turning the church INSIDE OUT

 I want to first thank you for visiting this site. I hope you find it interesting and encouraging as you live out the call that Jesus has placed on your life and the life of your church. A little bit about myself...

I am the outreach & missions pastor at the Vineyard Church in Parma Heights, OH. Over the last several years I have had the opportunity to get to know many people by serving those in need throughout the greater Cleveland area. Our church hosts a ministry called "Seeds of  Hope" - a food pantry and community outreach. We demonstrate the love of Jesus by offering an emergency supply of groceries, a hot lunch and free blood pressure checks for approx 500 people a month. We've recently added an "Employment Resource Center" to the outreach, helping to equip others with the practical skills needed to get a job. We're also deeply involved in international ministry. Over the last seven years, my wife and I  have had the opportunity to encourage the under resourced church in many different parts of the world (India, the Amazon -Xingu region of Brazil, Russia, Sibera, Mexico and more recently South Africa). By serving on and leading these teams, I have seen the Lord do many incredible things, radically changing lives in some of the most impoverished parts of the world. Some places where people have never heard the name Jesus (isn't it mind blowing to think that there are parts of he world that have never even heard His name?). 

I believe in our local churches. More importantly, when you read the Bible, you find that Jesus does too! Throughout the gospels, we find that Jesus spends His time equipping, training and empowering His followers to do His work... bringing the Kingdom of heaven to those who are willing to accept it. Jesus had a special heart for the poor, rejected, disenfranchised and disconnected. As disciples of Jesus, growing in the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, I believe that when we accept Jesus as our Lord & Savior - we are made new in Christ. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and we are changed from the inside out. We are then called to do the works of Jesus, caring for others and bringing the message of the gospel and worship of Jesus to places in dire need.

Story 1  Over the last 7 years, I have had the opportunity to encourage and challenge church bodies in different parts of the world to do just that. To be salt & light. To love the unloved. I believe that "ministry" is not just for pastors, deacons and elders. We're all called to communicate the message of the gospel in our words and deeds. One thing that I love about Christianity is that we all get to play in bringing the Kingdom to those around us! Paul wrote that we're all called to be "ambassadors for Christ". In these last several years I have compiled some talks that the Lord has used to make a difference in His church. I am thrilled to offer these messages to your local church body.  Included in my messages will be stories of what the Lord is doing in different parts of the world.  Stories that include people like Naldo... Naldo is a young man who after a rough night of drinking and fighting looked for a place to rest.  He knew he couldn't go home (there would be some who just might kill him when he got there).  Naldo broke into a tiny little church in his village (in the Amazon / Xingu region of Brazil) called Vitoria.  There he fell asleep on one of the make-shift benches (they really don't have church pews or comfortable chairs in these parts).  In the morning he was awakened by the pastor of the church.  Figuring he was in big trouble, he tried to get out as fast as he could, only to be stopped by the pastor (who could tell that he was seriously injured). Naldo had in fact been stabbed the night before.  He felt ashamed, still half drunk and smelling of alcohol, while the pastor took care of him.  Cleaned his wounds and took him in for medical treatment. The pastor befriended Naldo. Naldo gave his life to Jesus, saying "I've tried life my own way, Jesus, now I want to try it yours". Naldo became a part of this little church community. Naldo is now the senior pastor of this church. He has a heart for people just like him, who have no where else to turn. He is changing the hearts of many in Vitoria.  He has grown his church tremendously and currently oversees seven churches that he has planted along the Xingu River (in the Amazon).

 Above picture, Pastor Naldo proudly showing the catch of the day!  Photo courtesy of Bud Simon (Xingu Mission missionary).  Please check out his pics and interesting blog... Bud Simon's blog

 Story 2  Another time, while preaching at a small church in the Amazon called "Bom Jesus" (Good Jesus).  Hey, if you're going to preach somewhere, why not at a village called "Good Jesus" !  The place was packed.  Their village had nearly no electricity, just one pole and the church had no light (church is held at nite because it's cooler).  I preached using a flashlight.  They did manage to use one light bulb (you could see it in the pic below) powered by a generator provided by the Xingu Mission missionaries (happened to have it on the boat).  I gave a message on the cross. The death and resurrection of Jesus.  I told this group that Jesus wanted to make them clean and be in relationship with them.   Really, I give it my all at this little church.  Preached my heart out and I could tell that the Lord was touching the hearts many.  I gave an alter call.  Nobody came forward. Gave another (again, not one person responded). In my naivete, I told everyone that I was willing to stand there all night if I had to, because I knew that many were going to accept Jesus. Imagine an extremely long, uncomfortable pause, silent except for the sounds of the jungle. Finally, I asked my interpreter (who is a missionary / pastor) if this method was appropriate. He politely informed me that this culture is not accustomed to this kind of ministry. He told me that they would go to their homes and discuss it as a family. Then, the pastor would visit the families and lead many, if not most of the village to Christ. So much for my Billy Graham style of ministry! 

Above picture, children performing a special song at the "Igreja da Vinha" church in Bom Jesus, Brazil 

... I love to encourage the local church body to be turned inside out by the love of Jesus. Encouraging the body of Christ to love others the way that Jesus loved them, and demonstrate the message of the gospel to those who need it. That can be a risky thing.  Just like my experience in "Bom Jesus", we risk looking foolish. But I believe that God will bless that and use that to bring others to Him. I once heard a pastor say that faith is spelled R-I-S-K. I think there's something to that. I believe that we're all called to live risky lives for Christ. If you would like to dialogue with me about outreach and missions, you can contact me through my "Contact" page and I'll be in touch. You may also use that page to contact me if you're interested in inviting me to speak at your church or event (there is also a Prayer Request & Testimony option on that page). Thanks again for visiting this site!

*There is no fee for speaking, however donations are accepted and will be used to support the work of missions.  "INSIDE OUT ministries" is not a 501C3 of it's own, any check donations for this ministry can be made out to "The Vineyard Church" with "INSIDE OUT MISSIONS" noted in the memo.  Donations are tax deductible.   

David C. Welker 

David C. Welker is the missions pastor at the Vineyard Church in Parma Heights.  He is an ordained minister, by the Association of Vineyard Churches.  David is also on the Board of Directors for Victory Church located in Concord, Ohio.  David resides in Mentor, Ohio with his wife Shannon and two children (Josh & Leah).