The Wilkes Team

The Family Encouragement Foundation is hosting a dynamic two day workshop full of hands-on information on the topic of Family Entrepreneurship from God’s perspective. Hope to see you there! The Wilkes Team

Raising Entrepreneurs with Purpose –

A Model for Family Success

with Speaker, Author, Consultant, and Entrepreneur David Stelzl

David Stelzl is a man who loves the Lord and desires to invest into the lives of others. A successful Entrepreneur himself, Mr. Stelzl travels around the world consulting and assisting businesses in achieving their greatest potential. As a pioneer in the field of family Entrepreneurship and from seeing the fruits of training his own family and thousands of business men around the world, Mr. Stelzl has put together a powerful hands-on entrepreneur workshop tailored for the Biblical Family to give them the tools and resources they need to step into the world of Family Entrepeneurship.

Dates:

November 11-12, 2011

Friday: 9-5pm

Saturday: 9-5pm

Conference Topics Include:

• Raising Entrepreneurs – Building a New Mindset
• A Father’s role in Raising Entrepreneurs

• Starting a Business – Biblical Principles of Success

Registration:

Go to: http://fefoundation.eventbrite.com

The Time is Now

If there was ever a time for Christians to stand and lead valiantly, the time is now. The pressure to succumb to the world has intensified and mediocrity has been acceptable for too long. The current of the culture is running swiftly downstream to dismal destruction.The vision, the unity, the lifestyle, the convictions, the bulwarks, the hope of the Biblical family is under vehement attack. Yet the rewards for those fathers who will take the helm and rally their family to press on are precious. There is hope. And after ye have suffered a while, He will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you (1Pet. 5:10-12). Press on!

There is a need in our culture for leaders. Those who are equipped with the Truth and ready to stand in the gap. As Christians, we have the responsibility to proclaim the truth. Christ, the essence of truth, has the answer for marriage, family, business, health, the community, and more.

Our world is facing an overwhelming onslaught of crises – natural disasters, hunger, war, disease, and more. One significant crisis is the current economic instability of not only our nation but the entire world. When a nation forsakes the principles of God’s Word, there will be consequences like unto what we are witnessing across the land. As families, we need to be equipped with the understanding and tools necessary to rise above and be in a positionof influence in our communities so that others may be drawn to Christ and God is glorified.

Raising Entrepreneurs with Purpose – A Model for Family Success

To this end, we are excited to be able to officially announce that the Family Encouragement Foundation will be hosting a two day workshop designed to help Christian families think more Biblically in the area of economics, specifically, Entrepreneurship.

Your family will leave the workshop inspired and equipped with understanding and practical knowledge in Family Entrepreneurship.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

After much team work and fulfilling of responsibilities, our Green Van left Brandy Station, VA for a westerly trip across the US. This has been a trip we have talked about for a couple years now that the Lord has wondrously worked in bringing to fruition. But maybe you are like our family in that often in the days, hours, and moments leading up to departure there seems to be a plethora of opportunities to rejoice, abide content, and yield rights .

Before pulling out of the farm house driveway, Dad turned and exhorted us with the peace that comes from resting in God’ Sovereignty. John 16: 24 reads, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” When the Lord is our Shepherd, there is nothing we will want – our plans, our needs, our desires become secondary to His Sovereign will. It is then in such a case that we can ask and receive unto fullness of joy for there are no expectations. We are resting in His perfect way.

Our van pulled up to the Badland National Park of South Dakota just as the sun was rising across the diversified prairie landscape. Evidence for a recent world wide flood (within the last 5000 years) abound throughout this 244,000 acre preserve. Dad declared the glories of our Creator on a number of occasion while driving through the park. We left in awe of our Creator God – then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee – How great Thou art – How great Thou art!

When your family sees the beauties of our world, may they be opportunities to sing the praises of God, declare His wonders to your children, and build an appreciation for the goodness of our Lord unto the declaration of His glory so that the world may know – our God reigns!

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures, Photography

"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth – Hallelujah! Hallelujah! And He shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! King of Kings and Lord of Lords -                         Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Well over 2000 people gathered on the eve of December 23rd at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC for a Christmas event of wonder, grandeur, and glory – the annual Handel’s Messiah Sing-a-long. People from over 2000 miles traveled specifically for this event, waited in line for 1-3 hours, and for some even endured 20+ degree weather as the line overflowed out into the bitter cold December weather. Yet, the wait was worth it.

The Butler family has enjoyed this spectacular event for years. What a joy it was to accompany them. The long awaited moment finally arrived and with tickets in hand we walked up the ramp towards Concert Hall. Entering the room, you are struck with awe upon noticing the grand chandeliers hanging from the ceiling well over 50 feet high. Three levels of balconies surround the room that will hold over 2200 people. And then your attention zeros in on the stage with a plethora of instruments and on this occasion a full choir.

At 7pm, the conductor walked on to the stage – welcomed us to this glorious event and then a hush fell upon the crowd as the heavenly music began to resound across the hall. On cue, we arose to our feet and had the joy of singing and following along through almost 2/3rds of the complete Handel’s Messiah during the 2+ hour performance.

Singing of the birth, the life, the death, the burial, and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with over 2000 people and a full orchestra was almost beyond words. Christ is born today! Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

And yet, this was but a small glimpse of the overwhelming joy and glory that will welcome each one who has received the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. Hallelujah!

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

Living in an attitude of gratitude requires a choice – a decision. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD (Ps. 107:43). It is when we recognize the Providential hand of God in our lives that we come to realize that the working out of His plan in and through us is an act of His lovingkindness.

The Pilgrims endured hardness beyond belief but saw the divine hand of God at work in their midst. What inspired them onward? What gave birth to courage amidst great fear? It was the unchanging principles, promises, and truths of God’s Word. Emboldened by these, they reached out by faith unto their Heavenly Father, they opened their mouth wide and God sufficiently filled, they were lead up upon the high Rock.

Yesterday was a day of remembering God’s goodness. And what a joy it was to be invited up to the Butler family’s home to celebrate the day with their family and three other precious families from Ukraine. The Butlers did a beautiful job putting together a truly memorable and meaningful Thanksgiving celebration. Thank you Butler family!

There was a plethora of scrumptious meals to include 3 mouth watering turkeys, the tastiest cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, sweet potato fries, candied yams, mile high apple pie , triple treat tort, pumpkin pie, and much, much more – thanks to the first class team of cooks.

Following the meal, the families gathered together for a time of singing and recounting the blessings of our Heavenly Father.

One father shared of his growing up years in Ukraine. In recounting how little their family had, he communicated the precious perspective this had given. His gratefulness over the physical and spiritual provision of the Lord was an inspiration and timely reminder to count our many blessings. How many divine interventions and blessings from the Lord do we overlook each and every day! Oh may the Lord give us eyes of gratefulness to observe His work in our lives and so understand His loving kindness towards us. There was also much joy over thanking the Lord for His saving grace upon our lives. Insomuch that we ended our time of testimonies with the singing of ‘What Can Wash away my Sins?’ in both the English and Ukrainian language.

May the love wherewith Christ hath loved us motivate in us a spirit of true gratefulness and earnest desire to live our lives in such a way so that others are drawn to Christ and God is glorified.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story

The long awaited day finally arrived – September 23rd, 2010. Two families came together to witness the establishing of a covenant through a betrothal ceremony between their children – Joshua & Lisa.

The Scriptures provide a beautiful picture of betrothal through the relationship of Christ and the church. On the night of His betrayal, Christ lead His disciples through the Passover meal. Upon coming to the 3rd cup of the meal – the cup of redemption, Christ paused and said, “Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:27b-28).” In stating that this was the beginning of a new testament (or covenant), Christ was symbolizing the betrothal of Himself to His bride – the church. The disciples – a representation of the church – partook of the cup. A covenant was being established. Christ went out into the Garden of Gethsemane and before His Father, submitted Himself to paying the bride price. Soon after, Christ was hung on the cross where He willingly died for the sins of the world and so paid the ultimate price for His pride – His very life (Jn 15:13). The marriage covenant between Christ and His bride, the church, was established. And now, Christ is in heaven where He is preparing a place for His bride. At the time appointed, He will return with great glory and call His bride unto the marriage supper of the lamb where we, the church, will be joined unto our betrothed. Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather on that glorious Thursday afternoon as we climbed a trail in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains up to a gorgeous waterfall cascading over the rocks above into the stream below. The families, fully aware of what was about to take place, sat down below as Joshua and Lisa climbed up the waterfall to a rock that afforded a view of the falls above and the stream below surrounded by lush fall vegetation and towering trees.

Following this joyous ‘mountain top experience,’ Joshua and Lisa came down and joined their families for a betrothal ceremony wherein they, with the full blessing of parents and in the presence of their precious families, established a covenant before the Lord. And it is now with much joyous anticipation that we look towards the wedding day wherein they will be united together as husband & wife.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32)

Leave a Comment » | posted in Family News, Proclaiming the Truth

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time… (Eccl. 3:11)."

How I rejoice over the faithful prayers of parents for their children. Oh the precious thoughts of a father and mother towards their newly born baby. The vision and desires they hold for this new life. Such love for the dear little one turns their hearts to fervent prayer – prayers for salvation, a tender heart, a love for God’s Word. These prayers continue as the baby grows. They realize the day will come when their precious son or daughter follows the leading of the Lord unto the establishment of the next generation. The day seems so distant, but the loving father & mother lift their hearts in prayer for the future spouse and children of this little one who now sits upon their lap.

The Scriptures say that, ‘Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it (Ps. 127:1).’ ‘For he established a testimony……that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them…. (Ps. 78:5-6).’

Several months ago, I had the joy of approaching a father and sharing with him my heart and how I believed it was the Lord’s will for me to marry his daughter. This began a season of waiting on the Lord’s direction and His perfect timing. His daughter – she had desires but rather than leaning upon her own understanding, she purposed to rest in the loving arms of her Savior. She was at peace with how the Lord would guide and direct.

In God’s timing, He makes everything beautiful. We rejoice to say that through the leading of the Lord and our precious parents, the Lord has confirmed that it is His will for Lisa Butler and I to be united together in marriage.

We are grateful for the way our parents fervently seek the will of the Lord and for the way they have faithfully prayed for their children and the generations to come.

Thank you for the legacy you are laying for the future generations.

27 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story, Photography, Tid Bits