Our Stories
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…
Norma 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…
When 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…
A 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…
The 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…
Skinny 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…
Is 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…
The 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…
The 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…
Humility 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…
If History Repeats Itself
If history repeats itself, we will participate in ministry outreaches to over 3,500 people this summer in Mexico City. More importantly, nearly 600 people will make professions of faith in Jesus. Local churches will follow-up on 100% of the people who attend our outreaches. These are not events where we draw a crowd and preach…
We Couldn’t Do It
In 2017, Simply Sisters made and distributed over 50 beautiful gift baskets and bags filled with items meant to help and encourage the ladies who received them. There were hugs, tears, and grateful hearts – not only by those who received them, but in those who prepared and gave the baskets and bags. But…
It Isn’t a Bad Struggle
It’s always a struggle…though not a bad one. We constantly try to find an effective way to say, “Thank You!” to those who faithfully and generously support us and the ministry of DoorWays. Perhaps we can say it best with these words: “Your giving touches the hearts of people, changes the lives of people, and…
A Slim Chance in a Big City
Antonio drives a cab – one of nearly 200,000 in Mexico City, home to 19 million people. When the hotel staff calls for a cab, there’s a pretty small chance Antonio will be the one picking you up. Unless, of course, God wants to demonstrate His love. When our home was burglarized on June 27th,…
Empanadas, Enchiladas, and Eucalyptus
Empanadas are one of our favorite foods in Argentina. Enchiladas are somewhat of a dietary staple in Mexico. Eucalyptus leaves are the basic diet of koalas in Australia. Sheila returned from another fabulous Simply Sisters® outreach in Argentina two weeks ago. She and the team hosted events at the Instituto Biblico Rio de la…
Brewing in Argentina
Simply Sisters® is brewing in Argentina. While hundreds of ladies have received healing and hope from previous Simply Sisters® Ladies Tea outreaches, the ministry model is not solely dependent upon the presence of our teams. Students from Instituto Biblico Rio de la Plata (IBRP) in Buenos Aires have also begun hosting ladies teas and found…
Why Did Gabriel Run?
At one of the Simply Sisters® events in Mexico City in January, eight people prayed for Jesus to forgive their sins and put their faith in Christ. One of them was this five-year-old boy named Gabriel who ran to the altar to ask Jesus into his heart! Nearly 300 ladies (and a few men and children) attended the…
So Do We
Why have we hesitated to send a nonprofit, year-end appeal? Because we believe God knows our needs and provides answers before we even know to ask (Isaiah 65:24). Then why do we send updates to partners and friends? Because everyone we know is human and sometimes must be nudged in order to listen more closely…
What the IRS Doesn’t Know
The IRS knows too much about you and me. In collusion with the banking industry and other government agencies, the IRS knows who you are, where you are, and has a pretty good idea of where you are going. They monitor more than your tax liability. The IRS knows too much about your life and…
Tears, Hugs, Smiles, and Burdens Lifted
Next month, Sheila and 13 other ladies will board planes bound for Mexico City and hold four Simply Sisters® events with neighborhood churches. We expect nearly 100 women will put their faith in Christ or make re-commitments at these events. How can we be confident of the numbers? It’s in line with what has happened…