"Mission at the Cross"

Richard & Gina front left

“Mission at the Cross”

Laurel, Mississippi

      Many years ago Richard & Gina founded a Mission ministry in Laurel. Making use of a tornado damaged three story building, they rebuilt it into a facility which houses twenty to thirty men wishing to get off the wide path leading to destruction, onto the narrow path leading to salvation.

 

     These men commit to live here for twelve months in a very strict regimented environment with activities including daily devotions all designed to help them get on and stay on the straight and narrow.

      Troy is the associate pastor at the Salem Heights church I connect with here. On Christmas Eve he delivers a delicious rib eye roast meal to the mission and gives me an opportunity to share a bit with the guys during the short Christmas Eve service.

      On Christmas day the mission host a noon meal for the men and their visiting families. Richard & Gina lead a short devotional where they again give me the honor of sharing a bit.

      These folks have done, are doing and will do a lot for the Kingdom.

May God Bless Them!

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ,

Larry Eugene Stevens

Laurel, Mississippi

Salem Heights Baptist Church

D.J. Benson

Troy

 

“Salem Heights Baptist Church”

Laurel, Mississippi

      About eight years ago as I was working my way east through Mississippi I spotted this church which is right next to the highway. I pulled in because one of the things I have to find as I minister across the country is places to get showers. And I figured there was a chance they'd have one.

 

     Sure enough, I met the senior pastor D.J. Benson who embraced my ministry and graciously gave me access to their shower. In fact, over the years they have given me a set of keys for convenient entree into the facility.

      For the past five years my route has put me here around Christmas time. A time of year when this relatively large church has a slew of social activities centered mostly around delicious meals in their fellowship hall for a variety of groups including at different times seniors, various classroom groups, staff, deacons and their traditional Wednesday evening fellowship dinner.

      With an RV hookup beside the church building, access to the shower and a number of nursing homes in town; I'm able to stick around the area for a bit longer then normal.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Dodson, Louisiana

Dodson First Baptist Church

Dodson, Louisianan

     
     Several years ago I arrived in Winnfield, Louisiana early on a Sunday morning at a church which I'd been allowed to park and shower at the previous year, while ministering in the nursing homes in the area.

      When (what turned out to be) the new pastor arrived, I introduced myself and the ministry asking if I could park, as in the past. Shortly thereafter he and a long-time member called me into an office and refused to allow me the use of the facility.

      Their reason; the church property was owned by their denominations district headquarters and they were afraid they could lose the use of the property.

      In a foggy daze I walked out to the van and drove away not even knowing what direction to take. Simply started driving.

      Ten miles further on, in the bump-in-the-road town of Dodson, I turned right (following what in retrospect must have been the Holy Spirit) for a few blocks when I spotted an old church with some men standing out on the front portico. As I walked up answering their questions about myself, they immediately asked me to bring in the guitar.

      We had time to visit before services and by starting time, they'd given me the sermon time, a place to park by the church and even opened the empty parsonage behind the church so I could get showers.

      Valley's and Mountaintops.

      This year these Dodson folks have arranged for me to minister at a nearby sister-church on Sunday morning, their church Sunday night and on Monday morning for a large group of men at the nearby Teen Challenge facility.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Yoakum, Texas

Yoakum, Texas

      A sweet few days.

 

     Connected with some friends and family at a Home Church type service in a Bed & Breakfast located between La Grange and Brenham, Texas. A very simple time of singing, praising, communion and teaching led by a very knowledgeable first cousin of mine (Donny). Followed by a delicious lunch and time of fellowship.

 

     Stayed at the country home of cousin's Don & Sue Ellen's enjoying some more visiting time, then drove a hundred miles to first cousin Ricci's in Yoakum, Texas for some more special time.

 

     Our dads were brothers and since we were born three days apart, we grew up almost like twins in some ways.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Kerrville, Texas

Friends & Family

 

Kerrville, Texas

      In the town of Center Point, Texas at the “Trinity Church” I enjoyed the honor of presenting the sermon during the worship service last Sunday. A wonderful group of folks which I've connected with every year for over a decade now.

 

     The next day I got to sing for and spend time with a couple I first met in Deming, New Mexico. Bill (the husband) is now in a facility in Kerrville suffering with Alzheimer's.

 

     Later that evening one-hundred miles away in Lakeway, Texas folks at Barb's (Home church/potluck fellowship/prayer service) gave me the opportunity to share in song, testimony and message. A lovely group of folks who love the Lord and work hard for the Kingdom.

 

     Then Tuesday, on into Austin, Texas where I got to visit with some friends and family.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

El Paso, Texas

El Paso, Texas

     Enjoyed a productive time in El Paso, thanks in part to Deborah & Jim.

     My first night in town they invited me to a Fundraiser for a children's ministry held at a large “First Baptist Church”.

     On Sunday morning at their church “Westside Community” I was given the honor of sharing in song, testimony and message. Then joined them along with some of the kids, to the “Veterans Home” where we sang and visited with the folks.

     The pastor's wife of “Westside” works at the “Good Samaritan” facility in town. Monday while I was singing in the assisted living section, the activity director asked me to go to the independent living section of this complex where a large group was gathered in the dinning room for a Veterans Day celebration.

     I sang “Warriors Go Home” written by Charlie Denson, a pastor friend in Montana who served in Veitnam.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Springerville, Arizona

Kenny & Laurie

      This past weekend I enjoyed spending time with old friends' Kenny & Laurie. Now Pastors at the Calvary Chapel in Springerville, Arizona. Got to share a bit during Sunday's service, helped stack firewood a little bit at Saturday's men's fellowship and sang in the local assisted living facility Friday.

Backstory:

                         

      Thirteen years ago, the second year in the ministry, I was passing through this general area on a Sunday. When I showed up at the church they were serving in at the time. They gave me the opportunity to share during the service and invited me back to their house to park overnight and shower.

 

     As we drove there, they noticed that the old van I was using (1991 Dodge Caravan) spewed a lot of smoke out the tailpipe. Later we laughed about the fact that it used a quart of oil every two-hundred miles like clockwork.

 

     The next morning Laurie cooked up a T-Bone steak and egg breakfast. Yum!    Afterward while sitting at the dinning room table visiting, Kenny very humbly said to me, “If you want it, we'd like to offer you our minivan for your ministry”.

 

     Wow! What a gift! A 1997 Dodge Caravan. Six years newer and in great shape. Same make and model, so the bed I'd built and the curtains moved right over.

 

     We simply traded titles. He gave mine to a Pastor on the reservation who used it for another year before it finally broke.

 

     I used his for the next four years, got it up to 226,000 miles before the next one showed up.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Datil, New Mexico

A Tough Day

      On Monday October 28^th I started off with a rather unpleasant encounter in the morning.

 

     Then drove into New Mexico for a few hours, to the bump-in-the-road town of Datil in time to attend the noon Fellowship and Bible Study at the Cowboy Church I stumbled onto last year.

 

     These dear folks gave me an opportunity to share in song and testimony for a bit. They also gave me permission to park overnight at their RV spot on the property like last year.

 

     In the afternoon a very angry lady came aggressively knocking on the camper demanding that I leave. I tried to explain but she would not believe or accept that I had permission.

      I didn't argue, simply left.

 

     I could have gone over to the other church in this small town where I'd ministered in previous years. They'd given me an open invitation to stay anytime. But I was so disheartened and uncomfortable at the time, that I drove another sixty miles down out of the mountains arriving in Socorro just after dark.

 

     It amazes me how much these things hurt.

 

     Interesting that the subject at the Bible Study had to do with Spiritual Warfare.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Lacrosse, Kansas

Mark

      Yesterday I attended the “First Christian Church” in Lacrosse, Kansas where the Pastor (Mark) gave me a 10 to 15 minute opportunity to share in song and message during the service.

      At the end of the service while going through their announcements Mark asked me to do the nursing home service in town which he was scheduled for at 2:00 pm.

      So after sharing a meal at a nearby restaurant with a group from the church, I got over to the “Locust Grove” facility and had a wonderful time with about twenty residents.

Background:

      Quite a few years ago I stopped in this town on a Wednesday and sang in their nursing home attached to the hospital. The activity director called her Pastor (Mark) encouraging him to come meet me. Which he did.

      Turned out that on Wednesday afternoons they gathered a group of about 50 children (mostly little tykes) for a service followed by a meal. Mark asked me if I'd do the service for them.

      Well I figured right off that singing old gospel songs was not going to work. So, I did just a couple of “Jesus Loves Me” type songs, told them what I do in simple terms, then opened it up to question & answer.

      It worked very well. Seems like just about every child had a question. They stayed focused and relatively quiet.

      Now this was back when I was living in the minivan. So many of their questions were due to their fascination over someone living that way.

      They were so sweet and absorbed. Needless to say this is a special memory for me.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Osceola, Nebraska

Bill & Jo

      During the beginning of the ministry, while using the first minivan (about fifteen years ago) I was passing through the small town of Osceola, Nebraska when I noticed a city park with a couple of free RV spots with a three day limit.

      So I pulled in, put up the curtains and started reading a book. Not long afterwards I heard someone pull up, walk over and ask, “ Are you alright? ”.

     I never looked out, just simply answered, “Yes I'm okay”.

      If memory serves, I sang in the town's nursing home the next morning and continued on down the road.

      Years later I again passed through that same town. I pulled into the city park and noticed what appeared to be an employee in a city truck driving around. So stopping beside him, I told him what I do and asked if there was a place in town where I could get a shower.

      He immediately answered, "Yes, my house".

      He had me follow him to his house, introduced me to his wife (Jo), insisted I park there at the house overnight and it being close to the weekend he connected me with the Pastor of his church paving the way for an opportunity to share a bit during the upcoming Sunday service.

      When I shared with local folks about what Bill had done the common response was, “Yep, that's Bill”.

P.S. Turned out, it was Bill who had stopped to ask if I was alright all those years ago.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Idaho Falls, Idaho

"Old Faithful Christian Ranch" Island Park, Idaho

"Fall Men's Retreat"

      This past weekend I enjoyed some nice fellowship at a Fall Men's Retreat I'd been invited to. Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning we met at the “Old Faithful Christian Ranch” near West Yellowstone outside of Island Park, Idaho.

      Staff served three delicious meals a day. A fella (Jeff) from Utah presented some teachings on the history of Blood Covenants and how they relate to our current relationship to God and Jesus.

      Also, I enjoyed the honor of sharing in song, testimony and message throughout the weekend.

      Sunday morning we awoke to about an inch of snow on the ground. By mid-morning when we left (after breakfast and a short service) snow was coming down rather heavy.

      Had to drive four and half miles to get back on pavement, then another roughly ten or twenty miles to get to lower altitude and out of the snow.

      Did some praying along the way.

      Made it to Idaho falls with no mishaps or slip-sliding away.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

American Falls, Idaho

American Falls, Idaho

  "Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."

  "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."  Luke 9:49, 50

Kids Club

      Left the west coast, driving east across the rather warm Sacramento Valley, on up into higher/cooler elevation in Nevada. Stopped in Fallen, Nevada to sing in the memory care section at “Highland Village” and to say high to some old friends at the fairgrounds.

      Three different tent revival ministry's converge here every year to support one another for a four day revival. But this year I was a week too early. They'd arrived, but were not setting up until the following week. Unfortunately I had to continue on due to commitments in Idaho for the next few weeks.

      Continued on to American Falls, Idaho to a unique group I get to spend time with every year. The church I park at while ministering in this area was originally built and owned by the Baptist organization.

      Back when the main Lutheran organization endorsed homosexuality, many Lutheran churches broke away. One such group in this area started their own congregation “Shepherd of the Falls” part of the “Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ” LCMC.

      They coordinated with the Baptist group here and now share the building. They hold an early Sunday service in the sanctuary while the Baptist group have Sunday school classes, then the Baptist group hold a worship service in the sanctuary while the Lutherans have class.

      I've been given the honor of sharing in song, testimony and message in both Lutheran and Baptist services.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Eureka, California

Dennis & Daphne

  Fred & Carolyn

     Dennis and Daphne have been Pastoring the “Calvary Chapel” just outside of Eureka for many years now.

      Fred and Carolyn have been Elders here for many years as well. These folks have given me a sweet Spiritual Embrace all the years I've been coming through here.

      Fred Coached two College football teams in this area for a number of years. They are well loved; know and are known by, a lot of people around here.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

 

Brookings, Oregon

"Thursday Night Barbecue Fellowship at the Beach" Brookings, Oregon

Southern Oregon Coast

      I'm parked at the “Good Samaritan” nursing home in Brookings, Oregon. One of the few facilities which allow me to park overnight.

      Randy, the maintenance man of the nursing home section and John, manager of the independent living apartments invited me to their church's Thursday night Barbecue Fellowship on the beach where I enjoyed the opportunity to share a short testimony and message.

      Then early this morning I joined them for a men's breakfast fellowship at the church, before singing back here at the Home.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Bandon, Oregon

"Restoration Worship Center" Bandon, Oregon

Sunday Morning Service

Dan & Mary

      Dan & Mary started this church (in Bandon,Oregon) about sixteen years ago. Named it “Restoration Worship Center”.

      Through many trials and tribulations they have kept it going for the Lord.

      During that time they have built and continue to support two churches in Kenya. As well as an orphanage there.

      They started housing the elderly (through the State programs) in their home and now for many years have done it with a purpose built “Personal Care Home” housing fourteen residents. And are in the process of building a second “Personal Care Home” housing nineteen residents.

      To top it off they have through the years raised twenty-seven children in the “Foster Care Program”.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

North Bend, Oregon

      Seven weeks ago as I crossed into Montana, the van's oil pressure gauge started doing an alarming thing. When I would come to a stop sign, the red warning light would begin to flash and the psi oil pressure gauge would drop all the way to zero. I could shift into neutral and it would come right back up to normal.

      I kept a close eye on the oil level and even did an oil change while in Montana. I've been shifting into neutral at stop signs ever since.

      Recently got advise from an old-timer who suggested it was most probably the oil pressure sensor. After researching on-line I figured I might be able to do the repair myself.

      So this morning I relocated stuff blocking the Cowling on the inside of the van, to gain access to the engine compartment. Drove to the parts store for the 26 dollar part. The manager let me borrow the tool needed to remove the old and insert the new sensor. Which I did in the parking lot.

      Drove back to the church I'm parked at to replace the Cowling and put all the stuff back where it was. Gauge seems to be working just fine now.

 

     Thank you Lord for giving me what was needed to deal with this issue.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will guide your path.

 

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

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May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Reedsport, Oregon

Dennis

     Dennis and Cathy live in Las Vegas, Nevada. They periodically head-out for weeks at a time presenting a unique sermon at prearranged churches around the northwest.
     The sermon title is "Hands of the Potter".
     They do an excellent job of sharing the gospel along with some encouragement and life lessons.
     A prime example of a few Biblical teachings.
1) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
2) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
3) Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8


 

Lincoln City and Newport, Oregon

Don & Pat

    Don & Pat are members at the New Life Foursquare church in Lincoln City, Oregon. For a number of years they have supported my ministry on a monthly bases. May God Bless Them! 

Robin

    Many years ago I met Robin at the assisted living facility in South Beach, Oregon where she was working as the activity director. She is now a massage therapist.
    A year after I first met her (as I came through this area) she wanted to help the ministry by adding a flip-phone to her service and taking care of the 10 dollar monthly fee, thus giving the ministry a phone. She provided that for a number of years.
    What a Blessing that was through the years that the ministry was unable to. 
.

Deer

Listen

Listen!

      Anna Bell was a hundred and five years old when I knew her. She lived at the Village Christian Apartments where I worked.

      On the bottom floor of one of the buildings there was a large fellowship hall with attached kitchen for special events. I was sitting next to Anna Bell during one of these social functions when she turned to me and said, “Larry, I thought you were 26 years old, but somebody told me you were 50.”

      I responded, “Well I’m 37.”

      But I got to thinking later, that from her perspective of 105; there probably wasn’t much difference between 26, 37 or 50.

      In some ways, everything is relative.

 

     So anyway, one of my jobs there was working a regular Monday–Friday 40 hour work week as assistant maintenance man. I also had the title of Assistant Manager, but all that really meant was that I was on call 24 hours a day which gave me an apartment to live in on the property.

      One day the main maintenance man came to me and said, “When you get a chance, go check out Anna Bell’s furnace closet. She claims she’s hearing a noise in it. I’ve checked it out and I don’t think there’s anything wrong, but just to make her happy why don’t you go take a look too.”

      A little bit later I spotted Anna Bell in the courtyard sitting on a bench. I went over and sat down beside her and said, “Anna Bell, I understand you’ve got a problem in your apartment.”

      She said, “Yes, there’s a noise coming from my furnace closet. It happens twice a day. Just before eight in the morning it goes beep, beep, beep. And then again in the evening just before eight it goes beep, beep, beep again.”

      I said, “Well Anna Bell, that sounds like an alarm clock.”

      We went up to her apartment and sure enough, located right next to the furnace closet was a table with a beautiful electronic clock on top. I walked over and set the alarm to go off—beep, beep, beep.

      Anna Bell got all excited, pointing at it saying, “That’s it! That’s it!”

      I turned off the alarm, explained what had probably happened and from then on as far as she was concerned, I could do no wrong.

Listen!

Junction City, Oregon

Gordon & Daisy

      I'm at the “King's Grace Fellowship” Foursquare church in Junction City, Oregon. I've been coming through here for a number of years now.

      Gordon & Daisy (in their mid 70's now) have been pastoring in Junction City for 45 years. Before that they were missionary's in Ethiopia for 3 years until local's started killing westerners. Which led them to leave that country.

      Gordon says, “It was a scary time, being able to hear machine-guns from our house and knowing of friends who'd been killed.”

                             Look for these messages on the Blog and Facebook.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Sandpoint, Idaho

Valley Vista

Church of God

Jon & Cathy

 

      In Sandpoint, Idaho across the street from the “Valley Vista” nursing home, there is a small “Church of God” with a three bedroom two bath mobile home on the same property. Jon & Cathy have been Pastors of the church and living in the home for many years.

      Their two extra bedrooms almost always have someone staying there who are in need of help. At this time there are even two more staying in the church building. Also out of the church building they have a ministry (Helping Hands Healing Hearts) providing food and clothing for those in need, incorporating help from other local churches.

      Jon has a neat testimony about angels. Back in the seventy's he was driving through a Severe Blizzard ninety miles from his home at the time. (Now this is before cell phones.) Pretty quick his windshield wipers froze up. He had to drive with his head out the window. He figured if he could stay in the ruts he'd be okay. But eventually he slid off into the snow bank.

      He says, “I thought; this is it, I'm going to die here. But then a man pulled up in a four wheel drive truck and offered to pull me out. We hooked a chain to my rear bumper and he pulled me out, lined back up in the ruts. I unhooked the chain, dropped it to the ground and turned to thank him.

      The man was gone! The truck was gone! The chain was gone!”

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry

Kalispell, Montana

"Foursquare Church" Kalispell, Montana

Ron

      I'm parked at the Foursquare church in Kalispell, Montana. I first met Ron (the pastor) about seven years ago at a church on the Oregon coast where he was visiting. He'd previously pastor-ed there and was on vacation with his family. As I pulled in to the church parking lot, he was preparing to leave with his travel trailer. 

     We have a laugh every time we see each other because when I learned he was leaving that day I said, “Good, you're in my spot”.

      Although a nice place to park with electricity, wifi and access to the church; there is no shower here. However, in town there is a place called “A Ray of Hope”. A lovely little homeless ministry (faith based) which allows me to get daily showers.

      Today Ron has given me time to share with the congregation and arranged for me to do the same at another church this afternoon.

Look for these messages on the Blog and Facebook.

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Larry Eugene Stevens.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ, Larry