministry at Life House is very different from many traditional churches in our day. While there is nothing wrong with a traditional approach to church – there is also nothing wrong with meeting your culture where they are and meeting needs in a unique way.  What we are doing at Life House may or may not work in other areas.  We are simply seeking to find needs, meet them and watch where God is working and join Him in HIS WORK.  Many Christians and Churches in this day and age feel it is useless and “not our job” to go out, feed people, pick up trash, give out water, clothing, school supplies or anything else.  Some are afraid that they will be “USED” and they will be used by some people but in the midst of being used they will also reach people who are hurting, hungry, lost and dying. We’ve been blessed so many times to be able to share physical food, clothing, school supplies and more as a church family. Yes, we’ve been “USED” by some who took advantage of the church but in the midst of it all they KNOW that someone cared for them and loves them.  This ministry isn’t about us. It isn’t about making a name for Life House.  We are a very simple church. No big names, no bright lights, no big buildings but a BIG HEART for souls and the needs of people.  The new food ministry has fed several people already and this morning we saw a few of the people who came to eat come worship with us. What a blessing!     It’s our prayer that we will see some of our new friends come to know Jesus as Savior.   God has plans for Life House and He has plans for your church to “get out into the field” and reach souls.  No matter what it takes – let’s love ‘em, feed ‘em, clothe ‘em, and bring them to Jesus. (Matthew 25).   Pray for us that God would continue to lead this ministry and bless us with a huge harvest of souls in our area.     Pastor James

SIDE NOTE:  We rejoiced that we had 94 in Celebration Worship this morning.  People everywhere and this was a “regular” Sunday – no big emphasis, no special event – just God’s people gathering to worship!

      I wish you could join us for lunch some Tuesday or Friday.  It’s free. You can even have “2nd helpings” and “3rds” if you want.  Life House Community Cafe is NOT about the food – although the food is wonderful.  It’s about LOVE, it’s about RELATIONSHIPS, it’s about REACHING out to people.  We are blessed with some great volunteers who cook, serve, wash dishes, clean up and most of all, love on those who come in for a meal.  God has and is providing the food necessary to feed people and for that we are thankful.  It’s our job, (Life House members and friends who volunteer for this ministry), to simply LOVE.  By not charging for the meals, by being willing to feed until they are full, we are allowed to get into the hearts of those who come to eat.  We do not preach to them, hit them over the head with the Bible, or even stipulate requirements in order to eat with us. We simply say COME IN, EAT and find LOVE.   Life House was started with the idea that we would never CHARGE for anything.  WE GIVE IT AWAY FREE because that’s how Jesus did things. He GAVE HIMSELF FREELY.  No garage sales. No hamburger sales. No bake sales. No candle sales .  NO SALES PERIOD.  Just give ourselves away to show Jesus love….and that includes the meals on Tuesday and Friday. We are not a business – we are a body of believers who are supposed to show the world JESUS LOVE and HOPE.  We don’t need their money, we are after their heart. We want to see Jesus touch their hearts, give them LIFE and LIFE to the FULL (John 10:10).  God has already promised to provide the things we need (Philippians 4:19).  As a church we have needs – but NOTHING that HE can’t supply. Our trust for “things” and our needs is in HIM. HE WILL PROVIDE!  So Christians, let’s stop SELLING our faith but let’s give it away and make an impact on a lost and dying world. The world has gotten a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to “CHURCH”…they think we don’t want anything from them but their money. We should want their souls. We should desire to help them find LIFE in Jesus.  It’s HIS passion and it should be ours.  Let’s just simply LOVE people and try to LOVE them to Jesus.  

Please pray for us that God would continue to provide volunteers for the Life House Community Cafe’ ministry (you don’t have to be a member of our church), that He would provide us some commercial utensils, pots, pans and etc for this ministry and MOST OF ALL PRAY that we can love those that come to eat with us TO JESUS. Nothing would be better than for someone to be saved at Life House Community Cafe’.

      With the new food ministry (Life House Community Cafe’) on the threshold of serving it’s first meal it seemed doomed to the fact that we were going to need to purchase a major piece of equipment for our kitchen in order to use the stove.  The money isn’t/wasn’t there.  Time was not on our side.  We simply COULD NOT use the stove in our kitchen to cook for the upcoming food ministry.  The volunteers got together – planned a meal which they could cook in “crock pots” and the meal went forward anyway!   It tasted great and the first ever meal at Life House Community Cafe’ was a huge success.  The volunteers worked hard cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, serving and simply loving on folks as they came in for a meal.  The crew served 40 people and we believe that this ministry is going to grow, Grow, GROW.  Friday is coming and the menu is planned and it looks like another “crock pot” meal but it’s gonna be great too. We only pray that somehow the residents that come eat with us begin to sense that “Jesus loves you and so do we.”.  Pray for this new ministry.  The economy is tight for everyone and many struggle to make ends meet and a free meal may not “make or break” them but it sure is a nice treat.  Several agencies in our town serve great meals – even some non-profit organizations and most of them charge a small fee for the meal…but we are determined with God’s help and His provision that we will never charge for anything at Life House.  We will  never have a garage sale, fundraiser or any such event that enables Life House to profit off of the community.  We receive clothing, food, school supplies and ect – and it’s all given away.  Freely receive, freely give.  Jesus never charged for anything. It’s not about being a money making business – it’s about being the church and sharing love.  In spite of obstacles – the food ministry moved forward and we saw a VICTORY.  Pray for us, spread the news about the food ministry and come see what God is doing at Life House for yourself.   Can’t wait until Safe Haven tonight (children and youth ministry).  Come experience our kids and youth for yourself.    Pastor James

    Yesterday was a “big day” at Life House and in our community.  Volunteers from three churches joined the Life House Church family,  for a total of 80 people,  to hit the streets of College Hill in Texarkana, AR — picking up trash, sharing bottles of cold water and handing out pamphlets about Life House Church.  The excitement and joy was everywhere. We enjoyed breakfast together and then a short worship time and after prayer hit the streets full force.  The community took notice.  Many, many contacts were made during this four hour event.   Only time will tell how it has impacted the kingdom work of God.    As pastor of Life House – it was a blessing for me and for our church to see so many volunteers willing to come help us “do” such an event.  It is amazing and remarkable what can get done when people are willing to give time, love and hard work to touch the lives of others.  We are very blessed to have some great “Partner Churches” who don’t just “talk” missions – they DO missions.  They don’t just send a check  – they send a check to mission work all over the world and then DO mission work by getting physically involved.    I’m sure some are reading this saying, “I’m not going to pick up trash because I didn’t throw it down.” or “It won’t do any good to pick up the trash in that area because it will be trashy again in a few days.”   Hmmm…. you are right…but does that negate our responsibility as Christians to try to show the world that we are servants for our Savior and that we love them enough to go the second mile?    Jesus went alot of places, touched alot of lives, got “down and dirty” with mankind – getting involved in alot of peoples lives that were hurting because of THEIR choices – but he went to them, touched them and made a difference in their lives.  He set the example. He has called us to go. He desires for us to get out of our “comfort zones” and our big box religion and put on work clothes!  THANK YOU Partner churches and groups for being willing to get “down and dirty” for Jesus.  THANK YOU  Southwest Arkansas Baptist Association, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, North American Mission Board, Shiloh Baptist Church – Texarkana, AR (Our Sponsor Church) and all of the rest of  our partner churches that give either time, money or whatever to make reaching souls for the kingdom possible in our neighborhood.  

Working TOGETHER for the Kingdom is awesome!!      Stop talking missions in your church – start DOING missions – your church WILL be blessed!!                                        Pastor James

One of our dreams as a new church is to be able to pay off the building we are meeting in. We are paying monthly on the note (owner finance ) and realize that as a mission in a economically challenged area that it’s a big task to pay off $140,000.00 building. BUT,  if we could pay it off then the monthly payment amount would be free to be used in other areas of the ministry to be able to reach College Hill and the world for Jesus.  We would be able to feed, clothe, buys more school supplies and meet the needs of this community in a bigger and better way with that money.  Soooo….. with that in mind…. 

 We are praying that God will raise up 1000 people who love souls, missions and want to help a new church to give $100 before Christmas 2009 to help us pay off our building. 

We realize not everyone has a “spare $100.00) but we also know that some can give 10.00 some can give 25.00, others can give 100.00 or 500.00 or more.  Our goal is simply to pay off our building so we can use the monthly payment towards reaching more people.  Our insurance company has appraised our building worth between $800,000.00 to $1,200,000.00.  So we are getting a “bargain” by buying it for $140,000.00.  WON’T YOU PRAY FOR US AND SPREAD THE WORD?  We believe God wants us to pay this building off in record time.  

For more information or to come see the building and ministry “first hand” – give me a call:   903-278-0984.  THANKS – and KEEP PRAYING for this ministry!!    Pastor James

Life House Church, P.O. Box 3006, Texarkana, AR  75504 

We are 501 3 c  approved non profit organization so all donations ARE tax deductible.

Yesterday was such a blessing to me!   The atmosphere at Life House was almost electric as God’s people began to gather together to worship. New faces, familiar faces and plenty of smiles and hugs were everywhere.  God’s people sang with all of their hearts as the praise team and worship band led us.  When it came time to share God’s Word with our people they were eager and ready.  What a blessing to see people taking notes, listening attentively and also seeing the Holy Spirit begin to move on people BEFORE we even began the altar call.  Tears were flowing through the service, hands raised, hearts melting as the Spirit began to convince and convict us of sin. I preached on “God Wants You Back” and the idea is that God will DO anything He needs to do to bring a wandering child of God back to Himself.  The altars were full and even people kneeling at their chairs.  I can’t wait till next Sunday! 

SATURDAY IS COMING: Come join us!  College Hill Clean Up. We are “shooting for” 100 volunteers to come, eat continental breakfast – served from 7 – 7:45 and then after prayer HIT the streets, picking up trash, passing out water, sharing Jesus, pamphlets and more.  God is about to do a work in College Hill and the Devil “ain’t ready for it” and won’t be able to stop it!  PRAY and come join us as we clean up and run the devil off the hill!!

Pastor James

Because we are a mission church I’m always asked questions like:  “If someone wanted to help out what exactly are some things you need?” or “If a church wanted to help you guys out what could we do or what do you need?”   So….here are some answers!!

The Lord continues to open ministry doors for us as a church to be able to touch the lives of those in our community.  WE NEED…

1. Commercial Pots, Pans, Trays, Cafeteria Trays, a newer and larger microwave, cooking utensils, a free standing ice machine and a couple of more deep freezes for our new food ministry.

2. We are in need of a mission team to come help “wall up” a garage door and build a couple of free standing walls near our kitchen area for a pantry.

3. We need someone to wire and install lights to shine on the sign on the front of our building.

4. We need two a/c units for worship area, coffee shop area and foyer. 

5. We need  a tree cut down on our lot – free wood for whoever does it! (LOL)

6. We need the money to repair a nice electric piano that a church donated to us.

7. We need an awning/drive under built over the side door of the building.

8. We need a portable baptistery.

9. We need a larger sound board (mixer?) for our worship area.

10.  BIGGIE: (But God is MORE THAN ABLE!)  We need you to pray that God would provide a way for us to pay off our building so as to free up the monthly payment to be used to minister even more ways to this community.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE…

1. NIV Bibles

2. Chairs for the worship center

3.  Nursery Items  

4.  A good used golf cart to enable us to slowly go through the target neighborhoods that surround our building, so we can travel openly, slowly, and stop – speak to people, share Jesus with them, give them pamphlets and more….

      In the short time this mission has been in existence, God has proven Himself faithful time and time again. We believe that He has the things we need and will provide them when He wants us to have them.  If you feel God touching you or your church to help us out please let me know!  Contact me at: 903-278-0984 or jross@life-house.us   THANKS for praying for us and bring a group from your church to visit us on Sunday or during the week so that you might see your mission dollars at work!  AGAIN, PRAY FOR US!  Pastor James

It’s been a few days since I have blogged but wanted to share some exciting things that are happening at Life House with you.

FIRST: God continues to bless with new faces and great services. We’ve seen several saved in the past few weeks and it’s exciting to see God’s hand moving. Pray that we can see even more souls come to know Him and find freedom in Jesus!!

SECOND: The Lord is opening new doors for us in our community to better serve the people that live here.  We will be having a COLLEGE HILL COMMUNITY CLEAN UP on Saturday, August 22, 2009 starting with breakfast at 7 – 7:45 a.m. and the heading out to pick up trash at 8 a.m. until lunch (at 12 Noon).  We hope to physically clean up the area and even better get the chance to talk with residents, talk to them about why we are doing it (we love them and so does Jesus!), talk to them about their souls and even give them an invitation to Life House. This one day event could impact this community for a long time.  YES, I’m not totally stupid – I know there will be more trash thrown down where we pick trash up but it’s the act of serving the community and loving them that we want them to see.   PRAY for this event!

THIRD:  Today we were approved to begin feeding the hungry in our community and town. The food will come to us at no cost and we will use volunteers to cook, serve, clean and bless the hungry and needy in our area.  If you are retired or have free time during the day and would like to get involved in this type ministry – hit me up for more information.   It’s gonna be a blessing when we are able to get it started.  I’ve already made the first order for food this afternoon – now to get prepared otherwise! PRAY that we can meet the needs of the physically hungry and also share the love of Jesus with them too.

FOURTH: It’s a blessing to be able to serve the Lord as one of your missionaries.  We may not be on a foreign mission field but it’s a mission field nontheless. THANK YOU to all of our sister churches who so willingly give, work and help us get this misson off the ground. THANKS for prayer, love, support, words of encouragement and more.  God has HIS hands all over this work.   PRAY.

Well, better get off here because in a few short minutes we will begin to see children/youth start to arrive for Safe Haven. It’s always a blessing to see the kids/youth, feel their love and love them back.  God is doing a work in some homes.   Later…..Pastor James