Do you believe in miracles? Have you been blessed in a way that defies explanation? Perhaps we don’t see parting seas, the dead brought back to life, or water turning into wine, but things still happen that we simply cannot explain. Was it just a happy coincidence or an act of a benevolent God? Does it matter? This week, open your eyes to the possibility that you have witnessed a miracle. The people of Project-44 pray you receive blessings you cannot explain.
Today we see relentless opposition and hostility in a broken world. We each have the choice to either perpetuate attempts to create division or to find ways to celebrate what we have in common. The people of Project-44 pray that you approach divisive issues this week with a willingness to listen, kindness, and humility.
A tuning fork may be a dated reference. Still, this metaphor from pastor and author A. W. Tozer delivers a powerful message we can all relate to. In our current divided and polarized world, we have lost sight of what we agree on. We are so focused on arguing about our differences in opinion that we’ve lost sight of our shared beliefs. The people of Project-44 pray this week that you celebrate the things that unite us and put aside what divides us.
Unfortunately, the mission trip to Mexico had to be postponed. The Project-44 mission team thanks you for your prayers and asks you to continue to pray for the people in Mexico the team had planned to serve. This is an opportunity to remember that God is in control and there is a plan. God’s will leads us to live, love, and serve. The people of Project-44 pray that you clearly see God’s will for your life this week.
We dedicate this week’s Monday Inspiration to the Project-44 team traveling to Mexico. We ask you to join us in praying for safe travels, God-focused service, and changed lives.
In whom or what are you seeking deliverance? Is it a human or a vice that you believe will free you from the troubles you face? Can a mere mortal who seeks only wealth and power truly lead us to joy and peace? As we enter Holy Week, remember the humble servant who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and who would ultimately give his life for our redemption. The people of Project-44 pray that the events of Jesus’ last week inspire you and give you lasting hope.
In whom can we place our trust? Our institutions have failed us. Our leaders have betrayed us. Family and friends let us down. But all is not lost. We can always trust in the Lord. God’s love, mercy, and grace never fail. The people of Project-44 pray that you turn to God this week when you need your trust renewed.
When Pontius Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king, Jesus responds, by saying that he came into the world to testify to the truth (See John 18:37). Pilate, somewhat sarcastically, asks, “What is truth?” Today, some two thousand years later, don’t we all share Pilate’s cynicism when we think about truth? Perhaps we can find comfort in knowing that all truth comes from God. Man can offer facts and opinions, but we find truth in God through faith. The people of Project-44 pray that you find truth and that it comforts and encourages you.
None of us do life alone. We depend on those around us to help us get through each day. When called upon by someone in need, are you a building block or a stumbling block? Do you encourage and support, or do you judge and tear down? The people of Project-44 pray that you are the building block others need this week.
As we celebrate the 15th year of our organization, we wanted to share a brief history of how we started, highlight some of the significant events that shaped us, and share a few stories of how we have helped our community. This is the first installment.
This post is 461 words and about a 2 minute read
On a cold January night in 2008, five people met in the living room of the home of Ben and Margret Fields. They and Kyle Roberson, Joy Roberson, and Brett Parker were eating pizza and discussing what God might call them to do.
At the time, Ben, a mechanic and the owner of a car repair shop, had been quietly giving cars to people in need. Occasionally someone, typically a customer, would approach Ben with a vehicle they no longer needed and had little to no trade-in or resale value. Ben would inspect the car, and if it could be made roadworthy with minimal repairs, he would complete the work. Once the car was ready, Ben would call upon a local church for help identifying a potential recipient needing reliable transportation.
The group concluded they should be more intentional in following where God was leading: giving cars to people in need. Through Ben’s efforts, it was already happening without intentional effort. What would happen if this became an organized ministry?
The group would work out the details of sourcing cars and identifying potential recipients later. Now the conversation turned to finding a name for the ministry. The Book of Acts served as an inspiration as they started searching the internet for words and phrases that would apply to this ministry. They knew they would eventually need a domain name, so that was the logical place to start.
All the good names with “Acts” in them, like Acts of Love, Acts of Service, etc., were already taken. Margret remembered reading about a project in another state where a group wanted to put a church on every exit of a particular freeway loop. The name was “Project” plus the highway number of the loop. Margret and the others counted the number of books in the Bible and found that Acts is the 44th book. “Project 44” sounded like a great name! A quick search of “Project 44” on the internet revealed a garage rock band (Project .44) and a supply-chain business (Project44). However, the domain “Project-44” was available, so with the addition of a hyphen, Project-44, the car ministry, was born.
With a mission and a name, the next step was to organize as a non-profit. A formal organization designated as a non-profit would be more likely to secure the donated cars and financial support needed. The same group that met in that living room on a cold January evening began the formation process and filed the necessary paperwork with the IRS in April 2008. In November 2008, Project-44 officially received non-profit status.
Those early visionaries had no idea how a car ministry would grow and expand. They were just thankful to have a place to start.
Next: A Counseling Ministry is Added
Project-44 