Planting a Church in Minnesota

Dear Co-laborer in theLord, Let me tell you a little about my growth in the Lord.In 1993, I was a graduating senior at South Charleston High School in WestVirginia. At that time, I was the West Virginia High School Football player ofthe year, and was nominated a blue-chip High School All-American by nationalsports reporters. I received a full football scholarship to Bethune-CookmanUniversity in Daytona Beach Florida where I played four years. I played so wellthat I caught the eyes of many professional football scouts. I was projected to get drafted in the fourthround of the NFL draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, at the start of onecollege game, the question of the day was how many touchdowns would theopposing team’s quarterback throw that day? Well, I am happy to say that he hadthe courage to throw my way, but like the other Quarterbacks that year who haddared to throw my way, I had picked him off just the same and reveled in theglory. He decided after the second interception he would not throw the ball inmy direction again. So I had come outvictorious. But an interesting thing happened following the secondinterception, after extending my body to dive and snatch the ball out of the airand away from my opponent I stood up in the end zone to celebrate my victorywith the traditional end zone dance. It was there in the middle of mycelebratory dance my future was forever altered. As my body was gyrating andcontorting I stretched, strained, and injured myself. Believe it or not, I wasunaware of the injury until the next Monday in the training room. When I becameaware of it, my number one question was “Why, God?” I was a youngChristian then, and I did not understand why God would do this to me. I barelyfinished out the rest of the football season, and as a result of my injury, mydraft status plummeted. On draft day my name was not called. Fortunately, I waspicked up as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings, but my situation lookedbeyond hopeless. I now realized that Godput me in this position where I had to trust in His ability and not myown. I was called to tryout to makeMinnesota’s 53 man roster even though they had drafted three other people whoplayed my same position and picked up two other veteran players who also playedmy same position. Like I said, my situation seemed hopeless. However, as theold saints used to say “BUT GOD” Iimpressed the coaches more than any other player that year - except for RandyMoss that is. And, during this process God gave me two dreams: One, I wasstanding inside of the Minnesota Viking’s home stadium and two, God showed me Iwould produce abundant fruit from playing football. There I was with one legand trusting God that He would follow through on His promise. Do you know what happenednext? I was cut. But, even though I was cut something inside of me would notallow me to trust my circumstances more than I was trusting in God’s promise.So, two weeks into the season, who do you think called my house? The MinnesotaVikings! They called and asked me to play on their team. And, forthe next two and a half years I did just that, starting the last six games ofmy career and even being named most valuable player for one of them.Personally, I think the most remarkable thing in my whole experience was thefact I learned to trust in God, no matter what. At times God allows you to get in hopelesssituations so that you are forced to trust in Him so that he can give hope toothers. Saints, we are in anextremely polarized society, and in a day when people doubt the very existenceof truth itself. This is a time when many people’s faith seems to be ebbing. Icould go on and on and speak about unspeakable horrors in the world, yet Ithink the Scriptures summarize our situation best. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers ofmoney, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control,brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasurerather than lovers of God, holding to aform of godliness, although they have denied its power. You know Paul paints ableak picture of our times. However, as the old saints used to say“BUT GOD”. Remember God allows you to get in hopeless situations so that you are forced totrust in Him so that he can give hope to others. We have another prophecy about our times that doesgive us hope. In Joel 2: 28-32 'and it shall be in the last days,’ God says, That I willpour forth my Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shallprophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dreamdreams; even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pourforth of my Spirit, And they shall prophesy... 21 and it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of theLord will be saved.' Eventhough God does tell us that times will be difficult, He also says that He willbe with us and empower us to overcome, to endure, and people will besaved. I don’t know about you butsomething inside of me will not allow me to solely trust what I see around me,something in my heart is screaming, trust in God. Without faith it is impossible to please God,but without trust it is impossible to know Him. God’s word says these days willbe difficult. And, they are. However, God also says that He will empower us, bewith us, and ultimately gain victory through us if we choose to trust in Himuntil the end. So,I said all of this to tell you again “BUTGOD”. I am not playing in the NFL now, but after allowing me to endure aseason of great suffering, God hascalled me to help give hope to others as He gave hope and deliverance to me.He has led me to plant a church on the mission field. This field is ready forharvest even though it is in a difficult place. The United States of America!Yes, in this country of many churches we need a church to reach those who mayhave given up on church or who have never heard the Gospel (yes even in the USthis is true). Help me by praying for this plant of the Endurance Church inMinnesota and, as the Lord leads, sending a financial contribution to beginthis part of the body of Christ. I need your help to accomplish this task. Ivalue this opportunity and your support for the ministry. Romans 5:3-4 says,“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering producesendurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Please make yourcontribution payable to: MinnesotaDistrict Council: Assemblies of God Inthe Memo line please write: Endurance Church Please Mail yourdonations to: 1315Portland Avenue Minneapolis,MN 55404 612-332-2409 In Christ, Anthony Bass – Lead ChurchPlanter