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Vegas Update #2

By Craig on Mon, Aug 4th 08 at 05:43PM | Permalink | Comments (24)

As the ministry ideas are still forming, we wanted to share a little bit more with all of you about our plans:

-We plan to have a significant outreach to those working among the sex industry in Vegas. We will have an apartment or house of females; multiple houses possibly some day. We are looking for women who want to be used by God and use the gifts and talents that He has given them to reach out to those in the sex industry in Las Vegas. We don't want to put all of this out online but if you are between the ages of 18-30 and feel that working with people amongst the sex industry is for you please email us at vegas@xxxchurch.com with some information about yourself and we will let you know more of the game plan. We have three gals making the move with us as of now that are beginning this outreach

-We want to target the hundreds of thousands of tourists to Las Vegas every week. We want to especially target those on business that are here midweek. We will use two websites to promote this. http://www.stripchurch.com and http://www.xxxchurch.com/lasvegas.
 
The goal is to pick the biggest conventions that we want to target. We don’t target cosmetology because that is not our market. We target MEN which includes but is not limited to business men, builders, truckers, dads, leaders and husbands who don’t plan on messing up their lives but easily can when in town. We pick those events. We don’t have to be open 52 weeks a year. We propose doing three things for each convention:

1. We have a booth at their show. We would send a team of people to a convention to meet the people, give away a "Jesus loves You" Bible. We meet people and let them know who we are and make ourselves available to them. This has been a huge success for XXXchurch by going into the conventions and meeting people there.

2. We have a morning session "church service" no smoke machine, glitz or glam just a room on site with chairs, a projector, a guy on a guitar and a message. We offer prayer, encouragement and a stay the course type talk that includes “we are here for you…" We will have a phone number that will be available 24/7 that will go to a pastor on staff that will be willing to talk to people at anytime of need.

3. We have an evening session somewhere cooler. The night time/evening gathering is at a sports bar, lounge or somewhere recognizable. A hang out so to speak depending on the convention, the event could change locations and structure. During a porn show, we would bring in some former porn stars and testimonies from people to share.

The website will have a ton of resources on it and the address is marketed to people in hotels which include ads around town. We hope to get hotels to list us in their room directory, ads on TVs, all sorts of things could be developed to drive people to the website so people can get a hold of us and watch/download something or just be encouraged. We could do some great things around town just promoting a website.
 
We are currently looking to hire three full-time people for the Vegas project. One female who will oversee the female staff. A full-time person to help us raise the money and spend more time with supporters and one full-time lead pastor for XXXchurch Las Vegas/Strip Church.

There are currently five men who serve on the Fireproof Ministries Board of Directors. They are located in California, Ohio, Michigan and Las Vegas. If you would like to sit down with anyone from the board to discuss this new ministry in greater detail we would love the opportunity to do that. Send an email to vegas@xxxchurch.com or call us at 702-974-1690.

One last thing. We have a new mailing address, however the Grand Rapids one will still work for a short time if you did mail something there. We will have new envelopes and letterhead in the next month or so.

Fireproof Ministries
PO Box 400758
Las Vegas, NV 89140
702-974 -1690

Please pray for the X3 Vegas vision as we are obviously figuring out why God has led us to Nevada. We are holding on tight, as we know God is leading us on a crazy ride.


bob wrote on August 4th 08 at 11:45PM
The Church
Hymn Singing
Prayer
Bible Preaching
The Jesus of the Word
One's best clothes
Strong families
Drinking a sin
Dancing a sin
Smoking a sin
Bright lights
Come to Jesus
Authority
Sanctuary for worship

The Bar
Rock and Country Music
Sharing Experiences
Positive Reinforcement of Self Love
The Jesus who approves of anything you do
Casual attire
Swapping partners
Drinking approved of
Dancing approved of
Smoking approved of
Dim lights
Come as you are
Opinion
Drinks and food at your seat
Jesus accepted as long as you aren't a bold witness

You may call it what you want but if it has all the characteristics of a bar it is not a church.

Bob,
Kristina wrote on August 5th 08 at 12:05AM
This is a response to Bob's comment. First of all "the church" is not a building. We as the body of Christ are the church...so where ever we go, be it a bar or a park, we are the church and we are fully representing Christ were He calls us to go. Secondly Jesus Himself preached and hung around people who the Pharisees saw as unfit and ungodly; tax collectors, prostitutes, lairs, and thieves, however that did not stop Jesus Christ from going into their territory and bringing them the Good News. I realize that God does not operate in ways that makes sense to us but in radical ways that are transforming and complete. In ways that bring glory and honor to His name alone. I'm sure if Christ was here He would highly approve of this ministry. John 3:17 says: "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." Who are we to limit the hand and power of God? We are His vessels and where ever He calls us to go let us go willingly. God has reached a countless number of people in radical ways. Who's to say that this ministry is is not carrying out the will of God?
Preacher wrote on August 5th 08 at 12:39AM
Hell Fire Preaching!

3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Mat 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Mat 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Mat 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Mat 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Mat 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Mat 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Mat 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Personal Separation and holiness
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eye...
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation(behaviour);
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my
commandments.

I believe in love, I believe in preaching love, but love is telling them the bold faced truth! Your a hell bound sinner and need to repent and trust Christ.

What good does it do just to tell them "Jesus Loves you." All you do is make them feel good while they still go to hell? Tell them there sinners, tell them they need to repent, tell the the truth!!!! The church is suppose to be distinct from the world, not be its friend.

James 4:4 ...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Slapping the name Christian on anything does not make it Christian. Christian Rock, Christian Rap, Christian Bikinis, Christian Rated R movies, whats next? Christian Budwieser?
Wil wrote on August 5th 08 at 01:13AM
@Preacher,

two points if you can find the book, chapter and verse where it says: "For it is the GRACE of God that teaches us to say NO to unrighteousness."

Not the Law of God. As the Paul's epistles has explained. the Grace, the unmerited LOVE of God towards sinners. "Yet while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

I think it's ironic that you're a self-righteous "preacher" and yet most of the people verses you used show Jesus condemning all the self-righteous God followers (Pharisees and Sadducees) of the day. Actually, I find it hilarious you missed that. You were probably too busy noticing the speck in other people's eyes.

Lastly, certain passages show that Jesus didn't not condemn immoral women, but loved them, and helped them come to grips with their God-given dignity. From there, they could easily repent.

Because it was the grace of Jesus that teaches to say NO to unrighteousness.
Pastor B wrote on August 5th 08 at 03:05PM
Cannot agree more with you will. it is the grace of God that leads to repentance. I look at the woman at the well and Jesus doesn't start with pointing out all her sins. He starts with living water and she is drawn in not by hearing that she is a dirty rotten sinner, that comes later and sidenote it is none of us that convict anyone of their sin it is the Holy Spirit, but He offers her something more than the life she was in and that is a great example to us. I admire XXXchurch for wanting to go to the hard places to preach and minister to the "outcasts" of society and my prayer for them is that in the midst of the battle they remember the end goal the glory of the Most High God and His Son Jesus coming and shining through. Keep the focus.
LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE
b
Jennifer wrote on August 5th 08 at 11:46PM
I'm astonished that Preacher and so many others similar to him are missing the entire purpose of creation, and thus, the bible. God did not create man because he needed him; He created man to have a relationship with him - you can't maintain a relationship by condemning people and being a constant reminder on where you think they have 'fallen short.' God's purpose is to show us his love. Salvation is the greatest miracle ever, however, salvation can't truly happen through fearfulness. It happens through a trusting, loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, people go to hell, even good people. But the way to lead people to Christ is by loving them and showing them how God loves them (by ultimately sending his son to die for our sins), not by trying to become a judge - that's God's territory. I dare not try to assume that responsibility. Preacher - I don't judge you. I feel sad that so many people like you don't seem to understand the true heart of our Father. XXXChurch - may God bless you for listening to his calling.
Josh wrote on August 6th 08 at 02:00AM
Have you guys heard of heather Veitch? She ministers to people in the sex industry. her website is jcsgirls.com. maybe you guys can do something with her?

God bless you guys! Thanks for going to the dark places! stay strong!
craig wrote on August 6th 08 at 12:51PM
ya, heather is a friend of ours.
Wha-bam! wrote on August 7th 08 at 12:59AM
I for one welcome our new drink-less, smoke-less, dance-less overlords.

I agree, Bob. Find me a place where everyone thinks the same, and no opinions are shared, and I'll show you paradise!
p_d wrote on August 7th 08 at 11:19AM
sorry to revert back to the whole bar/church topic but Bob is right. If there is a church that AGREES WITH AND CONDONES drunkardness, swinging, smoking, and so on, that would not be a true BODY OF CHRIST. The difference between the bar and the CHURCH is that yeah, people in the church have flaws BUT a TRUE BODY OF CHRIST wont sweep them under the rug. Its coming back to the whole concept of accountability. The bar on the other hand, and I, as well as others, know this from personal experience, breeds that type of behavior and conduct. There is a post above me that says it perfect. Christians are the church. Believers are the Body of Christ. Not four walls. I would encourage you to NOT seek out after a "church" but a body of believers. Be encouraged Bob. I know how you feel when you say it seems there is no difference between the church and the world. Being a pastor's kid and growing up in the church, I have seen first hand what happens when humans play church. Its horrible and un-Godly. Continue to seek God and He will put you in a place of good company and accountability.


Ok...Im done rambling!
Have a good one all and be blessed!
thePeej wrote on August 7th 08 at 02:03PM
XXXCHURCH Vegas is going to bring healing to peoples lives in whatever form it takes. People are going to go to vegas seeking things that would kill them and when they find X3Church Vegas they will be given new life. So sweet. I'm pumped for you guys will be praying for you.
Paul wrote on August 7th 08 at 02:46PM
I got my xxxchurch Las Vegas folder in the mail yesterday, it looks fantastic. The goals and vision look effective and edgy. I know exactly where my next 3 million dollar check is going. XXXchurch does excellent work.
Roxanne wrote on August 7th 08 at 04:48PM
There will always be negative people and naysayers. Keep up the good work. I was overjoyed when I saw the mail-out and that you all were going to the heart of the dragon to slay it. My prayers are with all of you. Stay strong!
Ron wrote on August 7th 08 at 07:07PM
In response to Bob, below. See Yancy's "What's so Amazing About Grace"; see also Bible. :) Christ defeated the tyrrany of the law by fullfilling it and exchanging His pefect record with our aweful one! Legalism is not needed; our obediance is a true joyful response, without fear! In fact putting ourselves under the law especially through Pharisaic observances that "exchange God's commands for [our] own" it sin! A drink, tolerating some second hand smoke, fot the sake of the lost is not wrong. Were Jesus to have your attitude, he would have never associated with us. His own ministry was corrupted by Judas, but the 11 were saved! It all points to GRACE and our need for it. STOP relying on man made rules. I beg you not to be one of those who is shocked to find themselves in Hell, hearing "I never knew you". Granted smoking is self destructive, but I count as more dangerous the lie that separation will svae us. Hosanna Jesus! Don't believe your fundemental misunderstanding, Bob. They seem right to you. Your views reflect a Mormon/Muslim/cult/Buddist/non-Christian world view. Be very careful brother! Don't be a whitewashed tomb, please. Love, Ron
Jon Smith wrote on August 7th 08 at 07:54PM
XXXChurch in Vegas is absolutely brilliant. I appreciate all you do.
Nick wrote on August 7th 08 at 08:31PM
To try and clear it up a little, Jesus preached both the condemnation of God and the love of God to different groups. But he was always preaching the truth in love.

To those that considered themselves righteous, he preached condemnation, that they might realize that they are as guilty as anyone else. That they might become "poor in spirit" and seek out salvation.

To the thieves and prostitutes who were under no illusions about the lack of holiness in their lives, he was able to skip the first step and go straight to preaching the love that God has for them and urge them to come back to Him.

The law convicts and grace releases. To the convicted, grace is preached. To the pre-convicted, the law is preached first.

Pray that helps
Wil wrote on August 8th 08 at 03:56AM
Nick, I think you nailed it.

Eloquently put.
Tony B. wrote on August 8th 08 at 05:11PM
Thanks Wil.
Jason Wilkinson wrote on August 9th 08 at 03:39PM
Nick, what you said is seriously perfect. I've been looking for those words for a while now. Thanks for clearing that up.

Peace.

Jason
Patrice Perrone wrote on August 9th 08 at 03:50PM
A word of encouragement !!! KEEP GOING!!!! CHARGE!!!!!
nathan wrote on August 9th 08 at 06:34PM
i absolutely love it, i got your mailer, and as soon as i have a bit more reliable income ill pledge to support you, @ the anti-bar people, youre missing the point, theyre going TO the problem to try and help it, not just standing across the street and yelling hellfire and damnation at it, same thing as them going to porn shows. its what we all should be doing. craig, if im ever in vegas, i will let you know and see what i can do to help out
Francisco wrote on August 10th 08 at 11:50AM
I´m from Venezuela, South America. I was involved in homosexuality, and God used this ministry (xxxchurch) to open my eyes to the GRACE and true LIFE that we can find in Jesus Christ. Thanks Craig for nailing it! That's the Church, as you said it: not a building, but a body!

By the way, I was raised IN a church. But it's not the "jeaously-kept-church-club" thing we (Christians) like to defend so dearly that will keep us saved and make us saints. I was in homosexuality being the pastor's son!!!! But I was so wrong being a pharisee, trying to keep all the theoretical part of the Scripture (pure Law). But the GOD´S GRACE has changed me now.

Craig and the rest of the team, keep on moving!! And thanks for being an example of Christ! ;)
Matt E. wrote on August 12th 08 at 12:57AM
Awesome guys! I'm stoked for Vegas; I think it's a great idea. Your ministry is the best one for this subject that I've ever found. Thanks for taking the chance and saying the thing no one else would say!

Matt
Dj Promote wrote on August 18th 08 at 12:35PM
Bob -

WE ARE THE CHURCH

THE BAR IS A PLACE

we can have church ANYWHERE...



this is why the "church" is not effective... thank you XXXChurch
http://www.myspace.com/djpromote

Safe Eyes

heart support
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