Merlin Gonzales

merlin

Merlin founded Faith Hope and Love Intl., which collaborates with churches crossing denominational lines. He has developed the concept of “Mission Trips in Your Own Backyard” to unify the Body of Christ by bringing the love of God into the community. Merlin’s messages and teachings are about raising up a generation passionate for God to build a legacy of transformation. He is an Advisory Council Member for the State of Indiana Office of the Faith-based and a co-host for Religion in the News. Merlin speaks at churches, businesses, government, educational institutions and faith based organizations to encourage people to live out their faith. He is a church consultant helping pastors reach out in their communities to raise and train leaders. Merlin and his wife Annie live in Noblesville, Ind.

FHL Week 2011 Update 6/17

June 18, 2011 Merlin Gonzales FHL Week

The Coming of the Kingdom of God – Luke 17:20-21, 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within[a] you.” – NIV

What a privilege we have in Christ. He has chose us to be distributors of the Kingdom treasures and blessings. It’s unfathomable that the Kingdom of God is within us.

Here are the Updates for the FHL Week:

Possible 24/7 Prayer Room in the Midtown area starting 7/24 (Midtown Area)
Several youth and adults from New Castle, Anderson & Pendleton, IN are planning to stay at a church parsonage during FHL Week for a Neighborhood Makeover near the d’town Indy (Pendleton/Anderson area)
The Official Kick off of FHL week is 7/24 at University Park and part of the celebration is Dance Your Shoes Off where hundreds of participants will dance to make God famous and will leave their shoes to be distributed for those in need (FHL Indiana)
FHL is partnering with several homeless ministries for the 7/30 Foot Washing and to give them the shoes that were collected on 7/24 (FHL Indiana)
On 7/28-30 will be feeding both of body and soul in the West side of Indy with unabashed worship, sharing of the Gospel to general public and possible clothing give away (West side Area)
FHL is now recruiting for “Citizen Reporters” who will be simultaneously reporting during FHL Week from different locations. Please sign up on FHL website Volunteer page to find out more about this new initiative (FHL Indiana)
“Hands for Haiti” in which we will construct 3 church buildings and pack 25,000 meals for the people of Haiti (Noblesville area)
Town Hall Meeting in Lamong, In to discuss the plans for the Neighborhood Makeover 6/23 7p at Lamong Christ Community Church (NW Area)

We have many larger projects that could keep many volunteers busy throughout the week. Please contact me if you have local missionaries who would like to join other areas such as d’town Indy, Westfield and ramp building around Mero Indy.

Psalm 115:1, “Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name be the Glory…”

Focus directs your life

May 25, 2011 Merlin Gonzales FHL Indiana

Last weekend, I attended a Christian Conference in Youngstown OH. On our way there, we talked about the importance of focus and attention to certain things. When we got to the conference, most of what they talked about was about focus and attention.

Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” – NKJV One speaker said, you become what you think about.

This morning, I was reminded that if we meditate on the goodness of God, we will experience His goodness. The more we focus on Him, the more others see Him in us. We are being transformed to His likeness.
In the Book of Exodus, Moses ask to see the face of God. He waited on Him without any distractions. When Moses went down from the mountain, his face was transformed because God met Him at the mountain.

God, I pray that you give me grace to always be attentive to your Presence. Transform me, re-wire my brain to focus on You instead of the world.

May: Speaking Engagements

May 19, 2011 Merlin Gonzales Speaking Engagements

Sunday, May 29th I will be speaking at the Wellspring Church on Mission Trip in Your Own Backyard. Please invite your family and friends to this service. I look forward to seeing you there.

When: Worship service begins at 10am.

737 E Water St
Pendleton, Indiana 46064
317-491-2319 View on map

“to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” -Ephesians 4:12-13

God bless you,

Merlin

Deuteronomy 16:15

May 19, 2011 Merlin Gonzales FHL Indiana

As we are getting closer to the Annual FHL Week (July 24-30), anticipation is building up. It is not so much about what we will accomplish and do but it is more of the alignment of our thoughts, faith and spirit. This is the Year of Faith for the FHL and do we go through God’s refining fire. Many of the city’s leaders are now preparing for FHL Week. Phone calls, emails, FB and other forms of communications are being used, visiting places, meeting new people, finding resources and volunteers, rehearsals for the dance and hundreds of other things that needed attention.

Have you find yourself praising God passionately when things are going your way? During challenging times, have you find yourself lethargic and even doubting the possibilities? Can you still have the joy from God?

The Bible says that no one nothing can take that joy away from you unless you allow that to happen. It’s about you and the choices that you make.

I would like to encourage you that God’s promises are real. When God called you to a task or mission, He will make sure that He will take care of you; it’s His Name that’s at stake. Notice I said, “take care of You”, not necessarily the “task” He had given you. He can do things Himself or through others; He wants your heart and He wants to train you to find joy in obeying Him.

For 7 days or more in July, we will celebrate the privilege of working alongside God and others in Central Indiana. “For seven days celebrate the festival to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.” We will find that our greatest reward is in God and not in our accomplishment; it’s about our relationship with Him and with others…then our joy will be complete.

Thank you in advance for coming along side us in Proclaiming and Demonstrating the Unconditional Love of Christ.

Listen to my Daily Podcast about the expansion of the Kingdom of God in Indiana and how you can plug and play. Visit our FaceBook for more updated info. God bless you, Merlin

Automatic Faucet

May 19, 2011 Merlin Gonzales FHL Indiana

I was blessed to meet a couple last Friday when I went to my Men’s Bible study. Our guests was brother who was just released from a several years of imprisonment. He brought his entire family, his wife and 2 children at the Bible study. I had a chance to talk to him:

He said that Indianapolis had changed a lot, people seemed to be in a rush. One thing that he shared with me was the convenience of an automatic faucet; 10 years ago, no one would ever thought about this new technology-just put your hand under the faucet and water comes out!

Last Monday, he and his family stopped by the FHL office and we gave him some frozen food, bread, milk and shoes. This coming Saturday, they are planning to go to the Pantry of Hope to receive more food and supplies.

I would like to encourage you that your don’t have to go far to be in a mission field. To volunteer at other organizations or to partner with FHL on various ways to serve others, contact 317-578-3370 or [email protected]

Visit my Daily Podcast at https://www.facebook.com/pages/FHL-International-Inc/32260960938 to hear my interviews with people on the street. God bless you,