Heaven Skates News

March 2004

Psalms 73:23-24.

I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

We dedicate this newsletter to the memory of Mitzi Lewis. Mitzi is the mother of four boys, James, Bradley, Michael, and David, who live with their father James Lewis Sr. in Canton GA. Mitzi went home to be with Jesus on Monday January 12^th. Three of her boys have been a part of Heaven Skates since 1997.

James was the first of the boys to come to Heaven Skates. I can still picture his hair – a colorful row of ten inch spikes through the middle of his head. Many church members asked how he got those spikes to stand up. I even modified a helmet by drilling holes for his spikes to stick through. James went on most of our skate trips and was one of our team riders for a long time. Soon his younger brother Michael joined the group, and Michael sometimes brought their little brother David, while Mitzi watched. All three of these boys accepted Christ at our skatepark and Michael and James were baptized. Mitzi often quoted Bible verses and wasn’t afraid to express her love of Jesus Christ.

At all Heaven Skates events, we stop skating for Bible study, and afterwards we sometimes hold a drawing for some great prizes – like a skateboard deck or two. I remember during the drawings Mitzi would bow her head in prayer as she stood in back of the crowd. Her boys won many skateboards that way! Michael has been a big part of Heaven Skates and traveled to California with us in April 2000 on a mission trip. All the boys were raised well and I’ve been blessed by their friendship and participation in Heaven Skates.

Psalms. 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

The boys will miss Mitzi, but they will see her again someday in Heaven. In the meantime, they have one of the hardest working Dads I’ve ever known – a good man who loves his boys very much. My prayers are with them all.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Recently I watched a small part of a documentary on modern day pornography. I couldn’t believe it when I heard Larry Flint ( the owner of Hustler Magazine ) say that we now commonly watch on TV what he used to print in Hustler magazine in 1974. Did you witness the kiss between Madonna and Britny Spears? One of my skaters said "It was just a friendly little kiss. There was no tongue." He went on to say they were just friends and it was okay. So I asked him if he’d kiss one of his guy friends. No tongue, just a friendly little kiss. He said, "That's sick!"

Then one of the skaters had a CD by a group called the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said there was nothing bad in their lyrics, so I looked them up. The first song mentioned violence, prostitution, homosexual acts, and drugs. That was mild compared to some I’ve seen. The popular music the kids listen to is sick – I believe it’s worse than what went on in Sodom and Gomorrah. And it isn’t just dirty words I object to; it’s the meaning behind the songs. But the kids say, "Oh they’re just funny songs!"

How can parents not know? Do they even care? In this ministry I see and hear much of what our kids are exposed to each day. It isn’t difficult to see how troubled the kids are, yet many adults ignore the problem.

Please help us reach the youth of today with solid Bible teaching!

This year we have a modest budget of $15,143.00. We need 30 people who will give just $42.00 a month to meet this budget. Part of the funding has already been meet by good people who pledged beyond that amount. Even if you can only give a small sum, your efforts will go a long way.

How will my money help?

1. It will help pay for a million-dollar insurance policy to cover Heaven Skates and any church involved with us.

2. We will be holding portable events in Cartersville GA, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and possibly Mississippi from April to October. This year we have a brand new set of ramps that are bigger and better than ever.

3. We will send you monthly reports of the number of decisions and Baptisms, and We’ll try to include pictures.

4. The prize drawing provides a big attraction to our events. At the end of each Bible study, skaters have a chance to win a prize. In addition, we give them free drinks while they listen to the Gospel. If we have the funds, we also provide a snack during the study. All this free stuff is a great draw for those who otherwise would never come to hear about Jesus.

5. Since March of 1997, Heaven Skates has been in ten states and over sixty skate parks, and we’ve presented the Gospel to those who would never come into a traditional church setting.

6. Your donations allow us to help many young people who need someone to talk to about life's difficulties.

7. Many will accept Christ because you took the time to write a check each month.

We will send you monthly self addressed and stamped envelopes for your pledge.

Please fill out the form below and send it back to us in the self addressed envelope provided.

Your name____________________________________________

I will pray daily for Heaven Skates ________

I can give $__________ each month to help meet the budget.

I am giving a one time gift of $____________

In addition I will make a pledge to give $__________ for the purchase of property (when such property is located), so Heaven Skates will have a permanent home. Please keep me informed on the progress.

I do not wish to receive any further information from Heaven Skates. __________

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