by Garris Elkins | Jul 2, 2013 | Church, Family, Forgiveness, Honor, Humility, Obedience
When I read the story of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus, I find myself wanting to distance myself from him. Maybe my need to keep my distance is because I have found him living in me from time-to-time when I have betrayed the things that God holds dear. This...
by Garris Elkins | May 25, 2013 | Church, Evangelism, Faith, Humility, Revelation, Teaching
In the late 1970’s, I was a student at Ministries Institute at Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon. I had the privilege of listening to profound teachers each week. Names like Roy Hicks, Jr., Ron Mehl, Jack Hayford and Jerry Cook graced our pulpit. It was...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 28, 2013 | Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Future, God, Healing, Honor, Humility, Prayer, Restoration, Spiritual Warfare
I was afraid to go into Junior High School. Horror stories filled my young head about the “big kids” who really didn’t like little guys like me. We heard stories about getting our pants pulled down in front of girls. Much of what I lived in fear of never took place. ...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 9, 2012 | Church, Evangelism, Faith, Honor, Humility, Identity, Love
As young church planters, Jan and I knew very little about what it meant to plant a church. We had a calling and a measure of faith and that was all. When we entered the ministry very little was available in resource materials on how to plant a church. I think...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 9, 2012 | Faith, Family, Hope, Humility, Leadership, Love, Tranistion, Trust, Vision.
Thirty-one years ago I was a struggling young pastor. Jan and I, along with our two little children, left all that was known and familiar to us and journeyed north to Montana to plant a church. This was our first attempt at starting a church and our first...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 30, 2012 | Faith, Forgiveness, Humility, Love, Marriage, Vision.
About 20 years ago I changed how I counsel couples who come to me wanting to get married. I used to struggle with why I didn’t like the more academic approach of having couples read books and take tests to direct their new relationship. There is really nothing...
