Interview with Keith Black

So Keith and I got to know each other, just, uh, really department lunch time and figuring out what we were gonna talk about today.

So why don't you just give us a little bit of history of who tell us who you are?

Well, I'm Keith Black.

Um, I'm I don't know what you want me to tell you.

Um, where

Are you from tell about your, um, growing up?

Okay.

Um, well, I'm, I'm currently living in Seymour.

That's where I'm from basically.

Um, growing up, I was raised by a single mother.

Um, went after high school, went into the army.

Um, and then when I got out, that's what led me to, I guess, the reason I'm here.

Yeah.

Now tell us about when you were 12.

What happened when you,

Well, um, when I was 12, I got saved.

Um, and I, I knew that I needed, I needed, I mean, it was, it was real.

And so, but as we talked about, I felt like, um, through, after that, you know, I, looking back there was, there was attacks, you know, the enemy is always attacking and tacking.

And so I wasn't, you know, living for the Lord for, for a lot of years.

And especially any, anybody that's been in the military kind of knows.

I'm talking about you.

Um, yeah.

It's thank

You for your service

By the way.

Oh, absolutely.

Um, so then, um, when I got outta the service, um, I was dating a, a woman and she, she became pregnant and at the time, um, I, I don't know if y'all remember, um, was this early mid eighties, um, a couple movies.

This shows you how much the media influences us, but, uh, fast times Mont high.

Um, and in, in that, um, there was a young lady that got pregnant and she ended up having abortion.

Um, and what that said to me was it was no big deal because she was dropped off.

She had it went on with her life, um, which is unfortunate because that's the media influences us tremendously and whatever, they it's kind of like, whatever they say is okay is okay.

And so, um, she had an abortion and really didn't think much about it.

Um, and then I guess about a little over a year later, we actually ended up getting married and, um, and then two years after that, um, I had my first child, my son, and, um, I guess maybe a couple more years went by and then it really started sinking in, you know, what I'd done for the first time.

And it was, It was a great awakening.

Um, and it, it, wasn't a small thing inconsequential.

And then I began to have great guilt and sorrow and regret, and it, it just ate me up.

And I know, I think, I think men are considered number one, you're supposed to, you know, we're supposed to suck it up and, and not have emotion and it's not your body and you didn't go through it.

So you don't have any, any say or any shouldn't have any feelings.

And, but that's not true.

It's, it's not true.

And I would, um, I would pray and ask for forgiveness and It took, you know, I would pray and ask for forgiveness and then, you know, maybe a year later do it again.

And it's like not really understanding that, you know, when God forgives, he forgives, but I just felt like, because it's how I felt.

I still felt bad.

I felt guilty that I needed to ask for forgiveness again.

And it was so I honestly, it, it, it was really, it tormented me believe it or not.

It did, um, for almost 30 years and it, it just, it was agonizing.

I didn't voice it to anybody because I mean, it's not a popular subject, you know, you can't just start talking with your coworkers and, you know, Hey, by the way, you know, um, so fall of 2016, uh, A man by name, Jimmy pit cannon loved him to death.

He's a great man.

He came to our church and was talking about abortion.

And this group, this organization called deeper still, which I never heard of.

And you, you don't have a lot of talk and conversation, uh, about this stuff I had.

Um, so, so, you know, you're sitting there and he's finished and then he goes out and, you know, like out in the lobby and has, you know, a little table with materials, but you don't really want to run to the table because yeah.

Everybody's like, obviously everybody knows.

I wonder what he's doing there.

Huh.

Um, so I kind of waited around and, you know, went to the bathroom and took out the garbage or something, whatever.

And so everybody was gone and he was packing up and I was like, okay.

And so I, I just knew I had to talk to him.

I, I had to, and then that's when he told me about deeper still.

And I was, and gave me some, some info on it.

And I, I knew that I was, I was gonna attend, but actually because of my schedule and at the time they, they were only having one or two, uh, retreats a year at that time.

So it was actually a year from that, from that time.

Um, you want me to keep going or?

Okay.

Um, so I, I, I went in the fall of, I'm sorry.

It was the fall of 2016 that I actually went.

But, um, I tell you the, the enemy, the devil Satan, he, he didn't want me to go because he, he was just making me feel like I didn't deserve, um, any of it, any forgiveness, um, that actually, I remember, I remember going to the retreat, it was a Friday, it was Friday, even Saturday and Sunday.

And he was throwing everything at me, mostly that all the women there were gonna hate my guts because somehow I'm the problem.

You know, I represent the problem and I think that's a problem with a lot of our society is how people are, are represented.

And I just, I'm the type of person that I get scared just like anybody else.

But I'll, I'll be darned if I'm gonna gonna stop me just like I'm sitting here now, I'm a little nervous, you know, it's doing good um, but I'm not, you know, I'm not gonna let it stop me because I think there's a, an important message.

Um, and somebody here or somebody online may, may need to hear it.

Um, so I, I kept going, I was there and I was, I, like I said, I was a little fearful until I got inside.

And the volunteers everybody's volunteers, everybody, all the volunteers at least back then had been either the females had had abortion or the males had, had been through the abortion, every single one of'em.

So they understood it was nothing.

It was not, we don't understand we're gonna judge you.

It was, there was absolutely no judgment.

And they made me feel welcome.

And then there was, I think, 23 women and two of us men.

So we felt a little outnumbered, but, um,, um, for sure.

And I was, I was a little, a little leery, you know, like I said, because of that, but honestly, um, none of the, the female participants, um, obviously none of the volunteers, they never judged.

And actually, I, I, I became, I, I, let me back.

I think what I got the feeling and actually a couple of the women actually came up to me and said, they're actually glad that I was there.

Wow.

Because it, I don't know.

They, rather than seeing, uh, me as the, the perpetrator, they were, it's like, they wish more men would come, you know?

Um, because I think men, I can only speak for men, but we, we tend to hold everything inside because we, we have to fix things, you know, and it's weakness.

If we admit that we need fixing men, I want all you men to hear that because we do need fixing guys and don't be ashamed or afraid, or even if you are afraid, still reach out, you know?

And so it was a, it was a great weekend.

And, um, they they're on the ball.

They have their, their act together.

They, you don't just sit around and, and, you know, sing kumbaya or anything like that.

I mean, they have, they have their agenda and that's a good, not in a bad way, but they have their, their plan and they, they work it.

And every single one of the volunteers are wonderful.

I mean, it, it really surprised me, you know, I thought, well, you know, sure.

They have to, or whatever, but I mean, they were, they were so genuine.

That was the thing they weren't, you never got a sense of, of phoniness.

And I say all that, because it goes a long way to how you feel, how you, what you get out of it.

Sure.

And so be prior to going there, I had finally felt that God forgave me, but I didn't forgive myself.

Mm-hmm.

And that was the big, that was the big problem, the big catch.

And so Friday we, we did what they did.

And I don't, I don't wanna tell you go into detail because anybody that, you know, might happen to go there's little surprises and stuff, and some different things.

And, and I, it's just something you have to experience as you go.

So, and then Saturday was a full day and up at the sat, you know, I wanted to feel something, you know, I thought so Saturday evening came and I thought, well, you know, I'm feeling a lot more at ease and I know things are working, but I'm still not really something hadn't clicked.

And then sat, or Sunday morning, we got up had had a church service and that kind of led into what we did kind of the, to wrap it up.

And that is honestly when something, something clicked.

And I tell you what, um, and I'm somebody who, who doesn't just automatically say, oh yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm better.

You know, just because it's kind of expected of me, but I can honestly say that Sunday that something clicked.

And I, I promise you, I've never, I've never been the same since I hon absolutely.

Amen.

And I don't say that lightly, cuz I do.

I will not say that, you know, something's changed just cuz I think somebody wants to hear that, but I, I do, I, I sincerely, I know that something changed and I not only was I positive for once in my life that God had forgiven me, but I finally forgave myself, which is a huge deal.

I mean, can we all not agree that we beat ourselves up and we won't, it's hard to forgive ourselves, you know?

And I think a lot of that is the enemy, the enemy who doesn't want us to figure ourselves who wants us to be miserable in our lives and our relationships.

And so it was a great weekend and I can't say enough for about deeper still.

And I would encourage anybody, male or female who has been through abortion.

And I know it's, it's rough and I know it's constantly in the news and I, I won't speak to that, but if it's already happened, absolutely seek out deeper still.

And we will definitely be posting on our website when uh, events are coming up.

I know that they have a couple of events scheduled in the, in the near future.

So we'll be posting those so that those who want to, uh, apply to participate in something like that, you can do that.

Um, I thought it was, I don't know if you wanna give away one secret the secret when the Lord spoke to you about your child, do you, you feel comfortable?

Sure, sure.

Cause

I thought that was so

Sweet.

Absolutely.

That, um, at one point, um, there there's, they give you opportunities to you're in the group and then you can be by yourself, they have a huge wrap around porch with rocking chairs, by the way, just in case you wanna know.

Um, but one of the things they do is, um, Try to, to, I don't know how to put it, um, get the name of your child and that might sound weird, but it really wasn't the way it, it worked out and it's amazing cuz there again, I, I wanted to say, yeah, sure.

I heard something or whatever, but they, they give us kind of time to meditate and um, it was amazing.

I, I, I did, I clearly heard the Lord say I had that it was a son and his name was Jacob.

And I don't, like I said, I, I'm not someone that, that, you know, I believe everything that comes my way, but you know how, you know, when you just know, you don't have to explain it.

You don't, you don't care if anybody understands it.

And that's how that, that's how that happened.

And it was, I okay guys, whether you wanna admit it or not, we cried don't we?

Yes, I cried.

And here was what was funny.

I didn't tell you this, but I just remembered at Jimmy Pitcan and big old guy while I was in the midst of this and I was crying, he'd come up to me.

I was the, one of the rocking chairs he'd come up to me and he says something about, um, well did you, well, did you, did you get the name?

And I was right in the middle.

I was like, not now, not now I just could I, it was just, it was so great.

It was, it was, it was so peaceful and I didn't want to disturb it.

So, and he, and he, he respected that.

Um, but

That's awesome, man.

Thank you so much for sharing this story.

Uh, one of the things that Keith has a heart for in his wife, I believe as well.

Um, and this is, uh, so the first marriage ended.

Yes.

Um, not by choice.

And then the second marriage here is, is really a godsend in the way that they are working together.

They have the same heart for ministry and Keith really has a desire to, uh, be able to, to travel some and to talk to different groups about what his story is and what he's gone through.

And so we want to pray for that for him, if that's the Lord's will that the Lord would open doors of opportunity.

But before that, uh, if you don't mind, Keith just pray for the, for the men of this church for everyone, but for the men of the church, that we would be more willing to be open and honest when we need help and to get that help.

Absolutely.

Would you do that?

Yeah.

Okay.

Lord, thank you for this beautiful day and thank you for this this time to get together in worship.

We appreciate, appreciate everything that you do for us, everything you provide for us.

Thank you for loving us so much that you never give up on us.

Even when we give up on ourselves, I just wanna pray for the men here today and all the men that they're watching.

And I pray that you would just minister to them minister to their souls and their spirits and show them how, how love they are and just let them know that it's okay to be human.

It's okay to feel it's okay to express those feelings regardless of what society tells us, because this is what keeps men secluded from, from everybody.

This is what, this is, what is hurting men.

And we need men right now to lead leading families, to lead his country.

And we know that the enemy wants to destroy families.

And how does he do that?

He separates the men from the families.

Yeah.

And Lord, I just pray that you would stand in that, in that gap, stand in between the enemy and these men Lord and give them strength and courage and wisdom and just give them the ability to show how they feel.

And I just pray for, I pray for the women as well, because we all know that that it's hard for the women as well.

It's hard for all of us and we all need you.

We need your love and protection and guidance and wisdom.

And we thank you for giving us a way to talk to you directly through Jesus Christ.

And we just thank you.

Thank you for everything.

Jesus name.

Amen.

Amen

Lord.

We thank you for Keith and Lucinda.

And they're calling to reach people who are in the margins who have been through very difficult scenarios and need help, need an answer, need a lifeline.

And so father, I pray that you continue to lead them and guide them, uh, in your purpose.

Thank you for strengthening their marriage.

I thank you Lord, that, uh, that they compliment each other in so many ways.

And father, I just pray that again, that you would open doors for them and for Keith to be able to share his story with men, uh, in prison, in many different, uh, stages of life, Lord, that they would be able to hear this truth.

And even if they haven't experienced the very same thing that he's experienced, that they would understand maybe for the first time that it's okay to admit the fact that you need help.

And so Lord, we pray for that.

We pray for strength for them.

We pray for, uh, protection.

We pray for good health and, and that you would provide everything that they need to be able to fulfill your purpose.

And thank you for allowing them to be here with us today in Jesus name.

Amen.

All right, let me pray over you.

Now.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he cause this faith to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May he lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace in Jesus' name?

Amen.

The prayer team will be up here if you need prayer.

I have one minute.

Yep.

We got one more minute right here.

Just I'm sorry.

We'll finish up.

All right.

Um, off script.

I just want to share something, a word that God had given me a couple weeks ago, literally one word indifference there.

He showed me that there is a spirit of indifference that has fallen upon our country, if not the whole world in the last two years.

And it's very sitting very heavy and I think we can all relate to that.

Yeah.

Where, where everybody's indifferent to everything.

Yeah.

Do, do you not see it in your daily routine?

I mean, there's indifference and I think aware we need to be aware of that and need to pray that against that spirit.

Yes.

Pray for our holy spirit for God to, to get rid of that because it is, it's very destructive.

That's right.

I mean, in a, in a passive way, right.

It's like, eh, I don't care.

I'm indifferent.

Yeah.

And it affects us.

We've talked about it.

It's noticeable.

And I just pray that, that, um, you would notice it and pray, pray about it.

And that's all.

Thank you.

That's

Great.

Amen goes right along with yeah.

Good

Through

The vision goes along with what we talked about earlier.

Doesn't it?

Yeah.

Same, same type of thing.

So God is speaking.

Let's hear him.

Right.

Let's hear him before we hear the, the hooves of the army coming down upon us.

Let's hear him and acknowledge him and repent and follow after him.