The Heath Mullikin Project

Good News, Bad News, and a Bright Future

I started this website in 2009 to inspire others to make their life count by discovering and pursuing their purpose, passion, and possibilities. Little did I know that in 2010 I would be challenged to follow my own mantra and “Chase My Lion” to a new place of ministry. It wasn’t expected. It wasn’t sought out. It was God’s plan for me and my family. So, after 13 years in youth ministry, I have begun a new journey as the Senior Pastor of Oakway Wesleyan Church in Westminster, SC. It was a quick turnaround and move, but God has blessed us every step along the way. The people of Denton Wesleyan have been wonderful and fully supportive of this move and I cannot thank them enough. I will give a full timeline and story later on, but that’s what’s going on in a nutshell and that’s the good news.

The bad news is that one of the main companies I have been using to promote resources on this site for has dropped the ball on several things and proven unreliable with their links. I apologize if, when clicking on any links or banner, you have found yourself on a “page or resource not found” page. There are dozens of posts on this blog featuring links to their site which no longer work. Over the next several weeks, I will be endeavoring to correct this and will be partnering with more reliable sources to provide the best resources at the best prices.

However, there are great things in store for Chase Your Lion dot com this fall. It’s not a relaunch, but a refocusing and redoubling of our efforts to be the #1 place for Christian Resources and Reviews on the net. More resources, more giveaways, and more stores! Thanks for your continued support.

Blogging Hiatus

I’ve spent the last 4 weeks at youth camps and on vacation. Chase Your Lion will be up and full speed ahead in a few weeks as we head into the start of school and fall. Thanks for your continued support.

Interview with Greg and Heidi Edmonds, Missionaries to Haiti

I met Greg Edmonds when we were both students at Southern Wesleyan University back in the mid-90’s. After graduation, we served together as youth pastors in the South Carolina District and worked together on numerous missions trip and youth camps. If you watch the Daily Dose of Heath, you’ll recall this story from youth camp where Greg was one of the masterminds. Needless to say, he is true brother in Christ and someone I have a deep love and respect for. When I heard he and his wife were taking the step to become career missionaries with Global Partners in Haiti, I knew God had great things in store for them. This calling came before the devastating earthquake that hit the nation in early 2010. I had the chance to sit down with them and discuss what God is doing in their lives.

To find out more about their mission to Haiti check out their website here.

To join their prayer and/or financial support team click here.

To join their Facebook group click here.

Episode 57-The Survivor Finale

Rural Church Winners!

Last week, I announced a contest where I was giving away 4 copies of Shannon O’Dell’s book, Transforming Church in Rural America. The first two winners are both Wesleyan pastors. Josh Rhone pastors Mt. Union Wesleyan Church in Pennsylvania and blogs over at www.joshrhone.com. Tim Kirkpatrick serves as the Discipleship/Small Groups Pastor at Foster St. Wesleyan Church in Asheboro, NC. You can check out Tim’s blog here. I’ve got 2 more copies to give away so leave a comment on this post to tell me why this book would be beneficial to you and you could win a copy! The winners will be announced Friday!

Transforming People and the Church and Win a Free Book!

I just finished Shannon O’Dell’s book, Transforming Church in Rural America. There are two things I love about this book. First, he includes links to videos where you can actually see the churches and places he is talking about and secondly, he removes a lot of the excuses for why rural churches aren’t growing. It is a challenging and eye opening book about how God is using Brand New Church to reach beyond the borders of it’s town of under 100 people. I will be giving away 4 copies of this book. All you have to do is

1. Leave a comment on this post about why this book would benefit you.

2. Tweet the following: @chaseurlion is giving away 4 copies of @shannonodell book. Check out http://www.chaseyourlion.com to find out how to win!

I will draw 4 names from all of the entries on Monday, May 31. This is just a small token of my appreciation for the great book, the work done by rural pastors, and the loyal supporters of Chase Your Lion.

I also came across Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old Fashioned Way. This book from J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett challenges churches to return to the proven ways of teaching children and adults the foundations of the faith. Christianity Today has an article and excerpt here. It is on my summer reading list.

Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All the Rurals

Small church buildings dotting the countryside are home to ministries that often struggle with limited attendance, no money, and little expectation that change can revitalize their future. In Transforming Church in Rural America, Pastor Shannon O’Dell shares a powerful vision of relevance, possibility, and excellence for these small churches, or for any ministry that is stuck in a “rural state of mind.” The book reveals:

how to generate growth through transformed lives
ways to create active evangelism in your community
no-cost solutions for staffing challenges, enhancing the worship experience, and inspiring volunteers

Focusing on vision, attitude, leadership, and innovation, you can learn the practical strategies and biblical guidance that helped to grow a church of 31 into a multi-campus church of several thousand, with a national and global outreach. Discover effective structure and ways to cast God-given vision so others can follow and make an impact. Experience the blueprint for transforming into effective, dynamic, and thriving churches- no matter where the location or how small it may be.

Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way

Historically, the church’s ministry of grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith has been known as catechesis–systematic instruction in faith foundations, including what we believe, how we pray and worship, and how we conduct our lives.

For most evangelicals today, however, this very idea is an alien concept. Packer and Parrett, concerned for the state of the church, seek to inspire a much needed evangelical course correction. This new book makes the case for a recovery of significant catechesis as a nonnegotiable practice, urging evangelical churches to undertake this biblical ministry for the sake of their spiritual health and vitality.