Keith’s Blog
Carlson Ministry Update
I am very excited about our growing ministry in Haiti. I leave in a few days for my seventh trip there this year. Our new base is finished so we encourage people to come and minister with us to the Haitian people.
Our meeting did not go as planned...
Our meeting in Haiti did not go as planned. Visiting the Haitian pastors where they live was a growing conviction we had. Normally, we focused on training, more on the academic side of ministry.
Merry Christmas: Ministry Update
As we wind down 2017, I wanted to share a few pictures and updates from my past few months of international ministry. I traveled to 3 different countries where I led various pastoral training. In September, I was in Romania where I met up with my friend Daniel Vieru, a leader of a local Christian school.
Instruction & Construction
As I write this letter, I am returning from Nicaragua. This trip was a combination of encouragement, instruction, and construction. I was actually engaged in five specific tasks, each as meaningful to me as the other.
The Ripple Effect - Africa 2017
“Africa is Africa”... That's a common response to the question, “What's it like there?” Zambia does seem to fit most of the stereotypes of Africa. There are many good reasons to go to Africa and many a noble cause. These pictures alone might suffice for some. I go for one main reason - to encourage and train pastors.
What Doug Flutie, King David, and Bethlehem All Have in Common...
It’s Christmas and sometimes big things come in small packages.
I was over to my oldest son’s house last night and we watched a special on Doug Flutie. From high school throughout his entire athletic career, he was told he was too small.
November Missions Update
As I get ready to head overseas in the coming weeks, I wanted to provide a quick update and ask for your prayers on a few items.
As most of you know, teaching discipleship to pastors, businessmen, and other local individuals is a passion of mine. However, a significant part of the 141 Ministry involves working alongside other ministries and training missionaries and pastors overseas as well.
Repair the Breaches!
It just so happened, the other day that a good friend texted me this verse from Ezekiel 13:5, “You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.”
For God’s people, then and now, this verse has huge spiritual implications. A “breach” is a break, an opening, a spot of vulnerability to the enemy.
I ♥ Jesus Because...
This was on the big sign across the street that drew my attention away from Big Ben and Parliament, in London. As I drew closer to the " I ❤ Jesus" sign on the table I noticed a subtitle that read, "Because I am Muslim"... And that is when the hair went up on my neck. Wow, really... I was locked on and it drew me in "like a tractor beam".
Romania - April 2016
As I write to you, I am here in Romania. I am so thankful that my adult kids help my wife while I'm away. I am so blessed to have my family. Penny, I love you.
Haiti - Trip #2
This was my second trip to Haiti in 2015. The first was to the Southern part where I did training for 33 pastors with Mission Starfish. This trip was in November to Northern Haiti under the direction of Project Hope (Springfield, Missouri).
Haiti - Trip #1
I accompanied a team from Westwind Church (Waukee, Iowa), to "Mission Starfish", Gonaives, Haiti. The Team’s primary role was to minister to the Haitian people, engaging in relationships while working on building projects inside the mission itself and the surrounding community.
My role was to teach, coach, and encourage the Haitian pastors.
Zambia
Hello, my friends! I hope this letter finds you well. Penny and I are feeling very blessed these days enjoying our kids, grandkids, and the incredible privilege of serving our Lord. Along with developing my ministry here of discipling men, coaching pastors, and churches, I spent the last half of January teaching with my friend Mark Albright at the International Bible College of Zambia.
Phillippines
What an ADVENTURE! My ministry continues to develop in unexpected yet exciting ways as I spent the last two and a half weeks of November in the Philippines, teaching at The Word of Life Bible Institute.
I was put in contact with the Academic Dean of the Institute via the recommendation from my lifelong friend Terry Alexander. For that, I am so grateful as I found it a great blessing teaching and spending time with the students and staff.