We may not be super heroes...but we know one!

Here is a picture of the team. There we are, posing as superheroes; Mostly just for fun. We may not be superheroes, but this picture reminds me that we do know a super hero. It is our hope to use the arts as a common ground through which to meet people, build relationships(REACH), share our creativity (CREATE), and share with others the truth about JESUS(ENGAGE).

I wanted to share with you briefly how that may look.

CREATIVE: better known as REACH:



We are all creative. We often enjoy the side of ourselves that is creative. Some use their creativity to solve problems or organize business. Others use their creativity to produce artistic masterpieces. Then there are those who find themselves expressing ther creativity by painitng a moustache on a pretty ladies face. Any way, the point is this. We want to use the common ground of art to meet people. We will be moving to an area where art is a way of life. What we hope to do is dive into the creative culture of France. To better our own creative sides and meet others who are doing the same. The arts will be the common ground that brings us to together. In other words, we hope to use the arts to reach out and meet people.

CREATE: yep, CREATE:



As we dive into the culture, meeting people, and building relationships we will try to create different art projects that we can invite people to be a part of. The possibilties are endless. We could have art exhibits, contests, lessons, or even just some ol' art appreciation. Basically what we hope to do is use the arts as a way to bring people together so we can begin to build relationships as well as build an environment where people feel safe to be themselves. We also want to build an environment where we can talk about the one who made us creative. In other words we want them to know we truly love them, we love GOD, and we enjoy living a creative life. Together we will create.

CREATOR: better known as ENGAGE:



So often GOD is only seen as the galactic rule giver and destroyer of all things fun. Our team know that this is just not true. In fact the reason we are creative is because GOD has made us in His image. GOD made us to enjoy life, to create life, and to enjoy knowing the CREATOR of LIFE. We hope to use the arts as a way to share with people who GOD really is. GOD is not just a "GOD OF NO", but he is very much a "GOD OF YES" He wants us to enjoy life, he wants us to dream big, he wants us to create. He wants us to get to know him. This is why we also want to use the arts as a way in which to disciple people. This opens so many possibilties of adventure. Our biggest hope is to engage people in the reality of JESUS CHRIST.

So that is a brief overview of what this creative arts ministry will look like.

thanks,
a servant of JESUS CHRIST,
Joe W Hartsell Jr

Thanks for stopping in to take a look at what is going on. I want to thank you for taking a interest in a Joe like me as I seek to follow GOD where ever he may send me. So here I am, working on going to France to join a team of four other in a creative arts ministry. I will blog soon about the philosophy of the arts minstry.

I am learning that there is a lot to do in order to get to France. I have only begun the journey. I have sent in an application to the missions board with which our team will serve under. Once they have reviewed my application they will send me the next steps in the adventure.

Until then I am building a team of prayer partners. This group of people will be the back bone of the ministry. They wil be praying for me, the team, the ministry, and most of all for GOD'S plans and purposes to be encountered. Special thanks to those of you have have contacted me and have decided to be a prayer partner.

I have some good news to share. As some of you may know, the life of a missionary is dependant upon the prayers of prayer partners and on the support of those who believe in their cause enough to support it financially. So here is the good news.

1.) My prayer support is growing as more and more people are becoming prayer partners.

2.) I have recieved my first pledge for financial support. My Mom is going to begin giving toward the ministry starting next month. Thanks Mom! Your the best!!!

3.) I also have my first speaking engagement scheduled in February. It is for an outreach ministry.Once again, thanks Mom! They are excited to have me come and share with them what missions is all about.

Well, I have to get going. I just wanted to let you know how the adventure is going. It is still very much in the preparation stage, but it's still an adventure.

a servant of JESUS CHRIST,

Joe W Hartsell Jr

Someone left the door open!

" But woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: For you neither go in yourselves, neither do you allow those who were entering to go in" - Matthew 23:13

Have you ever wondered why JESUS was so angry with so many of the religious leaders of his day? Have you ever wondered why JESUS went into the temple on two occasions and drove all the people out; reminding them that His Father's house was to be a house of prayer?

Have you ever wondered why JESUS was born as a humble kid through a miracle virgin birth to a poor family? Have you ever wondered why he was crucified for not doing anything wrong?

The mission of JESUS has always been to save people from their sins and to make GOD accessible to man. That mission has driven all the things that JESUS did. His humble beginning to his horrible crucifixion and glorious resurrection, yelling at religious leaders and eating dinner with the sinful; it was all done to make GOD accessible to man. I think that it is worth giving some thought to. GOD is accessible to us. We can talk with him, get to know him, we can have a real relationship with him. GOD is accessible.

If this is true, then why don't more people know GOD? Why is there so much confusion about who GOD is and what he is all about? There are a several reasons, but in interest of avoiding a long blog I want to mention one

The reason people do not experience accessibility to GOD is religion. This is why JESUS was so upset with the religion of his day. So many horrible things have been done through religion. The sad thing is that GOD'S name gets dragged through the mud as a result.

This will be a great obstacle for us to overcome as we travel to France to share the news that GOD is accessible. For you see, the people of France have seen religion, they have been wronged by it, turned away by it, and even bored by it. Sadly, they have come to associate JESUS with religion. Now that I think of it, it is that way here in the U.S. too. JESUS is about relationships and accessibility to GOD. JESUS is not about religion. It really makes intellectual sense. If GOD is real, and he created us, and he offered his Son to save us from our sins; then it is logical that he would want us to enjoy really knowing him.

That my friend is what this quest to France is all about. Our mission is to share that GOD is real. That we need to forget about the religious path and realize that GOD is accessible to us. Not only that, but he wants us to come and get to know him. He will be our GOD and we will be his people. No strings or religion attached.

The prayer letter...(for those who have not read it yet)

Hello Dear Friend,

After much prayer, thought, and adventure I have decided to move to France.

Why am I going to move to France? That, my friend; is an excellent question. A question I would be delighted to answer. I am moving to France to join a team of missionaries who will use the arts to spread the gospel of JESUS.

What team will I be joining? I will be joining Kevin and Pat Mayer, and Chad and Traci Jackson. We hope to add more members to this team as tine goes on. I am currently in the process of applying with the missions agency the rest of the team is a part of. Once accepted by the missions agency I will become an official member of the team. The missions agency is called Crossworld.

How will we use the arts to spread the gospel? First, we will use the arts as a common ground with which to meet and interact with people. Secondly, we will create art projects that will produce conversation. As we build relationships and create an environment for spiritual discussions we will share the gospel of CHRIST in word and deed. Then we will use the arts as a vehicle for discipleship. That’s a brief description. If you would like to hear more I am more than interested in meeting with you to share more.

So, why am I sharing all this with you? I am sharing this with you because I would like you to consider something. What I have mentioned above is something I believe GOD is calling our team to do. It will take hard work and diligence. Above all it will take the power of GOD and our obedience to GOD’S leading. In light of that I would like you to consider praying for me on a regular basis. I am asking if you would consider being a prayer partner.

As a prayer partner I would ask that you would pray for me, the team and the people of France. I will send you a prayer letter from time to time to let you know how you can be praying for us. I would also encourage you to read the Blog I have started. The Blog address is http://theunprofitableone.blogspot.com I will also include updates and information from the Blog in the prayer letter.

If you are interested in being a prayer partner would you please contact me and let me know.

Email thepoorservant@aol.com
thepoorservant@msn.com

Cell phone: 515 210 6709

Mailing address:
6804 Forest court
Windsor Heights, Iowa 50311

Let the good blogs roll

Hello Friends,

I realize it has been a little while since I have posted anything on this blog site. I have been waiting to write until I have had a chance to send out some prayer team letters. I am currenty working on gathering a team of people who will be committed in praying for me and the France team. In other words I am hoping to build a team of prayer partners; who will be a part of the mission to France through prayer.

I am sending out the letter this week. I will also post the letter on this blog site. I want to thank everyone who has played a part in molding my life. Thanks to every one who has aided me in the pursuit of my dream to be a servant of JESUS who loves and serves the people around him.

Please keep stopping in to read. I hope to be writing on much more of a steading basis. So, let the good blogs roll.

thanks,
a servant of JESUS CHRIST,
Joe W Hartsell Jr.

The adventure continues...

Hello Friends,

I wanted to take a moment and bring everyone up to speed as to where I am in my journey as a servant of JESUS. Not long ago I returned from a trip to Europe. This trip was a trip of exploration for me. The trip was a great success. It taught me many important things and gave me the insight I was looking for. After much prayer and careful thought I have decided to join a team of missionaries in France. (Please take some time and get to know the team. Simply click on the links under "some sugar with your Joe". Kevin, Pat, Chad, and Traci are great people, and I cannot think of a better team to be a part of.)

A disclaimer is needed at this time. While it is true that I have decided to join this team and it is equally true they have welcomed me, It is not official yet. I will be joining a mission board the rest of the team is a part of. So first I must be accepted by the board. I have sent in my application and hope to hear back soon. Upon acceptance I will have some work to do. Then I will attend a candidate seminar. At this point I will be officially accepted. Please pray for me during this process. From there I will need to raise financial support. Thus, there are many things that must take place here to officiate this journey. However, in light of all that, I feel I am to be a part of this team. I feel GOD would be honored if I move to France to serve GOD and the people of France by sharing the gospel of CHRIST. Therefor, I move forward courageously.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you will continue to read in the future. Please feel free to comment or email me if you like. I would be honored to have you be a part of what is happening. There are many ways in which you can partner with us in our adventure to serve and love GOD and people. One way is through reading this blog, and praying for us as we move forward in our calling to share the good news about who CHRIST really is and what he is doing in the world today. Thank you much Love to you all,

a servant of JESUS CHRIST,
Joe W Hartsell Jr.