Theme for 2011

For Nothing Is Impossible With God

Luke 1:37

For Nothing Is Impossible With God

     When Zechariah was told by an angel that his wife would bear a child in her old age his response was "How can I be sure of this?". When Mary was told by an angel that she would soon bear a child, her response was "How can this be since I am a virgin.  Zechariah responded in unbelief.  Mary responded with curiosity.  The angel answered Zechariah by taking away his ability to speak. The angel answered mary with an explanation and the statement;  "For nothing is impossible with God."

     In June of 2010, I gave up my two church pastoral appointment and stepped out in faith to follow God. After a break of six months and a lot of hard work (to earn a living) it is time to pursue the things God has called us to do.  We needed a few months to rest from ten difficult and trying years of pastoring churches.  I have been doing some light construction, home improvement and landscaping.  While I really enjoy doing these things, my body can no longer handle the hard physical work nor am I called to do it.  When God calls a person to ministry, their skills and abilities still remain.  However, God's call must take precidence over any previous occupation or place in the world.

     We have no idea as to how a lot of things will come about. We are certainly prime candidates for a miracle. When God asks a person to step out in faith, he does not always provide everything up front or in advance. That is why it is called "stepping out in faith". To do what God has called us to do, we have to trust him for finances, housing, transportation, and all the material items needed for ministry. We must also trust him for spiritual strength and direction. Not every situation we encounter has an immediate solution nor does every need a person has get met immediately. Much of our trusting God will require us to be patient and watch God work.

          My wife and I are now available for revivals, preaching, teaching, conferences, seminars and individual ministry.  Please contact us at handofhopeministries@charter.net or pastorheberg@charter.net.

Don’t Limit God

Our Theme for 2010

And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:31

Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed (limited) the holy one of Israel. Psalm 78:41

The theme God gave me for this 2010 is “Don’t Limit God”. This theme was to be a major focus for myself, my family and all areas of ministry we are involved in. We had no idea as to what God was up to and just how important this theme would be for us and others.

God is leading my family and me to take some time away from pastoral ministry. I will not be returning as pastor of Byrd’s Chapel and Wesley Chapel in June of this year. I will be taking a leave of absence from pastoral ministry and using this as an opportunity to pursue some much needed evangelistic and mission work.

We are quickly approaching the last days. I do not know when Jesus will be returning – perhaps in our lifetime – perhaps quite some time from now. But the time is closer now than ever. Our communities are full of people that are lost, hurting, searching and seeking for a Savior. Many are looking in the wrong places. Others just don’t know where to look.

In John chapter 5, a crippled man is laying by a pool that is supposed to bring healing. He has no one to help him get in. And, sadly, the man is looking in the wrong place for what he needs. In an instant, though, Jesus changes the man’s life. John tells us at the end of chapter 20 the reason why he included that particular miracle and others in his gospel – that people might believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah and that through faith in him they might have life.

“The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that you might have life-life in its fullness” John 10:10 (TEV)

The world is my parish

Pastor Carl