In December of
1997, a group of radical young men in Killeen Texas were inspired
by God to launch a monastic gathering of ascetic brothers under
the Order of the BTR* Knights. The result: T.H.E. P.A.D.
The PAD, humorously known as The Texas Honorary Evangelistic Prayer
Association of Disciples, is an active training ground for single
men in the Navigator Ministry. It is located on Fishpond Lane,
just a few blocks from the Shepherd's home, and provides a place
for young single guys to crash on the weekend and grow in their
walk with Christ. It all began when Jerry Son-of-Dick and Darren
"OH YEH" Balton approached Mark-Mark Goeller with the
dream of finding a home to live in to walk as brothers in Christ.
The Dream team was rounded out by none other then Archie "the
Pagan" Martinez, bringing sanity to an otherwise radical
motley crew. We began to pray at each Men's breakfast to wait
upon the Lord's leading (and to ask for a swimming pool**) and
quickly sensed green lights to pursue this dream. The hunt for
a home was a clear sign of God's involvement. We were systematically
rejected by every rental agency in town ". . .are you crazy.
. .a ton of singles living in one home. . ." until the very
last possible moment (eviction from the Kuhlmann Manor was closing
fast. I thought it would be great to have another roommate in
his home, but Carla thought otherwise. . .) Finally, after nearly
an all-nighter in prayer, we found it! We would be fishers of
men at the Fishpond! I walked into the rental agency, asked for
Ray Long, and had prepared a 45 minute discourse on why he wanted
us to rent from him. Before I could get 5 words out, he asked
when we were moving in. Praise God! When the timing is right,
God always provides.
What has followed has been one of the greatest adventures of all
of our lives. Psalm 133 is the spirit of the home, and if you
could stay late one night and pray with us under the illuminated
Cross, you would realize why. The power of brothers living together
under Christ in love, honesty, and harmony is a reflection of
His design for all mankind. Each of our own walks has sharpened
and grown, and the myriad of young soldiers flooding the doors
and windows continually encounter the living Christ.
Just last month Stu Mallory joined the merry band of brothers
and suffered only a broken arm during the entrance hazing. Sadly
for us, yet to the Glory of God's master plan, Jerry received
orders to Germany in mid June and has become the first honorary
PAD graduate. We will all miss him deeply.
Please pray for us as we seek to make disciples and be a sharp
tool for the Navigator family at Hood in the great Harvest of
50,000 soldiers. Visit our Web page at http://ldolphin.org/ldolphin/fishpond/
and you will be inspired, laugh, and see Stu making funny faces.
(*Bachelor's till the rapture. We are always
looking for new members, as the old ones usually fall to the wayside.
Cff Geoff Kuhlmann and Mike Olive. . .)
(**Our neighbor Marti has given us unlimited access to his pool.
God answers prayer!)