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.
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
President, Eleos Ministries
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