The Last Supper...I mean Breakfast

On Saturday 04 July 2009 - 17:14:36 | LAN_THEME_7 Dave Chaffee

Yesterday was a bitter sweet day as it was the last day we would be ministering to the homeless at Calvary Key West’s Lost and Found homeless outreach. It has been almost 2 months of ministering to all the people who come in for breakfast Monday through Friday. Today we had a special service with sausage and eggs and hash browns (not the usual pancakes). We brought the whole family with us to meet the group this morning. I could see that many of them were really happy to meet the kids. The service ended with communion and lots of goodbyes. One of the guys who’d given his life to Christ a few weeks back, asked if he could pray for us before we left. His unforgettable prayer brought us all to tears.

We have made friends with quite a few of them and it is hard to leave. We have seen many people come to Christ, some being healed of addictions, health issues, and one (Our friend Gary) leave to enter a discipleship program! Some we have made arrangements to stay in contact with, encouraging and counseling them over the phone. We will miss all the people God has allowed us to minister to and will continue to pray for them all. We are blessed to know that Omar, another street minister in town, will be stepping in to share with them two days a week. We hope that God will continue to raise-up others to volunteer and share The Word and worship with this group of people who are so greatly loved by the Savior!

Thank you, Lord Jesus for being so faithful and meeting us every morning we walked through the doors of the church. Even when I was tired and grumpy some mornings, You never failed to meet me and fill me with your Spirit and presence. I love and praise You and look forward to where you will take us next, and who you’ll introduce us to along the way! All glory to Him who give us new life!

-Agent Dave Out!

Salvation Army

On Wednesday 01 July 2009 - 17:21:37 | LAN_THEME_7 Bill James

While in Key West, we have had the privilege of working with the FOCUS Youth Group at the Salvation Army. Our new friends, Ernest and Pearl Turner are the group leaders and they invited us to come and share our IMPACT Class with the group as part of a prayer and worship night. We were excited to get to speak truth into the lives of these kids. We have been planning to share with this group the entire time we have been in Key West, but for one reason or another it never came together.

Last Friday the opportunity arose and we poured out our hearts into these kids. Dave and Dee led an extended worship time, we broke bread, had a testimony or two and then Bill shared IMPACT. At the end of the class, we had an alter call and the entire group came forward for prayer. It was so awesome. These kids have such a desire to know Jesus, that none of them would pass up a chance for prayer. We had an awesome time of prayer, which literally went on for about an hour and a half.

At the end of the night, we were witnesses to a powerful move of the Holy Spirit and all of us walked out of the Salvation Army walking closer with Jesus!

Entertaining Angels???

On Tuesday 23 June 2009 - 11:28:24 | LAN_THEME_7 Dave Chaffee

Yesterday was an awesome day at lost and found, a ministry for the homeless at Calvary Key West. I woke up this morning about and felt really lousy. I couldn’t seem to get out of bed and I was really wrestling with God. I felt the Lord wanted me to go, so I dragged myself out of bed and began to pray. When we got there I began to worship and noticed quite a few new faces. After worship, Bill began to speak on God’s mercy and His wrath, sharing how in Bill’s own life, God told him to repent or God was going to take his life. Just then, a tall black man in the back of the crowd said he had a word. Borrowing a Bible from someone in the room, the man moved forward and handed it to Bill, it was turned to Revelation chapter 18: 1-10. He then said “please read this to them, they need to know.” Later Bill had told me it was only because he’d felt a peace about it, that it truly was from God, that he agreed to read it to the crowd.

Rev 18:1-10 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality." I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. "Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. "To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.' "For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. "And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'


As soon as Bill read it everyone was silent. The man said to everyone “you need to know this.” Then he left, he didn’t even stay for breakfast! Bill explained the passage and how God will one day judge the earth. He asked if anybody was ready to turn from their sin and follow Christ. Two men stood up to accept Christ as their Savior. It was undoubtedly amazing! We wonder if the man who brought the Bible up was an angel? Was he sent just for the purpose of spurring these to men to repent? The Bible talks about angels being in our midst:Heb 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Whether I see this man again or not, I know God used him for His glory.

~Agent Dave out

Saving "Grace"

On Monday 22 June 2009 - 14:13:00 | LAN_THEME_7 Dani James

It is sometimes difficult to put into words just how beautiful GOD is! He moves with power and authority, He moves with gentleness and grace. When His Spirit moves, lives are changed forever! Thank you LORD!

Yesterday, we got a call from our friends The Turners. For the past 5 years, they have been leading a youth group at the Salvation Army here in Key West. They had called to invite us to join them (and be their reinforcements) in praying for the parents of two of the boys in the youth group. The catch, (no pun intended) they live on a boat about a mile out into the ocean. So, answering God’s call, and the invitation to pray, we took a 15 minute ride on a dingy out to the boat where they live.

Once we arrived on the boat, we visited with our new friends for a few minutes and then got busy with our Father’s business. We had a powerful time of prayer and saw God move! We know that it is only by God’s Spirit that strongholds can be broken, that freedom from captivity can come, that darkness and oppression can be lifted! And that’s exactly what we had the privilege of witnessing God do!

During our time of prayer, God spoke a word through Dave for the family who lives on the boat; that they must walk in holiness. The mother didn’t understand what that meant at first, but God revealed specifically to her what it meant and what she was to do. Praise God, His word was received and He is already moving and bringing about change in their lives!

When we had finished praying, we opened our eyes to find that a young couple from a neighboring boat was expecting a baby that was ten days late, and wanted prayer for the baby to come quickly. God revealed to Pearl that this couple wasn’t married and she told them that they needed to honor God with their relationship and raise their baby in the Lord. The young man confessed that he was an addict and wanted to be set free. Once again, we prayed and sensed God’s Spirit powerfully moving to bring freedom in this man’s life. Then we prayed for the young lady. While praying, Pearl had mentioned the name Grace in regards to the baby. After we had prayed, the couple explained that the name they had picked for their daughter was Pendra (which means Lord of the dragon). Pearl lovingly and boldly proclaimed that this was not a name for a child of God and that they needed to re-consider! We gave everyone hugs goodbye and hitched a ride back to shore with someone from another neighboring boat. WOW! What an amazing day!

Today we got a call saying that the young couple we had prayed for had decided to name their baby GRACE! Praise God that His word was received and was already bringing change in their hearts and lives, also!

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatsoever you will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. LORD, we ask that many more would come to know You and partake of your sweet salvation!

We know that God is the hearer and answerer of our prayers and we are so thankful to have had the privilege to be a part of His Kingdom work on that boat in the middle of the ocean!

If we can’t tell them, God will!

On Friday 12 June 2009 - 11:37:11 | LAN_THEME_7 Bill James

I heard Afshin Javid’s testimony last night and was so blown away I had to share it with everyone. How does a Muslim terrorist who is in prison in Malaysia with no one to share the gospel with him hear the good news of Jesus? Jesus share’s it Himself! If you have a few minutes it is worth listening to. I hope you are all the more motivated to share His love by this brother’s testimony!

Agent Dave out

Pull This Sinner In

On Wednesday 10 June 2009 - 16:37:09 | LAN_THEME_7 Bill James

Song written and sung by Gary Hanker. Recorded at Calvary Key West in Key West, Florida. Gary was living in the homeless shelter in town when he came to Calvary Key West, attended a Bible study and found Jesus. The LORD was calling to Gary as he wandered the streets in Key West and God gave him the words to this song. It is his cry to Jesus!

A Disciple in the Making

On Monday 08 June 2009 - 23:16:45 | LAN_THEME_7 Bill James

Over the last few weeks as we have been ministering to the homeless in the morning, we have become friends with Gary. He said he was just looking for something to eat when he came to Calvary, but he felt something when he came in, and was challenged by what Bill had said. He continued to come and speak with us, and he was even telling other people to come hear the word. He ended up giving his life to Jesus and has been growing everyday! He was staying at the shelter and looking for work. We told him about Freedom House in Portland where he can grow in the grace of God and learn to live a new life for Christ. This ministry holds a special place in our hearts, since the founder Jim Cottrell was Bill’s mentor in Teen Challenge.

Gary was reluctant at first, but after a few days he decided it would be a good thing for him. He had a phone interview with Jim, the Pastor at Freedom House and it is all set up. Gary will leave on Tuesday! The shelter here in Key West where Gary was staying is very over crowded and filled with drugs, alcohol, and sickness, so we decided to let Gary stay in our van at the RV Park until he leaves for Portland. Thank you Lord for your grace. You move through broken vessels to touch those in need!

If you would like to help with the cost of sending Gary to the program let us know, it would be a blessing! Also, if you want to write to Gary to encourage him that would be a blessing too! Please keep him and us in prayer as God furthers His kingdom through us!

Here is a link to the Freedom House ministries if you would like more information about them.

Click here

Agent Dave out!

The power of God

On Saturday 06 June 2009 - 23:36:37 | LAN_THEME_7 Bill James

It has been three weeks in Key West and we have seen the Lord moving. Yesterday during the Lost and Found service we have at Calvary Key West, the Lord was there in a special way. As Bill shared he felt led to ask people to make a stand for Christ. I came up to begin worship as he asked if anyone was bold enough to stand up and live for Jesus. Three people stood up to follow Jesus! As I worshiped I noticed a guy in the back with his hands raised and I was filled with the joy of God.

Sometimes it is hard to share with people who seem as if they don’t care. We have to regain our focus and realize it is not up to us to change someone’s heart. Only God can do that work. We just need to obey what He has told us to do and leave the results to Him! I am reminded that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). God is longsuffering and wishes none to perish; I need to have the same heart. Sometimes God moves when you least expect it! Please pray for the Lord to reveal Himself in a powerful way to those who have bowed to Him and to those who have yet to do so.

Agent Dave out!

Gary the Song Writer

On Saturday 30 May 2009 - 21:19:15 | LAN_THEME_7 Dave Chaffee

Gary is one of the Guys that comes to Calvary every day for breakfast. I posted a song he wrote a few days ago. He continues to write new songs and poems everyday. He wrote one the other day that spoke of God telling him that he couldn’t carry his burdens, that they were too heavy. I told him God would never say that, He is always ready to help us when we call on Him. It says in Hebrews: (Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. And in Psalms: (Psalms 50:15) Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." I told Gary that Satan can try to trick us make to believe he is the voice of reason. We must check the message we are getting against the Word of God to see if it lines up. The next day Gary wrote a new poem about Satan’s deception. I thought I would share it with you:

Amen to that! If we give the battle to the Lord he will save us! I am amazed to see the Lord working in the hearts of all the people who show up for the free breakfast in the morning, especially Gary. This is an awesome chance to build relationships and disciple these guys and we can see the fruit! Quite a few have their Bibles open as Bill teaches! There are a few others I am getting to know and see God moving on -Rick, Samuel, Chris, and Dallas to name a few. Please pray for these guys, that God would bring them to the Cross. Gary says he will come to church, but he worries about people judging or being afraid of him because of his tattoos. I told him ALL are welcome in God’s house! I know he’s close to giving his life to Christ, Lord let him come. Let them all come to You!

2 Legit 2 Quit!

On Thursday 28 May 2009 - 13:38:32 | LAN_THEME_7 Dave Chaffee

In the city of Key West you need a permit to do any kind of fundraising in public. After much research on Bill’s part, and dealing with the city paper work we finally got ‘em! It took a couple weeks to get it all straightened out but we are now recognized in Key West as a non-profit ministry! We were praising God when we left the office with are “official” badges. This gives us permission to be down town doing fundraisers. It is a great opportunity to talk to people about Jesus, hand out tracts, and invite people to Calvary Key West. Plus, we get to raise funds to help the ministry in the process! The public square is where we want to be, the perfect spot to engage the culture! Please pray we are effective out there, for God’s glory.

Agent Dave out!