New board of directors

Martha and I are very excited about Love In Action's new board of directors. We prayed for most of this year about who to ask to serve on the board and God has assembled a great team.

Our new board members are: Susie Tuck, Mike Shroades, Justin Swasey, Brian Turner and Dwight Deal. All of them have a great heart for the homeless and poor, and they all have the same vision that God has given us for Love In Action.

Susie is my mom. She's been active with Love In Action from the beginning. She has done a tremendous amount of work for us over the years, including helping with outreaches throughout the country, getting us donations of money and items, and speaking at churches about the ministry. She's an awesome woman of God.

Mike is a co-founder of Love In Action. Mike and I founded this ministry eight years ago and it would take a long time to write everything we have experienced. It would also take a long time to tell you how much Mike means to Martha and me. He's more than a brother and more than a minister. He is an awesome man of God and one of the best leaders - in or out of the church - that I have ever had the privilege of working with. He has a tremendous heart for people.

Justin is another awesome man of God. His a tremendous leader with great ideas. He has a big heart for the lost and hurting. Justin has traveled the country with us over the years as well. There are many stories we could share about those experiences. Justin has the ability to minister to children and youth unlike anyone I've ever seen before. No matter where we're at, the children will flock to him.

Brian is an awesome man of God with strong leadership skills. He's a hard worker and a man of his word. If he says he's going to do something, he will do it. He has a heart for people and for ministry. Brian was a catalyst for us getting our warehouse. He's a strong teacher of the Bible, and has become a great friend.

Dwight is pure energy. He's an awesome man of God who wants to help the "least of these." Dwight has helped us out in so many ways the past few months. From making contacts to getting the giant mud hole in front of the garage door at our warehouse fixed to helping us plan for various outreaches, he has been a tremendous blessing. He's become Love In Action's top chef too. Well, Dwight and Don Swanson are our top chefs. Dwight has also become a great friend.

We are excited about 2009. With a strong team assembled, I know God has many great things for us to do next year and in the years to come. We have a very ambitious schedule for 2009, which we discussed at our first board meeting Monday night. I'll share more on that later.

Thanks to Mama, Mike, Justin, Brian and Dwight for agreeing to serve with us. Martha and I love and appreciate each of you. I ask that all of you reading this blog to keep all seven of us in your prayers.

Thanks and God bless.