Open Letter to Expecting an Encounter Family

March 21, 2016 

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings in the name of the one who is soon to return:   The Lord Jesus Christ!  I want to take this opportunity to invite you to join me on a mental journey.  

Can you imagine cultures in our world where cows are holy, animal sacrifices are a weekly occurrence, and people go into temples to pray for and pay for the sins of their dead loved ones?  Can you envision a world where pastors have been left looking at the trees of the Amazon and the people below without a clue on what to do next?  Can you see the children by the light of a dangerous kerosene lamp trying to read and do their homework?   Can you for a moment visualize boys and girls without shoes, clothes, clean water or any hope of an education?   Picture in your mind countless cultures overrun with darkness.  Islam encroaching on innocent families, churches in these regions doing their best, and yet feeling so alone and inadequate.  

This is the world I have witnessed for the better part of 15 years.  Each time I go and return I am determined to do more.   Over this same amount of time I have gone and returned home something else that is also occurring: The moral decline of America.

Most cling to the false pretense that we can “still fix this country” by getting the right politicians into office or by employing the proper social reform.  However, the reality of the matter is that the root of our problems reach much deeper than that.   We are in the midst of a moral collapse that is devouring the fabric of our society.    What we need is revival and that is a burden God has placed heavily upon my heart.

As I studied the scriptures of Ezekiel,  something stood out to me very clearly:  God changed Ezekiel's profession from a priest to a prophet.   As I studied that, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart: "Steven,  what I did for him I will do with you."   Instead of my first response being:  "Yes Lord" as I have preached, my response was more in line with Jonah.   "What did you say?  I don't want to do that, maybe I did not hear you correctly.” 

A few months later, I read: “But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”  - Amos 7:15.  I know the particular passages were for Ezekiel and Amos.  So, please understand me,  I am not for one moment saying to anyone that I am likened unto Ezekiel or Amos.  For I am not.  However,  what I am saying is this:  As I was studying the Bible,  God’s Word became a fresh word for my life.    What I found was amazing.   God has spoken to His children before by His Word, and it is through His Word that He continues to speak to His children today. 

Concerned by what I saw in the world, and convicted by what I read in the word it has brought to a point of decision.    I must answer the call that God has placed on my life.  You are probably wondering why not do this through Expecting An Encounter?   That is a good question, and let me briefly explain.

As I studied the Scriptures I was brought to Luke 10:37.  The one who was the neighbor was the one who showed mercy.  The word Mercy is the Greek word: Eleos.   Eleos is a noun that means mercy, kindness or goodwill towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.

Many of you, remember that I was on the board and served for many years at To Every Nation, {TEN}. TEN is an organization born in my home church, Highland Terrace Baptist Church.   The vision of  TEN was placed in the heart of a man I consider my spiritual grandfather, Richard Hardy.  Several months ago, Mr. Hardy approached me to become the next president of TEN.    In short,  what we at Expecting An Encounter, and To Every Nation have decided to is to join forces as one organization.  

I want you to meet Eleos Ministries.   My vision is for this new ministry to be a ministry that God would choose to use within the United States and around the world to bring a revival and stir the hearts of His children into merciful action.   I can envision a network of churches and teams engaged in the Gospel message through uniting two tangible means:  mercy and ministry.   I believe that healing and restoration are possible through showing mercy to the afflicted.   Therefore,  Eleos desires to work through the local church, wherever that local church may be.  

Eleos Ministries will seek to meet three of the most universal and basic needs of the world.  Eleos will work through clean energy {light}, clean resources {water}, and clean food sources {aquaponics} to change one home, one church, and one community at a time.    Together,  we can change the world as we reach the least of these.    

I want you to know it is a great privilege to have you pray for my family.  There is so much uncertainty in today’s world, and no doubt this step is a step of faith.  I am well aware of the great risks that are being taken.    As I shared first with my family, and later with the church I pastored for almost seven years, I am confident in my resolve that God has lead me to and asked me to do this.   Therefore, as I share with you I humbly ask that you pray for us.  Please, ask God to grant me wisdom.   I need His wisdom as I take these steps of obedience.   Second, ask God to grant me open doors to share the message of redemption and revival with people across our land and to the world in which we live. 

I would also ask that you partner with us financially in this next phase of ministry.     I ask that you consider becoming what I want to call  an “Encounter Partner.”    We want people to encounter the love of God and the mercy of God.    I am praying for monthly supporters, who would contribute to God’s work through Eleos.   Prayerfully consider being an “Encounter Partner.”  I have enclosed a response card for you to review.  That card has all the information on how you can become and stay involved.

By God’s amazing grace we will continue to ignite passion in the people of God through the proclamation of truth, and through tangible mercy ministries around the world and here at home.  I will send out a newsletter is a few days with more, but for now thank you for praying, and partnering with us.

Expecting An Encounter,

Steven W. McAbee
President, Eleos Ministries

Open Letter To The Family of To Every Nation

March 17, 2016

Dear Friends of To Every Nation,

In the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 we read:  "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven."  This applies to all of us in different aspects or seasons of our lives.  Having reached one of those seasons, it is now time for me to pass the torch to worthy hands.

About a month ago, with full and unanimous agreement from our board of directors, I will be stepping back (not out) of the lead of To Every Nation, Inc.. We have voted and approved Steven W. McAbee as the new President and Managing Director of T.E.N. I will  stay on as Chairman of the Board; therefore passing on all the daily responsibilities to Steven.  Steven and I have had numerous conversations and prayer regarding this change and feel God's direction and hand leading.  Steven is making career changes that he and Tammie have been praying about this for sometime. 

Steven is bringing his ministry and will join with T.E.N. There will be a name change, but will have the same direction.  I have Steven's assurance that he will continue to meet the needs of, " the least of these" while reaching out further to expand the Gospel into “…every tribe, language, and people.”  Revelation 14:6

I have felt the need to spend more time at home with Peg who has been my encourager and prayer partner for the 16 years we have been sharing the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. God has been so good to allow this Rio Grande Valley boy to carry the message of Hope of Jesus to places I never dreamed I would travel.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying, supporting, giving, and going.  Please continue to help us to be the voice of Jesus in areas no one has been willing to go.

As God allows, I will try to make at least two trips a year. Please pray. There is so much yet to do. I thank God He has sent a man with like passion for the lost.

In His Abiding Love,

Richard Hardy

I Will Follow

I Will Follow 

The invitation time is an important part of the service. Yet,  what happens when the preacher who is receiving people for a response needs to give a response himself?  

Several months ago I felt a strong call of God to respond to His Spirit that was speaking and leading me in my spirit. 

For months I've been battling the Lord, in this leading. I've been battling for many reasons. 

Fear, the unknown, fear of the unknown.  I've been battling God over the details, and simply battling a feeling of not being able to do what has asked of me. 

This battle has been one of the most important 

test I think I've ever had to fight and while honestly it's been much of my own doing, it has seemed like a prison sentence for my soul.   

I have experienced many other emotions and desires during these months of struggle.  I feel as I have sorted all of this out in my mind and heart that I have come to only one conclusion.

 I must obey no mater the cost, and no matter how much I love you. 

I had a strong calling to this church and I wanted to have an equally strong calling to say goodbye. 

Through these months of struggling I can honestly say God has confirmed again and again His leading in my life.  He has both affirmed and reaffirmed this calling. 

What I know is that through His Word and through much prayer I am today as confident as I was confused. While I still do not know how, or when, or for that matter, why.  What I do know is I must surrender.  

Therefore, public surrender is my first step in this new journey. 

At this time, I honestly feel as if I am stepping into the water of the unknown. Furthermore,  I feel like I am walking onto an unknown path and  I am navigating through uncharted waters. 

However,  while I do not know what tomorrow holds I know the one who holds my tomorrow and I must prove my trust in Him.  

That is why I cannot deny that faith in a God who has all the answers is where I need to rest. Into His hands I commit my ways and I am sure that there is no safer place than to be with Him and in Him. 

Today, I am announcing to all I know and love that I am surrendering  to a new phase of ministry and life.  A life without certain comforts  and certainties That I have come to rely on.  For me today, what has become  the safe and familiar is no longer faith. 

While, making this surrender means I do not have a church to preach at, and certainly no one is calling me to come.  

At this moment I only have  a burden that if I surrender, God will provide places of ministry for me.  So in certain terms a real part of my battle has been to die to who I have become in order that I can be made into what God desires. 

While that makes a good sermon, it makes for a hard life to lead. One I've almost said I was unwilling to make. 

Many of you will have many questions. I had plenty of my own.  This decision makes no sense,  so please don't ask me to explain it other than to say: "I must obey."

I want to serve  God with all of my heart, and I do not want to be one who has the epithet "He loved God but not with his whole heart."

What this means for me and for you  is that life is changing. Life is changing for me and my family.  Still I know that this decision will  most assuredly change life for all of us. 

If you will allow me,  I want to do my best to explain a few of the steps that confirmed this calling for me.

First, almost two years ago I was preaching through Ezekiel.    As I was studying God's word something stood out to me:  God changed Ezekiel's profession from a priest to a prophet. 

As I studied that, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart: "Steven,  what I did for him I will do with you."   Instead of my first response being:  "Yes Lord" as I have preached, it was more like, "what did you say?  I don't want to do that, maybe I did not hear you correctly."

I struggled with this for several days as I continued to write for that sermon series. 

One day I was sharing my heart with my wife and I posed an off the wall question. "What if?"  What if God were to direct me in new ways?  Instead of me being a pastor I became and evangelist?"  Her response shocked me.  "I am ready and waiting on God to lead you." 

I remember the shock of that conversation. "This could not be happening."  I said to myself. She was supposed to say, "no." She was supposed to say: "You are crazy".   Rather she said things like, "if God is leading us He will provide."

For someone who has struggled with fear she had become so strong, and for me someone who seemed to walk in faith I was in the shadows of so much fear and doubt. 

While I knew that what my wife said was truth, the real question for me was now: was it truth only  in theory or  was I ready to practice it?    

While I had preached it to others was  I willing to live it myself?  This would be the test of my heart and soul over the next several months. 

I decided to tell the Lord maybe someday.  Right now I'm needed here.  Qualifiers began to surface in my hearts conversations with the almighty. 

As the weeks turned into months  what unfolded was again an unexpected moment in the scriptures that spoke to my heart. 

Again, I was preparing to preach through the Minor prophets.  Everything was going great until I came to an obscure passage in  Amos  Chapter 7 and verse 15.   

But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' - Amos 7:15

 When I came to that passage in my spirit I wept. Why?  Because for months, I had suppressed a calling. You see,  a calling of God cannot be ignored or denied.    I had made a fatal spiritual flaw: God does not forget what he directs. 

I know this passage was for Amos and so this was  his testimony and not mine.  Please understand me,  I am not for once saying to anyone that I am likened unto Ezekiel or Amos.  For I am not. But I am saying that through His word God has spoken to his children and it is through His word that He continues to speak to His children today. 

For what we hold in our hands is alive and still at work today. It is more than ink on white pages or words on a digital screen. It is life to our souls. The word of God is still the word of God. 

As I meditated on that Amos passage I told the Lord: "I love my flock and I enjoyed being a shepherd to them.  I'm not ready to leave them, Lord."  I remember saying: "I've been here longer than anywhere God"   I reasoned with the Lord, "let me stay here until the girls are out of school then I will go."

One day in our family devotions I casually mentioned to the family in a form of a question: "what if our life changed and daddy did ministry in a different way?"  Most of the girls were at first a little,  to a lot resistant. 

During those moments, I remember fighting against the goads of God and I would say things like: "Even if I am willing to go, my children will not want to go." Don't ever issue a challenge to God for nothing is to big for him. 

During those days my excuse became my kids.  So  I told the Lord, "If  you want me to step out into the unknown, Change my children's heart."

This God did over the next several months.  

I wont go into all the details here, but Leighanna who was probably the most hesitant came to me by way of letter and then in person, confirming the call he had and was placing on our family.

The letter came in the late spring of 2015.  Then in the early fall of 2015 she came into the living room when Tammie and were talking and  she said "I need to talk to you."

She conveyed to us that during the summer while on a mission trip to New Orleans the Lord convinced and convicted her that we would be moving soon and she needed to support this decision. So she said while I don't want to Go. I trust you to follow God and I know he is leading you. 

Now, I had no more excuses.  My wife was willing, my children one by one confirmed they were willing. There was only one real question left.  It was the real question that remained:  was I willing to obey?

It was easier to blame my delayed obedience on others. To hide behind the vale of others is always easier than looking into the mirror.  

The Spirit then worked overtime on my heart: Day, and night this decision weighed heavy on my heart.  

All I can say is that delayed obedience is disobedience and I don't want to disobey anymore.  So with all my heart, please know I mean this:  I love this church and I love  the people of this church. 

I do not know what the future holds and I do not know what my next steps are but I can't deny God is directing me. I must obey.  I am willing to sit down with the leadership of the church and see what our next steps are.   

As I said I do not have an agenda nor do I have a church calling on me tomorrow.  So I don't have a date in mind. I'm willing to do and stay and serve but i need to express the burning in my heart. 

So if I serve here two more weeks or two more years I will do my best into the Lord to lead and guide and teach and live before you with an honest and broken heart. 

I am confident of this:  Wherever  He leads, He will bless. That means as life changes for both of He will provide for both of us.  So let us trust him, with our Whole heart. 

I know this is shocking and upsetting to many of you. I don't want to hurt  you but  I cannot ask you to surrender your all if I'm not willing to surrender my all. I only ask you to let's commit ourselves together in prayer, seek His will and Obey. 

God is on his throne and more than ever I am convinced  He is at work.  

042016 AM &PM Sermon Notes

What Are We To Do?    

Psalm 11

Theme:  If the foundations of our culture are destroyed, {and they are}, the believer should build his or her life upon the principles of God’s word.

Statement of Truth:

The crisis of life has a way of revealing something that has been happening for a long time!

The Question: 

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?  

The Answer:  

In times of moral decline we are to strengthen the foundations in the Lord!    

We are Not Supposed to do the Following:

1. We are not to flee.  

2.   We are not to flight.

Statement of Truth:

The longer we wait for the heart issues to come out, the uglier they will be when they appear.  

So, what can the righteous do if the foundations are destroyed?

NOTHING!

031316PM Sermon Notes

A Heart For Souls

Matthew 9:32-38

Theme:  For the follower of Christ to develop a heart for the lost souls around them.

Statement of Truth:

It is not the size of the crowd that matters it is the right crowd.

Three Types of Hearts revealed in this Passage:

I.               The condemned heart

·      The fact that this man was demon possessed was the root

·      The fact that this man was mute was the result

o   He could not speak to Christ

o   He could not speak for Christ

II.              The calloused heart

·      Religion without a relationship leaves one condemned

·      As you develop your heart for the Lord you will develop a heart for the Lost

III.            A compassionate heart

·      Are you filled with compassion?

·      Are you devoted to prayer?

·      Are you co-laboring for Christ?