PRAYING FOR MICHAEL & LAUREN MCAFEE

I have spent time in the past year sharing with our VMFA family the miracle of my youngest son, Matthew BEAR McAfee, because it was the celebration of his wedding.  Bear and Clytee were married in September and they are just wonderful together.  

CELEBRATING OUR SON
Now I will take this article the opportunity to share with our VMFA and the V300 about Michael Shane McAfee, our oldest son. It's been said by many parents when they speak of the "first born", we have someone special.  This is an understatement of how I feel about my oldest son.

Since Michael was born, we felt God had something special for him to do.  Watching him grow up, he had a maturity at a young age which seemed so very different than most children. His questions even in elementary were so precious, filled with wonder, but also an interest in the things of God.  When he prayed to receive Jesus in his own heart, he would pray at night for God to give him wisdom.

I had never prayed for God to give me wisdom, but I sure should have!

Michael had a "dress up" day in his early childhood at James L. Dennis elementary school and he dressed up as a preacher. Never did any of us realize he would eventually go through being ordained at the Council Road Baptist church, but the Lord was working in his life at a young age.  I am so thankful for what CRBC has meant in the life of our family. Serving eight years on staff under Norman Behymer and Dr. Wendell Estep brought our family to great blessings and teachings of faith.

WHEN HE FELL IN LOVE

Michael met a beautiful little girl in eighth grade at Oklahoma Baptist University and they were just friends. They talked about ministry, life and were attracted immediately.  In this growing up together, he and Lauren grew from friendship into a deep relationship of love and God. Missions, the Bible and reaching people for the ministry of the gospel became Michael's calling as he and Lauren matured together. They were pure in their thoughts and were more than exceptional in their way of living. 

While in college, Michael knew Lauren was to be his wife and he had the courage to step out in faith. During his senior year at the University of Oklahoma he was called to First Baptist Purcell where he became the youth minister. Michael and Lauren began their ministry together humbly serving a wonderful church in central Oklahoma. Not long after, he was blessed to be called to serve at Council Road Baptist, his home church.

MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE

After a few years, Steve Green his father in law truly desired to have Michael and Lauren serving together at the Musuem of the Bible and they were blessed to make this transition.  Lauren finished her masters at Liberty University and Michael elected to go for his Master's in Divinity, a 90 hour program at Southern Seminary.  Last year, he finally graduated and guess who spoke at his graduation, Steve Green!

Michael invited his closest family members with his in laws to attend the Seminary graduation and we heard it was a wonderful celebration. I do remember being so thankful he was finally seeing this hard work pay off in amazing ways.

WORKING ON THEIR DOCTORATE

However, he and Lauren both elected to continue their education and applied and were accepted in the ERLC in Washington DC through Southern Seminary in the doctoral program.  Lauren and MIchael are now writing books and she has been promoted as the Corporate Ambassador for Hobby Lobby.

I asked Michael how long did he think he would be to complete his doctorate and he estimated five years. My heart went out for he and Lauren as they both had just read over a dozen books just in their first semester. The study, the understanding and education they are receiving is truly a gift. 

WRITING BOOKS FOR THEIR LEGACY

God is using this amazing couple in a wonderful way for His kingdom, for the purpose of sharing Christ and it is a great joy to see what the Lord will do next.  Plus, we found out this week that Lauren and Jackie Green have just written their first book together which was published this year, Passing On A Biblical Legacy.  The Lord has so blessed the family so much because of a faithful son who prayed for wisdom.

Michael and Lauren are working on writing a book together about young marrieds and how the Bible is so relevant to people today, per our Christmas meal conversations which have become the most important meal all year with them.  These are the many activities for this young man and woman who have surrendered themselves to the cause of Christ.  We are praying God's blessings extend to their children and the protection and safety of His angels surround them each and every day.

OUR PRAYER FOR MICHAEL AND LAUREN

Thank you Lord for loading us our son Michael and thank you for sending us Lauren to join our family through marriage. We prayed for her and her precious family before we knew she would even be with us forever. We love them both so very much and we ask you Father to please station your angels about them every hour of every day. Protect them, protect their love, protect their families and future children and help them during times of trials and challenges.  Bless them Lord with wisdom, with joy, laughter and heavenly things.  While we all realize all of our children are on "loan" for such a short time, we are so thankful to have had a few moments in their lives. It's selfish to want more time, so forgive us for always wanting more.  We know they are being used by you, so please take over Lord and use them only as YOU see fit. 

PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY NOW

Are you praying for your children? What are you doing to intercede for them every single day? We have a vigil in our home to pray daily for our children every day. Do you know how precious it is to pray for your sons and daughters at night before you sleep and the first thing, when you wake up? The joy of having children is the greatest honor you will ever know.  

I love you all,

​Kevin