If you’ve been to hear me speak, or if you ordered the “Author and Speaker Highlights” DVD (click here) you know that I have a strong conviction that we’re all put here… in this life… to somehow make a difference. But how?

You can make a difference in your local community. I promise, it’s easy. Henry Blackaby says “find where God is at work, and go join him.” If you want to put a hand in the hand of someone in need, then here’s a few places to start.

Austin accepts his "Pacesetter Award" from Dave Talbott, Director of Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference - click for a larger image!

• Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Homeless ministry
• World Vision
• Christian radio
• Mount Hermon Christian Camps

Choose Life of Huntsville

Years ago a friend challenged me to put my faith on the line—to get active in the ministry of pro-life. For three years I was a “side-walk activist”… a quiet smile giving away pro-life tracts, but without the bull horn, or graphic pictures. In those months I saw the depth of hurt in the eyes of pregnant young women, and heard the pain and frustration from their boyfriends and husbands, parents and family. That sidewalk ministry led me to Choose Life of North AL, where I now serve on the board of directors and also lead our efforts to buy and renovate a new building. We see 4000 young women each year, offering a listening ear, a pregnancy test, and the good news of Jesus Christ.

Somewhere near you a crisis pregnancy needs your help as a volunteer, a counselor, or even as a financial donor. Look in your phone book under “abortion alternatives” or click here. Get involved!   [Top]

First Stop of Hunstville

In February 1977 I was a poor college student stranded in Columbia, SC without a cent in my pocket—no food and no place to stay. A local homeless shelter took me under their wing—they fed me, gave me to place to spend the evening, shared the Gospel, and helped me contact my parents for the funds I needed to get home.

Those strangers ministered to me at a critical time. Someone is in need on your front doorstep today, but they’re probably invisible because you don’t look for them, or don’t want to see them. Find your local homeless mission or soup kitchen and get involved. Drive a soup van, or serve meals at the shelter. Buy sleeping bags and blankets for the homeless… but don’t give them cash. Buy them a meal and help them to sleep warm at night. Go share an hour or a meal with the men and women on the street, hear their great stories, and look into their deep eyes that scream “I need a friend”.   [Top]

World Vision

Where ever there are hungry children, World Vision is there in force, around the world. I sponsor two children, for about $30 a month each. A dollar a day to feed and educate a child far away. Himel Mohammed lives in Bangaladesh and likes to play soccer; he's in the fifth grade, as is Meselech Bekele, who is growing up in Ethiopia. You can extend your family to the ends of the earth by joining hands with World Vision today.   [Top]

WAY-FM Radio

Around the nation, WAY-FM provides solid Christian programming suitable for the entire family, with more repeaters springing up every month. Catch them on the web and in many cities around the country. Support your local Christian radio stations!   [Top]

Mount Hermon Christian Camps

Thirty-eight years after I began writing, I found myself in the redwood forest near Santa Cruz, CA, in prayer about a sudden surge of publishers’ interest in my writing. I was at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference, one of the key annual events at Mount Hermon Christian Camps. It was here that I first connected with other Christian writers—450 of them—and made the editorial connections that helped me sell my novel series.