Today as I was riding to Tulsa on my motorcycle (thank you Jesus for that wonderful gift! Please bless Tom today for bring a giver. I pray that he will receive back 2 motorcycles, both better than this one), I was listening through the Old Testament. Then I re-listened to some favorites again. Nahum, Micah, Obadiah, Ezra, Nehemiah. Good stuff.
In the second chapter of Nehemiah, shortly after I crossed the Oklahoma line, I was musing to myself what a leader Nehemiah was; strategic, organized, purposeful, and courageous. All stuff I want to grow in.
"Wow God", I said out loud to the wind rushing by my head. "I like these qualities in this leader."
Suddenly, as I was trying to adjust myself in the saddle that I had been in for the past 1100 miles, God spoke right there on the middle of Rt. 44: "Who does that remind you of?"
"Jason Fitch", I said, suddenly hugely aware that God was hanging out with a biker. It was stinkin' hot, but I was getting chills.
"Me too", God said right back. "Same spirit, same calling, and a man through whom I plan to have similar results. He will rebuild the ancient ruins in the heart of my nation. He will be a wall builder, who devises ways to keep the enemy out."
"Generations of families will look back and thank this man for his visionary sacrifice and hard work on their behalf," the Lord went on. "Like the walls of Jerusalem, he will rebuild the framework of the city (country) destroyed because of it's disobedience. Rebuilding the walls will usher in the courage to rebuild the temple, which will rebuild the character of a once great nation.
Like Nehemiah, I have sent him far away from the post he once had. He will lead the leaders to do the work they have always wanted to do, but never found the courage and organization to do it. He will get it done. I sent him with the provision that he needed, and more is being sent. I have sent troops to protect him, and letters with orders to cause others to give whether they want to or not.
Like Nehemiah, he will be opposed, but with wisdom and focus, he will continue in the work he has been called to do, no matter what anyone else says or does. And he will fully accomplish the purposes for which he was sent. Like Nehemiah, he has not even been able to tell people yet, what I have planned to do through him, because they would not be able to take it in.
Also like Nehemiah, I have sent an Ezra (Jake) to work with him. This man will teach the people the things of God, and will purify the people that God has sent. He will also raise up leaders around him who will carry his work and his fame far beyond the actual things that he himself does.
I am rejoicing over these men, because their obedience now means that I can trust them with far greater things later. In them is the heart of a priest who is a king-maker, and an advisor to rulers of the nation of nations".
Jason, your name comes from the same root as the name 'Jesus', or Joshua meaning 'healer', or 'the Lord is salvation'. This is important for what God said next.
"You have not been named by your father or mother, but by my own mouth", says the Lord. Jesus is seen in you, but will be seen even greater, and many will come to the "Lord our salvation' because of what I have called you to do."
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
needs tension
God is teaching me about various resistances that I have received in life.
When Julie and I announced our engagement, a Sunday School teacher got critical of us. "what are you thinking?", he laughed. "You are way too young!!" Truth be told, we were only 19 and 17 at that point.
I was angry with him for telling me I am not smart. But what that interaction did was cause me to think deeply about my choices and make sure I was ready for it. Julie and I agreed to break up for a short time and see if we could stand it. We couldn't, and because of that confrontation and subsequent soul searching I would not easily change my mind later at the first sign of challenge to our love.
And then there was the pastor who told me "that is the worst vision I ever heard", when I told him about my desire to help people who have given up on church. He told me that I would have a church full of hurting people, who would in turn hurt each other because hurting people do that.
I wonder if I would even remember the value of my vision to reach people who have given up on church, if I had not received the criticism, and been therefore forced to think deeply about it, pray it more carefully, and make it a sure thing. That pastor helped me so much by honestly reflecting his thoughts that day.
And the pastor who told me that he and his board prayed about us, and God spoke. He said God told them that I had made a mistake and wanted to move back home, so they took up an offering and presented me with $150 bucks to rent the truck to get back home.
What his action did, was cause me to carefully think and pray about why I was here in Adam's County and why I had not started this church somewhere else. After that prayer season, I never really doubted it again, and instead rehearsed over and over all the reasons I was sure God sent us here.
The tension each of these situations created, were intense and not fun. But the results were, God made Himself even more clear in my heart, and I ended up very clear about what I was to do.
I should have thanked these guys. Too many times a brilliant thought has come... and was lost for lack of creative tension. Unopposed, these thoughts went quickly forgotten.
At least I guess they did, but since there was no tension, I'm not sure, because I don't remember!
I got my share of critics now, who tell me about all that I am not doing well. I should thank them, when usually I let them stir that old spirit of rejection inside of me, and feel sorry for myself. And fear. And resentment.
I'm sorry God.
When Julie and I announced our engagement, a Sunday School teacher got critical of us. "what are you thinking?", he laughed. "You are way too young!!" Truth be told, we were only 19 and 17 at that point.
I was angry with him for telling me I am not smart. But what that interaction did was cause me to think deeply about my choices and make sure I was ready for it. Julie and I agreed to break up for a short time and see if we could stand it. We couldn't, and because of that confrontation and subsequent soul searching I would not easily change my mind later at the first sign of challenge to our love.
And then there was the pastor who told me "that is the worst vision I ever heard", when I told him about my desire to help people who have given up on church. He told me that I would have a church full of hurting people, who would in turn hurt each other because hurting people do that.
I wonder if I would even remember the value of my vision to reach people who have given up on church, if I had not received the criticism, and been therefore forced to think deeply about it, pray it more carefully, and make it a sure thing. That pastor helped me so much by honestly reflecting his thoughts that day.
And the pastor who told me that he and his board prayed about us, and God spoke. He said God told them that I had made a mistake and wanted to move back home, so they took up an offering and presented me with $150 bucks to rent the truck to get back home.
What his action did, was cause me to carefully think and pray about why I was here in Adam's County and why I had not started this church somewhere else. After that prayer season, I never really doubted it again, and instead rehearsed over and over all the reasons I was sure God sent us here.
The tension each of these situations created, were intense and not fun. But the results were, God made Himself even more clear in my heart, and I ended up very clear about what I was to do.
I should have thanked these guys. Too many times a brilliant thought has come... and was lost for lack of creative tension. Unopposed, these thoughts went quickly forgotten.
At least I guess they did, but since there was no tension, I'm not sure, because I don't remember!
I got my share of critics now, who tell me about all that I am not doing well. I should thank them, when usually I let them stir that old spirit of rejection inside of me, and feel sorry for myself. And fear. And resentment.
I'm sorry God.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
the making of a man of God
Almost every year these days, I get to be in an ordination service, as one of my team members gets ordained. I have been attending them since I started ministry in 1983. Tonight, Rick Roth and Al DiSalvatore got ordained! I am very proud of these guys.
It takes me back to my own ordination. In the past 27 years, I have desperately hung onto the hope that we are prevailing and winning in the Kingdom of God. I was excited when the 90's were about the Decade of Harvest, and when various other changes, ideas, and programs to reach people were rolled out.
But one more time today, I was handed a report that read that 83% of the people in Pennsylvania are unsaved. My district (the fellowship that I am part of) has almost exactly the same number of churches that it has had for decades. Less and less people per capita, are bound for eternal life. For the past 27 years that I have been in ministry, we have lost ground pretty much every year!
So I was in Panera the other day and a young man sort of asked me for advice for a young guy starting out. I thought for a moment and said "don't listen to anyone my age". He was a little startled, but I pressed on: "in my ministry lifetime, my ministry colleagues and I have lost the battle. Half as many people attend church as did when I started ministry in '83. How is that not a failure? The worst thing that could happen is for guys your age to listen to guys my age to learn ministry. You might get infected with the ideas that kept us from prevailing and getting the job done! We have failed!"
So, to the 23 ordained tonight, here's the deal. You certainly have a harvest field that is plentiful. You have so many people to reach! We need you so badly, to help us, and to go beyond us, and to not listen to closely to whatever flimsy ideas we have, because we did not get the job done!
I'm sorry about that.
But you are our hope, you are God's answer, you are what we need- more workers in the Harvest Field! May God help you go much further than we ever have and reach far more people than we did! We need you to help us figure out how to win!
It takes me back to my own ordination. In the past 27 years, I have desperately hung onto the hope that we are prevailing and winning in the Kingdom of God. I was excited when the 90's were about the Decade of Harvest, and when various other changes, ideas, and programs to reach people were rolled out.
But one more time today, I was handed a report that read that 83% of the people in Pennsylvania are unsaved. My district (the fellowship that I am part of) has almost exactly the same number of churches that it has had for decades. Less and less people per capita, are bound for eternal life. For the past 27 years that I have been in ministry, we have lost ground pretty much every year!
So I was in Panera the other day and a young man sort of asked me for advice for a young guy starting out. I thought for a moment and said "don't listen to anyone my age". He was a little startled, but I pressed on: "in my ministry lifetime, my ministry colleagues and I have lost the battle. Half as many people attend church as did when I started ministry in '83. How is that not a failure? The worst thing that could happen is for guys your age to listen to guys my age to learn ministry. You might get infected with the ideas that kept us from prevailing and getting the job done! We have failed!"
So, to the 23 ordained tonight, here's the deal. You certainly have a harvest field that is plentiful. You have so many people to reach! We need you so badly, to help us, and to go beyond us, and to not listen to closely to whatever flimsy ideas we have, because we did not get the job done!
I'm sorry about that.
But you are our hope, you are God's answer, you are what we need- more workers in the Harvest Field! May God help you go much further than we ever have and reach far more people than we did! We need you to help us figure out how to win!
Sunday, May 02, 2010
18 years of Freedom Valley
Today it's been 18 years.
I forgot about it, actually. We were going about our business and it was a wonderful weekend. I just didn't think about it being our birthday until later. We were busy teaching on forgiveness, graduating a new (and incredibly bright, talented, and anointed) class of Master's Commission students, and celebrating the launch of our newest sites to notice.
On the one hand I wish we had celebrated. On the other hand, we have always been far more about the future than about the past. I love what God did, and that He let me ride along, but I also feel like I have a lot to do to accomplish what He put us here for.
I hate goodbyes, endings, funerals, and most everything else about the past. It's the future that I really prefer to dwell on. The past has an unsavory finality and painful healing to it. I am not a great planner, and make ridiculous amounts of mistakes that lurk there in my past like an old smelly shoe. The future has hope, vision, and unlimited possibility. I like the future.
It's not complicated, what I see for the future. I am asking God for 100 new churches, many of which will hopefully pass Freedom Valley quickly in every significant way. The 10 years after that, I am asking the God that prefers bold requests, for 1000 churches, and some way to affect our culture with permanent Heaven-populating movement toward God.
I forgot about it, actually. We were going about our business and it was a wonderful weekend. I just didn't think about it being our birthday until later. We were busy teaching on forgiveness, graduating a new (and incredibly bright, talented, and anointed) class of Master's Commission students, and celebrating the launch of our newest sites to notice.
On the one hand I wish we had celebrated. On the other hand, we have always been far more about the future than about the past. I love what God did, and that He let me ride along, but I also feel like I have a lot to do to accomplish what He put us here for.
I hate goodbyes, endings, funerals, and most everything else about the past. It's the future that I really prefer to dwell on. The past has an unsavory finality and painful healing to it. I am not a great planner, and make ridiculous amounts of mistakes that lurk there in my past like an old smelly shoe. The future has hope, vision, and unlimited possibility. I like the future.
It's not complicated, what I see for the future. I am asking God for 100 new churches, many of which will hopefully pass Freedom Valley quickly in every significant way. The 10 years after that, I am asking the God that prefers bold requests, for 1000 churches, and some way to affect our culture with permanent Heaven-populating movement toward God.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Treating Mom's great
This weekend kicks off a 2 week "blessing-of-the-Mom's" event at Freedom Valley York Road.
This weekend we will be washing cars for single Mom's before, during, and after all services here at York Road. Because I believe if Jesus were walking the streets of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania these days, He would be more likely to wash a car than to wash feet. We're gonna be helping Him do it!
Next weekend is a full court press to bless Mom's. Free coffee for Mom's, a gift at the door (they can shop for and pick their own). Single Mom's will also get a $10 gift card.
If you know a Mom, bring her! Guest Mom's also get the usual $5 gift card from Guest Central.
This weekend we will be washing cars for single Mom's before, during, and after all services here at York Road. Because I believe if Jesus were walking the streets of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania these days, He would be more likely to wash a car than to wash feet. We're gonna be helping Him do it!
Next weekend is a full court press to bless Mom's. Free coffee for Mom's, a gift at the door (they can shop for and pick their own). Single Mom's will also get a $10 gift card.
If you know a Mom, bring her! Guest Mom's also get the usual $5 gift card from Guest Central.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
sex talk out takes, experiences, and left overs
I read somewhere that most parents say they had the sex talk with their kids. Most kids say they never had the sex talk with their parents. Interesting discrepancy.
I would guess that Pastors are the same- believe they have taught their people about sex better or more than they really have.
So this weekend we are working at it, at our sites and services. And we are trying to do it in a positive way, talking about how God provided for great sex through marriage, about how men and women should consider it their responsibility to meet each others needs. AND, about how singleness is a gift, not an abnormality or a problem.
I prayed a lot of prayers afterward, with people who have huge regrets concerning their sex lives, or are struggling through a spouse's affair, or cannot seem to get functional again after someone committed a sexual crime on them. And quite a few who messed up sexually but have a very tough time admitting it.
Cause when sex is bad, it can destroy a life. When it is good, it literally adds years to a life. And if you follow the societal shtick about sex these days, you are statistically certain to get very little of it, and regret what you got deeply.
We need a sexual life swap- a whole new way of thinking. The Bible has it, and with the grace of God, I hope to try to set some people free this week.
I would guess that Pastors are the same- believe they have taught their people about sex better or more than they really have.
So this weekend we are working at it, at our sites and services. And we are trying to do it in a positive way, talking about how God provided for great sex through marriage, about how men and women should consider it their responsibility to meet each others needs. AND, about how singleness is a gift, not an abnormality or a problem.
I prayed a lot of prayers afterward, with people who have huge regrets concerning their sex lives, or are struggling through a spouse's affair, or cannot seem to get functional again after someone committed a sexual crime on them. And quite a few who messed up sexually but have a very tough time admitting it.
Cause when sex is bad, it can destroy a life. When it is good, it literally adds years to a life. And if you follow the societal shtick about sex these days, you are statistically certain to get very little of it, and regret what you got deeply.
We need a sexual life swap- a whole new way of thinking. The Bible has it, and with the grace of God, I hope to try to set some people free this week.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Certain letters that I get, must be re-read often. This is one of those. It underscores the wonder of the "Life Swap" that happens when a person meets Jesus for the first time.
I have not asked for permission to print this, so some details have been slightly changed and the names blocked out so that I do not reveal someone's too personal stuff. But I treasure letters like this and wanted to share it with someone. God help us get more of these!
hi pastor Gerry
my name is *************. u might not recognize me but i have been to freedom valley 2 times with my fiance. I am writing to u about an experience i had about a week ago. Recently my great uncle passed away, god bless his soul, and i attended his funeral. His name is *********. but my other uncle is a preacher where the funeral was held. Now i have only been to church 3 times in my life, 1 time when i was a child for easter candy and 2 times at freedom valley.
i am as u said a few weeks ago, a watcher. i am giving it a shot and just come to listen right now to see what it is all about. But anyways back to my happening. i was sitting in the funeral service and towards the end the pastor was talking about how life can end in a flash and where u put yourself to be in heaven or hell. he had everybody bow their heads and he said a prayor. toward the end of the prayor he asked for the ones who wanted to change the ways they r and face the sight of being a sinner and come forward to be saved and join the quest toward heaven when time comes.
he asked for those people to raise their head... so as i was listening i decided to be curious and give it a shot and see what it is all about. i lived a very regretful life, trouble with law, drugs, just all the bad stuff i hate myself for mainly because i let all the ones i love and care about the most down. so i raised my head and looked at the pastor and then looked around, i was the only 1 with my head up.
i then looked back at the pastor and went into almost what seemed to be a tunnel vision, everything around the pastor was a blur except him and he had a light glow around him. so i looked at the window and around to focus on something else... i couldnt focus on anything it was all blurry. so i rubbed my eyes and looked around again... nothing but blur. i then looked back at the preacher and he was still glowing... every move he made it follow and as he looked at me finishing the prayor the glow grew brighter and made me feel warmer. to be honest it freaked me out a lil but i just cant picture or explain what it could have been.
so i talked to the 1 guy i work with he is going to school and classes to be a preacher, but i told him and he explained it as the bible says "that the scales have been wiped for my eyes" he was saying it is a way i was saved to be accept by god. now today as lindsae and i went to the storyu there is a bilboard by our house with a picture of jesus that reads "he lived to die"... before this happening it looked like an oil painting... today it looked like he was actually popping out like 3-d.I am letting u kno all this to see what your reaction is and what u think the situation is. the guy i work with was so excited and blessed that he started jumping up and down and praying. and whatever your reaction i will accept but i am just trying to be heard and find out what it is. Thank u for listening and hope to see u at church soon
Sincerely
******.
I have not asked for permission to print this, so some details have been slightly changed and the names blocked out so that I do not reveal someone's too personal stuff. But I treasure letters like this and wanted to share it with someone. God help us get more of these!
hi pastor Gerry
my name is *************. u might not recognize me but i have been to freedom valley 2 times with my fiance. I am writing to u about an experience i had about a week ago. Recently my great uncle passed away, god bless his soul, and i attended his funeral. His name is *********. but my other uncle is a preacher where the funeral was held. Now i have only been to church 3 times in my life, 1 time when i was a child for easter candy and 2 times at freedom valley.
i am as u said a few weeks ago, a watcher. i am giving it a shot and just come to listen right now to see what it is all about. But anyways back to my happening. i was sitting in the funeral service and towards the end the pastor was talking about how life can end in a flash and where u put yourself to be in heaven or hell. he had everybody bow their heads and he said a prayor. toward the end of the prayor he asked for the ones who wanted to change the ways they r and face the sight of being a sinner and come forward to be saved and join the quest toward heaven when time comes.
he asked for those people to raise their head... so as i was listening i decided to be curious and give it a shot and see what it is all about. i lived a very regretful life, trouble with law, drugs, just all the bad stuff i hate myself for mainly because i let all the ones i love and care about the most down. so i raised my head and looked at the pastor and then looked around, i was the only 1 with my head up.
i then looked back at the pastor and went into almost what seemed to be a tunnel vision, everything around the pastor was a blur except him and he had a light glow around him. so i looked at the window and around to focus on something else... i couldnt focus on anything it was all blurry. so i rubbed my eyes and looked around again... nothing but blur. i then looked back at the preacher and he was still glowing... every move he made it follow and as he looked at me finishing the prayor the glow grew brighter and made me feel warmer. to be honest it freaked me out a lil but i just cant picture or explain what it could have been.
so i talked to the 1 guy i work with he is going to school and classes to be a preacher, but i told him and he explained it as the bible says "that the scales have been wiped for my eyes" he was saying it is a way i was saved to be accept by god. now today as lindsae and i went to the storyu there is a bilboard by our house with a picture of jesus that reads "he lived to die"... before this happening it looked like an oil painting... today it looked like he was actually popping out like 3-d.I am letting u kno all this to see what your reaction is and what u think the situation is. the guy i work with was so excited and blessed that he started jumping up and down and praying. and whatever your reaction i will accept but i am just trying to be heard and find out what it is. Thank u for listening and hope to see u at church soon
Sincerely
******.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Things to say in front of Jesus
In our Creating Outreach and Evangelism class this morning, Tom Rees opened by directing us to the Southern Baptists' report on the Great Commission. (here) It is sobering and challenging stuff.
Here are some findings: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something. Currently, there is no growth in numbers of people in this area attending church, so it seems unlikely that we will reach them in my lifetime. They are likely to remain lost.
What will I say when I stand before Jesus, and we talk about the sad fact that in my lifetime, church attendance has slidden to far less than half the numbers that there were when I started ministry?
What will Pastor's say when they stand in front of the One who gave everything to get them to eternal life? What might be the top ten list of excuses that we mumble out to "Him with whom we have to do"?
1. It was too hard.
2. I didn't know what to do
3. I was busy doing church stuff
4. My church wasn't yet large enough to plant another one
5. Really, there are lost people in America?
6. I didn't have the money
7. My church needed me!
8. I tried to reach some, but I'm not very good at it.
9. That other church tried some stuff, but it was a joke.
10. My fellowship didn't tell me what to do!
I am sick to death of my own stupid excuses. Jesus gave it all, so the least I can do is give more, work harder, stop doing stupid religious stuff, and resolve to flounder my way toward some kind of progress.
Any body with me?
Here are some findings: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something. Currently, there is no growth in numbers of people in this area attending church, so it seems unlikely that we will reach them in my lifetime. They are likely to remain lost.
What will I say when I stand before Jesus, and we talk about the sad fact that in my lifetime, church attendance has slidden to far less than half the numbers that there were when I started ministry?
What will Pastor's say when they stand in front of the One who gave everything to get them to eternal life? What might be the top ten list of excuses that we mumble out to "Him with whom we have to do"?
1. It was too hard.
2. I didn't know what to do
3. I was busy doing church stuff
4. My church wasn't yet large enough to plant another one
5. Really, there are lost people in America?
6. I didn't have the money
7. My church needed me!
8. I tried to reach some, but I'm not very good at it.
9. That other church tried some stuff, but it was a joke.
10. My fellowship didn't tell me what to do!
I am sick to death of my own stupid excuses. Jesus gave it all, so the least I can do is give more, work harder, stop doing stupid religious stuff, and resolve to flounder my way toward some kind of progress.
Any body with me?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
from 3 sites to 8
I have a confession to make. I've been hiding some progress that God has given us. It just got easier not to talk about it for awhile, because I am tired of being told that I'm crazy, that is cannot be done, and that it will destroy me or destroy this church.
But I gotta give God proper credit for something He did and is doing.
This past Easter was a little disappointing in that I thought we would hit 2000 for the first time, in all of our sites and services. We didn't quite make it. We only got 1841. Which is wonderful and even incredible, but not quite what we had set our hearts on!
But there is another story that is also important to glorify God for. In the past 6 months, we have quietly gone from being a church of 3 sites (Red Lion, York Road Gettysburg, and South Hanover). to being a church of 8 sites! And there are more on the way!
So we are struggling with new benchmarks and new ways to delineate growth and be good shepherds of the flock God has given us. The God who put the book of Numbers in His Bible, obviously cares about these things so we should too. And this Easter, we are setting for ourselves new benchmarks for each of the sites and services. 1841 people in 8 sites.
Those sites now are York Road-1287, South Hanover-73, Red Lion-105, The Intersection-68, Tulsa-45, YW-23, House of our Messiah-40, Bedford-200-total 1841. Another important benchmark- 1631 are committed to being part of a small group!
But I gotta give God proper credit for something He did and is doing.
This past Easter was a little disappointing in that I thought we would hit 2000 for the first time, in all of our sites and services. We didn't quite make it. We only got 1841. Which is wonderful and even incredible, but not quite what we had set our hearts on!
But there is another story that is also important to glorify God for. In the past 6 months, we have quietly gone from being a church of 3 sites (Red Lion, York Road Gettysburg, and South Hanover). to being a church of 8 sites! And there are more on the way!
So we are struggling with new benchmarks and new ways to delineate growth and be good shepherds of the flock God has given us. The God who put the book of Numbers in His Bible, obviously cares about these things so we should too. And this Easter, we are setting for ourselves new benchmarks for each of the sites and services. 1841 people in 8 sites.
Those sites now are York Road-1287, South Hanover-73, Red Lion-105, The Intersection-68, Tulsa-45, YW-23, House of our Messiah-40, Bedford-200-total 1841. Another important benchmark- 1631 are committed to being part of a small group!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Butwal, Nepal, will never be the same
Right now, a bunch of Pastors are sitting together to figure out how to take care of about 2000 decisions for Christ here in Butwal, Nepal.
What a wonderful problem! The options might include planting more churches, which generally happens if current churches get overwhelmed with follow up. But they are working on what has to be any Pastor's favorite problem ever.
The three day Butwal Signs and Wonders Festival is over. We asked God and believed for at least 1500 salvations, but ended up handing out all 2000 decision booklets that were provided by SOS, Johannes Amritzer's ministry. Now the churches get to figure out how to handle it all.
I think the number I heard was that hundreds got filled with the Holy Spirit, including many Pastors. Several hundred Pastors were trained in seminars. Many healings were documented, and I forget- maybe 70 (?) were delivered of evil spirits.
And I can see why Jeff Leake told me I would be permanently addicted to these events. It was breath-taking to me. I wept a lot as I watched hundreds stream into the Kingdom of God each night.
And then I felt something unexpected. Jealousy! I felt jealousy for my city! I want to see hundreds or thousands stream into the Kingdom (over three days) in Gettysburg! I want to see demons cast out by the score, and healings documented, and baptisms in the Holy Spirit, and ... Pastors sitting around trying to figure out what to do with all the harvest.
What would it take to do this? We were dreaming up some ideas... just to see if we could dream it. Like, how about if we planned a festival like this outdoors somewhere in the Gburg area. Maybe we could bring in some national recording artists to draw a crowd, then have Johannes preach. Maybe each night should be a different target crowd, (or like three events back to back). One might be like with the Jonas Brothers, to target the very young. Another night might be with Carrie Underwood to reach the Country music crowd. Maybe a Nascar night, or a Civil War Re-enactors night, or a Biker's thing, or ... I don't know. ... Creative types, help me!
If a way could be found to bring in hundreds or even thousands into The Kingdom, would we do it?
Could we NOT do it?
What a wonderful problem! The options might include planting more churches, which generally happens if current churches get overwhelmed with follow up. But they are working on what has to be any Pastor's favorite problem ever.
The three day Butwal Signs and Wonders Festival is over. We asked God and believed for at least 1500 salvations, but ended up handing out all 2000 decision booklets that were provided by SOS, Johannes Amritzer's ministry. Now the churches get to figure out how to handle it all.
I think the number I heard was that hundreds got filled with the Holy Spirit, including many Pastors. Several hundred Pastors were trained in seminars. Many healings were documented, and I forget- maybe 70 (?) were delivered of evil spirits.
And I can see why Jeff Leake told me I would be permanently addicted to these events. It was breath-taking to me. I wept a lot as I watched hundreds stream into the Kingdom of God each night.
And then I felt something unexpected. Jealousy! I felt jealousy for my city! I want to see hundreds or thousands stream into the Kingdom (over three days) in Gettysburg! I want to see demons cast out by the score, and healings documented, and baptisms in the Holy Spirit, and ... Pastors sitting around trying to figure out what to do with all the harvest.
What would it take to do this? We were dreaming up some ideas... just to see if we could dream it. Like, how about if we planned a festival like this outdoors somewhere in the Gburg area. Maybe we could bring in some national recording artists to draw a crowd, then have Johannes preach. Maybe each night should be a different target crowd, (or like three events back to back). One might be like with the Jonas Brothers, to target the very young. Another night might be with Carrie Underwood to reach the Country music crowd. Maybe a Nascar night, or a Civil War Re-enactors night, or a Biker's thing, or ... I don't know. ... Creative types, help me!
If a way could be found to bring in hundreds or even thousands into The Kingdom, would we do it?
Could we NOT do it?
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