“You all have holes in your life! I’m trying to fill those holes with the Word of God!”
| So, a majority of men came to the Sexual Integrity class in the Brig this morning. We introduced Fathered by God, written by John Eldredge. Eldredge presents six stages of authentic manhood: 1. Boyhood (Age 0-13) 2. Cowboy (Age 13-23) 3. Warrior (Age 18-35) 4. Lover (Age 22-35) 5. King (Age 35-55) 6. Sage (Age 55-80) FYI: These are my proposed ages for each stage. And yes, in my opinion, they overlap. As we unpacked the Boyhood Stage, here are just a few highlights from the class. – Make a Donation (The Christian’s job is to pour into all people the Word of God, and ultimately make disciples. However, we cannot force someone to believe. They have to believe for themselves. Read about my dear friends who poured into their son the love and truth of Christ. At one point the son confessed to them that he didn’t really believe. His mother wisely replied, “I’ve done my job.” The rest is up to you. Powerful, humbling, and encouraging.) |
| The heart of a true father is to give. “For God so loved the world that He gave.” The heart of a true son is to receive from his father. A good father sees the holes in his child’s life and wants to fill them. I told these men, “I have a genuine fathering-spirit. You all have holes in your life. I see those holes! And I’m trying to fill those holes with the word of God!” (I have very raw, honest conversations with so many people, even strangers. This particular guy had “butt-hurt” all over his face and I called him out on it . (Read “Oh, so now you’re butt-hurt?!!”) FYI: You never have to atone for sharing the truths and power of the Word of God.) |
| I asked the inmates, “Would you let your son skate down this hill?” Without much thought, some of the men quickly answered yes. Others flatly said no because it’s too dangerous. I told the men, “Balance. A flat ‘yes’ could get the boy hurt. A cold ‘no’ could crush the boy’s spirit, and that ‘no’ can be interpreted as ‘You don’t have what it takes.'” I told them that a good father would foster this kid’s dreams and adventures with things like taking the time to pad him up (knees, elbows, helmet), maybe start on some smaller hills, and then gradually work up to this hill. The curveball: I told them, “From my perspective, each of you are the kid in this picture, and that hill represents the unknowns of life after confinement. Each of you must face the difficult and scary challenges of building your lives after confinement. I’m here, as a good father, wanting to assist you, equip you, and prepare you for that next stage. Why would any of you reject info and assistance that will help you succeed?” (You could of heard a pin drop.) (Ignorance is not bliss. Years ago, a Muslim inmate screamed to the Christian inmates, “You Westerners are ignorant!” This Muslim knew more of the scriptures than these Christians, and he rebuked them for it. “Tell them about L.A.P.U.P.P., Pastor Nick!” Powerful read! ) |
| The Boyhood Stage is the time for setting a foundation of safety, security, wonder, and freedom in Christ. The oldest prisoner here (32), without much thought, said, “Growing up, I had a great boyhood stage.” I was a bit perplexed as I’ve come to know him, somewhat. I asked, “You had a great boyhood stage?!! You’re thirty-two years-old. You’ve fully boasted about, after confinement, your intentions to continue to have sex, but that you have no desire, nor plans, to ever marry or have kids. So, did your ‘great boyhood stage’ teach you that? Did your ‘great boyhood stage’ teach you about security, marriage, sex, and faith? Did your ‘great boyhood stage’ give you pointers to guide people towards prison? Did your ‘great boyhood stage’ give you a foundation and security in Christ?” He humbly shook his head. (Guys are quick to say they like girls. However, I can prove the opposite to be true, guys really DON’T like girls. Read “Do you really like girls?”) |
| I explained to them, “As men, there’s a mantle of leadership placed on you by God. You’re leaders! The real question is, ‘Where are you leading people?!!’ Prior to confinement, where were you leading people? What impressions and influences were you making? Were they good or bad? Right now, let’s forget about all your legal and confinement matters. Can you remember what type of man you were before confinement? Honestly… raise your hand if you’re not legit guilty for what you’re serving sentence for! Now fast-forward. Here you are, sitting in orange jumpsuits, judged and sentenced. What kind of example have you been?!! Is it fair to say that you’ve shown people how to go to prison?!! Isn’t there a part of you that wants to change that?!!” Tough words but true. They all nodded yes. (Far too many Christians have an over-inflated opinion of their own level of spiritual maturity. Often, this is tantamount to “stolen valor.” Yikes! Read! “Are you guilty of ‘Stolen Valor’?”) |
| I shared with these prisoners, “Women were created by God to be led by a man. The problem today is… most men don’t know where they’re going! Men, whether you know it or not, you’re in a fight! A fight for your future marriage, a fight for your future children, a fight for your future destiny. Fighting requires hard work! How are you fighting now, for the safety and security of your future family?” A good man knows to lay down his life for others. Dr. Edwin Louis Cole said, “Lust gets. Love gives. Lust gets at the expense of others. Love gives at the expense of self.” What kind of man do you want to be? (Read about my random encounter with a young man at a Disney Park, years after I ministered to him in the prison. This miracle rendezvous brought me to tears for many reasons, but primarily because his first words to me were, “Pastor Nick, I have kept the faith!” Read: “I have kept the faith!”) |
| Sandy told the inmates, “Pastor Nick drives forty-five minutes to an hour on Wednesday night to come into this Brig in an attempt to help you and guide you. He drives the same time and distance to get back home. It literally takes you only 1-2 minutes to walk from your pod to the Brig chapel on Wednesday night, yet you refuse to do so? Why?!!” (Y’all may not know this, but Sandy carries this level of fire.) (I’m pretty vocal and stubborn about the Word of God. As such, I cannot be silent and I am compelled to speak out. Read “I believed, so I spoke.”) |
| Agree with us in Prayer… a. For the Brig/Prison: Pray for all the souls (the leaders, the inmates, the guards, and their families). There is a battle happening for the souls of these men! Join me in prayer for a godly stronghold over the prison population. Bind up demonic spirits of discord, hate, religion, bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, condemnation, laziness, indifference, procrastination, and pride. And loose a spirit of salvation, discipleship, forgiveness, humility, exposure, healing, deliverance, peace, restoration, unity, and cooperation! b. For continued increase at ZCDC (Churchplant). Pray for the constant “fishing” that must be done, as Camp Schwab is highly transient and we must continually gather replacement folks. (FYI: the beauty in this is that we get to rapidly disciple and equip men and women and launch them from here into the world! (Shabbah! Lol!) Pray for my strength, wisdom, and resources as we gather new souls on Camp Schwab. We are called to gather sheep and convert goats. Pray for mature, Qualified Families and Permanent Personnel to co-labor with us in this northern-most, remote area of Okinawa. c. For Zebulun Worship Team. Our lead singer will be gone for a season due to military obligations. Continue to pray for the releasing of prophetic, powerful praise and worship! d. For our Believers to walk in increased discernment, wisdom, maturity, power, and works, that they are properly discipled, and that they bear much Kingdom fruit, now! e. Pray against retaliatory, unclean spirits from On-Base and Off-Base. Bind up demonic spirits of control, division, envy, strife, competition, lust, and fear. And loose a spirit of unity, peace, love, maturity, discipleship, and faith among Believers. f. For our current schedule (finances, resources, wisdom, strategies, and strength): – Sun: Share/Report Christians In Action ministries – Mon: Radical & Relevant (R&R) @7pm – Wed: Brig Christian Fellowship (BCF) @7pm – Thu: Publish Think On These Things Newsletters – Thu: Publish YouTube Videos (Channel: YahwehHasASon) – Fri: Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) @9am – Sat: Zebulun Christian Discipleship Center (ZCDC) @6pm– See Facebook Live Ministerial Videos – Make a Donation |
| Some prisoners really come alive to the god-stuff. They become shepherds, even in confinement. This guy was operating in faith and trying to reach a fellow inmate. As such, God met his faith in an incredible way! Read “Finding ‘God’ four times in the Brig” |
| It’s vital that these men “see and do” the things of God. I believe in “hands on,” so I go to great lengths to have everyone participate in service and conversation. It’s like throwing someone in the deep-end of the pool to see how well they can swim! Lol! (Make a Donation: https://cinami.org/missionary/guerra-nick-sandy/) |
| Sandy is simply a great woman. Her life is marked by unselfishness and sacrifice which humbles me daily. A few months ago I admitted to her that I could never love her fully to the degree that she deserves. I still don’t understand it, but she said to me that that meant the world to her. (Sigh) I love her with all my heart. (Watch “The Closer I Get to You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWAVSSWgKBg) Lol! |
| In closing… Saints, more than ever we covet your prayers. Opposition and retaliation to our efforts are constant. With your prayer support, it’s not so draining. Please be reminded that the nature of our ministries over here is that of constant rebuilding due to the high transiency of UDP Marines (6-month training deployments to Okinawa). Every six months we release about 75% of our people back to the US, and trust God to refill the seats. Not many people over here have that type of calling on their lives, nor do they want it. (Lol!) I didn’t ask for it. It’s just what we are anointed to do – rebuild quickly and launch them. I call it “Catch, Clean, & Release!” Thank God for permanent personnel! (These are folks stationed here for 3-years or more.) Regardless, we preach the Kingdom of God. This is the solution to all of the chaos and confusion in the US. We try to pour the Word of God into every situation of our lives and ministries. We could use your help. Please consider partnering with us in these ministries through your monetary donations and support. Financial gifts and contributions can be made online through Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below. I declare that because of His great love for you, God, who is rich in mercy, made you alive with Christ even when you were dead in your transgressions, and it is by grace you have been saved! (Eph 2:4-5) <*{{{{>< In His grace, Pastor Nick & Sandy Guerra Contributions can be sent to: Dominic Guerra (Acct# 426) c/o Christians In Action, Missions International PO Box 25093 Fresno, CA 93729 ▪ Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly. ▪ Please share/forward these newsletters at your discretion. Make a Donation |
| — Our Mission & Vision — “Gather Sheep & Convert Goats!” “Catch, Clean, & Release!” |