Raising Indigenous Missionaries

"And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews... to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law... I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:20-22

Indigenous Missionaries are individuals who originate in a particular region or country and who boldly share the Gospel of Jesus. Since our children are natural citizens of America, and since the ones who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior have been commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News of the salvation that He freely gives, they are perfectly placed to live out the role of an Indigenous missionary.

We can probably all agree that being a native missionary is a commendable goal for our children, though they may also be called to be a foreign missionary as adults. So, what about the training process? Must we wait until they are a certain age? Should they plan on attending Bible college before actively learning how to practically share their faith? What should our focus be in these formidable years?

First, WHO did Jesus command to go?

The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

In that passage there is something deeper to think over: "Therefore go" is not the best translation. An expanded translation that better reflects the Greek text is:

"As you go through life, wherever you may have been born, wherever God may take you, as a habitual practice of life, make disciples . . ." (Matt. 28:19).

So, while there is a need to go to the ends of the earth and preach the Good News, there is a commission given to EACH believer that tells us to make disciples HABITUALLY, AS we go through life!

Secondly, HOW can this be accomplished?

Where has God called me (Lisa) to go in life? He has called me to be a wife and a mother. Since Mark is my spiritual leader, I am not called to make a disciple of him. But Mark and I have been called, as our children’s parents, to make disciples of them and to train them in the way of Jesus at ALL times (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The first way our family accomplishes this is through homeschooling!

Another one of the many ways we are training our “little disciples” is to allow them to participate in our ministry – our family’s ministry - to those at abortion clinics. We minister to them where they are and we share with them the Good News and Hope that only Jesus can bring! Many times we get to minister to these men and women, both on a short-term and long-term basis. So in essence, we go about this particular ministry, making disciples by reaching souls outside of abortion clinics. (for more info: check the Pro-Life and Family Ministry categories)



When you train up disciples you have to equip them with the tools they need to share and defend their faith! We train them “as they go”, teaching them through the many opportunities that present themselves in real life, and preparing them before hand through doctrinal overview (discussing why we believe what we believe) and through evangelism training. I highly recommend evangelism training through Ray Comfort’s ministry, Living Waters. Their resources are great! Another good one, for learning about solid scientific defenses for our faith is through Ken Ham’s ministry, Answers In Genesis. Through nightly family worship, we study the Scriptures and hide the Word in our hearts!

What are YOU doing?

So where have you been called to serve? How can you and will you purposefully share your own faith, as well as train your children up to know and experience sharing their faith as children, teens and young adults?

Cities4Life Dinner with Alex Kendrick!

Cities4Life is another project that Mark and Lisa have been working on all year with other visionary leaders of the pro-LIFE community here in Charlotte. We are thrilled to be able to debut the website this month, as well as host the Cities4Life annual dinner, with guest speaker Alex Kendrick of the hit Christian movie, “Courageous”.

Cities4Life is not simply an event or a ministry; it is a culture. Cities4Life seeks to transform the culture of death brought about by abortion to a culture of LIFE in our cities as we work to mobilize the Body of Christ to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. This is accomplished by uniting and supporting grassroots, Gospel-centered ministries, families, and individuals dedicated to proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ and providing tangible support to abortion-minded mothers at local abortion centers.

We are very excited to see how God will be able to use this ministry to save more lives and souls for His Glory! See Alex Kendrick's message below about Cities4Life!

Pennies from Heaven: What is a Penny Worth To You?

A single penny has very little worth. It is small, typically drab in color and when used by itself, can buy virtually nothing! Because they are not seen as valuable, pennies are stored in jars, lost in cars and even tossed to the ground, without any thought.

It is estimated that average American household has $93.75 worth of pennies stashed in jars, empty containers, lost behind sofa cushions, and hidden in old purses.In many ways people today view unborn human life the same way – worthless and without value.

With nearly 3700 abortions performed daily in the US, these human lives are just “tossed to ground” like a worthless penny. On January 22, 1973 a landmark decision was made by the Supreme Court of the United States.

The trial Roe v. Wade ended with a decision to legalize abortion – giving an open door for all women to legally get rid of what they deemed worthless…their baby. Sadly, January 22, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of this legislation. It is estimated that over the course of those 40 years, 57 million babies will have lost their lives. A number so large is often times unfathomable and when it is applied to human life, it becomes unconscionable!

What is a penny worth to you? Would you be willing to give something so small to be a part of something big?

A group of dedicated individuals are working together to collect 57 million pennies, one for each life lost due to the Roe v. Wade decision. The target date to reach this goal is the 40th anniversary of this legislation, January 22, 2013.

Collection of these pennies will serve two purposes:

1) To create a visual memorial showing the magnitude of lives lost due to this legislation

2) To purchase life saving booklets that will be donated to crisis pregnancy centers, sidewalk counselors and other pro-life organizations that work directly with abortion minded women

Do you see value in a penny? Every time you see one, would you think of baby who was never given the opportunity to take a first breath, who never felt the warmth of sunshine and never experienced the hugs and kisses of a mommy who loved him. Instead of tossing the penny in a jar or on the ground, would you save it and send it to us?

Pennies can be sent to: PO Box 5742Cocord, NC 28027

If they are too heavy to ship and you want to just send us a dollar or more, we will change them back to pennies when received.

To learn more about the Pennies From Heaven project, you can send us an email . Please also like our Facebook page to receive updates. Or you can visit our website at Tiny Hands Book (project information on the website will be available by the end of November).

Serving the Homeless

Yesterday we took a field trip with our homeschool group to Bright Blessings, which is a volunteer-led non-profit organization that brings joy and support to homeless children. Their programs bring positive emotional experiences to homeless children and their families by lifting spirits, boosting confidence, broadening horizons and supporting critical needs.

The children were able to assemble birthday boxes and make wrapping paper for the books. We also had a news crew present to do a story on Bright Blessings. They told us that it will be a while before it airs and will let us know when it does. The kids were really oblivious, though, to all the camera attention because there were so many activities with which to help!

It was a wonderful experience and we'd LOVE to go back again soon. Perhaps we will lead a community service project with our 4H group to Bright Blessings.

And now, we wait...

Our family is super excited about the upcoming arrival a precious baby boy who was saved from abortion back in April! He is due on October 15th, but could really arrive any day, as his mama has been in and out of labor (and in and out of the hospital because of that) for a few weeks now.

Truth and Mercy Ministries provided everything we needed for the baby shower for this little guy and his mama! Annalise's ministry, Helping Hands Saving Lives, also helped to collect the items needed for this special shower! Every shower is special, but this one is extra near and dear to our hearts, because this mom has kept in close contact with our family...dubbing me her "second mother".

It's been an amazing experience to counsel this girl away from abortion and toward LIFE; to host her in our home; to minister to her from afar (she's 3 1/2 hours away) and to be awaiting this precious little boy's arrival alongside her! Now, we wait on his arrival to take her ALL these items!

By the way...below is the photo of her baby shower items. This is only 9 months worth of clothing and supplies! Truth and Mercy usually provides 2 years worth of clothing, furniture and supplies, but there were space limitiations with this mama, so she requested less than 2 years. Amazing provisions! Praise Jesus for this mama and baby! And now, we wait....

Our family's work continues outside area abortion mills. We have seen SO MANY babies saved and moms change their minds about life! We've even had one salvation with a mom who chose life back in August! Praise Jesus!

(Below) Our good friend and her daughters came out to the abortion mill to work alongside us again! We love them...and are especially fond of Leanne's book that came out in April and was actually the tool that helped to turn the above-mentioned mama away from aborting her son! Leanne is the sister of fellow sidewalk counselor, Jeannette, and the author of Tiny Hands! She has a beautiful testimony of how God has changed her life and has healed her from her post-abortion trauma. If you haven't checked out Tiny Hands, please do! It's THE MOST effective sidewalk counseling tool we have ever come across! The photos are BEAUTIFUL!

Below is a photo of sidewalk counselors (myself included) praying with a mom who chose life for a baby she was carrying from an adulterous relationship. She chose to let her child continue living, instead of covering one sin with another. What a courageous decision! She left with a HUGE smile on her face, despite the fac that she was going home to break the news to her husband about this pregnancy. Please pray for "J" to continue to seek the Lord during this pregnancy!

Sharing Your Faith - In a nutshell

Do you want to share your faith, but have no starting point in which to do so? Below is a simple, straightforward approach to sharing the Hope that you have, laid out in 1 concise video.

Wonder why I believe the things I do and speak out in the ways that I do? Are you interested in why I'm so "fanatical" about the things of God? This video sums it all up!

If the video below doesn't play, go HERE!

Equip Your Children and Do It Anyway...

"[Our children have] learned to go on the offensive; to confront
evil; not to entertain it [evil], but to defeat it...We have got to provide outlets to serve the Lord and have impact in our nation." Rusty Thomas

The video below shows why we home educate and this is why we take our children out to these places of sin and destruction! We INCLUDE our children in the family vision! We do not separate the family-world and the ministry-world. Instead our children observe - for themselves, firsthand - the difference between good and evil; right and wrong; life and death! We must teach our children that all in life must be discerned as to whether or not something is right and good in the eyes of the Lord, and not what is acceptable and "normal" in the eyes of the world.

Equip your children! Do not TELL your children only what NOT to do, but train them up in righteousness and SHOW them what TO do!

Are you scared to step out like this and "come out from among them" [2 Corinthians 6:17]? DO IT ANYWAY! God will enable you and equip you, but FIRST you must step out in faith! Enjoy this great message from Rusty....

Action August! Will you?

"Action August"

Sometimes all it takes is being asked…will you carve out two dates in August to come out to an abortion mill in Charlotte? Ever thought about it? Gone before, but it’s been a while? Nervous? Thinking ‘no way!’? Prayerfully consider picking 2 Friday or Saturday mornings and say “I’m going to do it!” Your presence makes a difference. It really does. Feel free to contact me with ANY questions or concerns. Send me some days and times you are available and then put it on your calendar. You won’t regret it!

Testimonies from women who chose LIFE!

"Hi! I saw you 3 days ago. I was going to give my baby up and I’m happy I didn’t do it. I want you and the people that you were with to know that it meant the whole world to me to know that you all care about me, not even knowing me. Thanks! I hope to hear from you soon. Any time you want [to call], because [if it weren’t] for you I would have done a really bad thing.” – Jennifer (pictured above)


"No words can tell you how I feel [to have] a person to drive all this way (40 minutes) to bring a stranger food. You are truly an angel." – Anna (a mother who chose life for her baby, but needed food for her other children)

“I just wanted to say again, God Bless you all and thanks for all you are doing to help me and my family.” – Samantha (a mother who received additional help after her choice to choose life for her child)

"I was very scared to come [to the abortion clinic]. I didn't know what God was going to do to get me out of this situation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." – Rochelle (changed her mind and chose life for her 17 week old baby)

Above is the ultrasound of a baby BOY that is due to be born this fall! His mother thanked us time and again for being there the day she went into an abortion clinic to obtain an abortion. She also has thanked us for being "like family" to her throughout the pregnancy. We cannot wait to hold, hug and love on this precious little baby! It has been an honor to serve his mama the last few months, as God knit her heart to his!

Our family is blessed to hear testimonies like this that are given from women who felt as if they had no other choice than to exercise their right to abort their own baby. How awesome is our Creator God that He saw fit to allow us to hear just a fraction of those testimonies! We are nothing less than blessed to have met and come alongside these and many, many other women who just needed open arms to run to, a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen and a helping hand! JOY is the word that comes to mind when I think of each mother we've been able to assist! Praise JESUS for the work He's done in Charlotte so far!!!

Helping a "save" in need...

"N" is a sweet woman, who was a "save" (a mom who chose LIFE, instead of abortion for her baby) from our primary abortion mill where we minister. Not long after she chose life for her 3 month old baby, she called Chrissie (the sidewalk counselor who first talked her out of the abortion) and said that she desperately needed food for her, her fiance and two children for the next 2-3 weeks until they moved to a new town. Chrissie, being out ministering at the abortion mill 5 days every week, asked if we could find help for "N". Of course, I jumped on that aspect of our pro-life ministry without hesitation!

As soon as I got off the phone with Chrissie, I started searching for food ministries. Well, they are really mostly overloaded, SOOOOO....I turned to all my Facebook friends for help. We got SUCH a response! In less than 3 hours, we had enough money to support this family with food for 3 weeks! Amazing how the Church, even when separate by many miles, can come together to help those in need and to show them how JESUS would have us all to work together!

Last night Mark and I went to a big sale at a discount food store. I was able to get even more than I thought I could get on my budget of the funds that were raised! And this morning, the children (pictured above with our supplies) and I headed over to deliver the food to "N"!

"N" and her family were SO SWEET and very much in need. "N", her relatives and fiance were all very grateful. I also got to meet her daughter, "M". Little "M" is 3 and her brother is 6. "M" would just look at me and say “thank you” over and over with a sweet look on her face! Precious!

At one point during our visit, "N" was showing me what little food she had. Without hesitation, she offered me some of what little she had. In her fridge she had three big bags of uncooked Wendy’s french fries that the local Wndy's had given her after she told them they desperately needed food. When she showed these bags to me she said, “Would you like a bag of them?” Like I said, she is so sweet!

Shortly after I left, Chrissie (the sidewalk counselor) called and told me that she had heard from "N", who said how grateful she was for connecting all of us so that they could receive all the food. As soon as I hung up with Chrissie I got a text from "N" that said, "No words can tell you how I feel for a person to drive all this way (40 minutes) to bring a stranger food. You are truly an angel."

Please pray that we can find a church to the new town where they are moving! We also need a woman/family that would take "N" and her family under their wings in this new church. We are not certain that "N" is a Believer, so please pray on that, as well!

Thank you to ALL who gave to this precious lady and her family who were very much in need! You have shown her JESUS!

First Family Ministry to Hebron Abortion Clinic...

This was our first time ministering as a family at this other abortion mill in Charlotte. TWO babies were saved today from this mill and FOUR from our "regular" mill on Friday! Right now there are very few Christians out at this mill during the week. We are praying about switching to doing our main ministry at this mill.
All our children are learning to speak on the mic and proclaim the Truth to the moms entering the abortion clinic. Above, Ellie (3) is speaking to the moms with her sweet little voice. She tells the mothers how their babies love them! To hear a sweet child's voice can really speak to a woman's heart.
Judah (2 1/2) sings Jesus Loves Me and tells the moms that their babies are precious!

Kaitlyn sings and speaks boldly and gently to the mothers. She tells of when she was able to hold the baby I miscarried at 16 weeks along. She tells of how perfectly formed he was at that young age, and of how the EMT's and nurses in the ER were surprised at just how perfectly formed he was at just 16 weeks! From the mouths of babes....

Above and below you can see a camera watching us on the sound system. Mothers with their young children are apparently a cause for concern. :) Seeing as though we only offer love and support...food, baby showers, free prenatal care and delivery, housing, etc....I can understand their cause for concern. They risk losing business in light of our offers of long term help and support.

Above Julia (5) and Ellie (3) hold signs to show the moms as they enter the mill.
Jake (almost 7) shows the horrors of abortion to cars coming in. As sad as these photos are, they make many aware of just what will happen to their son/daughter before it is too late. After seeing abortions occur before my eyes, these are sadly the TRUTH of what abortion does to babies. This is why we are there. This is why we are teaching our children what we believe and WHY we believe it.

Trey (9) with Joshua W. (9) showing the truth.

Theresa (13), Kaitlyn (11 1/2) and Annalise (19) sidewalk counseling at the entrance to the clinic. Smiling faces help to speak the truth in love to these moms!

Ethan (10) shows the truth to moms and support people. These signs have been used time and again to save lives. Most all women are stunned to see what will happen to babies who are so small. Doctored photos? No. I wish. Sadly, this is what happens to countless unborn babies every day here in our country and around the world.

Would you like to know what our children feel, think and believe about this issue and our family's ministry out at the abortion clinics? Ask away. They will all be glad to answer your questions and concerns.

Over 1,000 Babies GIVEN LIFE Because of Christians in Charlotte!

Praise the Lord! Since October 2008 over 1,000 precious babies (that we KNOW of) now live because faithful Christians stood outside of an abortion mill and proclaimed the truth of Jesus! Over 1,000 moms have chosen to let life CONTINUE in their wombs, and have steered clear of choosing death for their children. Read more about it at the ministry site, Helping Hands Saving Lives, that my daughter, Annalise operates...HERE!