The Faithwalking Blog

Joshua’s Story

Joshua recently completed Faithwalking Foundations Modules 1 and 2 and intends to complete the remaining modules in the coming months. In the video below, he shares a brief testimony about his experience with Faithwalking and the transformation he has already begun to see in his life.

Below you will find the video, an audio version, and a written variation of Joshua’s testimony.

audio version available below

“My name is Joshua Blackmon. I serve as pastor of Springs of Life Church in Deer Park, TX, where I also live. My wife and I have been married for 19 years and have 3 children.

Before Faithwalking Foundations there were some areas in my life that I approached with fear and apprehension. There were a lot of things that I knew intellectually to be true from the scriptures and other training that Faithwalking has helped to facilitate putting into practice.

The thing that has most impacted me about Faithwalking is the encouragement to practice authenticity. I have changed in taking the initiative to be honest with myself and others about my present reality and how it differs from where I want to be as a person and where I believe God wants me to be. By practicing transformational conversations, I have seen myself move forward in some areas where fear has kept me back in the past. I have purposed in myself to no longer live life from a posture of fear, but to live from a posture of love. Love for God, myself, and others. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. I have not completely arrived, but God has given me some new tools to use to make progress in His transformative work, by way of Faithwalking.”

Faithwalking Foundations Feedback

We are feeling really encouraged by the progress of Faithwalking Foundations. So far in 2019, 45 people have completed Module 1 and Module 2 online classes and retreats, are currently taking a class, or are registered for one. The feedback thus far has been really positive, and we’d like to share a summary of it with you. Click the link below for some graphics of the data.

Feedback Summary (PDF)

Core Four classes continue to impact many as well. Across Faithwalking Central and Faithwalking Circles, approximately 300 participants have taken a Core Four course this year or are participating in one now!

What Does Living Missionally Look Like?

What does living missionally look like day to day? Below Ken shares a story about what it looked like for him recently as he sat in a doctor’s office.

This week I had to make my bi-annual trip to the doctor’s office to have blood work done. The same woman draws my blood every time I go. She is a very quiet and reserved woman who I believe is a Muslim because of the head covering she wears. I typically engage her in conversation, but she rarely says much. This week when I went in, I asked her about her family. She told me about her two children, and then she asked me if I had heard about what happened in New Zealand. I was startled by how quickly she changed the subject, but I recognized that this event had touched her deeply. She then asked me if I had seen what the shooter had posted on Facebook about it. I said I had, and I responded with my deep sadness that it had happened. I was a bit taken aback that she was talking to me about this. I wanted to show compassion and empathy. I wanted to express my solidarity with her. I wanted to love her like Jesus loves her. It didn’t take long for me to fill four tubes with blood, and I was soon on my way again. As I left, I wondered what I could have done better to represent the love of Christ in that moment. How would Jesus have shown up and what would Jesus have done?

I believe that living missionally is a way of life. I believe that living missionally includes small everyday things. Simple things like looking someone in the eye or calling someone by name. Seeing every person as a human being who has been created by God and who is deeply loved by God is missional. I believe that Faithwalking helps me learn to love like Jesus loved.

Faithwalking in Spanish

Faithwalking 101 in the Dominican Republic

Below is a summary of the work Faithwalking is doing in Spanish-speaking communities. If you would like more information about this work and how you can support it, please contact Marcos Leon at marcosleon@faithwalking.us.

The Faithwalking work in Spanish started in late 2013 and has served approximately 500 people, primarily in Houston and in five countries in Central America and beyond (Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Spain). Over the years a community of about 30 coaches and at least three strong leadership networks has developed in these countries. All of the work has been undertaken by volunteers working closely with one Faithwalking staff person who dedicates half of his time to the work in Spanish. Faithwalking in Spanish has been offered at a significantly reduced fee in the US and free of charge in Central America. Tickets and travel expenses have been covered through fundraising efforts. Local hosting networks have covered the local expenses for providing the retreats and other Faithwalking offerings. The stories of transformation and of the immense value of the Faithwalking process in these communities are encouraging and inspiring, affirming the need and desire to continue to expand this ministry. What we often hear from network leaders is that Faithwalking addresses needs that are not addressed by other programs available to them.

Presently, there is mutual agreement among the leaders of the host networks and Faithwalking about the need (a) to create a structure for the Faithwalking work that fosters growth and that is less dependent on Faithwalking Central, (b) to support that growth while ensuring quality in Faithwalking coaches and facilitators, and (c) to develop a process that is financially sustainable for the growth of Faithwalking on the ground and for Faithwalking Central. Solutions for all of these issues are being explored, particularly through the emerging idea of creating a Faithwalking certification in Spanish. Conversations are in progress regarding this end. Financial support will be required for the implementation of the early stages of this certification process. Your prayers for guidance are deeply appreciated as we continue dreaming and creating more spaces for wholeness among Spanish-speaking people in Central America and beyond.

A Faithwalking Testimony

We love to hear and share Faithwalking stories! Below is a testimonial from a pastor who recently began the Faithwalking journey.

“…I have to admit I came into this Faithwalking experience dragging my heels, but I am so incredibly thankful for it, and the work you do to lead and facilitate. I have noticed a lot of growth in my marriage, and professional life. Just this past week we had a denominational meeting, something I usually am happy to be a fly on the wall for, and not talk for fear of sounding “stupid.” I chose to be more present this time, and felt empowered to no longer just sit with my thoughts, but share them, too. Though, I must say, I still have work to do. Because there was a moment where someone pushed back on something I said, and it came right after I was thinking how great it was to speak and feel heard, and also affirmed in what I was saying. Then the objection to something I said happened, and I shut down, and retreated back into my head. While in my head I analyzed all that was being said in the objection, and was ready to pick it apart, and go into attack mode, but instead, because of this work we’ve been doing, was present to myself and my reaction, and was able to calm down. But I did just remain in my head the rest of the time, and never spoke again. I processed this with my wife afterward, and she said – as soon as I told her the person’s objection, and the way it happened – “That was your dad’s voice calling you ‘stupid.'” And I just felt so much weight when she said that, and just wept. I would like to get to a point where I can receive an objection to something I said, and still respectfully disagree, and voice my opinion. So the work continues!”