20 Years

Location of Weekly Prayer Meeting I lead Senior Year

Gregory DeVictor: "In 1999, there was no Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Reddit.  Likewise, Google maps, iPhones, camera phones, Skype, iTunes, did not exist yet."  The Columbine High School Massacre occurred on April 20, 1999.  This school killing, was one of the first of what is now a constant occurrence.  The top song was Smooth, by Santana with Rob Thomas.  The World wide worry all year...Y2K computer bug ending the world as we know it!  I even remember kids in my youth group, with Bible covers that had these words...Y2K Survival Kit.  The book Jesus Freaks, written by DC Talk & The Voice of the Martyrs, was published.  It was my favorite book that year.  I carried it along with my Bible in my backpack.  I would even "accidentally" leave this book or my little pocket Bible out on top of my desk.  Making it purposefully visible by my peers to generate a conversation about Jesus.  I loved sharing the Gospel and Scriptures with anyone who asked about it.  I was 17 years old, in 12th grade at Upland High School.  We had a Career Center I went to regularly on campus.  I also met with a guidance counselor from time to time to help, well give counsel.  I had started meeting with her my junior year back in 1998.  She was a huge help, and invested much time in my decision making process.  I had made many plans for my future.  I had chosen a career, a possible university (even attended an all day tour), researched the annual salary, how competitive it was to land a position after schooling was complete, various statistics, saw what courses I should study in high school, and even had it down to how old I would be when I graduated.  However, in October 1999, God intervened and interrupted my life.  I sensed a calling to ministry.  I didn't know exactly or specifically what that meant.  What I did know, is although my future plans weren't bad or sinful, I hadn't really prayed about it, or even asked God what He might have in store for me.  What HIS will was for my future.  So, there I was my Senior year in high school, very afraid to overhaul everything.  Fast forward to this past October, I just hit 20 years in ministry.  Twenty years of serving Jesus to some capacity, preaching the Gospel, & teaching the Bible...

Beautiful in any & every language

On October 10th, I attended a Maori Funeral for Mary.  She was one of the first friendly faces to greet me at Calvary Chapel Whangarei.  She was a widow confined to a wheel chair.  She said a few minutes into our first conversation: "I love your accent, I was married to an American."  She made me feel very welcomed.  I can always hear Mary singing during praise & worship, praying powerful prayers, and she was so nice to talk to.  This was my first Maori funeral I have attended.  It was very intriguing & captivating, seeing the culture and customs of how these people mourned their loved ones.  However, what made it so special, was how they made much of Jesus and the godly legacy of Mary.  Knowing her only a few short months, I learned so much about her that day.  She had lived a long and full life of service & generosity to others in the name of Jesus.  Many tears flowed, especially from her grandchildren, as they shared their memories of her.  She was and is very much loved.

One of the Logos for Malachi Dads

October 15th, I finally began my first official day at Northland Region Corrections Facility, AKA Ngawha Prison!  I began the application process almost right from the start, when I arrived here in June.  It was months of e-mails, phone calls, background checks, and meetings.  I had to go through 2 phases of "tests," filling out various forms and resubmitting them by snail mail, as well as e-mail.  When I was finally accepted, I was required to attend a health and safety meeting back on September 10th.  As all the volunteers gathered around the table, the guards one by one asked us our names, titles, and what services we would be providing.  There was a dog trainer, artist, behavior specialist, meditation instructors, education tutors, & a psychologist.  I was the last to be called on and say I was a Chaplain.  It was a privilege to represent Jesus, His Word, & Gospel in this place.  It is always worth it, to go through the tedious application process when starting prison ministry.

Beginning of Malachi Dads

On October 29th, I began teaching through a 12 week course/book called Malachi Dads.  New Zealand has 18 prisons.  There are 10 in the North Island, and 5 in the South Island that house male offenders.  The remaining 3 house female offenders.  52% are Maori, 33% are Europeans, & 12% are Pacific peoples.  New Zealand's population is roughly 5 million people.  Maori make up 15% of New Zealand's national population.  They are the 2nd largest ethnic group in New Zealand, & they unfortunately make up over half the prison population.  Nearly 90% of Maori, live right here on the North Island.  Furthermore, nearly a third of all children in New Zealand grow up in fatherless homes.  This curriculum, which was introduced to me during my ministry at Men's Central Jail in Downtown Los Angeles, takes the men through a Biblical understanding of various topics/subjects including fatherhood.  They are given weekly homework, that I have the privilege of reading through, and at the end they receive a certificate of completion.  However, the secret to change isn't in the curriculum itself, or in its instructor...but in the power of the Holy Spirit, His Glorious Gospel, & Eternal Word!

Ordination of Ryan Anderson

Sunday October 27th, our church had a Ordination Ceremony for Ryan Anderson.  Faithfully serving as a Deacon for many years, he never sought the title of Pastor.  However, there was a unexpected/sudden change in leadership back in 2017, so Ryan stepped up to the plate and started leading, and doing a majority of the Bible teaching.  Nonetheless, there was confusion in the community and church, as to who was the Lead/Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Whangarei.  Now some time ago, Pastor Mark Walsh, Director of Calvary Chapel Bible Institute, & one of the Regional Leaders for Calvary Chapel here in New Zealand, wanted to make it "official."  Through many conversations and much prayer, I told Ryan for the people's sake, clarity, and vision to move forward, we should contact him about coming up and doing just that.  Not wanting to be impetuous and brazen about this matter, I volunteered to be the one to write Pastor Mark.  He then in turn contacted Ryan, to see if he even wanted to fill this role.  The congregation, Deacons, his family, & myself, saw that God had indeed raised Ryan up to shepherd the flock.  What a great day it was!  It has truly been a joy to serve alongside this man, see his gifts exercised, be his assistant and fellow brother in the Lord.  More importantly though, he is my friend.

Afterwards, we were all surprised by some young men with a HAKA.  Fighters/martial artists/coaches/athletes, that Ryan had impacted over the years at Lion's Den MMA Ministries.  As they honored him, it was very powerful & emotional because it came from their hearts.

Upland High School

Oswald Chambers: "God did not direct His call to Isaiah-Isaiah overheard God saying,'...who will go for Us?'  The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone.  Whether I hear God's call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends on my spiritual attitude."  These past 20 years at times have seemed to go by slow, and at other times go by fast.  I can write a book, about the highs and lows, victories and defeats, mountain top experiences and valleys, hitting a home run and striking out, etc.  It truly has been an incredible journey since those high school days.  It has been worth it to continue marching forward, because Jesus is worth it.  I can honestly say, I am more in love with Him today than I was 20 years ago.  This calling hasn't been easy, but what calling is?  Any life worth living, is never easy.  I have worn many hats in the ministry over the years...but ultimately I am called to preach His Gospel & teach His Word.  What a joy and privilege.  There is nothing I would rather be doing with my life.  God has been good to me.  Starting well is great, finishing well is even better.  So, bring on the next 20 years!  I hope and pray to do better, and be better for His glory!

By His Grace,
Eric