In my last letter to you titled CROSShairs & CROSSroads, I outlined some exciting ministry that is happening and also shared some unique financial challenges that are before us. Cindy and I want to thank you for the positive response from so many who offered to pray for us and for those who were able to help us financially. I have often shared how lonely it can be when you are involved in a ministry like ours but it is so special for us to know that so many of you truly believe in what God is doing through our efforts.
As I write to you today Cindy and I are in Temecula, California spending time with our daughter, Kim and her family. There have been a number of meetings and speaking opportunities here and we plan to travel back home around the 6th of October. While here I have had a couple of strategic meetings with local pastors and traveled up to Tehachapi for a city-wide men’s gathering and breakfast meeting with their local men’s ministry leadership team.
They had their biggest gathering ever for this recurring Tuesday night meeting—over 100 men from age 13 to 80. I shared my story and closed with a challenge for them to truly become The Man God Intended. In closing I asked men who had never acknowledged Jesus as their Lord and Savior to do so. There were 14 men who gave their hearts to our Lord.
In closing I asked men who had never acknowledged Jesus as their Lord and Savior to do so. There were 14 men who gave their hearts to our Lord.
On my way back to Temecula I also had the opportunity to meet with our dear friend and former pastor, Danny Carroll, from Water Of Life church. It was wonderful to see the great things God is doing there as they are nearing completion of their new sanctuary. We are also very blessed to hear about the feedback we are getting from their men as they began using our new curriculum series a couple of months ago.
My Grandson Parker had asked me to speak to his high school youth group which took place on the evening of my return. There were about 20 kids in attendance at a neighbor’s back yard. After they had a time of worship and some Bible reading I talked with them about what the Lord has been doing in my life lately drawing me to spend extended quality time with Him early in the morning. I keyed on the importance in their lives of spending private alone time with Him. I also shared on the subject of understanding our motives in our relationships—are we ministering or manipulating? They were very attentive and actually gave me an ovation at the end. Being with these young people eager for Jesus was so encouraging.
Before I left I gave them a final challenge to become the generation that will be known for bridge-building. I encouraged them to not fall into the trap and lie that would have them isolate themselves from older generations and to work hard to understand, appreciate and learn from those that have gone before them. We are desperate for this in our nation today.
Before I left I gave them a final challenge to become the generation that will be known for bridge-building
October/November is really shaping up for us with four key events. First, I have a men’s retreat near the Monument area for Ridgeline Community Church in Castle Rock, Colorado. Then I am headed for Eureka, California for a men’s event and Sunday services. A soon as I return I will be attending the National Coalition for Ministry to Men (NCMM) conference in Denver. Literally the closing day of that event Cindy and I travel to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to be main speakers for the NAME Canada national marrieds’ conference. This will be our third invitation to speak at this wonderful conference hosted by our dear friends, Jack and Simone Winnicky.
On another front, Pat McGuire, our video producer, is working hard at getting more airtime for our TV programs and we are getting a lot more traction with churches and denominations who are interested in adopting our curriculum. I had a very encouraging phone meeting with the general superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) the other day and he agreed to feature our materials to all of his district leaders at their annual conference in November. This is very important for us as we have had such a close relationship with this denomination going back some 15 plus years.
Finally, more good news out of Canada as an old friend and associate from years ago, Brian Pipe, has volunteered to work for us to further our expansion throughout Canada. Brian was a former Canadian board member for us and also worked with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and PK Canada to bring us up there for pastor conferences ahead of local Promise Keeper events in the past. Please pray that God really blesses Brian’s efforts as he partners with our Canadian board member, Casey Moroschan, in advancing our efforts there.
Cindy and I want you to know that we love and appreciate all you do for our ministry.
Helping men become Fully Alive—the man God intended,
Vince D'Acchioli