As you can imagine, there is so much that we have to accomplish before we leave for the mission field. We have informed our places of employment that we will be leaving as of January, 2009. They have wished us well and let us know how much we will be missed. During this time of transition we have discovered that the LORD is intricately designing what our "leaving" is going to look like. So, we are cleaving to Him and to one another more. We are fellowshipping with people we are meeting for the first time, the LORD has laid us on their hearts with special assignments concerning their partnership in God's mission to Mali and Senegal. We have financial goals to meet for support, and the awesome task of taking inventory of what we have to pack. Hopefully we will find some things that we need on the field.
Medical and dental records, inoculations (yes, shots!), house issues, contact with family and friends are all on our agenda (HELP!). Our church family is a blessing and we are saying our good byes a little at a time. We are passing the baton of several ministries onto our successors and have reassured them that the LORD will be with them. We have prayed that the LORD will fill the void that we will leave, and we have shed some tears. However, it is all good! God is glorified and we are excited about what He is going in us, through us and for us. Keep us in your prayers.
Pete & Deb-
"Leaving Well"
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough!
Do you need God to make a way out of no way? The swiftness and surety of your deliverance starts with how you respond to hard times and difficult situations. Hear me when I say that it is not just enough to thank God and honor Him only when you've received a blessing. God wants you to show the extent of your faithfulness and trust in Him even in the midst of going through a challenge. The power of your praise will determine the magnitude of your breakthrough.
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired. Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what. Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out. The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing. The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God.When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined.
Written by Stacey Johnson 10/2/08
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired. Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what. Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out. The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing. The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God.When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined.
Written by Stacey Johnson 10/2/08
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The LORD is GOOD
In the past couple of weeks Pete and I have experienced the move of God as He moves us from faith to faith. It is true that when a person trusts God, He is able to do more than we can imagine. Our prayer is to be pleasing in the sight of God. We are encouraged by the expressions of love from those we fellowship with and our family and friends. Please continue to pray that we keep in step with the LORD as He leads and guides us by his spirit.
Blessings,
Pete and Deb-
Blessings,
Pete and Deb-
Friday, October 10, 2008
In Preparation
As you can only imagine, we have so much to do in preparation for the mission field (Mali and Senegal West Africa). We are totally dependent on God! There is no way we could get from point "A" to point "B" without the leading of the Holy Spirit. But, faithful is He who began a good work in us and will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). We are partners with Christ to fulfill the will of God, that everyone would have the opportunity to know Jesus as LORD and Savior. So we are allowing God to "fix us" for this great event. We realize that everything we have experienced in our lives was in preparation for this time. God is AWESOME. So, take heed, know that today is God's preparation for the rest of your life and nothing is lost. He will use every gift, talent, issue and circumstance for His Glory and His will for your life. More than you can imagine, according to the Spirit that abides in you. We are encouraged and we expect great things as we follow Christ!
Blessings,
Pete and Debra-
Blessings,
Pete and Debra-
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The McClurkins in West Africa
Dear Friends,
We greet you in the name of the LORD and want to share some exciting news with you! Since 1994, we have worked as short-term missionaries coordinating and training work teams for numerous short-term mission trips to Kenya, East Africa. Our work included relief development projects (clean water, building and agriculture) in remote villages, assisting medical clinics, HIV/AIDS Prevention/Education seminars, recreational activities and evangelism/Bible study for hundreds of orphans and homeless individuals in Nairobi.
Now the LORD has called us to long-term foreign missions to Mali and Senegal, West Africa and we have committed to serve a minimum of three (3) years. Yes, this will mean leaving our home, family, friends, church and jobs. However, God has touched our hearts with the needs of the “least reached” people of West Africa. Over 90% of the population of Mali (one of the poorest countries in the world) and Senegal are non-Christian. As Guesthouse Managers, we will minister to the missionaries who are on the front line and evangelism outreach while acquiring language skills in Bamako, Mali.
Our primary destination is Senegal where we will work managing a campsite, which is a worship center and an evangelistic tool where youth and adults can come and enjoy the LORD. We anticipate serving in children and adult evangelism, teaching, ministry development and church planting as we develop relationships with the people we serve. All of which you are a part of. We know from a life of mission work that we do not go alone. God has given us partners, fellow believers and a family. That is YOU! We need your prayer and financial support to help us fulfill Jesus’ commission to “go and make disciples” in Matthews 28:19-20. We understand that not everyone can “GO,” but anyone can help! We will need $3,150 per month to live and minister in West Africa. We want to thank you in advance for your partnership as we GO.
“If you feel called to financially partner with us, you may send checks payable to WorldVenture, writing our name and the account number on an attached note – not on the check memo line. (i.e. McClurkin / #6154-970) We are enclosing a donation/commitment form and blue envelope if you would like to donate by check.
You can also give donations or commitments online (http://www.worldventure.com/). For donations click on GIVE. Click on DONATE. Scroll down to our name in the missionary directory, enter the monetary amount, and click on ADD. You would then scroll down further and follow the prompts. For commitments click on MAKE A COMMITMENT, scroll down to our name in the directory, enter the monetary amount, and click on ADD. You would then scroll down and follow the prompts.
Love and Peace,
We greet you in the name of the LORD and want to share some exciting news with you! Since 1994, we have worked as short-term missionaries coordinating and training work teams for numerous short-term mission trips to Kenya, East Africa. Our work included relief development projects (clean water, building and agriculture) in remote villages, assisting medical clinics, HIV/AIDS Prevention/Education seminars, recreational activities and evangelism/Bible study for hundreds of orphans and homeless individuals in Nairobi.
Now the LORD has called us to long-term foreign missions to Mali and Senegal, West Africa and we have committed to serve a minimum of three (3) years. Yes, this will mean leaving our home, family, friends, church and jobs. However, God has touched our hearts with the needs of the “least reached” people of West Africa. Over 90% of the population of Mali (one of the poorest countries in the world) and Senegal are non-Christian. As Guesthouse Managers, we will minister to the missionaries who are on the front line and evangelism outreach while acquiring language skills in Bamako, Mali.
Our primary destination is Senegal where we will work managing a campsite, which is a worship center and an evangelistic tool where youth and adults can come and enjoy the LORD. We anticipate serving in children and adult evangelism, teaching, ministry development and church planting as we develop relationships with the people we serve. All of which you are a part of. We know from a life of mission work that we do not go alone. God has given us partners, fellow believers and a family. That is YOU! We need your prayer and financial support to help us fulfill Jesus’ commission to “go and make disciples” in Matthews 28:19-20. We understand that not everyone can “GO,” but anyone can help! We will need $3,150 per month to live and minister in West Africa. We want to thank you in advance for your partnership as we GO.
“If you feel called to financially partner with us, you may send checks payable to WorldVenture, writing our name and the account number on an attached note – not on the check memo line. (i.e. McClurkin / #6154-970) We are enclosing a donation/commitment form and blue envelope if you would like to donate by check.
You can also give donations or commitments online (http://www.worldventure.com/). For donations click on GIVE. Click on DONATE. Scroll down to our name in the missionary directory, enter the monetary amount, and click on ADD. You would then scroll down further and follow the prompts. For commitments click on MAKE A COMMITMENT, scroll down to our name in the directory, enter the monetary amount, and click on ADD. You would then scroll down and follow the prompts.
Love and Peace,
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