"No Words, Just Action; Just Jesus…”
Violent, not because he has an evil heart. Violent, because he has an illness of not being able to control himself. Hands flying, feet kicking, and head shaking. How do you minister to him? Or do you get with the Eldership and ask them to tell him not to attend services here? But wait a minute… We are in the middle of the Communion devotion when the one who is leading us into those thoughts reflects on the sacrifice of our Lord and gets choked up and teary-eyed. The man who had been perceived violent, with his hands flying, feet kicking and head shaking walks up front, wearing shorts and SILENTLY… --What is he doing? He's going up front! He reaches out with his hand and gently pats the Brother (who is choked up) on his shoulders, then turns around and walks back to his seat. To the ordinary eye it just looked like a nice gesture, but to the spiritual eye, we saw Jesus! All of His love, all of His grace, all of His mercy wrapped up in the act of one man who was considered violent and out of control. No fear of standing up, no fear of what someone in the crowd might say, and no fear of stepping out: just Jesus teaching without saying a word. We continue to pray and with anticipation look forward to Jesus showing up in our services that He might teach us. -Les Rose

Michael Broussard Service, Ind. Hall, Feb. 7, 2007
Sometimes we are like the little boy who was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball & bat. "I’m the greatest hitter in the world," he announced. Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. "Strike One!" he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, "I’m the greatest hitter in the world!" He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down, he swung again and missed. "Strike two!" He cried.The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat & ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, "I’m the greatest hitter in the world!" Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed. "Strike Three!" "Wow" the boy exclaimed, "I’m the greatest pitcher in the world."

Ron Sellers used this illustration as he spoke of Michael Broussard who passed away recently. Micheal was one of those special Impact members that maybe very few know about, but those who got to know him were greatly impacted by his servant heart and his positive spirit. He was an encouragement to his community volunteering on various activity committees at Independence Hall. "He was always there to help," said one of his friends at the assisted living facility. "Even though he had to cart around his own oxygen tank, he would never let me attempt to carry a card table when we were setting up for something." That is one of a lifetime of examples. No matter the burden he already had to carry, he was looking out for others.

My brother Micheal was part of my Sunday routine. He stayed in the same spot during the Sunday lunches, and it was just part of my rhythm to pass by Micheal, squeeze his shoulders and say "How's it going?" He always had a positive response and a warm smile. The oxygen tank he carried around didn't slow him down. The massive growth on his nose may have hindered his breathing, but it didn't hinder his desire to help. His physical and material situations were no match for his spiritual situation. He was a child of God who served in his community, chose to be apart of the Impact family, and grew and served alongside us here. We will miss his presence and we will miss his spirit, but we are grateful for his ability to show us how to see past what our first glance hits and focus on the blessing and opportunity thatis in the reality before us. Micheal Broussard did not strike out in life. He was an all-star to those who knew him.

COMMENTS Requested!

Please feel free to leave a message. Its easy! Just click "comments" below any article. A comment box will pop up. Jot something down, hit "anonymous" or sign in as a different user, and lastly click on "Login and publish." We would love to hear from you!

Kingwood Church's Impact

One of many Impact supporters, Kingwood Church of Christ is using the next few weeks to continue to celebrate and focus in on its mission efforts. Though they have several incredible works that they are very involved in, Impact has been on their heart from close to the beginning of the work in downtown Houston. Their biggest contribution has been in support of the bilingual minister position over the years. As they celebrate what God has been doing to spread the good news of His Son across the street and around the world, we celebrate them for thier faithfulness. They are constantly supplying clothes for the Distribution Center. They share in the joy of sereving lunches at Impact Sundays. They have a heart for the children and families, participating in the Christmas activities and presents, helping put together parties for the kids here, and raising their own youth to have the heart to serve at Impact as interns and volunteers. The list of their contributions as a church and as individuals goes on and on.

We really can't thank them enough for their prayers, help, and support. They play a great part in sustaining what we do at Impact, and much of what is done is never noticed, and usually that is how they want it. We want to thank them and show them due honor, but they would just deflect that honor to the One that truly provides all our needs. Thank you Kingwood for what you do. Thank you God for what you do through their efforts.

The thing is, I could say much of the very same and more about many other churches in the Houston area. It really is incredible how churches come together for Impact to make an impact in the lives of so many needy people. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who give and give and give. May God bless you, and may He guide us as we continue to seek to serve Him. -All for His glory.

Impact, 20 Years!!

Sharing with our Lord in the heart of Houston these 20 years has been a journey of faith and joy. Our Father placed our hand in the hands of thousands whom He loves in the city. From that first gathering at Lee school in 1987 to the present, souls from very different life pathways have come together to honor the Lord and serve others. A love feast began that soon united people desperately needing God’s love with His people desperate to love.

A small group of Christians sought to walk where Jesus would walk. The Lord provided various sites to assemble in worship, study, and share God’s blessings like Lee School, the YMCA, rec. centers, University of Houston, Star of Hope, Salvation Army, two different structures on White Oak, an office building, a Washington Ave., Allen Parkway Village, and a warehouse on Weber St.

Bible studies were begun in homes, on the street, and around park benches. Door knocking began in inner city neighborhoods, the projects, and in missions. Bread and the bread of life were distributed freely. Children were loved. The poor were blessed. Races were united. Cups of water were offered in His name. The Good News was proclaimed. Precious souls were saved!

Our Father brought people together to love Him and one another. Sunday school, Tues. and Wed. night classes were added. Bible clubs sprung up. Youth and college groups began coming from churches and universities. Spring Break and Summer Campaigns brought blessings to those on the streets, in the shelters, and in neighborhoods. Expanded VBS including a reading program involved summer interns, Impact, and local and out-of-town volunteers. Thousands were touched through tender outreach to human need through food and clothing distribution. Prayer, God’s word, and Christian love were extended to all. An ex-offender program was initiated. Homeless outreach offered hot food, blankets, coats, shoes, sleeping bags, shower and laundry facilities along with generous portions of love. Preschoolers and their parents were received through a small day care that operated out of an apartment, a house, a park, the church, finally growing into its own facility next door, Small Steps Nurturing Center. Currently, children are served at this First Ward facility and at the new facility recently opened in 5th Ward.

In the meantime, a Christian Camp for boys and girls was established on Lake Travis in Central Texas. It continues to develop and make a difference for Christ in the lives of children.

Right here at home, the Youth Development Center began as an after school tutoring/mentoring program for middle school youth. It continues to nurture youth through an important phase of life and moves ever nearer a goal of becoming a special school with Christian values.

The Lord has also blessed us to send out and join hands in the planting of other urban churches. One of our young couples led the way in planting and growing the Fortress Church in Fort Worth. One of our high school interns went back home to Abilene with a dream which evolved into planting the New Life Church. New Life celebrated its 10th birthday last Sunday. Another of our special young couples transferred to Oregon to be part of a church planting team that started the Portland Urban Ministry Project. Then we had the privilege of sending off one of our young ministers to plant a church in the Bronx, NYC. We have been given the privilege of being a resource for the planting of a number of other congregations in places like Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alabama. We have also been privileged to have a part in the starting of new ministries in Spanish in the Houston area and beyond.

Thanks be to God for all the blessings of these 20 years. May each of us freely offer ourselves to Him toward His plans for the future. -Ron Sellers

Upcoming Garage Sale!
Already donors are calling in to receive more information concerning the annual Garage Sale that benefits the ministries and basic operations of Impact for the year. Keep MARCH 24 & 25 marked on your calendars and come out to Traders Village to volunteer or do some shopping! You can support this effort by donating quality items that will draw shoppers, OR volunteer your time in preparing for the big day. Starting the Wednesday before the weekend's sale, we need your help in sorting and organizing items for the sale. If you would like to donate items and arrange for someone to pick them up or know where to drop them off, please contact Felton Benton at 832-729-5222. If you would like to volunteer in any way, please call the office at 713-864-5667. More than anything, keep the Impact Garage Sale in your prayers, and let's see what God does through this event and through what He wants to accomplish through Impact.

Merry Christmas!

Charity is more than giving things to poor people. Charity is love, and that is what was shown at Impact in December. Sure, arranging the gift-giving between needy families, and families that wanted to be helpful was a taxing effort for the go-between ministers, Impact members and various volunteers, but it was well worth it to connect households through charity. Did the needy families ASK for help? Maybe in some instances, but rarely. Did the giving families and churches HAVE to give anything to these families? Not in the least. But there is something inside of us that enjoys giving to others, and that desires to make a difference or extend blessings to others. That "something" was put there by God, and these opportunities to give have been made possible through the dreams, passions, and determinations of His servants at Impact and various other churches in the Houston area. We plan on continuing in allowing families to continue to exercise their charity, just as we continue to minister to families and individuals who are in great need. That desire comes from God, and continues through the prayer and support of the many people who want to be a part of expressing charity: the grace that was first shown to us which overwhelms us to pass along to others. Please keep praying for Impact and for what God can do through you and us together for Him.

p.s. Let the blogger wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. My family is here to serve through the charity of the Kingwood Church of Christ. Thank God for them, and thank God for all of you who keep the work and ministries at Impact going.
Dios te bendiga,
Steven Wells and Family

Suit Up and Show Up, and God Will Do the Rest

Some days you don’t want to get up. Some days you just don’t want to face what you know is coming. Some days you just don’t know what to expect. Some days are like all the others, while others bring the unexpected. But you wake up and the day is here.

How do you see that day? Are you wondering where your next meal will come from? Maybe you have a good idea where you might find work, but you can’t seem to find enough change for the bus to get across town where the opportunity awaits, (if it still is available). Maybe you know that you will get what you need today, but the people you will probably see are just waiting to give you grief. Will you make it through the day without being abused? These are a few of the contemplations common in the “Wards” of downtown Houston, as well as many other places all around us.

Speaking with my buddy Darrell, I am always reminded of the kind of day it is going to be. Today is the Lord’s day. What a blessing just to be able to get up and breathe! But I’m not just gonna sit here and be glad to be alive. If this day was given to me by my Creator and God, then I know He has work for me to do. There’s a purpose for this day. Whether it turns out to be so similar to many other days, or whether it contains an unexpected turn, it is my job to face it. I need to be prepared for whatever He brings my way. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

But what if what today brings some horrible event? What if I’m faced with something I don’t feel like I can do? It doesn’t matter. God brought it to you. Your job in the morning is to “suit up and show up.” Outside of that, what are YOU going to do today really? Wake up with praise on your lips, suit up with the full armor of God in your morning time with Him. Go out into the world ready to serve, knowing that the strength you need for EVERYTHING will be given to you as He apportions it. Just suit up and show up, and God will do the rest. That is something worth getting up to see. That is something worth getting up to do.

“Thank you Lord, for Impact”

In the Spirit of the Holidays, we would like to express our thanks to God for all of His provision and blessing, especially the blessing of IMPACT. Here are what some members wanted to express:

"I am thankful for the Impact people that go outta their way to help me and others even when they don't deserve it" - Ashely Cooks

More “Thank You” notes to God...

The first grade girls on Wednesday nights are thankful for God, their family, friends, the entire 1st grade girls class, and Miss Ashely & Miss Chevone.

I am thankful for being God ‘s servant and praying he allows me to continue to spread his word to his kingdom. I am thankful for family and friends. -Chevone McKinney

I am thankful for the lessons I am learning from the Impact children. Some are wise beyond their years, and some just want to have fun. With that combination, ministry at Impact is an adventure!
-Laurie Templeton

I'm thankful for how God always provides. That can sound a bit trite and over-used, but I am continually reminded that during the ups and downs of ministry and what feels like a constant high-wire act of balancing limited resources, God always provides (sometimes through people like you) just what we need to accomplish what He has called us to do. -Patrick Lemmons

"I am thankful that Impact is a praying church, they will
never leave you without calling on God." - Barbara Garcia

I am thankful to work for a church that makes families a priority. I am thankful to work with men and women who love God and Jesus and are not ashamed of them. I am thankful for my wife and son. -Wesley J Fikes

Se compuesto mi vida. Impact ha cambiado mi vida. Soy muy bendecida. Hay mucho que contarme aqui. Es un privilegio estar aquí. –Gloria Ponce

I am thankful to be part of a ministry that loves and serves physically and mentally challenged people.
I am thankful that Impact will be celebrating a twenty year anniversary in January 2007. I am thankful God has provided for Impact for 20 years by way of His wonderfully generous followers.
I am thankful underserved children have a place to learn about Jesus.
I am thankful that God loves people.
-Paul Woodward


“Over 20 years I think of all the people who are now waiting for the rest of us in Heaven. There are many who are now with the Lord, who came to faith through the outreach at Impact. There is quite a group from Ind. Hall: Vera Dement, Mary Foster, Ann Haley, Faye Miget, Ray, Bobby Kearns, Texas Dabney, Big John O'Laughlin, Ron Brown, and Sandra Luce.

Many of our "Outdoorsmen" lived a short time on the earth, but have eternity to enjoy the Lord. Some names that come to mind are: Dick, Danny, Cowboy, Ron, John, Bobby, Vladimir (Gary Polsgrove), and Jim Hatley. Several of them we helped unite with loved ones here. They will bless us with a grand reunion in the hereafter.” -Ron Sellers

Making an Impact in Cuba
Impact Members help send Minister to train Ministers.


With the help of Impact members and other friends, bilingual minister Steven Wells and local minister and professor at TGCBI, Armando Alaniz were recently sent to Cuba. Not the easiest trip to arrange, God made it possible for these two men to enter the country under a religious visa to present an educational seminar to 33 ministers from congregations scattered throughout the country. Experiencing a socialist society, striking differences made lasting impressions. Always punctual and very disciplined, the Cuban people look out for one another, which is a great quality, even if it is out of a deep rooted sense of duty to the state. The students took full advantage of their opportunities to learn about communication skills and teaching principles that they could take home and teach to their respective congregations. Every opportunity to gather is seized because they know that their religious liberties have limitations. They are free to spread their message of hope to a lost world, which is a freedom that is not taken lightly. Pray for the work in Cuba, as God has raised up passionate leaders, and dedicated churches who are grateful for what they are given and eager to make an Impact for Christ.

Bountiful Harvest Shows What CAN Happen


The Angleton Church of Christ congregation showed that nothing is impossible with God’s help. Last year, they collected enough cans to take care of the Impact Distribution Center’s need for the entire year. The day before the last can ran out, Angleton topped their efforts during their “Mission Possible” campaign where our own Les Rose was a featured speaker. The second night, Angleton made a special presentation of 10,445 cans of food for Impact’s food distribution. We expect this to meet another year’s needs for the homeless and needy families in our area.
Les Rose is thankful for the amazing outpouring of generosity by churches like Angleton and others that donate resources, time, financial help, and prayer support to fuel the ministries of Impact.

Fall Festival Fun

On October 28th, we loaded up two buses and six vans with 140 princesses, Spidermen, bunny rabbits, and cute little monsters. The Fall Festival at Memorial Church of Christ was an absolute frightening sucess! Many thanks go to Fall Festival Co-chairs Patrice McKinney, Connie McCaskell, and their hosts of volunteers. We love you and we cannot wait until next year's Fall Festival. -Laurie Templeton

Just Gotta Take Out the "I" Factor


“I’m just an Easter Lilly, Swaying to and Fro, Spreading Joy and Sunshine, Everywhere I go.”

Darrell Washington remembers this little poem he learned for a program from when he was 5 years old. After spending a lifetime of trying to find a lifestyle suited to his own desires, his roller coaster of experiences found him crashed at the bottom of existence.
Not until he stumbled across Impact’s outdoorsman program did Darrell really begin to find something to cling to: Jesus. It was His voice that helped him to, instead, “let go.”
That is what keeps him going. Utter dependence on God. He comes up to Impact all week long to cook and clean in the kitchen. Yes, he’s there to serve, but he claims that he has to be there because he can’t survive on his own. Still haunted by his former life, he wakes up daily thankful for another day, and uses the entire time trying to keep the focus on God, not himself. In fact, he uses that same message to minister to those around him, reminding them to take out the “I” factor and live for God’s purposes. He’s quick to remind you of his constant struggles, but his enthusiasm for prayer and redirecting attention to God speaks powerfully for the way God is working in his heart. Whether it’s a childhood poem or an answered prayer, Darrell gets the message that this life is about glorifying the Father, and he remembers his purpose: “spreading God’s joy and sunshine everywhere he goes.”
That’s what Darrell does for me, at least, every time I see him. I’d thank him, but he’d just say, “No. Thank God!” -Steven Wells

Taking Tulsa for Christ!
High School Mission Trip 2006 – Tulsa, OK
by Dennis Jaeger
“God has conquered the world, Tulsa should not be a problem.” These words, sent to us by Bill and Maureen Graham, echoed in the hearts and on the lips of our youth as we journeyed to Tulsa, OK in order to serve alongside Contact Church of Christ, Tulsa’s inner-city church. As we walked through the doors of Contact for the first time, our group of 40 was deemed an army - and our youth proved this calling true as they stormed Tulsa with the love of Christ.
Our teens conducted a VBS for 3 different government housing apartment complexes. Despite the 100+ degree heat, I have never seen a group more energized and share more love with children than this one. Many of our youth have grown up on the receiving end of youth groups from across the country coming here for their mission trip. It’s so exciting to see them step-up and be the mission group. Their “impact” on the Tulsa children was evident from the joyous smiles, laughter, hugs, and sad questions of “when are you coming back” that filled the air all week long. The lessons taught and the lessons learned will be eternal. God has conquered the world, and – thanks to Him – Tulsa was not a problem!

“And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.”
-Eph. 2:22 ERV

Somos El Pueblo de Dios
We are the People of God

Let me introduce you to part of our large FAMILIA. You know about the various programs, ministries and activities at Impact, but those are only areas of service done at or through this place. Impact, like any church, is a body of people who meet together to glorify God and build each other up in CRISTO. Within this body are members and friends from all walks of life, but due to our location and mission, our demographic is atypical. One very large portion of that demographic is a group that works and worships together in Spanish.
Though there are many Hispanic churches in the city, Impact is among the largest churches of Christ in Houston with 150-200 members. One of Impact's 6 elders, Dimas Velasqez is Hispanic. He currently is enrolled full time as a student at the Texas Gulf Coast Bible institute where they train men to minister to and plant churches in the Spanish-speaking population. Six of our young Hispanic members are taking night classes at the institute along with Alfredo who drives them down to Pasedena 3 nights a week. Growing churches through cell groups is part of TGCBI’s strategy, and although Impact is an existing church, Dimas is hoping to infuse what he is learning into the DNA of the church here. Steven Wells, the newest bilingual minister is excited about the process, having experienced its success in his church planting efforts in Mexico. He and his wife, Ami are about to begin classes to train members who want to dedicate themselves as small group facilitators. All three Spanish-speaking ministers have attended a class together at the institute; are meeting weekly in a small group of ministers; have developed a strategy; and are working with church members to educate them in the importance of ministering in small groups and celebrating together in the large assembly. Alejandro Arango, who has been ministering with this church since close to its beginning, is offering a class to new Christians on basic principles of the Christian walk. Late September (this weekend), the Hispanic women will be having a retreat to encourage and strengthen their participation and passions in the body.
The Hispanic family at Impact is good at checking on one another and helping meet each others' needs. Weekly, several women volunteer at the Distribution Center. (More than 90% of the families served at the Distibution Center are Hispanic, and many of our members are a result of the contacts made there.) The Tuesday night activities are primarily for the Hispanic families. Other English-speaking Impact members dedicate time to teach children classes allowing adults to concentrate on classes and connecting with other adults. All the activities that are done are with the hopes of glorifying God by being a body that cares for one another and shares the message of hope in Christ to the world.
The Hispanic part of the congregation works towards a unified direction with the English speaking portion. There may be a barrier with the language, and it can be frustrating to not be able to communicate everything that needs to be said, but there is a growing desire to be a body that can overcome. The barrier may dictate a separation in worship, class times, and some areas of service but the body could not function with out ALL members. That is a lesson that needs to echo in our ears. Even with our different gifts, backgrounds, struggles, functions and limitations, we are all nonetheless important in the kingdom of God. May we also echo our thanks for your part in what God does here through Impact through your prayers, contributions, and support. That is what makes a great family, and like the song that we like to sing in our Spanish worship, “Somos el pueblo de Dios.” We are God’s people doing our best to serve our Lord and share God’s truth and His love with the world.



The last Family Night brought a large crowd of new faces. Most of our regular attending families came to enjoy the fun, food and fellowship, but we were surprised by an unexpected number of visitors. (We actually had to go out to get more hotdogs!) One visiting father was so touched by the activities that he felt compelled to give a testimony, encouraging the other families to embrace the importance Impact is placing on family participation.

Making it Her Own

The present head of the Distribution Center, Barbara Mantooth, is settling into her new position. She began her training in May working under the tutelage of Darlene Cervas ( pictured below)who had been at the helm for 17 years. Passing the torch to the eager new administrator was a little difficult for Darlene having cared for and nurtured the program almost since its inception. To many, the Distribution Center was synonymous with “Darlene,” so thinking of the place without her was hard for many to imagine. However, Barbara already is making the office her own, she goes out and talks to the folks in line, she patiently tries to communicate, she provides a soothing demeanor for nervous first-timers, she but she also has learned to put her foot down when necessary. She holds her ground as she makes the weekly orders from the food bank, she wisely sticks to the standards set before her, and she helps people understand the procedures that must be followed to serve everyone best. Somehow, Barbara manages to “lay down the law” while still being genial and communicating great compassion.

The distribution center still serves food to families on Tuesdays, items for the homeless on Wednesdays, clothing for households on Thursdays, and the different ministers take the opportunity to study and pray with all who come through. Every day is begun with prayer and prayer sustains the work throughout each day. God has answered our prayers by sending Barbara here, and continues to answer prayers through the ministry she is shepherding.

Rest for the Weary

“Just a simple room, three rows of tables, a T.V., a microwave and “The Word”. From 35 to 60 people every Monday and Wednesday they come from all walks of life. From every area of town—for rest….

Rest from the elements, rest from all the cares of life, rest from emotional and mental scars. Now I know when you look at this room, that physically all you can see is a simple room. But I believe it’s more. I believe these men and women are not just coming to a room. But I believe they are coming to the hands of our loving Lord. It was him who extended the invitation: “Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

I believe they are not coming to a room, but to rest. That’s what we want to be about at Impact. We want to be the Lord’s church where there is rest for weary souls!” -Les Rose

Having come in away from the sun, an “outdoorsman” (what we call those who live on the streets) finds refuge, repose and the refreshment of the Word of Life inside an Impact building. Services offered to those who live on the street include meals, Bible studies, counseling, showers, laundry, clothing, food supplies, and lists of other services in the Houston area. The aim is to make a difference in a life today, and change a heart for Christ.

An Impact Member, who is heroically struggling with cancer right now, was recently mentioned in the Christian Chronicle. Here is what was published:

Barbara Garcia, who is battling cancer, receives encouragement from Jean Salas, a cancer survivor, after services Sunday, Sept. 4, at the Impact Houston church. Charlie Middlebrook, an Impact Houston elder and minister whose wife, Mollie, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, said a special prayer for Garcia during the service. “I just want to thank everybody who’s been helping me because I could not make it without the church,” Garcia told the congregation. (Photo by Bobby Ross Jr.)

The past two weeks have been saturated with hospital visits and prayers for health and recovery. Two weeks ago is when we first learned about Mollie. That's hard-hitting enough, for all who know her and Charlie. Yet, God is shining through the way He is showing His strength in her. Around the same time, we learned about Mayra Cuenca, the 14-yr.-old daughter of Onesima, a long time member and current custodial staff member. Mayra was taken to a clinic for a high fever, was rushed to the nearest hospital due to an unusually low blood count, eventually fell to seizures 4 days later needing to be resuscitated twice, and eventually regained consciousness a day or two after. Now, two weeks later she is beginning to move the right side of her body and say a few words. One day she was participating in my Sunday night cell group, and the next day she was in the hospital. Thankfully, things are on a slow but steady upswing, and the once devastated mother is now a pillar of strength, peace, and thankfulness. She, like Mollie Middlebrook and Barbara Garcia, are testimonies to the power of prayer. Onesima is amazed at the support, love, and prayers that have been poured out to her family and just wants to say "Gracias y Thank you."

The Impact family has been rocked by these events, as if their world wasn't teetering enough as it is. Men have been made physically weak with concern. Men, like Darrell Washington, who depends on God's strength and any opportunity to serve up at the building to get him through each day, hang onto every word of news to best know how to pray. Maria Saldana, whose newborn boy is still trying to breath on his own, is redirecting concern to Mayra. Many others are waiting by the phone to take food to family, clean the church building, pay hospital parking expenses, and fervently pray and encourage. People who are struggling with family issues, facing financial horrors, looking desperately for work, fighting the addictions that have destroyed their lives, and then the others who only thought their minor headaches were too difficult to figure out or handle, all came together in different ways and in different times and in different groups to let Barbara, Mollie, Mayra and Onesima know that their hurts and concerns were important to them too. Last week a church shared its struggles. This week a church will share its struggles. Every week the church is to share its struggles, because God wants us all to know that we are not alone. God wants us to know that the ability to "make it" is not on our own, but together, and in Him. Like a prayer partner of mine likes to say, "It’s not about what I can do. Its all about what You can do, Lord." Our weak and feeble prayers, may not seem like much, and really shouldn't, but the power is in He who is listening, and answers.

It is amazing to see people who are hit by hard news and hard times. We want to help, and should do what we can. Prayer however is not just for the desperate. It is for the hopeful. Our hope comes out in praise, but it can also come out in tears. The women that have been mentioned each have been hurt and challenged, but have kept faithful. They are a testimony to the power of God in our lives. The church can and is called to be a great testimony to the power of God in our lives. Keep praying in strength and in weakness, and let God continue to shine through what He wants to bring.