He closed his eyes and humbly accepted the words of prayer.  Many of the prayers sounded very biblical and important; prayers of direction and prayers of national importance.  Suddenly a different prayer was spoken. This prayer had nothing to do with what he did; it was for him as a man.  The prayer was for physical strength and for his family.  As the prayer started his eyes had moister around them. As it continued, tears flowed down his cheeks. Finally it was over and I saw the front of his shirt was wet with the tears that flowed freely. As we finished he opened his eyes and thanked us as it was time for him to go to work.  We were praying with The Speaker of the House of Representatives for the State of Arizona, Speaker Weirs.  I left with my thoughts about how we view people in important places. Sometimes we only see them as the job they do instead of a person who is doing a very important job.  I was reminded that our leaders have a family, get tired driving to work, and feel the pressure of being responsible to make decisions that affect many others. Sometimes the best prayer for our nation and leaders is a prayer for the person, not only the job they do.

Pastor Greg

The first time I met Rollie and Sheila they were playing worship on the back of a trailer stage called the “Holy Roller.� They looked like a couple from a movie with their good looks, eyes of love and cowboy hats; Rollie playing the guitar and Sheila playing the tambourine.  Their music was contagious and their hearts were always full of contagious love.  They would go anywhere to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They eventually led worship at Skyway in our first sanctuary and brought the “Holy Roller� to many outreaches over the years.  Last week Rollie’s greatest love on earth went home to be with Jesus, his greatest love of all.  It was a tough funeral for me. Rollie and Sheila played a major role in our history. They were my friends in ministry and life. Sheila was “too young� to pass away, she was only fifty three. I choked back tears as I shared the story of two young people meeting, falling in love and sharing a lifetime of memories too fast.  If I had to describe Sheila in one sentence I would say she had a big heart with lots of love for everyone she met.  The seeds of her love were reaped as the funeral closed.  Every person waited patiently to walk past the casket one last time and then each would hug Rollie and share his tears.  I marveled at how many people patiently waited in line to hug their friend.  I asked the Lord if it were possible to “store up hugs?� I felt He told me, “No, these are the one’s Rollie needed today.�  Take time to appreciate the people who have touched your life while they are still with you.  Take some time to encourage those who have lost loved ones.  We can’t store up hugs but they encourage someone each time we give them out.

Pastor Greg

On Sunday we had to much to cover, so I put my notes here for you to view.

http://skywaychurch.com/files/2007/04/notes.pdf

Our journey to India in 2007 was filled with incredible experiences and memories.  Our work with the most persecuted Christians challenges me and my faith far more than anything that I can give to them.  I witnessed first hand their commitment to live for Jesus every day and willingness to preach the gospel at any cost.  The majority of our pastors have suffered physical beatings for preaching the gospel, but they refuge to quit.  Most of the villages accept Jesus as Lord after persecuting the pastor for a couple of years.  What they face during that time exceeds our ability to fathom; beatings, burning of their homes and churches, and even forcing one pastor to eat human dung.  Still they feed the orphans, preach the gospel of acceptance to the lepers and finally to the rest of the village people including the village chiefs.  I learned the value of perseverance for the gospel by spending time with Bishop Jacob and Pastor Jaya Kumar.   Out of all that we did one memory stands out beyond all the rest.  It was time for us to leave the GTSSS compound where we had stayed during our Pastor’s Conference.  It is a beautiful simple complex where the chickens, oxen, pastors and orphans live together.  We had brought our bags to the jeep and everyone started gathering around us to say goodbye.  I was greeted with hugs and handshakes from our younger pastors who were about to leave on their own three day journey on foot back to their villages.  The orphans crowded around us and Bishop Jacob brought his family out as well.  In a brief moment on this sunny and humid morning the eyes of everyone were fixed on our team.  Their eyes told the story of their love and respect for us coming to be with them.  It was hard to say goodbye after spending a week together.  Bishop Jacob then pulled a small orphan girl to his side and told everyone that she would speak the final prayer to send us off.  Before she prayed we learned her story.  She was one of four children who were orphaned when their mother died from disease.  Jacob happened to be in their village when her funeral was being conducted.  The girl who is now four was still very young when her mother died.  She did not understand death and even tried to wake her mommy to nurse during the funeral.  As the people of the village put the body in the grave and covered her with dirt, the young child began to weep uncontrollably. Her siblings tried to comfort her with no success.  Jacob watched as everyone in the village walked to their huts and the four children returned to theirs with no showing any concern for their future.  Jacob spoke words that truly reflect the mission of the GTSSS.  “My Jesus would not leave these children alone in this village.�   He took the necessary steps to legally bring the children to the orphanage.  By the time the story was complete her brother and sister had gathered around her next to Jacob.  He then spoke in Telegu to let everyone know that this four year old would speak the final prayer.  When she started everyone was hushed and reverently held their hands together.  She prayed for a couple of minutes.  I did not understand the words but I know that her Father in Heaven heard every word.  We were safe to leave after this dear sister in Jesus covered our team in prayer.  I will never forget this final memory of India.  On behalf of our ministries in India I want to thank you for your prayers and financial support.  Every dollar is truly saving lives on earth and bringing souls into heaven.  I was privileged to go on behalf of all of you.  Thank you for this honor. 

Pastor Greg