Our selection of the Phoenix as our symbol of choice, is from a time when God was starting to make big changes in our lives.  In 1997 a very important part of our life's plan was about to unfold.  Our Christian journey was about to begin and we didn't even know it.  While being discipled by several Godly people, we were led to open a martial art school on behalf of a teacher who had unfortunately lost his own school.  Our family had been a part of his school and felt it was of such value that we committed to take part in funding and managing it's re-opening.  Because the original school had gone to the ashes (metaphorically speaking), we named the new school Phoenix Academy of Martial Arts, symbolizing the resurrection of the new school.    The Phoenix and what it stands for has been a part of our lives since that time.  We have seen how God has brought us from the depths (or the ashes) on many occasion, only to allow us to soar again.  We have dedicated ourselves to serve Him and pray that we will continue to use the wonderful gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us to serve our community and the Lord.

What is the Origin of Our Ministry?
The Phoenix Rising Outreach Ministry is the culmination of many years of God's Spirit working in the hearts and minds of our founders.   As God showed us His constant Protection, Grace, Provision, Mercy, Understanding and Love...we finally began to realize that everything in our life was a result of His care and not the result of our own prideful methods.  From the protection of our marriage, to the raising of our children, to the health and wellness we enjoyed, to the jobs we were blessed to have, to the home that sheltered us, to the loving family and solid Christian friends we are blessed to have as well.  All of those things were in His plan for our lives.  These were not the only things that God so graciously allowed us to experience though.  Difficult marital times, difficult experiences with our children, challenging relationships, severe health issues, loss of income and near bankruptcy.  We count every one of these life experiences as blessing.  They have made us who we are as individuals and as a family.  

Having gone through all of our adult life as unchurched people, God led us back to Him, through the influence of several Godly Christians.  Long story - short...We allowed Jesus into our lives and began to study His Word and incorporate it into our lives.  We learned that everything in life - what we perceive as good or perceive as bad...has purpose and meaning.  It is all preparation for what God is doing through us to bring about His perfect plan for this world.

After about 10 years of following Jesus (studying and practicing His ways), we were led by the Holy Spirit to develop the idea that He gave us for Ministry.  It had always been a part of who we are, since we started to realize that almost every aspect of our lives was being looked at in terms of how God would want us to be.  We discerned that our jobs and our interests, our gifts and our talents had all been geared toward serving God as best we could.  The web pages that follow will give you a better sense of how all of this comes together.  It is a strange mix for a Ministry...but we have found God to be anything but predictable.  He is faithful, and He does not change...but He is also creative and His plans are not always as we expect.  Our prayer is to be obedient to His call.  We're enjoying the adventure and hope to see you along the way!