TEXAS THOROUGHBRED LIFE ESTATES
MAINLINE MINISTRIES, INC
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
John 4:34-35 NKJV
Dear Friends in Christ,
Blessings to you in the name of the Lord Jesus! I give thanks to God for His continued faithfulness in our lives. Great and mighty is the Lord our God, great and mighty is He! For there is none like our God! Amen!
Well, we just completed our 1st quarter of this New Year. As the year started, none of us knew what really awaited us. Nevertheless, we continue our journey! As for me, it started off by me having to say “NO” to a couple of opportunities. It actually felt good – you should try it once! This was to be a very big and an important year in a lot of ways. Especially numerically, as I will be celebrating our 70th Birthday, my Twin Sister and me – January. That being the case: what would this season look like for me? Where, and with whom and doing what? Lots of questions to say the least. As always, we continue to put our trust in God and acknowledge Him in all of our ways all the more.
During the month of January, I spent a week with my sister celebrating our 70th birthday with family and friends, in the great northwest – I flew Seattle, WA. An amazing time indeed. While on the home front, still very involved in both discipleship and chaplaincy work in my region and in other states and countries via text messages and FaceTime calls. Not to mention in person, both one-on-one, home groups and the gathering of believers.
While serving as a chaplain, I’ve had some amazing encounters sharing the love of God through the power of His Word. Sometimes, just by being present in the moment, or by giving a word of encouragement, oftentimes, sharing a meal together. Much of my time is spent listening to whatever is on their hearts, which allows them to see that I care about them. The work of the Lord has allowed me to be a part of and involved with guys that work for a cable company (several of these guys were Latinos – of course, I speak Spanish), a trucking distribution company and a swim pool company. When I consider the territory that this covers, it blows my mind, and I am honored by such an opportunity to be in their lives. Only by the favour of God – His grace and His goodness!
About mid-January, I received a phone call (Murfreesboro, TN) from a dear brother whom I’ve known for 30 years, while I was in-route to my next chaplain assignment. As it turned out, they had a meeting concerning their discipleship ministry – housing about 17 guys. During this meeting, my name was mentioned as someone that might be interested in helping them. By the end of that day, I had spoken with both the chairman of the board and the founder of this ministry. Greenhouse Ministries / Living University. From the very outset of their conversation with both of these men, the question was, so when are you moving to Tennessee? After hearing the desire/request, we were back and forth with phone calls, praying for the guys and making some suggestions / recommendations to their 18 module program. And of course, we set up a time when I could come and check things out – face to face. I spent a week (February 4-11th) in Murfreesboro (About 40 minutes SE of Nashville): during this time, I felt as though I was drinking from a fire hose but was not allowed to swallow. However, even before I left for the visit, I knew that I was to be there! This was a very full week! Two things were pretty clear during my visit: (1) I could come in off of the field and come into the office (I no longer have to shoulder everything for everyone!) and secondly, this is my retirement plan! Since that time, I have been making plans to move to Murfreesboro, TN, working with Greenhouse Ministries: as the Director of Living University – with a discipleship focus for about 17 men.
One of my dear brothers/sons from San Antonio came and helped me with the drive from Texas to Murfreesboro. Upon our arrival, this was my first day: March 22nd, WEDNESDAY: 😁 💯 ❤️
Good morning man! This was a very full and busy day! We got in at 1:20am this Wednesday! I woke up at 6 or so. Attended the Bible study at 7am with Cliff (the founder of this ministry) and Robb and Scott! I then attended a staff/volunteers devotional at 8:45, we unloaded my truck and the trailer in 45 minutes with 5 guys, then returned it shortly there afterwards. Connor and I ministered to a brother – 50 years old, which helped us unload my stuff! We had lunch with him as well! I then attended a meeting with Cliff that he forgot to tell me about. We interviewed a brother that’s interested in our program, which God sent to us. And I have another one tomorrow yet!! By late afternoon, I finally took a nap 💤! I then got up and started unpacking my coolers of the food that I bought from Texas! What an incredible beginning! All in a “day’s work“! MyMyMy!
So for the past three weeks, it’s been absolutely amazing! Being the ‘new kid on the block, I’ve met lots of people and have interviewed lots of guys that are interested in our Living University program. Many of them are just looking for housing. On the contrary, we provide the opportunity for them to change their lives with all the disciplines therein. Basic Life Skills – taken on responsibility in life, and loving God all the while.
February: My Sister and I celebrated our 70th Birthday once again – in Cedar Park, Texas. Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, gifts, and most of all for your participation, both via zoom and in person. This was an incredible time reflecting on the goodness of God in our lives. There was lots of food, fellowship and lots of stories, encounters and testimonies of the faithfulness of our God. I was so blessed and encouraged by everyone’s sharing at the Texas gathering to honor us and to glory our amazing God! There were ten people from Ohio and about 50 from Texas and a family from Monterrey, Mexico, whom I met in 1987. There is great joy in living for Jesus! No doubt, I am certainly blessed beyond measure. Blessed be God forever!
March – April: Prior to making a partial move, I made use of the several weeks that I had before me. My housemate and I are still in a lease until the 3rd of September. I rented a 6×12 trailer along with my truck, with many things that I knew that I would need right away. However, between now and the end of August, I hope to make a few trips back to Texas to finish up my packing in preparations for the final move of my things to Murfreesboro.
While I was still in Texas, I attended a few Bible studies, home groups, lots of one-on-one discipleship times, and made a few road trips. All the while, making preparations for the big move. So, for the first 6 months, I will be living with the guys: establishing relationships and creating a community among the brethren. Meeting with them individually and in small groups.
The Lord willing, I hope to move into a house, like on the outskirts of the city, with a decent size lot. This would allow me to go ‘home’ and come back to the ministry site. If you have any ideas, I’d like to hear them. Maybe you’d like to invest in a property here in Rutherford County and I could be your care-taker! I was so encouraged by several prophetic words in regards to this new season in my life. To say the least, I am very excited about this amazing opportunity that God has set before me. I give thanks to God for the work of the ministry and for the many different ways that we have to serve and honour Him! What an incredible journey that we are on and that is before us! I’ve been well received, encouraged and prayed for by the community here in Murfreesboro. There was also a BBQ dinner welcoming me into the Murfreesboro family. Both by men that are in the program and men from the community. Many of which are mentors to the guys that are in the program.
Currently – Murfreesboro, I am teaching 4 classes a week: two morning classes and two evening classes. Interviewing guys as they come in. Getting connected with other organisations and ministries through different networking systems from around the county. And of course, I am still unpacking boxes. Every day I get to pour into someone and encourage them in their journey. I am very excited and honoured to be here and to serve the Lord in this way. Learning a lot of new things every day. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to God to this ministry. Because of your steadfastness in the Lord Jesus, I am seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I am thankful for God’s presence, His power, His promises, and His provisions and for the path that He has set before us! Blessed be God forever! And may you continue to see the evidence of His goodness all over your life! And experience that from day to day! Thank you! Blessings to you and your family!
There are several ways that you can contribute to this endeavor / opportunity that is before us:
- Zelle – By using my email: [email protected]
- Venmo – By using my email: [email protected] Or Cell# 330 205 6850
- PayPal – by using: [email protected]
- Mainline Ministries is a Charitable, Tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) organization.
- From my Website: yournamehisword.org
- And of course, you may send a check by US Mail – All Gifts are Tax Deductible
MAINLINE MINISTRIES • PO BOX 571 MURFREESBORO, TN
My Cell (330) 205 – 6850
Because Of Him, Leonard Evans