2009 was an awesome year

Throughout our 10 years of ministry, we have seen God do so much. We have seen Him take the homeless off the streets and give them a new life. We have seen Him deliver drug addicts and alcoholics from their destructive lifestyles.

In 2009, we saw Him do all of this to an even greater degree, and even more. In years past we have always been very good at the first part of the Great Commission. Jesus said to "Go." (Matthew 28:19) We have traveled all across this country; from L.A. to New York City and many places in between.

The second part of the Great Commission is, "... make disciples of all nations ..." (Mat. 28:19)

In 2009, we started truly making disciples. In the past, we directed those we reached to churches where they can receive discipleship training and help. For example, in Enterprise, Ala., we direct them to Christ-Life Church. In Atlanta, it's Eagle's Nest Community Church. In Brooklyn, NY., it's Sunset Park Community Church. In Dothan, Ala., it's our home church of Harvest. And that has worked great. We have seen many lives transformed through reaching people and directing them to those churches and others.

But now we have the LIA Ministry Center and every Tuesday and Wednesday we are providing discipleship through Celebrate Recovery and Wednesday night Bible studies. In 2009, we provided discipleship for more than 150 people. Discipleship, which means to teach or train, is so important. If we are truly going to experience a changed life, then we need to be taught the ways of Jesus and live according to God's Word.

If we led someone to Jesus then just said, "Good luck," that wouldn't be good. Now, when we reach out to help the homeless, needy and work release inmates in our hometown of Dothan, we have teaching and training for them. For those who don't know Jesus, this gives them a chance to see what kind of life they can live with Jesus.

It's been great. Martha and I enjoy teaching, and God has blessed us with so many other great teachers, like LIA board members Brian Turner and Mike Shroades, LIA Director of Operations Franklin Moore, Celebrate Recovery Director Emily Hinderliter, former work release inmate Russell Ham, and others.

The pastor of our home church, Ralph Sigler, wrote five phases of discipleship, and Harvest gave us the materials to teach Phase 1 at the Ministry Center. In December, 15 people successfully passed Phase 1 and will move on to Phase 2 in February. A number of others came close to moving forward, but they will go through then entire course this winter.

Praise God! That's awesome! Once someone learns how to share their faith, then the Kingdom of God multiplies, and we have seen that happen. We have seen new Christians sharing their faith at the Ministry Center. We will teach Phase 1 and 2 at the Ministry Center this winter/spring.

In 2009, we saw more than 70 people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and many others rededicate their lives to Jesus. In 2009, we helped more than 35 homeless people come off the streets in Dothan, and we helped thousands of homeless and needy people with hygiene items, clothes, boots, blankets, food, furniture and other physical needs. We have seen God restore the homeless to their families.

Thank you Jesus for an awesome 2009. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us, supported LIA financially, donated items and volunteered your time. You were a big part of everything that happened in 2009. We couldn't have done it without you. Your support is making an eternal difference.

Keep going forward with us to show the love of Jesus to the unlovable and to those who are ignored and pushed aside by society. Continue to help us share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion.

Happy New Year! Can't wait to see what God does in 2010!