Mission Bound

In some of my previous “blogʻs,” I spoke about a living miracle that I get to converse on a daily basis, with my son Nick. If you read my blog in the past, you know that Nick spent almost 30 years battling drug and alcohol addiction. He was arrested more times than I can remember and spent time in local jails including our State penitentiary. Worst of all, he spent many years living under a piece of cardboard or make-shift tent on the streets of Denver.

Last week we had the amazing and exciting opportunity to see Godʻs hand at work. For all those years, we sometimes felt as though God didnʻt hear our prayers. Last week, Nick was installed as the Operations Manager of the Adult and Teen Challange, a world wide Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministry. I realized, that night, that Godʻs plan was being fulfilled, God had a plan!  “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Our Lord had taken this broken and painfully addicted boy and turned him into one of His most precious miracles. We attended a gala to help support the Adult and Teen Challange ministry. We were privleged to hear 65 men, that had been addicted and living on the street, sing praises to our God! The music was beautiful!  The “aroma” of Christ was everywhere. “We are to God, the pleasing aroma of Christ”  (2 Corinthians 2:15) Talking to these men, we were able to hear how the Holy Spirit lifted them up “taking the scales from my eyes”, just as he had done for Nick. 

Nick spoke of the opportunity he had to spread Godʻs Word in Costa Rica and El Salvador. These are two countries with severe addiction problems. While there, Nick and his group baptized over 200 people! People desperately trying to break their addiction issues.

At our church, we have started a “year-on-mission” that will take us to Guatamala in July of 2025. The plan is to build three houses for the homeless in that area.  I was in Guatamala a few years ago and I can tell you, the need for housing is great. Itʻs important that we prayerfully consider supporting or traveling on this mission. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9) There is nothing more heartwarming or fulfilling than to help those less fortunate than ourselves.  Our Lord has richly blessed all of us, now itʻs time to be a blessing to others!!

In Him!

Kent Patton, Operations Manager