Who got that Flyer…?

“WHO GOT THAT FIRE?…….WE GOT THAT FIRE……I AIN’T EVEN GOIN’ LIE I GOT THAT HOLY GHOST FIRE…..” And so on and so on. It’s a chant that has been in the UTC’s for a number of years. If you’re not familiar with it, I hope soon you do. When I first heard the chant I remembered the song from a rapper I had heard it from years ago by the name of Mike Shelton. He sang this song with a ‘passion for souls.’ The song with a catchy hook became the UTC catchy chant. Just about everywhere the UTC goes (evangelism, churches, discipleships, presentations, etc.) you’re gonna hear someone ask the question “WHO GOT THAT FIRE?” It’s not so much a direct question as it is a persuasive effect looking for some confirmation of the power of God in someone else.

Omar from East LA & Mikey from Modesto

The other day we had an opportunity to evangelize the streets of Wilmington, a drug and gang-infested neighborhood near Victory Outreach Torrance.  As we had a dynamic street rally taking place right in front a hotel where pimps & prostitutes resided, I began to reflect on all the street rallies I’ve been able to be apart of throughout the years of ministry. Street Rallies ranging from 2 people to 2,000 people. Cities spreading from New York to New Mexico and all over the United States. Countries from Curacao to Indonesia (which by the way, Indonesia doesn’t take to kindly of “hitting the streets.” Trust me.) I’ve been involved in crusades where we passed out 5,000 flyers & even 750,000 flyers. These world-wide inner-city focused crusades have been so powerful, I’ve seen people give up their guns, rags, and drugs right on the spot. The power of God has been so awesome that we literally flip someone’s world upside down.

PS3 when he was 1 yrs old in a stroller w flyers

I don’t think I can count the amount of crusades with flyers that have been passed out. The first time I remember passing out a flyer was around the age of 5 or 6 and my father asking me, “Do you want ice cream?” I mean c’mon. What kid would say no to ice cream? Especially with their mother not around. “Yes.” I replied. Then my father would say, “Then go and give that man a flyer and we’ll go after.” Preaching the gospel and passing out flyers has been engraved in my character since I was young.

Now over the years I’ve developed my own little “Barna Research ‘Publication’ Institute”, in other words the “Hood Institute of Promotionalism.” I just made that up by the way. It’s not real. But anyways, as I’ve passed out flyers I have seen many souls get saved from a simple 4 x 6 piece of paper. Some papers smaller, some larger. Many with great promotional technique and others…..well……let’s just say I think even the flyer needed Jesus. But to see how a small piece of paper makes a large difference in a person’s life. Now, what’s the purpose of that flyer? There are many:

• To notify someone of an upcoming date, event, or site

• A reminder about a date, event, or site

• An encouragement through a visual to attend a date or event

There are so many purposes for a simple piece of paper we call a flyer. But what I love more than anything is hearing the testimonies of men & women who share about how they came to church through someone handing them a flyer. I’ve even heard of people who came to church through finding a flyer on the floor and it just intrigued them enough to pick it up and attend the event. You never know who’s eyes are going to catch a simple piece of paper and be captivated enough to actually change their plans and attend a strange, out-of-the-norm event. After all, the eyes are the window to the soul (Matt. 6:22, 23).

Even after all the flyers are passed out for whatever event or occasion that is needed, we have coined a phrase that says “YOU ARE THE FLYER.” That’s right. The paper may run out, but the information that is needed to be shared will never run out……..if it’s in you. This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. Psalms 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” This doesn’t mean ‘hide’ as in the ‘hide-n-seek’ game. But ‘hide’ as in ‘put it somewhere in your heart and when something or someone tries to deface your character or principles, you bring it out from its hidden place.’ Always have that flyer with you. Whether it’s in your pocket or in your heart. “Who got that flyer?”

Victory Outreach 1976 Flyer

UTC Enrollment 2010

Training that will change the world, one individual at a time.

 Our rigorous academic programs train young people in three key areas:

* Church Planting

* Missions Outreach

* Church Leadership

You will study under dynamic Pastors and Teachers from a diversity of backgrounds.  However, all have one thing in common.  Each has practical hands on experience.  This allows for in-depth discussions and opportunity to put what you learn to use.  If you would like an on-line application, just visit our Int’l website at www.voutc.org and click on the ‘DOWNLOAD APPLICATION’ on the bottom right of your screen.

Where the Leaders of Today are Shaped for Tomorrow.

 

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The Heart of a Champion (part 3)

The new WBA Super Middleweight Champion of the World

 

What a night……..what a night……..what a night. Whew!!! Did I mention ‘what a night’?  The Oracle in Oakland, CA was packed on that Nov. 21st night. So many people came to see a young man from Hayward, CA do what he had always been called to do since he was born – and that was to become a Champion.  I really can’t put into words the feeling that I felt when I heard the words, “…AND NEW WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOORRRRRLD……..ANDREEE S-O-G WARD!”  I mean the place went bizzerk!  Yes, even for a brief moment, I had a lump in my throat for the overwhelming sense of ‘AWENESS’. Such a great moment for such a special young man.

All the hard work, all the dedication, all the commitment was rapped up into that one evening.  I’ve known Andre for some good amount of time now. Seeing his strong work ethics has made me think of a quote by an anonymous author that says, “Men do not decide their future. They decide their habits and their habits decide their future.”  Now if you’re a Christian, you know that God has a design & plan for all who are in obedience to His will.  If you’ve been saved for a while, you also know that not everyone fulfills that planned design.  So seeing Andre and his passion for commitment in the midst of adversity really makes you appreciate his current Championship position.  His difficult past has made a powerful present and I can’t wait to see his future.

Talking with the Media. All apart of the process.

 

Andre told me that he knows the purpose for his life. After his position in championship boxing, he feels the call to full-time ministry.  He loves the Lord with all his heart and really appreciates the platform that the Lord has given at this time.  If you’ve had an opportunity at all to watch a Ward fight, you can already see how he uses this platform to it’s fullest potential.  He loves people and really wants to see God’s glory shine within people’s lives.  If what’s Andre is doing now is part-time ministry (wearing scripture on his boxing robe, sharing scripture(s) with global interviews, having his boxing & clothing company name SOG – Son Of God), I can’t wait to see what he’s gonna do in full-time ministry.

At the Urban Training Center’s International we have a quote that says, “Shaping Leaders for the Future.”  I get the great privilege today to say that I had a very small part in helping ’shape’ a leader of today from yesterday.  If this is what I get to be apart of within ministry today, I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in the future.  Here is the video from that championship night in Oakland, along with the interview after the win:

The Heart of a Champion (part 2)

I first met Andre as he came through the doors of Victory Outreach Church of Hayward back in the late 90’s when his father Frank Ward first introduced us. Frank was a resident within our Special Services home. He was a  man who my Father took attention to because of his background in boxing.  My Father loved sports and especially took to the sport of boxing.  My Father even had a brother who became a golden gloves champ.  So when my Father became a Pastor and opened up a Special Services home in Hayward, CA, heard there was an ex-boxer who came into our Home, he naturally gravitated toward many conversations with him throughout his stay within Victory Outreach.  I found that Frank was a man who really had the Heart and Character of who he truly was.  He had always told me that he really wanted me to meet his 2 boys.  That I would really love them because they were athletes, just like me.

Andre after a Victory!

I was a young, vibrant Youth Pastor at the time and I was meeting a lot of parent’s kids from all over the Bay Area.  On a Saturday afternoon getting ready for a picnic, Frank called me over near the lobby of the church doors.  He said, “I want to introduce you to my 2 sons. You gotta meet them. They are both future World Champs…in the making.”   I met both Jonathan and Andre.  Both were real quiet, collective & didn’t really say much.  As a Youth Pastor you’re happy to meet all the young people that come your way.  I was a little extra excited when I met athletes.  There’s just something about another athlete that is understood when a conversation is sparked.  You don’t really have to explain yourself fully because the other person is doing exactly what you’re doing in terms of discipline, dedication, commitment, and other great qualities in order to be great at their sport.  So when Frank told me that his sons were athletes I was able to talk with them right away, even though Andre was as quiet as he was.  It was all good!  Champions don’t talk much with their mouth’s, they speak with their character.

 

So for the next year and a half, Andre & his brother Jonathan were apart of our Youth ministry there in Hayward.  Andre has always been a great, young man with a strong head on his shoulders since I met him. When his Father told me “He’s gonna be World Champ One Day”, I believed him.  Over the years, Andre’s life has reminded me of a quote by Mohandas Gandhi.  He said, “Things that will destroy man: Politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without CHARACTER; business without morality; science without humanity; worship without sacrifice.”  If you ever get a chance to meet Andre, you would be able to see how much his passion for people drives him to have such great Character.  Or, in other words, HEART.

 

The other day, myself and Pastor Al Valdez (Senior Pastor of Victory Outreach Church in San Diego) had an opportunity to go see Andre fight in Temecula, CA.  After Andre had whooped on his opponent (TKO in 2nd round), we had an chance to talk with Andre after his

Myself, Andre, & Pastor Al

fight & press conference.  It was such a great time to spend and reminisce on some old times and even share some future goals.  One memory that I shared with him that I have never forgotten was his Father’s funeral at the church.  When it was Andre’s turn to share from behind the pulpit of the funeral he said one thing that really struck me. He said, “…I’m going to win the gold for you, Dad. For you.”  You don’t exactly hear people share things like winning an “Olympic Gold Medal” at a funeral.  And even if you did, you would maybe think “…Oh, there just being emotional. I understand.”  But there was something about that moment in 2002 that has always been etched in the corners of my mind.

 

How many times do people, including myself, say things that sound so good at the time just to maybe appease our conscience in order to ease the pain?  I know I have.  It takes a lot of discipline to stick to a goal with great rewards. Why? Because that great reward is preceded by great trial.  By great opposition.  By great adversity.  However, not only did Andre win a Gold Medal in 2004’s Athens, Greece Olympics, he is about to contend for the WBA Super Middleweight Championship belt this coming Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.  Andre started boxing when he was 14 and has never lost a fight. I don’t expect that streak ending anytime soon.  I look forward to writing a part 3 after this weekend’s fight.

Kessler vs. Ward - Sat, Nov. 21, 2009 WBA Championship