Our family first met Mike Peters when he was in his early twenties. Mike was a new Christian and I had never seen such love for Jesus, such a passion for God. He was an engineer with an excellent company and he had a bright future. Mike’s love for Jesus and his desire to advance the cause of Christ was very much overriding his desire to pursue his career in engineering. He eventually quit his job and decided to move to pursue serving God full time. We spent many nights as families together discussing how to grow closer to Jesus and that there must be “more” to Christianity than we were currently experiencing. We also spent time together reaching out sharing Christ with our neighbors. I remember one night when we were talking about how the Church could and should be, loving, vibrant and alive for Jesus, I mentioned a couple of well-known Christian men who had made an impact for good as far as positive change in church history. I said something like I believed that God was going to use him to change the direction of the complacent, lukewarm church, like He had used those men. He stopped me and said, “I don’t want to be a star, I only want to be a servant.” This heart and attitude has characterized Mike for all the years we have known him.
Do I write this just to defend a mere man? No. I am compelled to write because of my loyalty to Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4says: 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until 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.”
I have seen and recognized that the gift on Mike Peters' life is a gift from God, grace from Jesus for God’s purposes. And I have seen the wonderful fruit of not only Mike’s life and work, but the fruit of the church in Indianapolis that is a part of. I do not live in Indianapolis, but I have family members and close friends who do. We have spent time with our loved ones there many times over a period of more than 20 years. And often, they have come to visit us and stayed in our home. I have seen a passion for Jesus and a seeking first of Jesus’ Kingdom and His righteousness in these dear servants of God that is beyond what I have seen any where else. I am indebted to them for many reasons. My family and I have been the recipient of much love, sacrifice, wisdom and friendship. I have appreciated Mike’s willingness to speak the truth in love and tell me when I have gotten off the path and been in sin, or when I needed to be corrected. There are those who are slandering Mike who have hated to be corrected. The book of Proverbs explains:
Proverbs 9:7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Has Mike ever made mistakes? Yes. Does he claim to be infallible? No! Does he repent when he is wrong or in sin? Yes.
This whole internet slander attack is not really about Mike, it truly is an attack on Jesus and His Kingdom. The devil does not want people to see a visible corporate expression of the Christ Life. And satan is especially against building the Church together as family, living by The Spirit, building in such a way that the gates of hell cannot prevail and that people grow in depth and maturity and love and become soldiers of the cross.
John McArthur wrote: “For many of us, Christianity is a matter of wearing fashionable clothes at church and gossiping about other churchgoers. We involve ourselves with insignificant things. If we were confronting the world, we would receive so much persecution that we wouldn't have time for such silly matters. We would be driven together for the love and security of the body. If we confronted unbelievers, we would become more unified. Because we don't do that, we have a placid, innocuous existence.”
Mike and the Church he is a part of have not sat idly by involved in insignificant things. They have worked sacrificially to put Jesus’ teachings into practice, exalt Jesus and advance HIS Kingdom. They have been sacrificial and generous in helping Christians in 3rd world countries. We have been involved in helping them get not only the word of God but also water purifying equipment and food for these Christians. I have read many letters from these grateful men for the help. It is very clear that Mike and others are being persecuted for righteousness. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
Mike Peters has never tried to be the focus. He has consistently pointed people to Jesus and to our Heavenly Father. And he has taught us to trust, obey, love and walk in the Spirit of Christ. He knows he is a mere man, feet of clay, needy of Jesus and God’s grace and Spirit everyday. He has given his life to advancing the cause of Christ, to loving Jesus and loving God’s people and feeding His sheep. For this reason, satan is attacking & persecuting Mike and other men and women who are faithful to Jesus. Please read the book of Revelation, more persecution is coming and we need to be prepared. My prayer is that true followers of Jesus Christ will not be duped or intimidated by lies, slander, and persecution but be strengthened in faith, strong in conviction, deeper in love and not compromise in any way, but grow stronger in every way, closer to God, willing to suffer and become more like His precious Son.
If you want to see some of our favorite pictures of Mike Peters...
5/2008