Take Heart! Jesus Cares For You.

I am so glad that you are reading these words of hope, thankfulness and vision. They mark a new beginning for me and the continuance of a ministry launched in 1994 by Concord Baptist Church. The ministry, “Take Heart,” began as a television broadcast that eventually expanded to radio. The development of the World Wide Web would expand the reach of our efforts to (you guessed it) the world. God guided and provided all along the way.

Now we begin again. At the close of 2021, I concluded a 30+ year ministry as Senior Pastor of Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City Missouri. It was a difficult decision. I loved and still love the people of Concord. My health was good. I still find great joy in preaching the gospel and ministering to people. The desire to see God’s kingdom come and His will done remains my daily prayer. Obedience to Christ is paramount and after 49 years of being in a pulpit each week, obedience to Christ led me to make a change. It is time to do the same thing, but in a different way – lift up Jesus with a ministry launched by but separate from one local church.

Concord Baptist Church graciously blessed the change by granting me the right to use all of my recorded messages as well as giving me full use of the name “Take Heart.” “Take Heart Ministries” has received 501c3 status as a not-for-profit ministry with its own board of directors and a vision statement that will guide us for years to come. We will seek to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that needs a reason to “Take Heart.” By means of radio, archived messages, new messages and podcasts the gospel will be proclaimed.

Good gospel teaching is available in quantity as never before. Why is a ministry such as Take Heart needed? The focus of our programming will be on Jesus Christ. Jesus said “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32.) This directly spoke to His death on the cross. Beyond that, it can be argued that every part of the Bible points to His atoning death. The ministry of the Holy Spirit points to Jesus. The prophecies and pictures in the Old Testament point to Him. The Apostles proclaimed salvation through no other name than Jesus.

I feel that there remains a great need for Christ-centered preaching. People find hope and can take heart in Jesus. Ultimately, He is our only source of heart and hope. He is the Good Shepherd who “restores our soul.”

Come with me on this journey of lifting up Jesus. This ministry will only reach as far as the Lord allows. We will depend on the generous giving of God’s people to purchase air time. Our footprint will be as big as His provision. We wish to take no one’s tithe or gift away from a local church. I want to complement, not compete with, the local church.

May you have peace and be encouraged knowing that you can “Take Heart.” Jesus really does care for you.