That was my statement before, during and after the 3000 mile road trip.  Originally I planned for a trip that covered the state of Michigan, but by early May God let me in on a secret: I was supposed to go to Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey the first two weeks of June, not Michigan.  Maybe Later.

Since the inception of this ministry I have never taken a ministry trip with so many unceratin variables.   Leaving my family for two weeks,  a stop on the trip cancelled the week I was to leave, ministry cashflow, and I was just 11 days out after having triple hernia surgery.  I almost cancelled the trip the day before I left.  I prayed and knew that the potential impact far outweighed the risk.  I knew I simply must go and trust God.  Easily said, walking it out was the most incredible experience I have had in ministry.  The trip reminded me of the theme of a missions conference Oral Roberts University had when I was a student there: "It must be a struggle".

Imagine packing for a two week trip, but by doctors orders you can't lift more than 20 lbs.  MY TRUNK WAS FULL!  The first stop seemed easy enough:  share the vision of KFCUSA with a church in Cape Girardeau, MO.  A five hour drive with nothing to do but pray and think (Okay obsess) about all the reasons this trip is the ultimate walk of faith.  Over dinner the Associate Pastor informed me that 80% of the people in that church were there because they were involved in their Christian school.  The cynic in me thought: "Great, the national statistics say that 90% of America's children attend public school sand I get to minister in the one church in the USA that has only 20% public school kids."  The message was to be a call to action. To date, one mom from that church has contacted us that she and her son would like to launch a club in the fall.  Obviously God showed up. 

The next stop was filled with uncertainty, but now I had shifted into the "faith gear."  York, Pennsylvania was to be an adventure a minute.   On Wednesday I wasn't in the host church 15 minutes before I heard a story about West York, HIgh School.  I had heard of schools where the first amendment rights of students and teachers were being violated with regard to sharing their faith, Bible clubs, etc. BUT this one was absolutely unbelievable.  Some of the details (the ones that will make your blood boil) I will not post here, just know they are apalling in a Sodem  kind of way.  I made a couple of phone calls and ultimately began a process that will help a group of parents and students to make a stand. The part of this story that was really difficult for me was the the apparent intimidation of the people. 

I was blessed to meet with what the Pastor Jack Cashman called "cluster" groups of teachers and students in five different communities over the three days I was there.  I informed him that since my stop in New Jersey had cancelled I could come back if needed.  (Meaning if the oppertunity to meet with more clusters was available.)  As I was heading out the door destined for NYC, Pastor's phone rang: It was a reporter wanting to interview me.  Before he even handed me the phone he had informed her that I would be back to do a legal briefing in his Church's auditorium on Wednesday night at 7 pm.  (To my shock the story ended up on the front page of the York Dispatch on Monday June 12th.)

The trip continued on, this time to the city I never wanted to go to: New York City.  (Just being honest.)  I was to meet with the two young ladies who are organizing to begin Kids for Christ in NYC.  They already have permission and we will kick off in the fall.  These two absoultely radiate with God's love.  I truly believe KFCUSA is going to explode across that city.  I made connections with other prominant ministries in the area who will likely be a major part in what God is going to do there.  As I stood in the subway station at the World Trade Center I couldn't help but think of how that fateful day impacted the growth of this ministry a little over five years ago.  Impact: God's Way!

I did get the chance to meet with a Christian media friend and a teacher in New Jersey before heading back to York, PA for my Wednesday night meeting.  (Which by the way went VERY well.  Thanks to all you who prayed for me.)  I learned something that we ministers need to learn: The number of people you minister is not the measure of success.  All totalled I don't think I ministered to even 300 people on this trip, but I know in my heart that the impact will be HUGE!!  Before heading back to Tulsa I had seen God provide in astounding ways, open doors for ministry, solidify stratigic relationships, and ultimately place KFCUSA and I in the middle of expanding his kingdom.  Based on what I saw, know and sense I won't be surprised to see KFCUSA be involved with 100 clubs by Christmas. 

It was (and continues to be) Matthew 6:33 in action. --bob