Making Disciples One Burrito at a Time: My Greatest Moments at Taco Villa

During my sabbatical this summer, I sensed my time at Taco Villa was coming to a close.  I made it official yesterday.  After 3 years of making disciples one burrito at a time, here are some of my favorite moments at the greatest fast food store in the world:

The question on my first day of work from the manager: "Mickey, can I ask you why you are really here?" My answer was quick and simple.  "(1) I love Taco Villa so I might as well work here. (2) I'm around church people all the time and need to get away from them once in a while.  (3) I'm going to be your best employee, but I will only be here three hours a week. (4) I will not turn my register into a pulpit, but when people approach me, its game on in sharing my faith.

A manager asks, "Mickey, do you wrap?" I was so puzzled.  I said, "No, I like country music."  Everyone busts out laughing - they meant did I know how to wrap burritos on the food line...Priceless!

An employee, Tenisha, says, "You can call me Big Mamma."  I told her I was not comfortable with that and Big Mamma says, "It's not becuase I'm big...black people take care of each other and that's what I do here."
By the way, our entire church staff took care of Big Mamma last week by helping her finish her hours to qualify for her own Habitat home for her and her four boys.  Our team did 70 hours in one day that would have taken her over 2 months to do on her own.  She got her address yesterday.

Being invited to speak at a corporate meeting for Bobby Cox Inc. managers for Taco Villa and Rosa's on the subject of "baptism."  They gave me the floor for an hour to share about salvation and baptism.  What a great night of Q&A.  One of the managers walked me out in tears because God spoke to him that night about getting his life right with God.

Volunteering to steam clean the floors at midnight.  I knew it would give me quality time with a new employee and my manager. That night our generator went out for the pressure washer.  As we were all about to close the doors and give up, I said, "Let me pray over this thing."  I cried out loud, "O God, start this generator so we can finish this job and go home." My manager stepped up, pulled one more time and the generator started.  We finished the job and few weeks later that employee came to church (after meeting Pastor Daniel at the store).  He and his girlfriend got saved that morning and still attend Mid-Cities. 

Taking my manager and his fiance through marriage prep and sharing Christ with them.

Praying over my manager's grandfather bedside before he passed away.

Praying with another manager at the hospital just after a knee replacement.

Buying another manager a new queen bed so she and her 2 year old son did not have to sleep on the floor anymore.

Taking Big Mamma and her four boys school shopping for new shoes.  They were like kids in a candy store.

Chasing a customer out in the parking lot to pray for their marriage at the Lord's prompting.  They later returned to tell me they were having major marriage problems and that was a breakthrough.

Being the first pastor to listen to an employee's confession of a life of abuse and alternative lifestyle.  She wept in our living room as she told her story.  I was the first pastor to not condemn her and tell her she was going to hell.  She has since returned to Christ, left a same sex relationship, and is working through Free Indeed.

Being asked to counsel an employee that stabbing people is not a healthy way to handle conflict.  The employee said, "I didn't stick the knife in far, it was just a little bit." We then discussed that even minor punctures are not the best way to handle anger.  I'm happy to report she has not stabbed anyone else since that day to my knowledge.

Wow!  What a journey.  Now it's time for me to spend more time with Bonnie.  She has been gracious to let me give my life away on Fridays for the last three years.  I sense the Lord asking me to invest in our relationship for a season.  We are talking about Fridays being the day we disciple our kids in a more specific mentoring plan as well.

Yesterday I was almost in tears telling Tina I need to step away for awhile.  I love my Villa friends.  Tina decided to call it a "leave of absence."  I can't wait to see what God has for our family next.  When one chapter ends, another begins!  I may not be punching the clock, but I will always pastor Taco Villa Store #4 off Midkiff.

3:23: The Birth of a New Baseball Team and Broader Youth Sports Ministry

After coaching 7 seasons of baseball, I've come to this conclusion about myself - I'm a better leader and pastor than I am a sports coach.  It's not so much the fundamentals of the game (although I have much to learn there too), but the ability to manage my competitive spirit and honor Jesus at the same time.  Sounds simple, but Romans 7 rings truer than I care to admit.  When I stay tuned into what God is doing around me, crazy things happen.  There are a number of people walking with Jesus now because of intentional outreach through the sports teams we have been part of.  However, I can also endanger ministry opportunities when walking in the flesh (I'm sure there are some stories here too).  It's time for me to operate out of my strengths.  Thus, the birth of the new 3:23 Baseball Club. While many churches tend to condemn families for being too involved with sports, Bonnie and I have always seen it as a harvest field for adding people to the church and the kingdom of God.  I could list a number of families added to the church and/or the kingdom of God through the teams we are involved with, but that would be meddling.  The potential for Christian families involved in youth sports to become more intentional and reach out to those around them is unlimited!  And yes, I agree it can all get fanatical and overboard, which is all the more why we need to be missionaries to the youth sports world where countless relationships, hours, and dollars are spent every year.  

So what is 3:23?  A new 11 & under baseball team with a vision and purpose based on Col 3:23.

3:23 Baseball

It’s our desire to assemble a group of kids that love the game of baseball, have the potential to play at a competitive level, and would enjoy the experience of being on a unique select baseball team.  What makes 3:23 unique are the following priorities in order:

1.       Character Formation

We care more about shaping a kid’s values and pointing him to Christ than we do about winning baseball tournaments.  We accomplish this by:

o   “First Thing First” values impartation at practices/games  (see attached sample)

o   Every kid receives a 3:23 Bible with their name & number engraved

o   Community service as a team 4-6 times per season

2.       Player/Skill Development

We are committed to helping every player develop at 2 or 3 positions best suited for them on this team. We accomplish this by:

o   Contracting with local professional baseball instructors for pitching/catching, hitting, fielding lessons throughout the season

3.       Team/Family Dynamics

Relationships are the driving force behind the time, energy and resources given to this team.  We accomplish this by:

o   Doing life together beyond the ball field

o   Creating a family friendly environment for players/siblings

o   Providing a team conduct code we all agree to as players/parents

4.       Competitive Progression

If we honor and keep the first three values, we are confident the wins will fall into place.

We are not better than anyone else in any way - just a new team with a specific vision.  As we share the vision with area high school and college coaches, there is intrigue and incredible support.  Others are stepping up big financially because people respond to vision.  It's a honor and privilege to build something bigger than ourselves. While there is still much work to be done, it's exciting to think about the impact we can have on kids' lives.  We look forward to joining a strong field of existing teams and friends to enjoy God and the game of baseball.  Ironically, what started as a single team has birthed a much bigger vision for 3:23 Ministries, Inc., a new non-profit ministry designed to support and impact competitive youth sports in the Midland/Odessa communities.  More about this in the next post!  Thank you Lord for bringing us and the Robertsons together for such a time as this!