(My deepest apologies for forgetting to post this in June. It was sent snail mail only, but if you saw my blogs on my upcoming move, you are already aware of the big news. I am posting this because feedback to September’s newsletter led me to realize not all of you heard the news.)
Ministry News
Greetings once again in the name of our blessed Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! Summer is upon us and I hope you are able to enjoy time with your family now that our freedoms are being restored. I am grateful to get a week away this month to rest and recover from a crazy, but in many ways, great year.
My counseling load has been okay but I could still use at least 10 more hours per week. Right now, Journey Tools is in a lull because we are developing scheduling software so that we can handle more groups launching for more facilitators at one time. So right now, I am training facilitators but not running my own groups. That hurts the bottom line of ELM, and I have had to tap into reserves to draw my salary. But this is a short season, Lord willing.
The BIGGEST NEWS is that over a year ago, the Lord spoke into me that I would be moving my office down to Greenwood, SC to work with Cross Care Ministries on video and conference content creation to teach the Exchanged Life/Journey Tools material. It’s been a year of adjusting to this idea for sure.
I do not know the WHEN of this move, but it will happen. Thankfully, my current clients will be able to shift to an online video platform or phone sessions. I will ALWAYS be teaching the Exchanged Life Truths, and now I have the power of the Journey Tools to help folks heal even more efficiently. I am excited about the transition, but there are many pieces of the puzzle that the Lord has to put into place before it will happen.
Testimony Time
Marissa and her husband had a white board list of things to do together as a couple and family…their bucket list so to speak. They loved checking things off that list as they made memories together. All that ended in June of 2020 when an pulmonary embolism suddenly took his life. It was the worst day in their lives. She and her teenage son and pre-teen daughter were devastated to say the least. “God, where are You? How could you take him from us?”
All of them went to some form of grief counseling. One of Marissa’s friends introduced her to Journey Tools, and she enrolled thinking it was just another Bible study. She quickly realized that this was more powerful than anything she had seen in therapy or Grief Share. God used the first toolset to break through her anger at Him and her husband, and now He is using the second toolset to do an even deeper cleansing of her past pain.
Her times talking with the Lord and receiving His loving words through the Holy Spirit and Scriptures are so beautiful and healing. She’s learning to patiently speak truth to her kids and to be quiet and just pray for them as they go through their unique grief journey. Jesus continues to reassure her that He’s got all of them no matter where they are in the healing process.
After initially complete the Journey Tools group, she started one-on-one follow-up session with me which has solidified her ability to interact with the Lord in prayer as well as to know how to intercede for her kids. Now, she is in training to become a facilitator for us in order to help others learn these priceless tools for healing in their own lives.
Oh, and the white board has a new list of hopes and dreams as they continue to move forward in healing!
Pastor Ken Keeler’s Update
From Pastor Ken Keeler: Teaching the men’s group Christ Plan for Victorious Living was a resounding success. The men couldn’t get enough of these powerful truths about our Identity in Christ.
The school year is ending and I have thoroughly enjoyed substitute teaching and interacting with the students. Every chance I get, I am teaching the more about who they are in Jesus.
I continue to preach every Sunday night at my church on the Exchanged Life truths from the Scriptures. Please pray for these preaching and teaching opportunities and for more opportunities to preach in churches.
Linda and I are looking forward to spending time with friends and family on vacation this Summer.
ELM Finances
Thank you so much to all of you who made donations this quarter. Please Ask the Lord if He wants to you make a donation at this time to help ELM through this lull while waiting for more Journey Tools groups to start.
One good thing about the lockdown is that I’ve developed an online counseling platform. So please don’t hesitate to refer those in need even if they are not local to me. I am looking to increase my 1 on 1 client base by 10 hours weekly.
Your tax deductible donation can be made to ELM and you can do so by check or by going to the Donation page of our website at www.elmphilly.com/donate.
Prayer and Praise
Prayer:
- For a Spirit-led launch of Journey Tools in South Carolina
- For more experienced Exchanged Life counselors to join the JT team.
- For new clients and speaking engagements.
- For wisdom in each counseling session and Journey Tools group.
- For Ken to effectively preach God’s Word and teach his workbook material.
- For wisdom in partnering ELM with Cross Care Ministries.
- For God’s leading in the sale of our farm, for it to sell at a good price and the Lord’s leading in my move to SC and future housing.
Praise:
- For a reliable software programmer building our Journey Tools app.
- For Pastor Ken’s opportunities to teach the EL truths.
- For my clients’ growth in Christ and their emotional/spiritual healing.
- For a growing social media following and online counseling platform.
- For many confirmations of His will regarding my future relocation to Greenwood, SC.
- For His amazing patience with me over this past year as I have resisted this move.
- For lives that are being transformed in our Journey Tools groups.
“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you….. So Abram went away as the LORD had spoken to him.’” Genesis 12:1,4