On Friday night, August 28th I’ll be speaking at a city-wide evangelistic event in Tracy, California (a suburb of the bay area).  The event is sponsored by over 20 churches from all over Tracy and thousands of people will come to hear the message of Christ.  I’m humbled and honored to be a part.

This event will kick off the 40 Days of Love campaign in which all 20+ churches will participate.  These churches banded together in response to many painful events affecting Tracy over the last year.  A girl was found dead in a suitcase.  A boy was shackled in a basement and abused.  Alcoholism is rampant.  Mortgage foreclosures are at an-all time high.  This small city of 80,000 people has suffered considerably and is in need of hope.

Originally created at Saddleback, the 40 Days of Love campaign is all about healing, restoration, reconciliation, and mission.  I’m thrilled to know that part of the campaign is centered around small groups.  The 20+ participating churches want to start 1000 new small groups throughout the city this fall to help people begin their journey of  forgiveness, salvation, deliverance and discipleship.

The subject of my talk on the 28th will revolve around “walking contradictions”.  The vast majority of us are walking contradictions because we believe in God, but don’t live like it.  We believe there is a God, but:
- We don’t share our faith.
- We only turn to Him when we need help.
- We ignore our guilt.
- We justify our wrong doings.
- We care more about life here than in eternity.
- We want the benefits Jesus offers without living like him.
- We live like there’s no hope.

Through faith in Jesus and a relationship with him we can live lives of consistency and meaning.  Our lives can finally be part of a broader context and calling.  We can have a foundation for understanding the pain and suffering in this world.  We can have hope!

I am fasting and praying for this event and I ask that you join me.  Please pray for the city of Tracy, California.  Pray that many will give their lives to Jesus.  Pray that marriages will be saved, relationships restored, addictions broken, and hope found.  Pray that I will deliver God’s message boldly and clearly.  Pray for God’s great will to be done in Tracy as it is in Heaven!