On Fire for the Mission
October is here—and so is the cold weather.
For many families, this season means hot dogs and marshmallows around the fire or cozy blankets at Friday night football games. But for others—single men, women, and families—it’s a time of uncertainty. The reality of homelessness and how they’ll survive the cold Wisconsin winter becomes painfully real.
I don’t mean to bring a beautiful fall day to a halt, but I’m reminded often that our purpose here on earth is simple: to love God and to love others as He loves us.
Jesus, in all His power and authority as one with God, chose to come to earth as a servant. The Jews expected a warrior to save them and make their lives easier. And honestly, I find myself in that same mindset sometimes—“What about what I want, Lord? Don’t I get to enjoy this life too?”
Yes—and no.
Yes, we should find joy in serving. Yes, we should live with uncommon peace in a world full of anxiety.
But no—we shouldn’t look like the world or chase after worldly things.
Fall Cookout: Faith, Fellowship, and Community
The BDMC is hosting our second event of the year—a FREE Fall Cookout!
Come hang out, enjoy some food, and listen to live Christian music by Rodney Ashcraft.
Free hot dogs. Free ice cream. Free fellowship.
October 18th, 12–3 PM. @ Swan park in Beaver Dam near the bandshell.
We’d love to see you there!
Preparing for the Cold: The Homeless Kit Outreach
As the weather turns, my wife and I begin preparing materials for our homeless kits—hand warmers, snacks, wipes, chapstick, socks, and most importantly, Scripture.
Our goal this year is to reach beyond Madison and bring the message of Jesus to the streets across Wisconsin, as Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” — Proverbs 19:17
Real Stories from the Field
Instead of just listening to me rant in these blogs, I want to start sharing more of the real stories we’re seeing and the people we’ve been able to support.
This month has brought the most outreach we’ve ever had—most of them are women in need of housing. We’ve been able to purchase several hotel nights for women in truly difficult situations:
One woman recently had heart surgery, lost her job from taking too much time off, and is now sleeping in her car while she works to save for an apartment.
Another is trying to rebuild her life after jail time, but her past makes it almost impossible to find housing or a roommate willing to take a chance on her.
Another lost her husband years ago and now lives in her car with her teenage child, struggling to stay warm as winter approaches.
These stories aren’t rare—they’re happening right here in Dodge County and Beaver Dam. It’s heartbreaking to see widows, single parents, and those in crisis so often overlooked, especially when Scripture calls us to care for them directly.
We were also contacted by a mother at her breaking point, asking for help with her son who had fallen into dark spiritual territory—dabbling in the occult, seeing demons, and battling suicidal thoughts. His girlfriend was considering an abortion. They weren’t believers, but they let me pray with them and share the hope of Jesus. No money was exchanged, but they left encouraged by the love of Christ, and I pray that the seeds planted that day will grow.
Please keep each of these people in your prayers—that God would water those seeds, raise up more believers to walk beside them, and remind them that His love has no limits.
God has brought more than a dozen people across our path this month alone. What a blessing and an honor to do His work.
A Prayer for Our City
My prayer is that those reading this can sense something different happening in Beaver Dam. That you see Jesus at work in His people—through our mission center and through the local churches that are standing together.
I pray that God’s love burns so deeply in your heart that you can’t help but join us in the fight—not a fight of the flesh, but of the Spirit.
Serve, pray, and love alongside us. Use the gifts God has given you to build others up.
A Personal Confession
Jesus loved us while we were still sinners…
Let that sink in.
I have a wicked heart—and so do you. BUT God.
I can hardly comprehend that He loved me even when I wanted nothing to do with Him. That kind of love moves me to run after Jesus with everything I have.
So yes—I might look a little crazy for letting homeless people stay in my house or giving away my money to strangers and your earthly wisdom may throw up all the red flag. But one day, I’ll stand face-to-face with Jesus, and it’ll all be worth it. Every bit of sacrifice, every sleepless night—because I’ll get to praise Him for eternity, with no regrets.
At the same time that I feel this burning for missional work, I feel an equal conviction to abide in Christ. To sit in his love, like really sit in it.
When was the last time you sat in your quiet house, your car, your hotel room, and sat with the Lord? No work, no kids, no spouse or partner. But alone time with God.
My challenge for you this month is this:
Spend 15 minutes this week and just sit down with the lord. Don’t come with a plan or thoughts. Empty yourself in that moment, your mind may wander, but try to focus on sitting in His LOVE and allow that to take over you. I’ll be doing the same!
FREE STUFF
If you have made it this far, you are a trooper, and I’m grateful for you!
We have some donated items to the Beaver Dam Mission Center that are FREE for those in need. If you or someone you know needs any of the following items, please email me. Jesse@missionbd.org I’ll even deliver them!!
Brown leather love seat with recliners
Light brown cloth LazyBoy couch
Blue cloth recliner chair
Full-size mattress - still in a sealed cover
This month’s Prayer Request List
Prayer for our brother Bob undergoing testing and treatment for a failing kidney.
Pray for Austin, struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts
Pray for the women and men who have reached out to the Mission Center this month, that God would bless them and surround them with His angels and His love through other believers.
Pray for the City of Beaver Dam and Dodge County that Jesus would bring revival here, and he could use every believer to create a wave of new life in our area.
Pray for peace in our hearts and love on our lips. That we can find those moments of rest and abide in the Love of Jesus.
Pray for our shoe program and Kim, our program director, that God would bless every Bible, shoe, and sock that goes out the door.
Finally, pray for our churches that God would bring those stuck inside the four walls out, that the leaders would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and teach in a way that brings glory to God.
Join Us in the Mission
Will you join us in this spiritual fight?
Will you hand out homeless kits with me?
Will you commit to giving your first and best to God’s Kingdom?
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18
We’re just getting started.
I love you all.
To purchase items for our Homeless Kits, visit our Amazon Wishlist.
To learn more about the Homeless Kit Ministry, visit missionbd.org/homeless-kits.
