A Well Needed Rest

By Pastor Matthew

and
THE FUTURE OF LIGHTHOUSE WORLD EVANGELISM

I have returned from a weekend of rest and relaxation at a local hotel in our area.  Wow, was that ever needed.  I am thankful for all of you that have agreed with my choice to take three months and rest and reconnect with family and friends.  Your love and support means more than you will ever know or even possibly understand.  I want to write and give an update on my progress and the future of LightHouse World Evangelism.

There have been many questions and concerns that have come to my attention, and I want to assure all of our partners that I have not “fallen off the wagon,” or committed some horrible sin that would affect my ability to lead in any way shape or form.  I have just been “burning the candle” from both ends and am in need of major rest.  My attitude and how I have cared for my family, friends, and staff has suffered because of my burnout.  This could not continue and measures had to be taken so I would not continue to lead on empty or worse yet, hurt the people that I love and admire anyfurther with my attitude and words. 

A few weeks back I attended a seminar and read a book by Wayne Cordeiro titled “Leading on Empty.”  After this conference and reading the book I saw the warning signs very clearly in my own life.  Therefore out of precaution and pure desire to continue to have a solid marriage and relationship with my children, family and staff, I chose to cut back my ministry schedule until mid June to reconnect with my family and enjoy life.

As for LightHouse World Evangelism, I am still the President and am still actively involved in the daily routine of operations.  Our administrative team and I are using my down time (the next three months) to restructure our organization.  Due to our nation’s economy which has caused a decline in our donations as well as a decrease in our partner base, we are being forced to make cut backs.  Therefore, we will be looking at our current budget and are several departments and deciding where we can make financial cut backs yet still be effective in carrying out God’s purposes and plans.

One cutback that we will be making is in the area of Media.  Though we still have a vision for Christian movies and television, the amount of finances needed to move this vision forward has never occured to a demension needed to be succesful.  Therefore, we will be placing our LightHouse Broadcasting Network and Safe Harbor Productions on hold indefinitely, or until such time that the finances are there to move it forward.

On another note, Christopher Shawn Shaw who has served faithfully as our media director for the last decade will also be leaving us as of April 1, 2009.  This is a very sad time for all of us here; however we are so thankful for the 10 years God has blessed us with Christopher.  Though Christopher’s season is over here, I have no doubt whatsoever that God will continue to bless Christopher and his ministry vision regarding Christian media.  I thank God for Christopher and his loyalty, service, and friendship to LightHouse World Evangelism as well as our family over the last decade and wish him the very best as he moves forward in what God has for his life and future ministry endeavors.

To replace the Media Department, we will be looking at using our website to promote our Christian worldview and outreach, to this lost generation, for Christ.  Beginning in July 2009, we have plans to launch a podcast of messages from my “Finding Your Identity In Christ Seminars” We also have plans to begin a live chat room where individuals will be able to call in to our studio via Skype or type counseling questions to me via the chat room, and receive biblically based advice in regards to their questions, concerns or crisis and I will pray for their needs live over the internet.

 Again thank you for all your prayers and continued support for our family we love you all, and we as a ministry look forward to our continued service to you in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

Pastor Matthew