Posts by Ric Shields
They Can’t Afford to Miss it!
My sincere thanks to those who have already helped make the upcoming trip to Egypt possible. I remain just $2,000 short of underwriting the expenses for an additional 20 pastors/leaders in this special cohort. While most of the pastors/leaders cannot afford to attend this week-long session, neither can they afford to miss it. With salaries…
Read MoreNorma Arrived a Little Late
April 2019 Dear Partners & Friends, Norma arrived a little late for our last tea in Buenos Aires. As our team members shared their stories of how the Lord has helped them in difficult situations, her heart was moved. Afterwards, she shared her thoughts with Rachel Martinke, our new Associate Director of Simply Sisters®. “Sometimes…
Read MoreWhen My Life Changed
The first mission team I led was to Argentina in February 1989. My life was changed on the flight home when I sensed the LORD speaking clearly to me about a ministry of missions and evangelism. By September 1990, I had resigned from my role as an Associate Pastor and began full-time ministry with what…
Read MoreA Poignant Goodbye
Open Doors (now DoorWays®) was in its infancy in the late-summer of 1990 and hope-filled ideas were much more plenteous than money. In that respect, not much has changed over the years. In early July 1990 I submitted my resignation to Pastor Richard Exley at Christian Chapel who graciously hosted our farewell service eight weeks…
Read MoreThe Despair Default
The Despair Default By Ric Shields – October 2018 If you have heard me speak of the LORD’s faithfulness, you are likely to have also heard me say something along these lines: “Faithful is not just what He does; Faithful is who He is. Faithful is the very nature and character and God.” But, does…
Read MoreSkinny Jeans, Vestments, or Suits
Except for a small, country Baptist church I attended for a few months as a kid, I have attended a Pentecostal or Charismatic church since August 1954; I was born nine months later. There were some small churches in small towns, a more formal church in a large town, and large and medium-sized churches in…
Read MoreIs Grace Enough?
He sat in a crumpled heap in the heat of August just outside the convenience store window. A bicycle and a wrinkled, white paper bag were the only things beside him. He appeared to be high on something when he sat up and suddenly yelled, “Welcome to America!” With that, and as if those three…
Read MoreThe Difference You Make
In just a few weeks we will have completed 28 years of ministry with DoorWays®. God has allowed us incredible opportunities we never anticipated, and we are so very grateful for them all. We are also grateful for your partnership with DoorWays®. Without the generous gifts and support of our partners, we could not accept…
Read MoreThe Rich Man’s Dilemma
The Rich Man’s Dilemma – PDF (click here to download) The Rich Man’s Dilemma Three Things in Hell We Need on Earth 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing…
Read MoreHumility Befitting the King: Why I Want to Go to Heaven
As a former pastor and hospice chaplain, I have attended the deaths of scores of men and women. Though it seems to have a preference for the aged, Death is truly is no respecter of persons. Far too many young adults, middle-aged, and early senior adults have also deceased in my presence. I am thankful…
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