On Friday morning, I will depart for the gulf coast to minister with No Greater Love (http://nogreaterlove.org) Ministries for my 12th year of street evangelism during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA. Each year, I return more amazed at how God speaks to me and challenges me not only personally but in my ministry, and I go this year with an eager heart to hear from the Lord. During my very first trip in 2000 I was called into the ministry and each year since then I look back in amazement at how the Lord continues to show me where I need to draw closer to Him … and this year, I expect nothing less. My life has been a complete hurricane of events over the past 9 months from surviving a divorce, changing jobs, resigning from a church that was solely focused on gossip and member-based control, and dealing with increased turmoil with my 17 year-old daughter who has become more and more estranged from me and who desperately needs professional counseling.
In short, the prayer of my heart this year is very simple:
“Lord, this year I need to experience more of you than ever before, and I go on this trip completely yielded to whatever You want to do in my life. I go with the understanding that Your Word is my foundation and I confess that You WILL and DO provide everything that I will ever need.”
I am reminded of Joseph and his trials with being sold into slavery, lied upon, falsely accused, wrongfully imprisoned, and finally being lifted to a place of honor in God’s timing. His response following all of this is one of complete and utter humility, and I beg for that kind of peace now. Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” To be perfectly honest, this is the testimony that I desire when I look back on my life. Whatever happened, whatever the events were, God always had His hand on me and I pray for the peace to know that He is always in charge.
If I may ask a favor, here are some specfic prayer needs for this trip:
1. Pray for safety of all 250+ men who are traveling
2. Pray for God to be glorified and for each to submit to Him and the leaders He has placed over us at all 5 camps
3. Pray for lives to be effected and for every man to go home better husbands, fathers, and leaders
As I do every year, I will be tweeting photos and status updates from the trip at my Twitter account (http:twitter.com/revconwell) if you wish to follow me there. Thank you for reading and may you have a blessed week and Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! God bless you.
– Rev T.J. Conwell
Pastor T.J. Conwell 
Sure wish I was coming, too. But work intervenes and I gotta stay home.
I’ll be praying daily for you and all our NGL brothers, TJ. I’ll look for your Twitter posts on Facebook. Godspeed! And I pray He gives you peace, comfort and direction on this trip.