HisClay Story

In 2003, HisClay founder Mike Pehrson was given a vision from God to create a website that would promote the Christian Faith. The vision came in the form of a Potter's Den and the inspiration became known as HisClay Ministries. The ministry home page bears the image of a Potter's Den and the HisClay pot rests comfortably on the Potter's Wheel at the center of the den. The HisClay pot represents each of us as the clay being shaped by the hands of God. The scripture that inspired the ministry comes from Isaiah 64:8; "Lord, for you are the Potter and we are the clay, we are all formed by your loving hands." The ministry vision was in place and HisClay Ministries was poised to become a web-based ministry.

Shortly after Mike had sketched out the website onto notepaper, Mike brought the sketching to his good friend and neighbor Brian Severson and shared the vision God had placed on his heart. In short order, Mike and Brian quickly agreed that this was truly a supernatural event and Brian immediately become engaged in the mission. As a web programmer with 15+ years of experience, Brian engaged the assistance of a former colleague to help with the 3 D graphics, while Brian programmed the navigational components of the website. After 3 months of intense design and programming efforts, the website was finalized and officially launched onto the world wide web. Without question, God had clearly brought forth the resources necessary to complete this aspect of the vision.

Once the website effort was complete and available for view on the internet, God then prompted Mike to create HisClay ministry cards to be used as an evangelism tool to share the gospel message via the website. It was going to be through this effort that the ministry would share the gospel message with people everywhere and would do so by allowing people access to the gospel message via the HisClay website. Ministry cards became the way in which many Christians could safely evangelize to friends, co-workers and family, pointing them to a "safe" resource that could offer them the real TRUTH about life. The ministry cards became a powerful "seed" that many could use to "go and make disciples of the nations," requiring only the courage to share a ministry card with those they came into contact with in life. There are many creative ways to share these ministry cards with others and gently point them to the gospel message found on the HisClay website.

As the popularity of the website grew, God began to reveal the mission for the ministry. In 2006, "ALL IN" become the power phrase that God brought forth for the ministry. The phrase "ALL IN" represents God's desire that His people would be "ALL IN" in their passion and commitment to serve and follow Him. God's desire is that His people would gather together the chips of life; finances, relationships, career, etc. and move it all into the center of the proverbial table of life and "give it all" to God! The "ALL IN" mission was officially set forth and the ministry team began promoting the "ALL IN" mission to people everywhere. "ALL IN" awareness bands and "ALL IN" chips were created to promote the "ALL IN" mission, as well as to serve as a reminders of God's call to be "ALL IN."

Once the "ALL IN" mission had gained momentum, God lead the ministry to focus the "ALL IN" mission specifically on men and in reaching the hearts of men "south of the river." While the "ALL IN" mission is meant for people everywhere, God was calling the HisClay ministry team to reach out specifically to men and encourage them to turn from the mediocrity and complacency of this world and be intentional in their life mission to follow Jesus Christ. In 2007, God directed the ministry to begin conducting men's events, such as breakfasts events, retreats and fellowship gatherings as a way to share the "ALL IN" mission with men everywhere. These gatherings served as a way to bring men together and encourage them in their faith, as well as connect them to other men who are searching for ways to find "ALL IN" Community "south of the river." "ALL IN" breakfast events, retreats, teaching and speaking events have all become key resources in which the ministry is shaping the lives of men. Today, the ministry continues to promote the "ALL IN" message to men everywhere. HisClay is partnering with area churches in an attempt to "knock down the congregational and denominational walls" that are keeping men from gathering together in "ALL IN" Community, thereby radically changing marriages, families, communities and the kingdom!!

With the advent and success of the men's gatherings, it was soon discovered that the ministry would need to align itself with ministry partners who could offer important discipleship resources to the men HisClay was reaching. In 2008, the ministry aligned itself with the MN Christian Collaborative (later named R3) and began to partner with established ministries that could effectively meet the needs of men and truly help men with their recovery and transitional efforts. As a result of this collaboration, HisClay is now effectively aligned with well over 40-50 ministry partners in the metro area. Today, HisClay is effectively ministering to thousands of men "south of the river" and calling men everywhere to be "ALL IN" in their mission to follow Jesus Christ. The "ALL IN" mission is not only about changing men, it is about changing families, changing marriages, changing communities and changing lives!! When men are "ALL IN" for Christ, radical change takes place in the Kingdom!

In summary, HisClay Ministries is a powerful evangelical resource, as well as a promoter and supporter of the "ALL IN" mission. It is through these two areas of ministry that God is reaching the lives of many and leading His people into a deeper relationship with Him. In the end, God is truly "shaping" the lives of His people much the same way a potter shapes the clay. We all are His Clay!! ><>