Spencer Wolverton, Author at 61 Isaiah

July 12, 2021 by Spencer Wolverton 10 Comments

Blind

Not being able to see is both frustrating and terrifying. Frustrating because when I can’t see what is happening, I can’t attempt to manipulate and change the outcome. Terrifying because not being able to see leaves you extremely vulnerable, and who likes that?

There are times however, when I welcome not being able to see. It allows me to focus on my other senses, helping me experience the world in a different way. It gives me the chance to be still and rest. I guess I also shouldn’t omit that the selfishness in me likes being blind, it gives me an out. I can avoid seeing things I don’t want to see. If I don’t see it, I don’t have to do anything about it….right?

I know what you must be thinking, “Where is she going with this?” Well….I don’t know yet. For days I have been pondering what to write about. I’ve prayed about it, flipped through all the things the Lord and I have talked about this year, and nothing. Eventually God gave me a picture and one word.

Key Word

I’m not sure I want to share the picture with you yet, but the keyword He gave me was “blind”. Are you aware of how many different directions I could go with this one word?

Psalm 146:7-8 says, “…The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind…” Isaiah 35:5 says something similar, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;” In Isaiah 42:7, “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” These are all positive messages of hope. That Jesus is coming and revealing himself to children of the world who are blinded by their sin. He opens their eyes, removing their blindness, and makes them a child of God. Wow, and we haven’t even opened the New Testament!

As a child of God, my eyes have been opened. I am no longer blind to His truth. I am no longer blind to the work He is doing. Then how come there are still times in my life when I can’t see what God is doing?

Describing the Picture

I think it’s time to talk about the visual the Lord shared with me. It’s of a girl, wearing a blindfold, and on the blindfold are the words, “Where are you, God?” I tried changing the words on the blindfold. I’d erase them only for my hand to betray me and rewrite them.

After a couple tries, I gave up and wrote other stuff around the picture. Still on the page, but apart from the drawing. I wrote, “When I can’t see God’s goodness. When I let my sin blind me. When I allow my comfort to take precedent over what the Lord has called me to.”

See, there are so many things I could have written about. None of those things felt right though, and before I knew it I had cut the picture out to where there was no space to add any extra writing. I can take a hint, therefore, I am focusing on the question, “Where are you, God?”

Focusing on the Question, “Where are you, God?”

Have I asked this question before? Yes. Yes I have. I’m guessing you have asked this question too. Maybe flashbacks to the beginning of COVID are filtering in your mind. I think during that time a lot of people asked the question, “Where are you, God?”

That question reminds me of God’s people in the Old Testament. Whenever they were in captivity or in trouble they would cry out to God, questioning where He was, and wondering when He would show up and fix everything.

His people whom He allowed into captivity because they refused to repent. His chosen people who in turn chose to disobey Him. Who chose to welcome corruption into their lives. Who chose to worship other idols. “Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned, in whose ways we would not walk, and whose law they would not obey? So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.” (Isaiah 42:24-25).

God warned His people before disciplining them. He gave them ample opportunity to see they were living a life unholy and unworthy of the call He placed on them. Despite His patience, their eyes remained closed.

“Hear you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or as blind as the servant of the Lord? He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear” (Isaiah 42:18-20).

Not What I Want to See

Ouch, I’ve been there. I’ve missed out on a lot, because I allowed myself to be blinded. There are times my eyes are open and I’m looking at things, but I’m not observing them, instead I’m filtering them out because they don’t line up with what I want to see.

I’m not saying if you asked the question, “Where are you, God?” you couldn’t see Him because He was disciplining you. I think David asked a similar question in Psalm 13, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

Sometimes it’s not that we can’t see God or what He is doing in the moment but rather we filter out what He is doing in the here and now because we are focusing on seeing a future He has yet to reveal to us. “Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears” (Isaiah 43:8). “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19). “…I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them…” (Isaiah 42:15-17).

The Past 2 Years

These past two years God has challenged me to see. To take my blindfold off and observe the world around me. Not to judge it, but to see its brokenness. To see its corruption and its need for a savior. To walk with people and see how they are hurting. To see what cycles of poverty (I’m talking about more than just financial poverty) they are stuck in.

He has challenged me to see my own corruption and brokenness. My own need for Him to save me daily. My need to invite others to walk with me and help me out of my own cycles of poverty (yes, that means being vulnerable which I hate). My need to focus NOT on a looming future that He has yet to reveal, but to instead focus on the things He is doing here and now. To listen, watch, and wait in excitement for what He is going to spring forth. I perceive its goodness because I know of its Creator’s goodness and faithfulness.

Revealing the Picture God Had Me Draw

Now I will leave you with the picture He had me draw and the following question:

“Will you stay blind?”

July 5, 2021 by Spencer Wolverton Leave a Comment

Meet Our 2021 Summer Missionary!

It’s summer and we have mission teams coming down! Our hearts are overjoyed that we are able to reconnect with many of the people that were unable to come down last summer. We also have people on our Field Based Team that many haven’t had the chance to work with in Honduras. We are looking forward to those team members becoming more than people we post about on Facebook. They will be individuals you build relationships with while walking with 61 Isaiah in Honduras. Not only are we excited for you to meet our ever-growing Field Based Team, we are excited to introduce our 2021 Summer Missionary Ainsley Brown! Who better to introduce Ainsley than herself? Read below to learn more about her!

Ainsley Brown:

“Hello! My name is Ainsley Brown and I was born and raised in a tiny town in Texas called Maypearl. During high school, I had the privilege of attending dual-credit college classes which allowed me to graduate with both a high school diploma and college Associate’s degree in 2020. I was accepted to Houston Baptist University where I just completed my first year studying Biochemistry and enjoyed the different lifestyle of the Big City.

Growing up, my parents represented how a relationship with Christ should look, and they made sure both my sister and I knew what God’s love felt like with their love for our family. Although Christ has always been a part of my life, it was my sophomore year of high school when I took it upon myself to further my faith. I got baptized as confirmation to myself and my church that I believe in God and want to serve Him.

During my junior year of highschool I started actively seeking ways to share Christ with others and I volunteered to be a leader at my church camp. While there, I was presented with the opportunity to go on a mission trip with IGoGlobal to Honduras to work with a group called 61 Isaiah ministries. While I was preparing to work with IGoGlobal, my youth pastor, Lucas Biggs, shared that he knew the leaders of the 61 Isaiah group and put me in touch with Shannon Hopkins. The conversation then began regarding becoming a summer missionary intern with the ministry. I learned that working with 61 Isaiah directly would allow me to not only serve for a longer period of time in Honduras, but I would also be able to use more of my gifts of administration to assist the groups of missionaries coming to serve throughout the summer. Through a number of conversations, it became clear to me that 61 Isaiah was definitely a group I wanted to work with and support! COVID postponed my initial trip planned for 2020, but I am super excited to have the opportunity to serve this summer of 2021!

This summer I hope to deepen my relationship with Christ and build friendships with those whom I get to serve alongside. In addition, I hope to learn more about the Honduran culture, and further understand the nuances of life in Honduras. I am also taking this time to figure out which ways I can continue to best serve the Lord with the spiritual gifts He has given me!”

July 2, 2021 by Spencer Wolverton Leave a Comment

“10 Years – A Time to Reflect and Celebrate”

The Following Blog Post was written by Board President Clifford Watson:

In June 2011, Shannon, Kristi, Tyler and Emma Hopkins packed their bags, said their good-byes and boarded a plane for Honduras. They had planned as much as they knew how to and were answering God’s call — to take the gospel to the Lenca Indians of Western Honduras. This would be done through a new mission organization called 61 Isaiah Ministries.

Shannon had been Youth Pastor to our four children since we had met five years prior. He and Kristi had become dear friends of our family during that period. When asked if I would be willing to serve on the Board of Directors, I quickly said yes. It was obvious to all who did life in the same circle as the Hopkins’ that God’s call was clearly on their lives. Although I didn’t know what all might lie ahead for this new adventure, I wanted to be a part.

Within the first month of the Hopkins’ move to Honduras, my wife Janet, three of our children and I had the opportunity to “walk with them” for the first time on Honduran soil. I recall making the trek up the mountain to one of the villages — greeting the children, then listening to Shannon preach (with the help of a translator) as chickens walked into the church mid-sermon; going to the radio station and the adjacent property to see and hear the vision of how the property could be used agriculturally to break physical cycles of poverty; and visiting the school where Kristi would teach.

Since that first trip, Janet and I have been privileged to return on other occasions to “walk with them” — most recently in April 2021. As a way of celebrating and giving all glory to God, I wanted to communicate through this blog some of what has transpired over these first ten years. Please keep in mind, this is not an “all-inclusive” list, but instead a few of my personal and recent observations.

The 5 Core Values Then vs. Now

Prayer
- Then:
  - Prayer support of those who knew the Hopkins family and of their call to go
- Now:
  - 9:38 Prayer Initiative – individuals around the globe stopping what they are doing at 9:38 every day to ask God to send laborers unto the harvest (based on Matthew 9:38)
Gospel Saturation
- Then:
  - Shannon spending time when available building relationships and preaching in the villages
- Now:
  - Relationships with sixteen churches and villages in the Gracias area
  - Jeff, Josh, Mauricio and Shannon walking with people and sharing the gospel with Edith’s consistent translation support
  - Partnerships with 10 US-based churches who have “adopted” a village and spend time there when possible — walking with the people
Education
- Then: Kristi as a single contributor, K-4 teacher
- Now: Kristi as a regional administrator
  - The majority of the team members teaching at least one class
  - Honduran students who have received scholarships and earned degrees at US colleges, then returned to Honduras to help influence the society through education and a Kingdom-of-God mindset

Empowering Local Leaders
- Then:
  - Not originally enough resources to make this a key area of ministry focus
- Now:
  - “Church Identity” training in the villages that instruct the local church leaders of the importance of God’s Word; its inerrancy; how to effectively study and understand scripture
Breaking Cycles of Poverty
- Then:
  - Unused and uncultivated land with vision for what “could be”
- Now:
  - Micah overseeing and advancing vision of the “Hunger Farm”
  - Partially developed property including stocked fish ponds, chickens, goats, pigs, coffee plants and production
  - Remaining and additional vision for what “could be” done with the land
  - A young man in one of the villages who had been mis-diagnosed with a skin disorder that was eating away his flesh; provisions made for research and proper treatment that helped bring physical, mental and spiritual healing and a confident future
  - A young man who, at the age of 12 became the man of the house after his father and then grandfather died; ensuring he continues his education so that he can provide effectively for his family

Field-based team
- Then: The Hopkins family of four
- Now: Twenty field-based team members (including families)
  - “Teaming” – all team members willing to help wherever needed outside their primary areas
  - Hannah and Spencer taking care of all back-office support, putting in place organizational building blocks necessary for future growth, bringing consistency to everything the ministry does

Getting the house set up: Then
Preaching in one of the villages: Then
Preaching in one of the villages: Then
Setting up the house: Then
Radio: Then
Kids: Then
Tyler & Kristi: Then
Radio Staff: Then
Tyler: Then
Emma: Then
Hopkins/61 Isaiah Team: Then
61 Isaiah Team meeting: Now
Church I.D. Study in one of the villages: Now
Lenca Hunger Farm Pigs: Now
Lenca Hunger Farm Beans: Now
Lenca Hunger Farm Coffee: Now
Lenca Hunger Farm Chickens: Now
Lenca Hunger Farm Fish Ponds: Now
61 Isaiah Team with Family: Now
61 Isaiah Team with 3 Guests: Now
61 Isaiah Team & Families

It has been fun to reminisce on the past and celebrate in the course of this blog. But we can’t stop here — God has called us to more. There is still much work to be done in the days, months and years ahead. If something mentioned above tugs at you and you would like to learn more, I or any member of the 61 Isaiah team would love to talk to you further.

The primary emphasis I want to leave you with is this: The only way we can celebrate any of the areas described above is because of God. He deserves all glory. Without Him, nothing that 61 Isaiah Ministries has ever been a part of would matter or be possible.

Here’s to the next ten. To God be the glory!

April 16, 2021 by Spencer Wolverton 2 Comments

“Why are you here?”

A strong wind tore the mountain and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:11-13

Read with Me

Have you had the chance to study 1 Kings 19? If not, I’d like to encourage you to take the time to read it before continuing on in this blog post, or feel free to open up your Bible and read the passage with me as I share my experience with these verses and how God used them to speak with me.

Open 1 Kings 19

Qualifications for this Topic

I’d like to start out by saying that I am not a Bible scholar. There are many others out there more qualified to talk about it. However, the Holy Spirit resides in me, giving me the confidence to share how the Lord has been speaking more personally to me through this passage. As we continue discussing 1 Kings 19, I pray the Holy Spirit would speak directly to your heart the words you need to hear.

Let’s Dig-in

“What are you doing here Elijah (vs.13)?” I find this question from God to be odd and slightly comical. Let me explain. Elijah being afraid for his life flees and eventually journeys to the wilderness. Sitting under a broom tree, he asks God for death. An angel of the Lord touches him and tells him to eat. A second time the angel touches him and says, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you (vs.7).” So Elijah eats and sets off to Horeb, the Mountain of God. When he gets there, the word of the Lord asks him what he is doing there. Elijah explains that Israel has forsaken the Lord’s covenant, killed the Lord’s prophets, and that he is the only one left alive. To which the word of the Lord replies, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord (vs.11).” The Lord eventually appears and asks Elijah what he is doing there.

I was slightly stumped the first time I read His question. I thought, “Didn’t you tell him to go there?” I had to read the beginning part again. The angel told him to eat for the journey. The word of the Lord told him to stand on the mount before the Lord. Yep, pretty sure God told him to be there. So why does God ask him that question?

Throughout the Bible, God tends to ask questions He knows the answers to. Questions like, “Where are you?” “Where is your brother Abel?” “Why are you here?” I have often been told that God asks us questions not for His sake but for ours. In my own personal experience, I can testify that God has often asked me questions, and through those questions He has revealed to me truth and identified lies and corruption. He has granted me wisdom and understanding. He has challenged my thinking, mentality, and beliefs. So how might this question benefit Elijah?

Reading through the passage we can tell Elijah is discouraged. He himself asks to be done. “Is it enough now, O LORD (vs.4)?” Have you been there? I have. “Am I done yet?” “Can I leave yet?” “Can you ask someone else to take it over?” “Why am I still here?” “Why me God?” Do these questions sound familiar?

Following up his question is a request, “Take away my life for I am no better than my fathers (vs.4).” This request seems contradictory to me. He flees because he fears his life, and yet he asks God to take him home. You might be thinking, “Wow, Elijah, that was a dumb request. Aren’t we being a little dramatic? Why would you flee only to request death? Was your plan to travel out into the wilderness and slowly wither away under a tree, asking God not for provision, not for a way out, but death?” Okay, maybe you didn’t think that, but I did. Then the Lord reminded me of my past. He reminded me of the times I was tired, strung out, and empty. He reminded me of all the stupid and dramatic things I’ve said and requested. I was reminded of how He let me say my fill and when I was done wallowing and ready to listen, He would ask me a question. How does God reply to Elijah’s request? He doesn’t answer him yet. Instead He provides Elijah with substances and sends an angel to send Elijah on a journey to find Him.

After journeying about forty days and forty nights Elijah stands out on the mount and finally encounters God only to be asked the question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He doesn’t reply, “Because you sent me here.” Instead he repeats what he has already said to the word of the Lord. Which personally I take as Elijah justifying his request to be done. I read it as, “God, your people no longer call you their God. They have seen your mighty works and still refuse to turn from their wicked ways. They have killed everyone that you have sent. I am the only one left, and even now they want to kill me. Everything you have asked me to do is no longer possible. Because nothing looks like it will change for the better, because everything looks futile, because everything seems impossible, can I be done?”

We Are Elijah

Elijah is you and me. We stand on top of the mountain in the presence of God.

“Why are you here?”

“Because you asked me to be.”

“I did, but why did you come?”

“Because you promised to take care of me. Because you promised joy in the midst of suffering. Because I thought life would be harder everywhere other than where you asked me to be. Because of all the changes, because of the hearts of the people, because of the obstacles, what you’ve asked me to do seems futile and impossible. Because I am tired and want to know if I can be done?”

“Go back from whence you came, and when you return, you will see that I have made a way.”

Unfortunately we aren’t done. I know you feel tired. I know you want to be done. I know you don’t see how what you are currently doing has gained any traction, but you are not done. So get up and journey to your Mount Horeb. Stand before the presence of God and let him ask you the question, “What are you doing here?” Let His question reveal truth. Let His question squelch whatever lies the enemy has told you. Let it reveal to you wisdom and understanding for what is next. Be encouraged and refilled in the presence of God and then go back from whence you came for He has made a way. He has a plan that He will reveal to you piece by piece when the time comes.

March 20, 2020 by Spencer Wolverton 1 Comment

COVID 15 Day Prayer Guide

Praying for the harvest and the workers through COVID-19

Prayer is important. Prayer is powerful. It is in times like this when we must pray. We must stand in the gap for others. For this is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14). So we encourage you, we challenge you to pray along with us for the harvest and the workers these next 15 days.

Many of you have been praying alongside us at 9:38 everyday for years. You have been consistent in praying for the harvest and asking God to provide workers. Thank you for your commitment to praying for them, for us. We have created a 15 day prayer guide to give you more specific topics to pray over in regards to what is currently happening in the world. We invite you to join us in praying over these topics at 9:38 everyday for the next 15 days.

Prayer Prompts

Day One: Pray for the containment of COVID-19.
Day Two: Pray for the government to have wisdom in decision making.
Day Three: Pray for those who are currently infected by the virus.
Day Four: Pray for the workers to have wisdom on how to continue with the harvest during this time (Matthew 9:38).
Day Five: Pray for peace to overcome fear.
Day Six: Pray for the wisdom, protection, and energy of medical workers.
Day Seven: Pray for the church to be the piercing light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).
Day Eight: Pray for relational restoration within the homes that people are contained in.
Day Nine: Pray for those who don’t know God to knock and ask for the door to be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)
Day Ten: Pray for an abundance of resources (1 Kings 17:7-16)
Day Eleven: Pray for societal reformation as a result of this virus.
Day Twelve: Pray for those who are away from home during this time.
Day Thirteen: Pray for those who are unable to work during this time.
Day Fourteen: Pray that society would use social media in a positive way.
Day Fifteen: Pray for yourself to be proactive in using this time for conviction, restoration, and healing.