ALIVE

Thursday, August 27, 2015

God spoke, we simply OBEYED, He kept His Promise...and now we are super busy! :)

2015 has been flying by and we have been blown away by how God is moving...

If you remember, God gave us a plan to focus prayer and efforts in a specific area each month:

January: Hispanic Community

February: International Students/Un-churched (Richland College)

March: LGBT community

April: Buddhists

May: Muslims

June: Hindus

July: New Age

August: Sex industry

And each month God has sent us new people that want to work with us to reach the city!

We have been busy training, coaching and mentoring...

See below for A LOT of pictures from what's been happening this year!

And for current updates, pics and testimonies, follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

Loving All Peoples' Ministry Pages

My Personal Pages:

Prayer Gathering for Muslims

Henna at a New Age Drum Circle

Discovery Bible Study at Richland College

I am HONORED to be personally coached by top Global Disciple Making Movement Coaches

Praying with international students at Richland College

Getting college students thoughts on God and the Church

Learning from some influential people in the Gay Community

Women's Mosque Prayer

He used to worship satan...until they told him he had to start making sacrifices...

Praying in a Buddhist Temple

Buddhist Temple Celebration...just to clarify, this is in DALLAS! :)

Our friend from the Trans-Gender community taught us so much!

Coaching at Richland College

A Tarot Card Reader was soaking up every ounce of Jesus' power, love and blessing!

Praying healing for a man outside of a brothel

Making connections with brothel ministries in Canada

So many coming together to make disciples in DFW...we are in shock and awe of what God is doing!

I have no idea how to do children's ministry...! HA!

3 Bible...3 different languages...I think we understand each other! :) HA!

Facilitating a Vision Casting Meeting for leaders and passionate disciple makers

Planning for our Disciple Making Movement 8-week Training

I LOVE Discovering God with these women!

Praying in multiple languages...God hears and understands!

My favorite GOOFY GAL: Sang...she'll do anything for a laugh! :)

I'm tellin' ya....I NEVER go hungry!

Strategic Planning Team: Disciple Making Movements for DFW

GOD IS AT WORK IN DFW...our 300+ languages are going to the REACH THE WORLD!

5 cooks in my kitchen...from all around the globe..I love my life!

Learning from THE TOP leaders in Disciple Making Movements from around the world!

WOW! How did I get a seat at this table!?!?!

Coaching, Training, Exchanging Ideas, learning from God's Instruction manual

8 week Disciple Making Movement Training

40 people who want to join our efforts to make Disciples here in Dallas, to reach the WORLD!

THIS IS HUGE!

God spoke...

We obeyed....

He kept His Promise...!

....and now we are SUPER BUSY! :) :) :)

THANK YOU GOD!

Thursday, March 5, 2015

It doesn't matter what I am doing...

…I want you to know what God is doing! :) :) :)

I told you all about the HUGE step of faith, HUGE vision and HUGE Promise from God for 2015…
(see last blog)

And I told you how I am learning that simply obeying God, has been the SAFEST, and most MIRACULOUS place to be. He loves us so much, that He never leaves us, and wants to guide us along the right path…day-by-day…but he doesn't force us or drag us, we have to trust him, obey and walk with Him.

He promised us that if we focus in one area a month: fasting, praying then he would direct us to the ONE KEY INDIVIDUAL that we will work with, (train them in what we have learned the last 6 years, and multiply ourselves) to develop teams together to reach each area of focus.

And that is exactly what GOD IS DOING...

January was "Hispanic Month" and HE PROVIDED! He miraculously, connected us with a Hispanic pastor and several small "Discovering God" groups are already growing in homes! People are DRAWN and HUNGRY to discovering who God is…desireing God more than I have seen in a long time! This picture is one of the discovering God groups that started in this family's home!

February was more than I could have dreamed of at Richland College!

HE PROVIDED one key leader already and multiple teams are starting to develop on the campus already! People passionate about inviting these students into a discovery process through the Holy Book! In the picture above, we are praying along side our Muslim friends in a meditation room on campus.

For March God directed us to focus on the LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bi-Sexual/Trans.) community…

I will admit, I feel nervous about March…I am kinda surprised I feel this way, we have worked in this community already, I love it, people are so real and honest! But it is not the people that make me anxious…it is the "politics"and "arguments" of this "issue."

My heart breaks, because to me this isn't an "issue" and I don't have some "opinion" on it…

All I know is because of horrible pain and rejection from their experiences with Christians and the Church, the majority of people in this community RUN from, AVOID and TURN AWAY from God. Leaving them alone in the world without their PROTECTOR, DEFENDER, PROVIDER, LOVING FATHER and BEST FRIEND JESUS!

I remember being surrounded by all my best friends, wonderful friends…but still feeling ALONE, and UNKNOWN! I remember accomplishing a college degree, living a in a great house, with a great job….and still feeling like, there must be more to life than this!??!

Jesus is the only thing that changed that! No amount of human love, money, food, success can fill the void, or comfort a broken heart, or shine light and truth on the darkest and most desperate times!

Jesus is the only thing that filled that void, comforted me with His UNFAILING LOVE!

My heart for the LGBT community is the same it is for ANY community or person...it is the same for the "Christian" community too…to discover and experience who God really is and is capable of doing in their life! To discover that He is right there with them in every situation:
In Marriage
Raising Kids
Looking for Purpose and Happiness
Feeling Alone
Depression
Need for Love
Need to Be understood
Need Guidance, Answers and Direction
Comforting and healing pain and trauma

This is my desire for myself, my friends and family, and this community!

Please pray with us, we are asking and believing for HUGE BREAKTHROUGH this month!
And let us know if you are interested in joining us on any level!
I KNOW God has been preparing us and this community to pour out His love…I can't wait to see what else GOD does!

Kyle Jenkins, just wrote an AMAZING post about our heart and desire for the gay community:
Find LOVING ALL PEOPLES on Facebook and Instagram to find his post, current stories, pictures and testimonies!

Loving All Peoples' Ministry Pages

My Personal Pages

Friday, January 16, 2015

Hear and Obey

OBEY seems to be a “4 letter word” these days…but I am starting to discover a totally different reality!

...When it is God and His Holy Book that we are obeying…and not the pressures and voices of this world! Obedience TAKES ALL THE PRESSURE OFF of me and puts it on God!
Obedience gives me:

PROTECTION, ASSURANCE, COMFORT, PEACE, JOY

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is GOOD and PLEASING and PERFECT.

I joined the ministry over 6 years ago to work specifically with women in prostitution. I had absolutely no “experience” or “training” and I had only been following Jesus for about 2 years.

But I had been SEEKING God for my “purpose” and when God opened this door, and confirmed I was supposed to join this ministry, I didn’t question, I didn’t wait, …I didn’t even “pray about it” (I had already been praying about it)…

I just did it…I obeyed!

Let’s be honest, if I had known then, what I know now, I would have run for the hills! I was totally ignorant to what I was getting into and what it was going to take. But ya know what, my ignorance, and His will, has been the SAFEST and most SATISYING place to be! Even on the days when I am burnt out, frustrated, disappointed and want to quit, I always come back to the same thing…God continues to confirm my purpose and assignment in this ministry, right here, right now!

I am so thankful that God just opened the door and asked me to walk through it with Him. He didn't tell me everything and he didn't wait for me to be “trained” or even “spiritually mature” to let me get started!

God was fully aware that I wasn’t “trained” but He knows exactly what I need, when I need it. And he PROVIDES and PROTECTS me each step of the way! My (His) training has come day-by-day, through mentors, relationships, experiences, research, training…practicing, failing, learning, growing!

God has given us a HUGE assignment for 2015…and I am completely UNQUALIFIED to do the job ahead of me…it is going to take a SUPERNATURAL GOD to accomplish this tasks!
But the good news is:

THE PRESSURE IS OFF OF ME!

It is God’s responsibility to “make things happen!”

All I HAVE TO DO IS OBEY!

...its so FREE-ING, LIBERATING, REFRESHING!

In the past 6.5 years, God has taken us on a journey of working with the prostitution industry, the gay community, refugee communities from all around the world, etc. etc. God has taken us to mosques, temples, strip clubs, gang and drug infested communities, AIDS Hospice houses, etc. etc.

…so many different things we had to change our name to Loving ALL Peoples because His assignment was so much bigger than us!

In preparation of the new year, as a team, we silenced our minds, and outside voices and asked God to give us clear direction for 2015 and then we waited and listened…and GOD SPOKE! He spoke to each one of us and has continued to confirm His plans for us in 2015 for our ministry!

He told us to focus on one area, each month…PRAY, FAST, ASK, SEEK, KNOCK and BELIEVE! Through our obedience, he is going to connect us with KEY LEADERS and PERSONS OF INFLUENCE in EACH area that we have worked in the past. Through these God-ordained connections, God is going to form teams and His individual strategy for each area.

Several years ago, God revealed to us the one common denominator to all the areas he has taken us in ministry:

The URGENT NEED to TAKE CHURCH TO THEM!

It’s absolutely crazy to think in just one month, in each of these areas …we could make more progress than we have made in 6 years…but that is why we KNOW IT IS FROM GOD! We have to pray for things that only God can do, so he gets the credit!

We cannot do this, HE HAS TO DO THIS!

Here is our (God’s) FOCUS schedule for 2015:

January: the Hispanic Community

February: Richland College (international students and un-churched Americans)

March: LGBT Community (lesbian/gay/bi-sexual/transgender)

April: Buddhists

May: Muslims

June: Hindus

July: New Age Community

August: the Sex Industry

September - December: waiting on God for more direction

The very same day that God gave us this schedule…and told us to start with the Hispanic Community in January…He created a divine connection with a true person of influence in the Hispanic community! And he keeps confirming, day after day!

January has already taken off with passionate PRAYER, FASTING, CONNECTIONS and TOTAL CONFIRMATION!

With all steps of faith, we have already been plagued with doubt and fear…it was really hard for me to even write this blog…

What if we are wrong, what if we fail, what if...!

But the following verses brought me to tears today and gave me the courage to have faith, believe and BOLDLY go after this!

James 1:5-8 (NLT version)

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Reading “The Circle Maker” and “the 40 day prayer challenge” by Mark Batterson, I was reminded of 2 stories in the Bible where God did not save or deliver his people, by parting the waters, until they stepped into the water…THEY HAD TO OBEY and TAKE A STEP OF FAITH before he parted the water!

So all the pressure is off, let’s JUMP into the water!

If you are passionate and committed to making disciples and/or interceding with us in any of these focus areas of Dallas, OR if you know leaders and connections in these areas, please contact me directly...and quickly! I am sooooo excited, anxiously anticipating what God has in store for us!

Below are a couple of pictures from our work as we focus on the Hispanic Community in January…

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Remembering, Celebrating and Anticipating...

As the year is ending,

I am CELEBRATING several dreams coming true,

REMEMBERING the happy and hard times

and ANTICIPATING what God has planned for 2015…

Loving All Peoples 2014 Picture Slide Show:

(7 min. 46 sec.)

So much has happened this year…

I wish I could tell you the story behind every photo, every encounter, every person…

2014 was full of:

Discovering, training, mentoring, strategizing, exchanging ideas…

FORGIVENESS, BREAKTHROUGH, HEALING...

Markets, events, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, artists, gardeners, GIFTS FROM GOD...

Women, taking care of women…sisters supporting sisters…

Family, community, culture, tradition, new adventures..

Ebola, death, fires, tragedy...

God-Appointed Leaders and Game Changers setting roots in Dallas to partner with!

DISCOVERING God through HIS WORD in homes, apartments, coffee shops and on the street...

Comforting, interceding, fighting for, crying with…

Feeling lost and being found!

Questioning, doubting, discovering!

Carrying a Cross…a true magnet for those HE is drawing to Jesus!

Enjoying sunsets, sunrises, rainbows, and God's creation…

Sharing good food and lots of laughts…

Weddings, birthdays, new babies, crazy kids…

Dancing, cultural holidays...

What a year!

Thank you God for being in control,

and letting me "Come Away With You" (song in video) on YOUR adventure!

Biggest Dream Coming True:

I still can't believe that we have an official neighborhood market in Vickery Meadow!

I thought it was "my idea" or "my" dream 6 years ago, but now I know, God planted it into my heart so I would dream, pray and speak it into a reality…it was HIS dream and He did all the work!

He brought all the people and puzzle pieces together and now it is a reality!

So come out and finish your Christmas shopping at our LAST market of 2014 THIS Sunday!

VICKERY MEADOW LOCAL MARKET

DECEMBER 14th, 9am-2pm

Half Price Books Store Parking Lot

5803 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75231

One of the BEST things that happened to me this year was Sang joining our team!

She has quickly become one of my most treasured friends!

I don't know what we did without her…we definitely did NOT laugh this much!

Experience of a LIFETIME:

East Coast Fall Foliage Trip, October 2014

with Grandpa (92 years old), Mom and one of my best friends Kristen.

I prayed for 2 years asking God to make this trip with my Grandpa a reality, and I still can't believe how God answered these prayers and gave me so much more than I asked for!

We can all cross this off of our "bucket list"…

but now I have to add it to my "trips-I-would-take-over-and-over" list! :)

The TWO BIGGEST JOYS I am celebrating:

BOTH of my sisters gave me new baby boys to hold, kiss and cuddle!

I can't describe the joy and deep adoration I have for my niece and 3 nephews!

And I am remembering the hardest time of the year,

was when we had to say goodbye to my grandma Malone.

I can't even type that without bursting into tears…

…life without both of my grandmas now is so different…its...hard.

The thing that helps is remembering and THANKING GOD for all the beautiful times I had with her and the PRIVILEGE it was to have her as my grandma!

Anticipating and Preparing for 2015

I am truly excited about what God has in store for us next year!

God keeps reassuring me, we are exactly where He wants us to be.

He is preparing the way and things are happening here in Dallas!

Current Financial Need:

Because of such an amazing response during North Texas Giving Day,

I am only about $7,000 short:

I need about $1000/month starting in June for my salary, insurance and expenses.

If you are interested in sending a one-time donation:

Please make checks payable and mail to:

Vickery Meadow Ministry, PO BOX 671127, Dallas, Texas 75367

with a note: "for Michelle Wood"

To become a new monthly supporter:

Contact me: mkw304@gmail.com or 817.939.9519

(50 sec. video from me)

Thank YOU for your love, support and prayers!