Meet Max 👋

Max at the local MMA gym in Skövde. Although this is his preferred outfit whether he's at the gym or not.

When we moved to Sweden, they told me about this fighter.  He had a past filled with drugs and wildness before he met a girl, got married, had a kid and radically came to Jesus.

He eats deer liver, trains like a maniac, and loves to do difficult things.

My kind of person.

So when I heard he was getting baptized at a church down the road, we cancelled plans and we went.

Don't let the white gown fool you. He's dangerous. 🥷

Some things became obvious as I got to know Max:

1. More than most anyone I know, Max is full of gratitude and joy. Constantly.

If you listen to him talk about his wonderful wife and son for a few moments, you can't help but grin.

He came to Kenya with me and this was the look on his face most of the trip. The kids all wanted to touch the tattooed white guy.

2. He has an unquenchable thirst for learning and more importantly, he applies the knowledge.

Connecting with a Pastor in Kenya who lived in a 8x10 hut with 10 orphans.

3. The dude will fast and pray for his friends like no one else I know.

If I needed prayer and had only one phone call to make, I'd call Max.

4. When things get difficult, he gets better.

Last week we did a 40 mile hike through the mountain. We ran into plenty of challenges and Max kept rocking. When we got turned around for a while and ran out of water, a welcomed stranger let us get water from their tap and pet their gross dogs. I think I can still smell the Homeward Bound looking one on my hands.

So after much prayer, we're starting a Jiu Jitsu gym church gathering, a "Grapple Chapel" to reach young adults that won't walk into a church, but want to learn to fight. We'll keep you posted on the progress.In these emails I don't make asks of you very often, but I will this time. Would you pray for Max?

Last but not least important, Max refuses to let go of what he believes in.

And he believed he could water ski.

This will likely be the best 35 seconds of your day 👇 (He eventually got it)