Join Me for Outreach at 2012 London Olympics

God has been too good to me. It was 32 years ago (July 1979) that at age seven I gave my heart to Christ and 29 years ago last week in July 1982 that at (age 10) I had such a burden for my friends who didn’t know God intimately that I couldn’t sleep for over a week worrying about their souls and eternal fate. I hadn’t been to seminary but already knew then that good people, rich people, popular people, nice looking people, sports minded people, friendly people, well connected people, talented people. religious people and/or even poor people DON’T automatically go to Heaven. FACT: Only people who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb and asked Christ personally to forgive them of their sin and trust Him alone as their personal Lord and Savior will make it to Heaven. Not glamarous but the Gospel Truth. All I ever wanted to do was love God and love others while pointing folks to Jesus.

I asked God to use use me prior to my teenage years and He did by allowing me to bring 22 kids to Vacation Bible School in one week at 10 yrs old (1982). The truth is most folks don’t attend church because no one cared enough to ask them to be their guest. At the community college I was blessed to be President of the Christian Student Fellowship on campus for two years and then continued to preach all over while still in school as a student at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. In 1999, when I went to the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Monterey, CA and out of 900 registered pastors and leaders to attend I was informed by BGEA staff that I was the youngest that year to be present and flew 6,000 miles ROUND TRIP to do it! It was an AMAZING experience and having Dr E.V. Hill sign my Bible is something I still cherish to this day. Every week when I get up to preach I see his name, Junior Hill, Dr Bob Pitman and other dear saints who have served our Savior faithfully.

The Bible says “If you are faithful in small – you will also be faithful in larger matters.” Even when teaching for a Sunday School class while a student myself in high school I didn’t see 13 students but prepared for it if were a stadium of 13,000. All ministry is BIG when we give our all. A wise mentor told me a decade ago: “Frank, if you are too big for the little things then you will be too little for the BIG things.” I never forgot those words and God and those timeless truths have blessed me beyond my wildest dreams (my imagination is pretty CREATIVE)! Even as the only full-time evangelist in the MD/DE Baptist Convention left it has been both lovely and lonely. However, I have been blessed to have the support of countless family and friends. Many of you reading this post across the Country have ministered to me and Ruth & I can extend a BIG “thank you!”

About seven months ago I was blessed to be tapped International Evangelism Chairman for the Bridging the Gap 2012 Outreach in London, England (July – Aug 2012) with Lay Witnesses For Christ International www.LWFCI.com under the leadership of Dr Sam Ming and the gracious referral of Evangelist and Pastor, Dr David Allbritton of Texas. This really is a HUGE honor and all glory goes to God. Patriotism, Perseverance and Prayer are three of the hallmarks of my life. To combine all three for one event is icing on the cake.

One year from now we will be taking a team “across the pond” to minister to past and present world champions plus tourists and fans from around the globe with the matchless message of Jesus Christ. It is one thing to bring home the gold but entirely and eternally different when we can point people to God. Next year, we hope to do both.

Presently, I have invited 14 friends who will be travelling with me and if you would like to be part of this amazing outreach please contact me Frankmotiv8s@aol.com It was my honor to speak in March 2011 at the beautiful Dallas-Fort Worth Marriott at a black tie dinner honoring the Texas Christian High School Athlete of the Year Award. “Olympian of the Century” and 9 time gold medalist Carl Lewis and I were blessed to give the keynote at the impressive gala with over 1,200 people packed in the grand ballroom. They have graciously invited me back next March 2012 to speak again and pray about joining us in July 2012 as we share God’s love to those lost without a personal relationship with the Lord. Dr Ming graciously invited me to film a television commercial with Carl Lewis and four other gold medalists that will begin airing to over 40 nations promoting the games and outreach in near future around the world. GO GOD!

Dr Ming’s is one of the greatest soul winners I have ever met and we are seeking servants, soul-winners, singers and speakers to join us next year. The cost is approx $4,000 with a $250 deposit. That includes airfare, hotel, food and a sweatsuit with your name engraved on it. We have already assembled some amazing folks to join us and are also seeking a choir. Contact me today if you are interested. We appreciate your prayers and below is the article that recently ran featuring our appointment in CHRISTIAN TODAY http://au.christiantoday.com/article/evangelist-frank-shelton-appointed-chairman-of-london-olympic-evangelism-for-lwfci/11456.htm

At this link you can see my recent appearance on FOX NEWS from Capitol Hill on Fri July 22, 2011 talking about the role faith and sports play and pertaining to the 2012 Olympic games with my good friend, Lauren Green in NYC. God truly is the “author and finisher of our faith” and much has transpired in July. It was four years ago that I walked away from my Capitol Hill job and left secure salary, retirement, health insurance and 17 years with federal government to abandon it all to chase the call of Christ on my life. As my college friend, Clayton King said more eloquently than I “you never sacrifice for God – it is an INVESTMENT.” Truly, you cannot outgive God and when the Lord said “go” I was gone. After being bi-vocational for 17 years in ministry while working for Congress I didn’t have a single booking to preach but in the wise words of my friendTony Nolan “When God guides – He provides.” Well in 48 months, God opened the door for me to preach over 700 sermons, 22 states and six countries.

I am just a pawn on God’s chess board and I said long ago “Here I am Lord – SEND ME.” What a ride its been and Ruth & I live completely on faith and our security is in salvation. It is an honor to be tapped to this post but we do have to raise $8,000 for us to attend. NOTHING is too BIG for my God. If you would like to give you can generously give via PAY PAL http://frankshelton.com/donate/ or write a check on address shown on that link.

Had we not have stepped out to do what God asked when we left “by faith” my job in Washington, DC on July 27, 2007 most certainly we would not have been tapped to go July 2012 to minister abroad. It has been said: “Show me your faith and I will show you your future!” So true and I love that old hymn: “Tis so sweet to trust in JESUS.”

Everyone needs Jesus and regardless of world-class athletes, Hollywood celebrities, powerful politicians, successful businessmen and women, police, EMT, teachers and especially the down and out. Every soul needs salvation. Jesus is not a way but THE WAY, TRUTH and LIFE and no one can get to Heaven unless with the Son, Jesus the Christ. While some chase temporal gold pray for us as we point people to the One and ONLY eternal God.

Frank Shelton on Fox News: Hell is Very Real

Frank Shelton recently appeared on Fox News with a panel discussion on the reality of hell. Watch the video below or click here to view it on the official site. Frank did an incredible job of portraying the Biblical Gospel!

Evangelism isn't Expendable

Thirty five years and countless critics later, Sylvester Stallone is NUMBER ONE (again) at the box office. It will be 25 years to the date on Sept 13, 2010 that my Godmother, Judy Henderson and I (age 13) spent the weekend in Hollywood, CA in 1985 to meet my favorite action hero after winning a RAMBO II contest. What is ironic is that he was iconic then! Sly’s new movie “THE EXPENDABLES” grossed $35 Million on opening weekend and like “ROCKY” he had been on the ropes at times but since the bell didn’t ring he kept swinging and is box office champ once again.

The word “expendable” is defined as not worth using, easily replaced, second rate, discarded after service and/or holds little value today.  Sadly, some Christians and clergy view the evangelist as expendable too. Some churches have no desire for evangelism so they wouldn’t see how utlilizing an evangelist would bless their congregation and community. The evangelists that I have come to admire and grow as friends are all a TREAT not a threat.

Times have changed but the human heart is as wicked as ever. One pastor recently told me after I preached a five day revival at his church said: “Frank, I see the evangelist as a Special Forces type of guy who can get in and get out with the Holy Spirit help clear the debris of sin, set the captives free and help us explode in maturity both spiritually and numerically.”  That brother “gets it.” Another pastor shared that he views the evangelist as a skilled surgeon performing delicate operating procedures with a skilled focus on evangelizing sinners and encouraging the saints while he viewed his role as a pastor more the primary physician or general practioner. He understands too. One pastor told my evangelist friend: “The reason we don’t use YOU evangelists anymore is because you create too much work for me when your gone.”  When inquiring what he meant by “work” he was not referring to scandal or sin but stressed out that he would now have to baptize 13 adults who just trusted Christ as Savior. The pastor seemed upset that over a dozen more souls are Kingdom bound and now Christ-honoring people in the community much less the church he pastors. Plus, they are now tithing to the local church. The stats show that 90% of Southern Baptist churches in America the past few years average baptizing only 10 people or less. If that pastor is now baptizing 13 in one weekend after using a God called evangelist this should give ammunition to shout not scorn.

Ed Stetzer nearly two weeks ago had a great dialogue on his blog about the role of the evangelist. I shared on his blog that I attended a conference three years ago with pastors and when they learned I was an evangelist they treated me like I was a third class citizen in the Christian Army, a minor league preacher and be better off getting a secure salary as a senior pastor “because you will never make it in evangelism.” I was told point-blank by a few pastors “You guys (evangelists) either only have three good sermons” or my personal favorite “Not good enough to have your own church.” Wow!  I couldn’t say that it didn’t sting but perhaps they comprehend their call but not ours. This friendly dialogue is good because we should grow in grace and befriend one another.

I have been blessed to pastor a Baptist Church but knew God called, equipped and empowered me to “do the work of an evangelist.” America’s preacher for 60 years was not a pastor but ironically an evangelist (Dr. Billy Graham). It has been tempting the last couple years to forsake the call of an evangelist and consider church planting because that tends to be the trend. The problem with following trends is that if not true they lead to heartache and heartbreak but no harvest. Together, church planters, pastors, lay leaders and all Christians can and should partner with evangelists to evangelize. It is imperative that I honor the call of Christ on my life (regardless of results). One reason for not pursuing the church or plant route is because Scripture is clear: “Unless the Lord builds the House we labor in vain.” Secondly, we can get ahead of God (even in ministry as ministers), Thirdly, I don’t want to be ouside of God’s Will just to prove a point that evangelists bring much to the table.

Last year, I was told the reason many clergy and churches don’t bring in (implement) evangelists anymore is because most evangelists don’t host stadium events.  HELLO? When did one need a crowd to tell someone about Christ?? Some evangelists do speak in stadiums, television, newspaper, massive mega churches but regardless of the size of a venue – evangelism is not designated for 30,000 seats or more but is a commandment by Christ not a suggestion by man regardless of the arena (or lack of). We win souls one at a time and each one can reach one. Won by One. The two best revivals I was blessed to participate in 2008, were unfortunately (but ironically) in churches that were without a pastor. The danger about writing when not in a room is that with a void of expression can get miscontrued quick. In all love, that verse “you were running well who hindered you” I cannot help but think some of the leadership in churches have hindered the perfect will of God by halting folks such as an evangelist from utilizing their God given gift and calling.

At age 10, I had such a yearning for lost souls that I couldn’t sleep. Eventually, I made a point that win or lose, sink or swim, live or die I was going to invite friends to church to VBS in 1982. Well, 22 friends came with me (at age 10) Go GOD!! It is fact most folks don’t come to church because they were never asked or invited by a friend. I am convinced that the God called evangelist is a gift to the Body of Christ. They do have an anointing to “draw the net” and can preach a simple Gospel message and God moves in a most special way.  Evangelists compliment the pastor. Sometimes saying the same thing but in a different voice gives credibility and the “light bulb” goes off to help the congregation grow in their faith.

The evangelist can be both a harvester and revivalist. Yes, souls are won to Christ but it is just as important for the saints asleep or stangnant to be renewed, revived and ready anew for service partnering with the pastor and church to reach the world for Christ. One of the highest honors of my life is being able to minister to ministers in private during the revival meetings. They (evangelists) are a gift to the church but the fact is even as an evangelist myself – I don’t evangelize because I am an evangelist but because I am a commited Christian.  We are all called to share our faith and be ready to give an account (both by our life and lips).

In the most recent RAMBO movie – Stallone the ultimate fighting machine is on a boat, ready for war, armed and dangerous with a desire to rescue the perishing. He is exiting the boat when folks who were also ready to fight suggested that he was jus a “boat man” and unfit for battle (perhaps antique) and would not be needing his services. The man who was born for war was told that he is deduced to the sidelines with gun in hand and to sit life out. The other “trained” warriors went in, almost all got killed and RAMBO with a time tested bow and arrow comes out and wins that war.

Its kinda like playing a pick-up basketball game and Michael Jordan in his prime adorning six championship rings wants to play with ball in hand but told by others he can be on the “team” but sit at the end of the bench next to the water boy. The fact is we must all be obedient to sharing our faith. Most of the evangelists I know long and live to compliment the pastor and their staff not compete. Actually, we want to help COMPLETE the work of Christ in our midst.

Over the years, I have learned folks will criticize or question what they have not experienced or do not understand. When Tony Nolan saw 43,000 decisions for Christ at Winter Jam recently some ministers have a hard time digesting that. When Clayton King saw 1,000 and 2,000 souls saved respectfully at one service some can’t grasp that either. That doesn’t discourage me but encourages me to see more come to faith in Christ. Those are not exaggeration but confirmation that Jesus is still in the Soul Saving business. God did it then, doing it now and will do it again (with or without the support of the local church). We can hint “Missional” but if we are not on mission than we are just a mess with a message that never reached the masses commanded by our Messiah.

Some have suggested over the years that “results of revival” don’t last long. It was said that a bath doesn’t last forever either but it sure helps to take one periodically. The evangelist can both reach the lost while reviving the saved and/or stagnant. Ministry is a team effort but its not that the evangelists are MIA but unfortunately the doors for opportunity are not quite what they used to be. Some fault economy, theology or plain jealousy but I believe it is a fair statement to suggest that churches today (especially SBC have replaced the role of the evangelist for church planting). In high school, just because a team finally got new jerseys doesnt mean they are winning as a team. Tremendous blessings have resulted in church plants, etc but the facts are that a 1-5 day revival still does enormous good in the life of the church, personal refreshing to clergy and a tremendous amount of souls getting saved.

Without question, God called me to do the work of an evangelist. The evangelist in Ephesians 4:11 is actually mentioned before the pastor and yet too many are still trying to determine the worth and wealth of blessing that they are to the Body. This post was never to suggest who is more skilled but its a sad day when some are not even sure that the evangelist has value today. Yes, some evangelists unfortunately fell by the way side but so have teachers, policemen and bankers but that doesn’t mean that everyone was off base or wrong. Secondly, when one is out front in war you are a bigger target from enemy fire. We need to nurture and minister to these warriors not treat them callously or “expendable.” Dr Johnny Hunt is one of my heroes. His Timothy/Barnabas conferences have helped and brought healing to many men in ministry. He is an encourager, equipper and evangelistic everytime he preaches.

My father retired as Deputy Chief of the United States Capitol Police in Washington, DC. He was number two out of 2,000 officers protecting Congress, the US Capitol, Commander in Chief and citizens from every continent. As a police officer, early in his career he stayed countless hours on his feet “on post.” Most times, it was boring, not glamorous but it was more than a career but his calling. Some may enter ministry for wrong motives but most of those that I know (pastors, evangelists, teachers, etc) are unselfish individuals who love Jesus and are part of a team greater than self. The Lord is coming back sooner rather than later and I walked away by faith to do the work of an evangelist. Obedience is standing on post and I share my faith almost daily not because its my “job” but a JOY to do it. My prayer is that revival will sweep our land and world like never before. But revival must start with us in our hearts, homes and heads first. My prayer is that all Christians will share their faith in love, tact but Biblical boldness. We are in the last days and perhaps this is that era of a falling away of the faith. My hope is that a precious dialogue and fellowship will grace the hearts of the pastor and evangelist to grow as friends. Ministry is at warp speed but we can do more together than apart.

In closing, the last “INDIANA JONES” had a line when Harrison Ford was rolling thru campus on a motorcycle and saw a young man ask him a question about another’s stance on an issue. Ford in his typical style responded: “Kid, you cant trust him because he has been in the classroom too long.” The folks who have made a profound impact on my life have either started out as evangelists or never lost the burning passion to reach souls while doing the work of an evangelist. We have preachers and teachers but all of us are called to be REACHERS for God’s Glory. Evangelists that I admire and love (Billy Graham, Dr Tim Lee, Ralph Sexton, Jr. Dr Lee Roberson, David Ring, Junior Hill, Josh McDowell, Bailey Smith, Jamey Ragle, Clayton King, Tony Nolan, Rick Scarborough, Keith Cook, Jay Lowder, Meadowlark Lemon, Jonathan Edwards, Clyde Box, Rick Stanley, Clark Bosher, Steve Hale, Jerry Drace, Rick Amato, John Gray, Nikita Koloff, Ergun Caner, Clark Bosher, Marcus Lamb, Ronnie “The Raven” Dean, Randy Hogue, Brian Fossett, Eric Fuller, Matthew Dunaway, Scott Newton Smith, Chris Hill, Shawn McBride, James Robison, Sujo John, Acton Bowen, Dave Edwards, Jay Strack, Robbie Robison, Marvin Harris, Brandon Crouch, Chris Brooks, Dan Meyer, Curt Anderson, Matt Brown, Wayne Matthews, Ken Freeman, Frank Withers, Kelly Croy, Braxton Hunter, Mark Spence, Chris Palmer, Bryan Taunton, Med Skeens, Dean Forrest, Ron Herrod, Jason George, Caleb Gordon, Paul Cobb, Craig Church, Matt Wilkins, Ben Knott and countless others) are not only team players but humble servants who desire daily to love God, bless the local church and see souls saved. To their credit, they have looked for a way in not a way out. Failing is not an option.

It is actually proven to be cost effective in seeing a harvest and a deepening of folks pressing into God with bringing in an evangelist than investing funds in buildings, programs and other ideas. We can call work together. My concern over the years (especially in SBC) that its easy to discuss, debate and disect the playbook but it has hindered too many for too long in ministry from actually getting in the game, executing the plays and scoring for the Kingdom in evangelism. God is great and he is certainly blessing but too many friends (not many of us left) are relegated to not only back of the bus but boat like John J Rambo and told we are not needed or worse – shouldn’t or don’t exist. The Bible is clear “He that winneth souls is wise.” That is true for us all. An evangelist is a gift but unless we un-wrap it and benefit from it we will never be running on all cylinders as a church. Again, my remarks are not so much a rant or rave but a humble review from the other side of the fence. May we be busy building God’s Kingdom and my evangelists friends are on “post” and we humbly pray to God daily and desire to work alongside precious pastors saying: “Here Am I Send Me.”

What is expensive is not the price to utilize an evangelist but electing to extract them out all together. It is one thing when the government elects to scrap a program but its eternally worse when church leaders halt or hamstring the mandate of implementing the giftings of an evangelist. In the past, God has used and continues to use folks like Spurgeon, Moody, Sunday, R.G. Lee, B.R. Lakin, Lee Roberson, Luis Palau, Mordecai Ham, Freddie Gage, David Allbritton, Sam Mingh, T.L. Lowery, Randy Hogue, Billy Graham, Johnny Pope and countless others to reach the masses with the matchless message of our Messiah.

Presidents may ponder the “State of the Union” while some in church leadership may question the “state of the evangelist.” Critics will always critique but we will stand before Christ not the naysayers. Without question, these are tough times to live. Ministry is hard work, the economy is rough and at times the future can look bleak but I have GOOD NEWS. Our trust is not in men, money or military but our hope is in Christ and the harvest is ripe and I rejoice that when we work together we will experience REVIVAL like we have never known before.  It has been said: “One man’s trash is another Man’s Treasure.”
If you want to see the Kingdom EXPAND than prayerfully consider using an EXPENDABLE. 

A Sinner Saved By Grace

A teacher asked a classroom filled to capacity: “If you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior come forward right now.” Not a soul moved. She asked again and the room was silent. It seemed slow motion, hearts raced, palms sweated and eyes darted to see if anyone else would move. What seemed like eternity but really just a matter of moments (not minutes) someone stood up, walked forward and decided to follow Jesus. Immediately, three other children followed and were whisked into another room and bowed their heads and followed the teacher’s lead and on the spot repented of sin confessing Christ as Lord and Savior.

The year was 1979, and that young man was me at age seven exactly 31 years ago this week at a Vacation Bible School in Brandywine, MD whom was the first to step up and out. I recall as if it were yesterday the small chair I was sitting in had a triangle shaped hole in it and as I heard the Gospel story again I just knew I was a sinner in need of the Savior. After hearing what Jesus did for mankind and me in my head I recall thinking when that teacher asked if I wanted to come forward I knew that I couldn’t sit life out. Worse, sit down when Jesus stood up. Many thoughts race through a kid’s head and I thought the same things you may have pondered: “If I follow Jesus I will be perceived odd, what if I am the only one or worse – made fun of but I knew in my non-seminary, elementary school mind that if Jesus died for me than He was worth living for Him.”

Three decades later, by God’s grace I’m still following Jesus. It was grace then and grace today. It has been said “GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” That sums it up. We get to Heaven “by faith” in Jesus, accepting His sacrifice for our sins, we enter Heaven because of His mercy not our merits and apart from Christ we are nothing and can do nothing to ensure our salvation.

“Rocky Balboa” was a contender and we are all pretenders without Christ as the Captain of our soul. Jesus is the Champion of the World. Even “Iron Mike” Tyson recently said he was half the man he boasted to be as a boxer. We are lost without the Lord. A country classic dominated the charts in the early 80′s (just a year or two after I became a Christian). It was sung by Barbara Mandrell and George Jones and hit number one. The song was “I was Country when Country wasn’t Cool.” Before ten years of age, for some strange reason I omited “country” and submitted “Christian.” Without question, I knew the day I gave my life to Jesus it could be an up hill climb. For starters, most children (if not all) want acceptance. No one wants to be picked last on a team at recess. No one wants to sit alone at lunch, or be the punchline of a joke.

My mission was to love Jesus and love others. Even today, not bad theology. My prayer was never to be “holier than thou” and certainly not religious. Honestly, both not only disgust me today but have harmed many over the years. My prayer was to walk the hallways as Jesus having a real life relationship with the Redeemer. Not thinking I am “good” much less God but wanted others to know where I stood and that I was unashamedly linked with God and now His Property. Yes, at times looking back I felt lonely, left out and laughed at but because of society not my Savior. I learned early on better to be a minority with the Lord than majority with the world. Yes, those moments were painful but pale in comparison to not only the rewards but the realization that God loves us!

God showed me that persecution will come but I have also witnessed that when we promote the Lord – He has a way of promoting us. If not on Earth, most certainly in Heaven. We may lose periodically but it is always temporaily but never for eternity. From elementary school to junior high to Thomas Stone High School, community college, university, Capitol Hill to ministry; God has clearly been present each step of the way. Today, in Christian circles we are torn between two camps. Ministers and Christians’ either get too much credit or too little. Some are either jet-setting or barely making it. That is another post but part of me as a Christian early on wanted to prove to the world that you don’t have to be “boring” as a Christian. Actually, you can still reach the top without “bottoming out.”

In elementary school, I never asked to speak at my own graduation at Malcolm Elementary School in fifth grade to over 500 peers, parents and principal in 1983. God opened that door. Speaking to a crowd as a kid can be overwhelming. In junior high, I never asked to become President of the Student Government and then asked to speak at my eighth grade graduation to over 1,200 family and friends (at age 13) nor ask for a standing ovation at my high school graduation to nearly 1,750 my senior year and crowned “Prom King” in 1990. Friends, this isn’t “prosperity” but reality. I didn’t name it or claim it but was willing to lose if it meant gaining Christ. When I walked forward 31 years ago this week (July 1979), it was knowing I must die to self, lose some friends, perhaps become the biggest “nerd” this side of the Mississippi and yet I found an AMAZING truth. DRUM ROLL……….get ready – God’s Word is True and He makes much of those who make much of Him. Brother Ralph Sexton preached a sermon 20 years ago called: “MAKING MUCH OF JESUS!” Even better, God went after, loved on and died for those who to this day could care less about His only Son (Jesus) and many will die never trusting Christ. Love is willing to lose in the process. Loyalty could be said the same.

My goal in life, was never to be “seen” but that His message would be heard. HISTORY is really His Story. As an evangelist, I have prayed, fasted and daydreamed for revival for over a quarter of a Century. I long for revival to break out and if not in my lifetime perhaps at my funeral. Sometimes, right or wrong one has to die before some realize what made another tick in life. I have had some enormous highs and some pretty dark lows and like Vestal Goodman’s song: “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” Like that hymn: “Through it all – I have learned to trust in Jesus.”

My friend, Michael English sings “In Christ Alone” and I love his new song: “The only Good in Me is Jesus.” If any “success” is in my life it is by God’s grace. Even my parents’ love is attributed to grace. Today, I am quite surprised I am still here. Honestly, I never dreamt I would still be alive at age 38. Since childhood, I thought I would either live a short life or the Lord is on His way. The Bible says to “redeem the time” and that is one thing I can say by God’s grace haven’t wasted much of. Just the past three years, I have been blessed to preach over 600 times in 20 states living “by faith.” Some may see what God continues to do now but they forget the price it took long ago.

THE IRONY IS I am not talking about my commitment to Christ but His commitment to me. Folks see me board a plane but forget the pain. They see the stage but not the scars or the folks I have been blessed to “roll” with but don’t recall the ridicule. Not so much me sticking up for God but Christ being rejected that I could be accepted. His grief became my grace, He was isolated by man that I could be included with God. PICTURE THIS – Jesus suspended between Heaven and Earth, crucified between two criminals and was beaten and bloodied more than any human in the history of humanity. “Jesus paid it all – all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain and He washed it white as snow.” Jesus was faithful when I was faithless. He is the hero and deserves any and all credit. Today, as Christians we find both persecution and promotion. In these last days, it is only going to get worse before the Lord comes back and takes those to Heaven who trusted in Him. God died for mankind and me and I want to spend the rest of my days living for Him. I have read the back of the Bible and we not only win but become “winners” the moment we trust Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Without Jesus, I knew that I would be empty, void and done (damned) without Christ. In school, politics and ministry, I never got in it for the prestige, perks or power but because He is the reason for my existence, He is the Answer to life’s questions, “Author and Finisher of my faith” and as Son of God, Jesus alone is worthy of my all. Obedience is better than sacrifice and I was janitor at First Baptist Church of Waldorf, MD before any other ministerial position. Titles are important to man but my testimony is important to God. Intentionally, I have spelled my name in small letters and the lower I get in private the higher God has taken me publicly. Looking back, all ministry is BIG when we walk with the Lord.
The hymn is true: “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”

Some see my schedule today and view Los Angeles or London but I see a small town not far from La Plata, MD just north of Waldorf called Brandywine in a small country church. In 1979, a Vacation Bible School teacher shared God’s Word, radiated His love and asked a classroom of students do you want to follow Christ? By God’s grace, I said “yes” and today, doing my best to follow Him more than ever. The goal was never to be “famous” but found faithful. The biggest city of all is not Columbus, Calgary or Cairo but that Celestial City when I reach Heaven. Not the Gates of Pearl but the Prince of Peace, not street of gold but God, Himself. The jackpot is Jesus and the Lord is worth laboring, loving and living for! God is the Answer to all our problems.

Today, I want to love God and love on others. Someone sugggested: “A thousand mile journey begins with one small step.” Like that country song, I don’t know if I will die “cool” but praise God I am with Christ in this life and the one to come. I am Heaven bound, I am a kid of the King and a loser lost in the love of my Lord. Friend, I don’t believe in reincarnation but the Bible boasts about a RESURRECTION! THAT WILL PREACH!! Yes, 31 years ago this week; I stepped out for God (because He first reached out to me) and I prayerfully ask you to Stand Up, Stretch Out and Step IN to the Family of God now. Tomorrow is not certain and those that typically wait until the 11th hour to make things right with God usually die at 10:45 PM. If you have trusted Christ I would love to hear your testimony and profession of faith. If you haven’t and you’re not dead than God is not done with you! I have GOOD NEWS - visit this link now by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association how you can trust Christ as Saviorhttp://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/steps-to-peace/steps-to-peace.asp If you have any questions regarding a relationship with Jesus please email me at Frankmotiv8s@aol.com or if you prayed to trust Christ as Savior please let me or anyone know so we can rejoice in your decision.

Jesus loves you and so do I. Together, by “God’s grace” may we all go with God.