The Wilkes Team

What diligence Markie has shown over the last two weeks since starting piano! We all have been so encouraged and inspired to be diligent in whatever task we have to do because of Markie’s enthusiasm in following through with what he has been told to do!

Being the youngest in a family of musicians Markie has been wanting so badly to start formal lessons on the piano on a weekly bases. And we all are just thrilled to have him join us in the future in different musical ensembles.

Keep up the great practice Markie and may you have a heart that desires to honor the Lord in all you play! We are so excited for you!

9 Comments » | posted in Family News

Life FOCUS XVI (Foundation Opportunities Centered Upon Scripture) begins tomorrow evening at 6:00pm. Eleven young men will be descending upon IBLP’s Indianapolis Training Center for 7 weeks of intense training (physical & spiritual). The program is “for dedicated young men who have a desire to deepen their relationship with Christ, while learning to be successful in life and ministry.”

For the last 6 days, our super team of leaders under the direction of Patrick Ritchie have been preparing in body, soul, and spirit for the work God has called us unto. From basic medical training (CPR, Trauma Care, Heimlich Maneuver, etc) to exercising, learning our way around the training center, preparing binders, laminating name tags, reviewing logistics, and discussing rules there has been much info to process.

A meaningful part of the week have been the times of prayer we’ve had together and the dynamic messages from Godly men who are passionate about encouraging others.

Roger Magnuson’s message on “The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength” was a timely reminder as we look ahead to the strenuous months before us. In Scripture, joy is a command regardless of the circumstances. The world seeks to contort this joy by promoting joy in circumstances, foolishness, and humor. The joy of the Lord is strength that, as a gyroscope, is consistent in all situations and circumstances. There is never an excuse not to be joyful. However, the “joy” of mirth leads to heaviness (Prov. 14:13). So make a choice to rejoice!

� �

Our week came to a close with a memorable work project at the home of a dear family here in Indianapolis followed by a refreshing day with the Lord. Evangelist Tom Farrell delivered two powerful messages at Colonial Hills Baptist Church . We were exhorted to be involved in the “Biggest Business in the World” which according to Acts 1:6-8 is witnessing to the lost world. “Let us not be,” exhorted Dr. Farrell, “self centered but rather Christ centered and others’ conscience.” We have authority from Christ, ability in Christ, and accountability to Christ to witness. The evening message was centered on the subject of how to “Make the rest of your life the best of your life (Phil. 3:13-14).” How is this done? Cancel all the past (Heb. 10:17; 2Cor. 5:17; 1John 1:9), Concentrate on one purpose: Christ-likeness, and Contest for the prize through competing enduringly, enthusiastically, & expectantly. Praise the Lord!

It has indeed been a week of physical and spiritual preparation. Two specific prayer requests would be:

- Wisdom for the leaders (Patrick Ritchie, Michael Staddon, Ben Freeman, Daniel Westfahl, Adam McClary, Matthew Wilkes, & Joshua Wilkes) on how to meet the needs of the students.

- Openness & humility on the part of the students for dealing with sin & spiritual weakness so true growth can occur.

Thank you so much! Be on the lookout for updates along the way!

4 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

What a blessing last weekend was!

There are so many successful individuals in the world’s eyes but what about successful families in the eyes of God? God has really been encouraging our family to have an others focus. To desire to work together to make each other successful vs. only focusing on how I can get ahead. How I can be successful.

This "others focus" is a thought process that has to be developed! It does not come naturally. But with the help of our Lord and diligence on our part we shall be conquers!

We as families need opportunities in which we can work together in the home and out of the home. Last weekend we had the joy of ministering at two different churches and a Nursing home along side of the Staddon family. What a blessing it was to go and share the love of Christ with these dear people of West Virginia with music and testimonies of how God is at work in the lives of his children.

But this was only made possible because of the many hours, days, years of work on relationships with one another. A saying that my parents say often is the decisions you make now will affect your life 10-15 years from now! We must be thinking about the consequences of our actions, thought, words, and deeds!

The Staddon family has an incredible heart and desire to reach out to those in WV and share the love of Christ with them. Being able to go along side and be apart of there ministry of investing into others gave us vision and encouragement to do the same in our area! Praise the Lord for the body of Christ.

  Every family needs to have a ministry of investing into others! If a family has learned to make one another successful by loving each other with the love of Christ they then will have a powerful testimony to this world! Most people are shocked when they see brothers and sisters loving each other, working together, ministering together, and praising one another. They can’t believe that Dad and Mom love having their children around! Why? Because people at large have turned their hearts away from the family onto themselves.

God has placed many around us that are in need. Are we asking the Lord to show us those needs so we can beginning meeting them with His help?

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

Does anyone know what these 4 men have in common?

Arthur Guinness, Amschel Mayer Rothschild, & Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemoursare, & Peter Waldo, were each the beginning of family dynasties lasting multiple generations. Though neither of these four are alive today, their legacies live on (a fascinating study) and continue to impact the world we live in (Dupont Family, Waldensians, N M Rothschild & Sons, etc). Through their investment of time into the generations that would follow, they had a vision & work that did not cease at death.

The Scriptures say in Proverbs 29:18 that, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” What vision should a father pass onto his children? What does God’s Word have to say?

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments (Ps. 78: 4,6-7).

From this passage, we can gather three things a father ought to pass down to his children:

1. The Praises of the Lord

Through what significant events has your family been lead to praise the Lord? Have these been recorded? Are the current doings of the family resulting in praise? Or are they leading to pride, family division, rebellion, pain, etc?

2. The Strength of the Lord

How has the strength of the Lord been manifested in your family? What works should the family be involved with that will result in the glorification of God’s power before the world?

3. The Wonderful Works he has done

God is at work in each family. How is what we are currently doing as a family drawing others to Christ & bringing God glory?

The three men on the left passed down financial success and a vision to maintain vast wealth through dedication and wise decision making processes (It worked! Though most of what these men started will have no eternal significance). Peter Waldo (far right picture) marked the beginning of a multi-century Christian family that remained unscathed from the world. The impact of this family continues even today and will bring great reward in heaven.

We have a responsibility to give the next generation, as Ps. 78:7 aptly states, “hope in God” and that they would, “not forget the works of God.”

“We live in the present but must have a proper understanding of the past and future.”

“Our responsibility to the future lies in the present. “

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Ps. 90:12).

1 Comment » | posted in Family News

Off we went to one of the most relaxing places! Grandpa and Grandma Wilkes so kindly let us go spend a week at their beautiful home on the Breton bay in Maryland.

We went because we wanted to be together as a family, to have fun in the water, to play games, to do some sightseeing, as well as to catch fish and crabs and eat them.

But the main purpose was to spend quite a bit of time preparing for the near and distant future. God has laid such incredible things on our Dad’s heart in which he desired to share with us and help us by the grace of God put into action.

I read a quote last night that left a huge impact on me and it was "Some things God gives often: yet some he gives only once."  I am sure we could all name quite a few things that would fit in both of these categories. Such as the love of God. He continues to love us even when we don’t deserve His love (Jer. 31:3). Just think this day comes twice to none! Time is one of those things that He givens but we can never take back!

Are we taking the time to prepare properly for the future? Time is moving in one direction! How are we preparing for it? Are we as a family using our time wisely?

The responsibility of a Father is high. The hopes, desires, passions, and longings that a God-fearing father has in seeing his children walk in the ways of the Lord is so honoring and glorious in the sight of our Heavenly Father. But if the working of God in a father’s heart is not shared with his children. If he does not talk and lift up the truth, and beauty of living a life sold out to Christ where will his children be in the future?

God says with out a vision My people perish. God has placed the father to be over the family to bring direction, leadership, clarity and instruction as to how to apply the word of God.  Not only does he talk the talk but he shows his family how to walk the talk. He is a living testimony to us of how one is to follow Christ. God makes it clear that the hearts of the children must be turned to the fathers. Malachi 4:6 says "… turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

We need fathers who are willing to stand for truth and light. Men who kneel before the Lord and pray with all their might. Men who pull there swords and fight when all around give in. Men who heed the call of God and wont give in to sin.

No, he does not have to be a perfect man but have a perfect heart towards the Lord. When he fails, or wrongs those around him he quickly asks forgiveness. For he sees that the freedom, and peace that comes to his life far out weighs the embarrassment of admitting he was wrong. And let me tell you this is what will leave an impact on your children.

This is the kind of man that I have the joy of following! No he is not perfect. But he sure has a love for the Lord that is contagious! Watching him step out in faith and take his family away to to have a week of intense planning as to what God desires our family to be about was incredible!

Setting aside any fears he might of had. Giving God charge of the results of the week and stepping out by faith and willingly sharing his heart with us was such a blessing. What a joy it is to get to know more and more the very heart of the father God has so graciously given my family and I. The theme’s he gave for each day, the things he shared, and the tapes he picked out for us to listen to all related around the theme God gave to Dad for the week which was "To be filled with the knowledge of his will with all wisdom and spiritual understanding" Which is found in (Colossians 1:9). 

As we were driving home we talked about the week of learning and spending time as a family. We realized we had still a lot more to talk about and work on but that just gets you even more excited about what God is going to do!  We  know we are never going to have everything figured out but He still calls us to prepare (Pr 21:31). We all agreed that a week of family planning for the future is definitely some thing we will try to do every year! Thank you Dad for your leadership may God richly bless you and continue to give you direction through His word on how to lead.

Fathers, your children don’t expect you to be perfect but they look to see what you do with your imperfections. For they know that they have them too! They look to you, as you follow Christ (1Cor. 11:1), to see how they should go about dealing with their sin. They look to you to see how you view life and how you respond to it.  What an incredible impact you all have on the next generation!

And we that have fathers, may we be in daily prayer for them. They have a huge responsibility! Yet God says my burden is light and yoke is easy. (Matt. 11:30) God never give them more than they can handle. May we lift them up before God that He would give them the wisdom and joy in leading their family. Prayer is the greatest work we can do! Petition on their behalf! For it is God who will change the hearts of those in need and give guidance to direct them.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers serve
d that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines a ‘hero’ as: A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger. Saturday, September 6th, we honored such an one. One who has willingly stood up against the onslaught of evil, led in the face of danger, and given vision amidst a hopeless world. Who was this ’such an one?’ Mark Charles Wilkes, better known in our family as, ‘Dad.’

On that Saturday night we had the joy of surprising him with a 50th birthday party. Each member of the Wilkes Team contributed key ideas and support so that all came together.

Dear friends and extended family graciously and eagerly gathered together to celebrate.

So much was planned for the evening to include a donut eating contest, a game of ‘Occupations,’ & much precious fellowship with friends & family from near and far, new & old. Around 6:00, all present were invited to the recently finished basement (compliments of Matthew’s hard labors). Decked with the finest of Mom’s china and birthday decor, tables with close to 50 place settings awaited. Through the leadership & amazing planning of Mom with her team of cooks, a first class meal of Chicken Milano, pasta & sauce, garlic potatoes (from the garden – yum), bread sticks, fruit & lettuce salads, & more were neatly arranged on a series of tables thus creating a scrumptious buffet – Honey Brook Cafe would make its debut .

The dinner was a joyous one full of medicinal laughter, renewing of friendships, making of new ones, and uplifting exhortations. A little after 7:00, a presentation was made to Dad. Each letter, poem, and song shared during this time were meaningful representations of the impact Dad has made on his sphere’s of influence. Here is what Markie had to say:

Dear Daddy, You encourage me to endure even when things go wrong and press forward to the high calling of God. Thank you also for reading the Bible with me and taking the time to explain what was read. I love you and I want to lead my family someday as you are leading.

Many dear people contributed notes which were compiled into a beautiful journal that will be treasured for years to come. Thank you to all of you who wrote!

We appreciate you Dad and pray the Lord will give you many more years of ministering to the needs of those around you. Thank you for being our hero. Happy 50th Birthday!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

(First read The Conventionalism of Agriculture)

It twas a fortress.

It twas unique

It twas Polyface farm.

Instead of a drawbridge it had a car bridge over a creek.

Instead of walls there were fences.

Instead of soldiers there were farmers.

Instead of chariots and horses there was a hay ride and a tractor.

Though perception makes it out to be more of a farm then a fortress, it is a bulwark in the war of ideas. With mainstream American agriculture plummeting towards highly sophisticated farming, demanding huge cost and debt,  Mr. Salatin is advancing with a different approach. One which we as a family were able to experience after a short road trip and during a information packed tour.

At 10:00 am (or close to this time), a hay ride started with Joel Salatin directing it on the tractor. At this time, we embarked with around 50 other individuals on a fantastic tour with Mr. Salatin being the tour guide.

His 650 acre farm is situated with mountains surrounding and forests covering two-thirds with the remaining being pasture land.

Something Mr. Salatin spoke of quite frequently while giving the tour was the need for diversity. One of his goal is to create a very diversified landscape using forest, pasture land, water, and animals. Some of his ways of doing so we were able to experience while others were only mentioned. Many modern farmers live on solitary faced farms. As examples; They have acres and acres of  land for only one crop, or they are dairy farmers only. Mr. Salatin doesn’t see this method as effective. That’s why he named his farm Polyface (the farm of many faces). He doesn’t just have cows but also chickens, turkeys, pigs, and rabbits. He has pasture land for animals, forest lands and many ponds dotting the landscape.

This is just the beginning of his diversity plan. For example:

1. His cows move through a field, and then he has the chickens come through afterwards in their mobile shelters eating the parasitic bugs and spreading the cow patties. 

2. Instead of leaving the woods to only wildlife he is taking dominion of it by fencing off areas with a single strand of electrical wire wrapped around trees and has his pigs eat the nuts on the ground and dig for grubs. Then on a frequent basis he moves this simple fence with the pigs to other parts of the forests. This creates a two fold benefit: Pigs our living the way they were made to and the forests are becoming healthier with the upheaval of the ground.

3. Both turkey and chicken youngsters grow up together in the same building. Conventionalism states this is horrible and counter productive but Mr. Salatin has found that the difference between turkeys and chickens actually worked together smoothly.

Polyface farm is now producing food for hundred’s of restaurants and families. There is an incredible movement in America to obtain food locally. Mr. Salatin is meeting the need and he is encouraging other farmers to do the same.

Mr. Salatin speaks about utilizing the great technology and information available but not to the point where incredible money expenditure and debt is necessary and where God’s creation is totally severed from the natural ecosystems they were made to be a part of.

After seeing his farm, we as a family have become proponents of many of his ideas and hope to implement them in the near future. If you ever have a chance we recommend visiting this Polyface fortress and truly experience an incredible way to farm; using technology and inventions while never compromising the God given ecosystems. It truly is a unique experience!

Go to www.Polyfacefarms.com to learn more about Mr. Salatin’s farm and books he has written.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101