Nate Clark shares the gospel and teaches others to do the same.

Nate Clark grew up in rural Iowa and has lived in San Antonio for almost 10 years. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in pottery from Graceland University in Lamoni, IA, he served as a chef in fine dining restaurants for 13 years until God called him into full-time ministry three years ago.

Nate says, “There was a time in my life when I was very angry, hurt, and had no sense of self-worth, mostly because my dad didn’t love me. I hated everyone and everything and myself most of all. I contemplated or planned suicide or suicide bombing on several occasions. My life absolutely sucked.

“Then, when I was 16, I read the Bible. I learned that God loves me and that he showed his love for me in Christ. He put His money where His mouth was and proved His love for me. It wasn’t just a hollow claim. He loves me so much He died for me. And not just that- but His love for me was so wholesome and so complete that His death also gave me forgiveness for my sin. The death I very justly deserved for being the absolutely terrible person that I was, was paid for in Jesus’s sacrifice. And as if that wasn’t enough, I got the Father I always wanted. Because of what Jesus has done, and because I have received Him and believed in Him, I have the right to call myself a child of God because that is what I am!

“When I learned this, it absolutely blew my mind. It totally wrecked me. I chose to accept Jesus’s love for me and follow him. Now my life is completely different than I ever imagined it could be. I have a wife who God uses every day to test me and try me but also to remind me of His great love. And now I’m a father! I have a son who I get to love and be an example for.”

Nate credits Ben Hanna for mentoring his spiritual development and equipping him to do the work of the Great Commission. His life changed in a way he never would have imagined. He, then, began his ministry of sowing the seed of the gospel and teaching other believers how to obey Jesus, by committing themselves to the work of the gospel.

Nate works closely with a global network of disciple-makers, missionaries, and church planters called No Place Left (NPL), who focus on using simple, biblical, and easily reproducible tools to facilitate God’s movement into all the peoples of the world. His partners include a network of traditional and non-traditional churches, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and E-3 Partners.

Along with his wife Alison and son, Keith, Nate has moved into Baptist Temple’s Olaya Long House as Missionaries in Residence. They will practice hospitality evangelism in our neighborhood and help equip God’s people to be soul-winners.

 

More Than Green Beer and Shamrocks

“Kiss me, I'm Irish!”
 
Today everyone is Irish. People all over America will dress in green, watch parades, drink green beer and eat cabbage to celebrate Irish heritage but there’s more to Saint Patrick than that. Did you know that the patron saint of Ireland is not Irish?

Patrick was born and raised in 5th Century England but was taken into slavery by Irish raiders at age 16. He cried out to God in despair, remembering scripture he'd learned in childhood: "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15)

After six years of captivity, he escaped to Normandy, where he studied 12 years for the ministry. Patrick felt a call to return to Ireland and teach the good news of Jesus Christ to the people who had kidnapped and enslaved him. He was the first person in 400 years to preach the gospel outside the Roman Empire.
 
Patrick did not hesitate to follow God’s call, though he lacked the backing of both the church and his family. He paid for his voyage by selling his inheritance.

Patrick faced strong opposition from the Druid priests, who practiced magic and served as advisers to the Irish chieftains. He wrote that he lived "in the midst of pagan barbarians, worshipers of idols, and of unclean things… Daily I expect murder, fraud or captivity but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God almighty who rules everywhere."

Patrick’s enjoyed a successful ministry in Ireland. He multiplied his impact by leading the chieftains to faith first. Patrick was then trusted by the chieftain's with the education of their children, instead of the druids, creating the first generation of Irish Christian ministers.

Patrick strongly felt God's presence. Visions had helped him escape captivity and brought him back as a missionary. It wasn't intellectual arguments that he brought to the Irish; it was the reality and power of the living God. He understood that the Druid priests worshiped the principalities and powers of which the Apostle Paul warned. He taught them to pray to a more powerful Power; the God who delivered him and continued to protect him.

Patrick’s was in his seventies when he died. In thirty years of ministry he converted Ireland. The slave trade and human sacrifice was eliminated, Christianity was established, and the monasteries that he left behind would preserve Western teaching during the Dark Ages.

For more information read:

How the Irish Saved Civilization : The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe

Confession of St. Patrick


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Can dogs go to heaven?

Mark 7:24-30

Jesus response to a desperate woman with a demon-possessed child seems so mean, “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27)

He didn't just refuse her. He called her a dog! That’s not the response she (or we) expected. The woman was not Jewish. The Jews considered all Gentiles (non-Jews) to be unclean, contaminated by paganism and impurity. Jesus' response is as much for the audience of supporters and enemies as it is for the woman. He is saying that he should finish his ministry in Israel before branching out.

Paul would later write, "I am not ashamed of the good news because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believers: first for the Jew and then for the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)

The woman's rebuttal is amazing. She uses Jesus imagery to make her case saying that even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the children’s table. She needed a miracle for her child that only Jesus could provide. She did not need much, merely a crumb.

This woman shows insight into the teachings of Jesus that his closest followers lacked. Her response is both humble and bold at the same time.

Jesus was impressed with her undivided heart, her persistent faith, and her willingness to settle for crumbs. He says, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:29)

Through this gesture, Jesus tells us that everybody is welcome to God's party. He is reminding us that God called Abraham to be a blessing for all nations. No matter who you are or where you come from, you are welcome to the party.

 

The spiritual power of pairs and small groups

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus divided the 12 disciples into pairs and sent them out on mission, giving them authority over impure spirits.

This sending of the disciples two-by-two has a practical side. Solomon advises, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)

There is a spiritual side as well. Jesus said, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, NIV)

The Book of Acts repeatedly illustrates these pairings:

• Peter & John (Acts 3:1-5)
• Barnabas & Paul (Acts 13:42-43)
• Paul & Silas (Acts 16:16-30)

Following Jesus' model of working in pairs increases accountability and provides encouragement. Working in pairs, the disciples experienced ministry success; they drove out many demons and healed the sick. (Mark 6:13)

Even our poor are rich

Poverty and prosperity are relative terms. For example if you own a car, you are among the wealthiest people in the world. At the same time if you feel the need to impress others with your material wealth, you will never have enough.

I once observed villagers in Ecuador who lived in bamboo huts. They were lacking in material wealth but seemed to be happy. They had families and friends, the children played games and the adults worked. I realized just how easy it is to be happy if we don’t become obsessed with getting more.

I have a friend who lives off a monthly disability check and lives in a Section 8 subsidized apartment. All his needs are met at a very modest level. He enthusiastically volunteers his time for a variety of ministries. He understands that God has put him in a unique position to be a missionary to his apartment building and his neighborhood. He does not view himself as poor but, rather, called to a sacrificial way of life.

When we learn to simplify our lives and live within our means, a world of possibilities is opened up for us.

Another friend found herself alone and impoverished when her husband left her following a crippling accident. Unable to work she went about learning how to prosper in her poverty. She spent many hours at the library enjoying the air conditioning and learning how to fend for herself.

She went to a local grocer and said that she would give him a quarter everyday for all the spoiled produce. She would salvage the edible portions and make a stew. Later, she made a deal with an elderly man in her apartment building, to cook his meals if he would pay for the groceries. They then shared the meal.

She never felt sorry for herself nor envied what others had. She was content where she was and grateful when her prospects improved. She looked back on those days as character building not misfortune.

Certainly to have is usually better than to have not but the chronically dissatisfied and, especially, the greedy will never be content. “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.” Proverbs 28:25

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12