by Joe Christian

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

Ministry, Poverty, and the Secular Life! 11.18.08

I am fine until I get around people doing well and able to eat better, dress better and transport themselves about better than I do. Even in the Church I feel as though I am only one of their poor cousins. St. Paul said of such situations that "You have reigned without me!" And "You have become kings!" And he spoke of those who were "Super Apostles" while he still worked so hard performing all the works of a truer apostle!

I an healed of the crippling affects of illness and from poisoning by a crime and drug syndicate before that; so now that I parted with my long time little sport-looking Geo Storm that I used for years in the ministry but could no longer maintain without some extra funds, means and support, I walk or ride mass transit. Do you know though that there are still some things that one cannot do without owning their own motor vehicle?

My Geo was in need of repair and sitting in back, as I had taken it off the street until it could be repaired and serviced, and was walking (since I am now healed), and riding the city transit system. And one day I posted two For Sale signs on my Geo. In no time at all "Brother Patrick" purchased it. He feeds the hungry downtown through a Catholic Charity, and then he likes to go out of town to get away and do things when he has a few days off. "Brother Patrick" is a lay brother (a lay brother or sister is usually a secular' Christian serving in some kind of ministry but not in a religious order or ordained by any institution and is usually not looking to be, and are simply satisfied just humbly serving).

I used to drive all through the mountains in these two connecting states and minister to the poor. I also met many racists Meth manufacturing people and families who claim to be Christians and Born Again and tote both Bibles and then weapons as well, and have a militia mentality along with all that! After three years of intensify ministry, it was the Mormon community that seemed the most friendly to me, especially after a far world reaching international Pentecostal church bestowed upon me the title of "Bishop" for all of my far travelling apostolic ministry that impressed them so much! My Mormon friends are still special people to me and they do not see a real difference between themselves and general Christianity, and even view Christian TV and think that it is all the same as worship at their own "Temple". Such nice people the Mormon community is though!

And after three years of aggressive ministry in that region, one day I was sitting in the living room of a Christian family of a denomination not of my own but had also been very good to me, very accepting and very generous in their support; the father speaks up and tells his children that he was romantically attracted to me but that it was all OK! And I left with an excuse to go, but I never returned to their house again! I was so embarrassed as well as so depressed that so few people seemed to understand my message and ministry, goals and concerns in the region even the kind and generous who all seemed to only like me for me, but my message to them never got really across there? I felt like an apostolic failure! Helping others and saving souls is my holy call!

When I was eight God spoke to my heart and told me that I was a "Missionary"! Am I?

I do not seem to have very many converts or helped persons all these many years since?

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