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6 ways pastors can lead to a more Gospel-focused church culture
A pastor recently called me seeking advice on how to create a culture of evangelism in his church. This young man was concerned about the lack of Gospel outreach among his congregants, and though he has extensive knowledge of the Bible and pastoral training, he wasn’t sure how to activate his church members to share the Gospel. This pastor is not alone. A 2023 Barna study revealed that only 12% of pastors reported they felt their church’s evangelism was “very effective,” whi
Jay Lowder
May 30
How God Saved This Man From Suicide And Transformed His Life
“Because I was battling an alcohol addiction, my life had really just got put into quicksand,” he said on an episode of the “Jesus Calling”
Movieguide Contributor
Mar 21
I am fascinated by a compelling true story.
There are many ways to communicate information, but I have found that some truths are most easily grasped in the context of a parable.
Jun 6, 2024
May 9, 2024
Apr 10, 2024
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Jay Lowder
Jun 6, 2024
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Failure
Her look, a combination of Palomino colored hair and glitzy aquamarine eyes made her stand out from others like a lighthouse. I didn’t...
Aug 4, 2013
Apache Pride
I always wanted to be one. Every single time my sugar-high buddies and I would play Cowboys and Indians, I chose to play the part of the Indian. I had a rubber tomahawk, a pair of moccasins, a few arrowheads and a shoddy red and yellow headdress that had only ruffled four feathers. I didn’t look like Sitting Bull but I sure felt like I did. I felt authentic when my mother told me that some of my distant relatives were Natives and that I was “Part Indian.” In actuality, the pe
Jul 16, 2013
Tragedy in Boston
In much of life there is no question more impossible to answer than “WHY?” The how, what and when will eventually be revealed but the “why” of Boston, New York, Aurora and Sandy Hook may never truly be discovered. Unanswered questions are usually the most haunting. I can rack my brain with possible reasons for the suffering but I’ve given up such thoughts, because I know they exceed any logical reasoning. I would rather spend my energy whispering prayers for those affected. I
Apr 18, 2013
Home
“Home” is a word that should be soothing and grand, conjuring up memories of joy, happiness and peace. The word “home” is endearing to so many that its connotations and use are almost endless – from a home stretch, hometown, home cooking, homemakers and even the Homewood hotel. As if that weren't enough, we can even go to a hardware store called the Home Depot. Ironically, “home” can even be used to describe a gender like a "home boy" or a "home-grown" girl. I have occasional
Apr 1, 2013
Transition
A little over a week ago I paced into another arena, but my purpose this time was different. I wasn’t there to speak but to listen and...
Jun 5, 2012
The power of prayer
I believe in the power of prayer because I have seen God move in a mighty way because of the prayers of his people. I’ve seen men who...
May 2, 2012
Different country, same message
It is always amazing to me how the message of the Gospel combined with the Holy Spirit meet people right where they are in life. I...
Apr 17, 2012
True Beauty
Television today includes numerous reality shows revolving around wedding nuptials, which stress importance in physical appearance and...
Nov 8, 2011
Don't give up
"I will remember always that marriage, like life, is a journey - not a destination - and that its treasures are found not just at the end but all along the way." - anonymous I was once told that marriage was made to make you holy not happy, and when you begin to reach holiness is when you find true happiness. God created marriage to make us more like Him, but that doesn't mean it is easy. When I first met Missy I was attracted to her beauty. I loved talking with her because w
Nov 1, 2011
Stepping out of your comfort zone
I've learned that sometimes my plans aren't always God's plans. Through many years of ministry, He has shown me that He works in mysterious ways, and often He wants me to step out of my comfort zone in order to do His will. Last Sunday was one of those times. I traveled to Oklahoma to preach at First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow . As with anytime before I preach, I was praying for God to reveal the message He would have me to give. At 1 a.m., I felt God calling me to preach
Oct 24, 2011
Questioning God
Sometimes life is hard. Matter of fact, sometimes life just stinks. The question, "why do bad things happen to good people?" is one that...
Oct 12, 2011
Facing fear
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. - Mark Twain Fear is something God has given us (2 Timothy 1:7) but it something we struggle with daily. We may fear losing our job, our health or even our life, but we have to learn to trust God because we know that He is faithful and takes care of us. Ironically, the thing most of us are deathly afraid is something very simple - telling people about the only one who can truly provide and take away our fear
Sep 19, 2011
Challenges, Blessings, and Faith Mission
It’s been about 4 weeks since my last update, but I hope you have kept me and the team in your prayers. We certainly need them, as this...
Aug 24, 2011
Arrested by Jesus
We got in from Lubbock at 1:30 am Monday morning! I sent out a video blog regarding my experiences at the schools on Friday and many of...
May 5, 2009
Crayon sermon / Fighting for friends
I want to start off by asking you to do me a favor!! I know very few of you know the man I am about to discuss-but his name is Rodney...
Feb 11, 2009
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