4-20-04

To those called out, the Church:

One afternoon in August of last year, after sitting before the Lord in anticipation of a great awakening to what God was calling us to next, I had a great awakening. I was considering all the options that were coming before us as we transitioned out of our youth ministry job, you know weighing the pros and cons of each opportunity sadly in a very worldly fashion, and then the Lord got my attention. I was reading a newsletter article I had written the previous year and trying to figure out where I must have been in life to write it that way when Kimberly walked in. I asked her a very simple question, “Kimberly when was the last time I cried over a lost student or a student in trouble.” She replied, “I don’t know, babe.” My mind immediately responded “ well that is too long,” and my heart began to sink.

I realized that God was not just transitioning me, He was removing me from ministry that He might once again have my full undivided attention. When I answered the call to ministry on my life, eight years ago, I did it with a fervor and zeal that required the hand of the Lord to establish, and I lived in freedom and brokenness for the lost students that surrounded me. But where had it gone? I began that day to search my heart and the scripture to try to find that passion for God’s love and His people. I found it in a most familiar scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”

Here is the problem, ministry or even a Christian life is not about us or our accomplishments, it is about a compelling love that drives us beyond ourselves to acknowledge that He alone is God and inspires us to become His ambassadors even to a fault. The truth remains that the Apostle Paul himself was not always a well liked, well versed, program designer, he was a man compelled by Christ’s love who had given his life to the cause of the cross. He did not add Jesus to his life or ask the Lord to fit into his busy schedule, he laid his life down, denied himself, took up his cross, and followed hard after Jesus. I am
learning everyday more about what is means to give me life away, and I am discovering as Christ lives in me I become more zealous, more driven, more in love, and more free than ever. God has proven His faithfulness and because of His great love for us, He has given us the honor of becoming His ambassadors. Adding Jesus to our comfortable established programs will not bring about revival in our country or in our own lives. We must repent, lay down our lives, be compelled by love not duty, take up the cross once again with all its blood and horror and follow Him wherever He leads us. The world behind us the cross before us, no turning back, no turning back.

Wow, that was a lot. Sorry I am a preacher you know. Good thing I could not spell all those really big words that were running through my head. None the less, I am beginning to find that compelling nature once again and I see God’s huge hand guiding me, not my small hand trying to guide Him. Since we last talked, we have been all over and seen God save many lives, and His continued faithfulness is affirming in us everyday His call on our lives. Here are some of the new names written in the book of life since we last talked. Russel, Francis, Harold, Kelli, Jeremy, Erica, Ashley, Courtney, and Roza and there are many more. We have seen the Lord do amazing things in Big Lake, Stamford, and right here in San Angelo through an underground church event where over 300 hundred students gathered to hear the gospel.

One of the most exciting aspects of this ministry is the opportunity to see students and young adults giving their lives away in service. The Lord has blessed Katalyst Ministries with the most incredible volunteers that make up our teams when we travel to certain cities to share Jesus. Last month we took 15 college age students with us to Big lake and turned them lose on the students of Regan County, and every single person we took with us got a one on one opportunity to counsel or pray with a student there. They also staffed our Underground Church event and once again got the chance to give their lives away to students from right here in San Angelo. Seeing God grow for Himself young ministers through this ministry is for me a dream, the dream of seeing the Church be the Church. If you would be interested in going with us on any of these trips or our summer mission trips to Mexico and Africa, please give me a call and prepare to give yourself away.

Please pray for my family as we are asking the Lord to lead us in some family decisions and continue to pray for us as we plan events, mission trips, and preach the gospel wherever He calls us. Thank you so much for your continued support of this ministry, please ask God to compel you today by His love to be an ambassador of His gospel.

Love Jesus
Love YOU
Kevin D. Kirkland