REACHING THE HOPELESS AT GAINESVILLE HOPE CONNECTION
Phil Larson is not trying to reach transfer members to Hope Connection Church in Gainesville, Texas. He looks for the down-and-out, people who have given up on the future. Phil takes them in – the local judge and district attorney send most of them to him. Phil teaches them about life and living, and some of them open their hearts to faith in the transforming power of Jesus Christ, the great life changer. – Pastor Frank
By: Pastor Phil Larson
Each of these people has a different story that includes prison, drugs, lost family, and coming to Christ. Riley, Wally, Aaron, Danny, Allie, Jessica, Jennifer, Vallerie, Michael, Janelle. Tim, Ricky, Krsity, Cathy, Danny, Matt, Veronica, Allan, Efe, Jorge are becoming disciples; they are not merely church goers.
Yes, they attend. But that is only one aspect of their life in Christ. Daily prayer and study, witnessing, and life change is what holds them together.
The attached picture is a photo at day’s end last Monday.
Thank you for supporting them and many more. These disciples are finishing an hour of study and prayer, and another hour of prayer walking a neighborhood, before they prayerfully go door to door this fall.
One-on-one sessions consume my life. Some across the glass at the county jail, some in my office, or the café, or at a restaurant, or on the streets, or a Google hangout, or a front yard. Last week I met with one person at Oklahoma City in the shooting gallery in his front yard. Yesterday, I prayed with a man and his family over his speaker phone as they met in Kilgore, Texas, for a funeral.
We start each day with my digital Morning Moment on Facebook. The gospel must go where it will be heard. It should be personal.
Every morning is a decision.
Our campus is a wreck from a local storm a few weeks ago with high winds. Every building and room is impacted. It will take months and miracles to get back in full operation; yet we will not stop. We will move from room to room as reconstruction disrupts us. We will pray for miracles to pay what insurance does not cover.
Another fifty new people start in workshops this week, sent by the local judge and district attorney. Some of them will become disciples. Our nets are cast. Adults, teens, and caregivers are coming. Our team of fishermen is growing and increasing in devotion.
You make it happen. Thank you.
Each of these came to us angry, hurt, and hopeless. Now they have the hope of glory in Christ.
You can see the change in their eyes; their lives look happier.
I’m a very grateful pastor watching the Holy Spirit at work.
