I came with a Bible in one hand and bread or a hammer in the other to reach-out to people in love with a two-handed Gospel.  It is all about relationship.  It is all about serving others with works, but in something far beyond works alone. It is about becoming their true friend in a form of continuing, intimate relationship.  And though it didn't seem like much of a plan when I left the States, but it has worked so far. 

I am not a professional minister.  I do missionary-type work, but don't particularly think of myself as a Missionary.  Instead, I am more of a discovering disciple, who having heard God speak the following following scriptures to him in 2003 had an encounter with God which led to an encounter with Bolivia.

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me:

I was sick, and ye visited me:

I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,

Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]?

or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?

When saw we thee a stranger,

and took [thee] in?

or naked, and clothed [thee]?

Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you (Michael),

Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done [it] unto me

Matthew 25: 35-40

I heard in that moment an invitation from Christ.  "Michael.  Would you embrace Me in love without condition?"  And with that invitation came the understanding that, the invitation was a door to walk through.  And to walk through it and find the One inviting me to know Him more; I would have to go to Bolivia.

The invitation then quickly changed in my mind and heart to a clearly defined assignment: 

I was to go to Bolivia and embrace in every way "the least of these." 

And if I would do that,

I would literally embrace Jesus Himself

Strangely, it almost feels as though it was a choice made for me.  I did indeed have to choose to come, but, it was more like I was returning to a place i was supposed to be than like I was going to a place I had never been.

I have now been here for over five years.  God has opened multiple opportunities to simply love people.  Relational evangelism has saved spiritual lives.  And prayer has saved physical bodies.  I have discipled and been discipled.  I have found that the importance in God's eyes of one soul exceeds the importance of a myriad of other things we occupy our days and time doing. 

I have worked with traditional churches, crossing nearly every denominational barrier.  I have worked with cell churches, and learned much from them.  I have discovered House Churches, and am excited about them.  And perhaps above all, I have awakened to the fact that Jesus called us to make disciples to be true Doers of the Word.

I am fully persuaded that my present paths have been chosen for me by my Heavenly Father.  As I walk these pathes out, I bear no titles, except perhaps laborer, brother or friend.  I seek no glory, only opportunity to effectively love others and lift them up in that love. 

My life, my person, and my work are acceptable to some; unacceptable to many; and most often, quite mis-understood.  To many, my present attempt to embrace Christ is nothing less than foolishness.  My personal way of acting-out my faith is often an undefinable enigma to them.  I have stopped trying to explain it to others however.  I just try to walk with my Savior by grace, as best I can in His perfect love.

My desire is child-like in simplicity.  I want to follow Christ in a very definite reality; not so much to serve Him (in the common sense of that word) but rather in a way in which I am able to embrace and touch Him in all I do.  I believe these scriptures in Matthew 25 gave me a key to His own heart.  As long as I continue to be a "Doer" of what those scriptures, I will have an overflowing abundance of intimate relationship with Him among others.  That is my true goal.  And that fullness of relationship is all that I require.

In "doing" that, I claim nor want any label except His Name.  I attempt to walk in love and truth.  As best as I am able, I remain at peace with all men.  I require no authorship or ownership of any work; and take no credit for what only His grace can accomplish.  My reward is His smile.  And I will work with anyone, in any way, in any place, under any condition; which serves His redeeming purpose and gives Him joy.  

I hope this helps you better understand what Vertical Life Missions is really all about.  It's about love.  It's about grace.  It's about relationship with all kinds of people in His Church where love truly goes beyond the boundries of words alone.

You're invited