Hello, hello, hello and welcome to Joy City, a weekly blog and podcast, hosted by yours truly, Stuart Welch the Lead Pastor of Life Connection Church located in Modesto, CA. Joined today by my co-host, brother JC and we want to invite you in, to join with an amazing community of friends that are quickly becoming an intimate part of our daily life. I am your host and excited to hear your stories and deliver great content that can help YOU change your life and truly transform as we celebrate the greatness of God and His presence in the every day moments of YOUR life. Knowing that the Creator, the Grand Weaver of our lives is present with us and then leaning into that Presence can be revolutionary for YOU, so let’s enter in, to the City – Joy City.
You see, Joy City isn’t a geographical location, it’s a place where YOU can find your joy and happiness in the kingdom of God, following hard after God and fulfilling the call of God in your life. It’s a place that welcomes us all with open arms. In Joy City faith is all important, our trust and confidence in the ways, will and word of God. Let me hip you to this; Jesus never uttered and opinion, ha ha ha, He never guessed. He didn’t give us sound wisdom or keen observation like Solomon. Not at all, Jesus’ words are the essence of truth and when we adhere and follow them intently, we become stronger, healthier and joyful. Understanding that Christ overcame the world and for YOU and every other resident of Joy City, this brings great rejoicing.
Our goal in Joy City is GOD! Yes, God and our relationship with Him and how to maintain that relationship. It’s not about happy or sad, it’s about not allowing our situations and circumstances to determine our relationship with the Lord. The Apostle Paul reminds us in the challenges of the times, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as having nothing yet possessing all things.” So if YOU want to make a huge difference in your circle of influence or the people you come in contact with daily, THINK ON THESE THINGS….and those people will always want you around, they will always be excited to hear from YOU and this will give YOU the chance to change a life.
Today's episode, brother JC and I discuss the amazing testimony of Dr. Ron Archer. Dr. Archer is a national powerhouse, he has spoken to Presidents in the White House, representatives of Congress, Generals in our Armed Forces as well as countless CEO's all over the world. However, it didn't start out that way for Dr. Archer. At 10 years old, he tried to commit suicide by placing a loaded handgun to his head and pulling the trigger. Thankfully the gun didn't fire.
You see, Dr. Archer tells of his birth story, what is known as a "trick baby." This means his mother was a prostitute and she was inpregnanted by one of her johns, so he never knew his dad was. He was born pre-mature with major complications. His mother lived in the streets, his uncles were heroin addicts and he was brutally raped by a babysitter. He had a stuttering problem, so much so that other kids called him "retardo" and any time he was called on to speak was a major show.
This bought him to the plan of suicide, if his first 10 years were like this, he sure didn't want another 10 like it. However, God intervened and a teacher took him aside and said, "Let me read you your story from the Bible." Before you were formed in your mother's womb, I knew you says the Lord God. Transformed his life, he went on to memorize nearly 2,000 passages of Scripture and his entire family was saved. Amazing testimony.
Join brother JC and I as we discuss Bishop Dr. Archer in this episode of Joy City.