PRAY CENTRAL
FLORIDA
Dear
Fellow Prayer Warrior, October, 2008
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. The upcoming elections are obviously very critical to the future
of our nation. If you have not already done so, please take the time to
research the positions of the candidates. Please see below for resources. Connecticut
is now the third state to allow gay marriage. The fact that this “right” was
granted, not by officials elected by the people, but by the supreme
court, illustrates the need for us in Florida to pass the marriage
amendment (amendment 2). Please see below for an update.
Greater Orlando Christian Film Festival – October 16th – 23rd
Please pray for a great
harvest of souls at this year’s festival (as we have seen in previous
festivals). Also pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers
into the harvest field. Lost people come because Christians bring them. Who are
you bringing? This years free movies include “Saving God” (starring Ving Rhames), “The Secrets of
Jonathan Sperry” (Gavin Macleod), “Facing the Giants”, “Pilgrim’s Progress”, “Vegge Tales” and many more. For those who aren’t familiar
with this outreach, there is an altar call for salvation after every movie and
many people are saved at nearly every showing. To see all the movies and show
times visit www.orlandochristianfilmfestival.com
or call 407-581-6243. This year’s Festival will again
be at the Regal Cinemas Winter Park Village 20.
Elections
Florida is once again a key
battleground state in the presidential election. Let’s remember that it is a
spiritual battle and let’s engage the enemy with the zeal of the Lord! Please
also be informed on the issues so you can persuade others with the facts.
Intercessors For America has prepared the following
voter guides for just this purpose, check them out on-line.
www.ifapray.org/NL_PDF/PDFNL08/October08_Page3_FINAL_color_ver.pdf (17 Issues)
www.ifapray.org/NL_PDF/PDFNL08/September08_Page3_FINAL_ColorVer.pdf
(Life issues)
Candidates'
votes on all major issues can be viewed on the American Conservative Union's
Web
site (www.acuratings.org).
Local guides for all the elections are at www.ccfla.org/guides.php.
Florida marriage protection amendment (Amendment 2) update:
There are just a few days
till the historic vote on Amendment 2 to protect marriage in Florida from
activist judges and homosexual groups who are set on redefining this human
institution. The Yes2Marriage team is asking every minister in Florida to
preach on some aspect of God’s Design for marriage and ask families in your
church to pray together and then go and vote early as a family. They have provided many sermon samples online
and other materials to help you in this on www.yes2marriage.org. Also available on
the web site are Church Action Kits (with yard signs, bumper stickers, a DVD
with special videos to be shown in church services. Order the kit online or
call 407-251-1957. Also available on the web site is a one page fact sheet that
addresses all the major facts and arguments surrounding Amendment 2. This is
the main handout we need to get into the hands of millions of Florida voters. Please download the Fact Sheet, Bulletin
Inserts and other information from the website and make copies for friends,
family, people at work and church members. Volunteers are needed to make phone
calls to encourage people to vote for this amendment, see the web site or call Judy
Johnson at 407-365-4270 or 407-376-2891.
See page 2 for Current Prayer Events
An E-mail version of this
newsletter (with more stuff!) is also available - send me an E-mail to sign up.
See this newsletter on the web at www.christiansnet.com/praycf/praycf.htm.
George Kern, 405 East Jersey St., Orlando, FL 32806,
407-245-1132, praycf@juno.com
PRAY CENTRAL
FLORIDA
Page 2 October,
2008
Verify event details with the
contact person or web site before attending. Listing does not necessarily imply
endorsement by Pray Central Florida. For more
events see the Z88.3 web site - http://zradio.org.
September 24th –
November 2nd - 40 days for life - pro-life mobilization consisting of 40 days of prayer and fasting,
peaceful vigil and community outreach www.40daysforlife.com.
September 26-November 4 - 40-Day Prayer Vigil - www.40daysUSA.com.
October
20th – Statewide Concert and
Rally for God’s Design - Amazing Music * Dynamic Videos * Powerful
Speakers * Yard Signs. First
Baptist Church of Orlando, 6:00pm www.yes2marriage.org/event/2008-10-20-orlando-concert-and-rally-for-gods-design
November
13th – 16th – Releasing
of Eagles conference. “We
believe that this is a crucial time for the church and nation and believe that
God will release a clear word to His people”. www.thebridgeorlando.com/releasing-of-eagles,
407.574.3309. Orlando, $79.
Daily – various times
– Orlando House of Prayer - get a
taste of IHOP without having to fly to Kansas City. Location: 495 W. Silver Star Rd., Ocoee. Web site for info and
schedule: www.worshiphouseofprayer.com,
or call 407.877.5970, ext. 201.
Weekdays –
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – all day worship and prayer hosted by Love of Christ Ministries (Mack McCambridge). Location: Faith World church, Orlando. Call
407-292-0966 for info.
Tuesdays – 6:00 a.m. - Sanford
Ministerial Fellowship. Info:
Jeff Krall - 407-322-9222, jmkrall@bellsouth.net.
Tuesday and Friday
mornings – Full Gospel Businessmen’s
Fellowship.
Fellowship and bible study breakfasts and monthly evening meeting. Contact Joseph Shaia for info -
407/682-3216.
Tuesday
evenings - 6:00 p.m. – Community Healing & Prayer Service. All Saints Church, 338 East
Lyman Av. Winter Park.
Call 407-647-3413 for info. www.allsaintswp.com.
Tuesday evenings - 7:00 p.m. - Servants of the Most High and
Intercessory Prayer Network of Central Florida. Prayer and fellowship in the Longwood area. For info, call Maureen at 407-332-7286 or
e-mail IPNCF@ruii.org.
Thursday
Evenings – 7:30 p.m. Oviedo Healing
Rooms - Healing in the Name of
JESUS through the Power of GOD's Presence and Prayer. 145 W. Broadway Blvd., Oviedo. Call 407-529-7111 for
appointment (suggested but not necessary) www.OviedoHealingRoom.com.
Friday
evenings – 7:30 p.m. – International Concert of Prayer – prayer for
Orlando, USA & the world. At Greaterlife Church in
Oviedo, call Pastor Jeff Good for information at 407-365-5950.
First Saturday of month - Prayer
for Muslims - 10:00 a.m.-Noon, Orlando. Peter Shadid
- 240-6272.
Peter has a team reaching Muslims in
Kissimmee and can train people for outreach in Orlando.
Second
Saturday of month – 9:30 a.m. - KNEC (Kingdom Network Empowering
Communities) –Orlando. Contact: Bishop Helligar –
407-299-6677.
Second and Third
Saturdays – 5:00 a.m. City-wide Prayer
Meeting. Hampton
Inn at 7448 International Drive, Orlando. Sponsor: Pastor Mary Norman,
321-276-5352.
Third Saturday of month – Prayer
for the Persecuted Church. Longwood. Email
amystrang@aol.com.
Daily - Lighthouse Report (with Steve Douglass) – on the web at www.lighthousereport.com
Pray
Central Florida – Praying for Central Florida and encouraging the Church in
Central Florida to pray
And
here is the extra stuff you don’t get with the snail mail version...
=================================
(1) LifeNews.com 2008 Election Pro-Life Voter's Guides
(2) Voter Guides Are Now Available- Early Voting
Starts Today
(3) Florida marriage amendment – We need your help
now!
(4) Feast of Tabernacles- Tuesday, October 21st at 7
PM
(5) Special Edition: Millions Uniting in Prayer &
Fasting
(6) Is your Church or City Reaching
group ready for disaster? Learn How Oct. 23rd
(7) Gianna
Jessen speaks out for life!
(8) Prayer mobilizing for
our nation and economy
(9) If you have any
questions about the mission and methods of Planned Parenthood, read this…
(10) Update on Lakeland Revival By
George Kern
(10a) Lakeland Revival
Officially Ends
(10b) Personal message from Rory and Wendy concerning
Lakeland
(10c) A Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland – by
Dutch Sheets
*NPPN -
NATIONAL PASTORS' PRAYER NETWORK - US
A
Ministry Network Of The Mission America Coalition
OUR
VISION-
Identify
And Encourage Pastors' Prayer Groups In Cities And
Communities
Across
America So That Pastors Lead Their
People Into Praying For And Sharing Christ With Everyone In Our
Nation.
Subscribe
to the NPPN: http://www.nppn.org/subscribe.htm
***********************************************************
(1) LifeNews.com 2008 Election Pro-Life Voter's Guides
From: "LifeNews.com" <news@LifeNews.com>
To: praycf@juno.com
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:08:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: LifeNews.com 2008 Election Pro-Life Voter's Guide
Election 2008 Pro-Life Voter's Guide From LifeNews.com
In order to
help you make the best decisions possible about the presidential race and the
various candidates for Congressional, statewide and state legislative races
across the country, LifeNews.com has compiled this voter's guide.
In this
pro-life election guide, we list the information about candidates provided by
various national groups and statewide pro-life organizations. We have also
placed this voter guide online at http://www.LifeNews.com/2008prolifevotersguide.html
Please
forward this voting guide to every pro-life friend, family member, church
member and other person you can think of to help them vote pro-life. The lives
of the unborn, the elderly, the disabled and others hang in the balance.
At the
bottom of this email is a handy form you can donate to us. Just print it out
and send a chek to us at the address list, or you can
use the PayPal link for a donation. We sure
appreciate your help to keep pro-life news coming to you.
If you don't receive free pro-life news from LifeNews.com, you can use the
links at the bottom to add yourself to either of our lists. There is no cost to
get the most comprehensive pro-life news on abortion and bioethics issues.
National Pro-Life Voting Information
*National
Right to Life has an excellent one-page comparison piece on pro-abortion candidate Barack
Obama and John McCain, who is pro-life on abortion.
It also includes Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. The piece is also in black and white and Spanish. For more on McCain's record, see also mccainprolife.org and visit stopobamainfo.org for more on Obama's.
* For more on Senator John McCain, see a speech he gave, where he stands on federal judges. For more on Obama, read
about his Born Alive votes, his desire to overturn pro-life laws, how he supports partial-birth abortion, or his record in general. Read more about Joe Biden's pro-abortion record, and the pro-life record of Sarah Palin.
* We also recommend the Family Research Council 2008 voting guide and American Family Association has a good
state-by-state voting resources list. See also the Susan B. Anthony List pro-life women candidates.
* See how your members of Congress voted on pro-life issues the last two years
by visiting the National Right to Life legislative scorecard.
* If you know of a resource to add to this voter's guide, please email LifeNews.com for our next dissemination.
Florida
View the Florida Right to Life election endorsements here.
*******************************************************
(2) Voter Guides Are Now Available- Early Voting
Starts Today
From:
"Florida Family Policy Council"
<ActionAlerts@floridafamilyaction.org>
To:
"George Kern" <praycf@juno.com>
Date:
Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:30:27 -0500
Subject:
Voter Guides Are Now Available- Early Voting Starts Today
Early voting starts TODAY in every Florida
County
Dear
George,
Early voting starts today Monday October 20, and goes through
Friday November 1 till the big vote on tuesday
November 4, 2008. Search for early voting locations in your county HERE,
Thank
you for once again being an active citizen and researching where the
candidates stand on the issues before you vote. Voter guides
are NOW available online HERE: This election cycle, the Florida Family
Policy Council has teamed up with the Christian Coalition and Americans United
for Life and to help fund a joint voter guide product. The
county-by-county voter guides contain information on presidential,
congressional and state legislative races. Also available online is the
Florida Family Policy Council’s exclusive Statewide Judicial Voter Guide
product. We pray these resources will serve you as you are
faithful in voting and exercising good stewardship as a
citizen. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to your friends and family
using the our special forwarding tool HERE:
Thank you for your faithfulness.
John Stemberger, Florida Family Policy Council
Yes2Marriage Yard Signs, Bulletin
Inserts and Bumper Stickers Now Available in 67 Counties Throughout the
State Five
million bulletin inserts were physically delivered and are now available for
pick up in all 67 counties across the state along with yard signs and bumper
stickers. These documents are strictly for voter education and have been
approved by lawyers for distribution by churches. Call first please
to confirm availability. Contact your local hub in this PDF
document HERE:
We Need Volunteers and Lots of Them for Marriage
Amendment NOW!
Volunteers
are needed in all 67 counties do 1) nightly phone banks, 2) marriage amendment
bulletin insert distribution, 3) sign waiving and 4) delivering
materials to churches requesting them. Please contact the leader in
your area to get details on how you can help and what is going on in your
area. Contact your local county leader HERE
WHAT PASTORS AND CHURCHES LEGALLY CAN DO AND NOT DO HERE
EDITORIALS
BY FFPC PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL JOHN STEMBERGER ABOUT HOW TO THINK ABOUT
VOTING AND CITIZENSHIP
* Govern Not By Polls Politics or Profits:
A Principled Based Manifesto on Voting for Social Conservatives HERE
* In Defense of Social Conservativism:
The Case for Continuing Our Focus on the Family in Matters of Public Policy HERE
* Thinking Clearly About 2008
The
Upcoming Presidential Election Should Be All About The
Supreme Court for Social Conservatives HERE
[Editors
note: The following is an exerpt from “Thinking
Clearly about 2008”]
All The Marbles Are For the United States Supreme Court
Most of
all of the great culture war issues of our day can be directly traced to bad
decisions by the United States Supreme
Court.
Consider this: duly elected legislative branches of government are not
ultimately responsible for abortion on
demand, legalizing same sex marriage, protecting pornography
as free speech, removing faith symbols from the public
square, and undermining private property rights. Instead,
these moral and social ills are the responsibility of unelected,
unaccountable members of the federal judiciary who refuse to
recognize their limited and restrained role as jurists and
insist upon acting as social change agents.
Changing
of the Guard
Between
age and ailing health, most legal observers believe we are all but certain to
see two, maybe three, US Supreme
Court
justices resign between 2009 and 2012. Since most of these justices are
liberals, the 5-4 majority our opponents
have enjoyed could be either dismantled or reaffirmed for
the next couple of decades. In the final analysis, the 2008
election presents us with the most significant window of
opportunity to change the direction of the court (and hence the
culture war) that will occur over the next 15-25 years.
*********************************************************
(3) Florida marriage amendment - URGENT: We Need Your Help Now!
From:
"Yes2Marriage.org" <ActionAlerts@floridafamilyaction.org>
To:
"George Kern" <praycf@juno.com>
Date:
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:06:51 -0500
Subject:
URGENT: We Need Your Help Now!
“All Hands on Deck!”
Marriage
Amendment Grassroots Campaign in Full Swing
This
is our moment in history. In less
than 27 days the people of Florida will vote on how marriage will be
defined for our children’s generation and grandchildren’s generation. Your help
is needed NOW in all 67 counties and specifically in YOUR county.
See below
for details about:
Where to volunteer
Who to contact in your county
What events are taking place near you and much more...
VOLUNTEERS are needed NOW for Phone Banks in Your
County
Supporters
of Amendment 2 are beginning to place person to person phone calls to
fellow voters in their home and neighboring counties to encourage people to
vote YES on Amendment 2 during Early Voting starting Monday, October 20,
2008. But we need your help!
With just 4 weeks until the election, we need thousands of volunteers
statewide to offer a few hours during weekday evenings or on Saturdays to
make phone calls from your local Phone Bank center. Contact your County Coordinator HERE to learn where your phone bank operation is taking
place.
Yes on 2 YARD SIGNS available NOW
There are
a limited number of campaign yard signs available for Yes2Marriage.org in your
county by contacting your county coordinator HERE (2 sign limit per family or church). You can purchase additional yard signs
delivered right to your doorstep (25 for $100) on our website for the next
week HERE.
SAVE THE DATE: Concert and Rally for God's Design -
Jacksonville, Oct 13 and Orlando, Oct 20
Make
plans now to attend one of the upcoming exciting statewide events "A
Concert and Rally for
God’s Design”. You’ll hear a concert from dynamic musicians like Alvin
Slaughter, and other leading local bands. Hear face paced remarks
from state and national leaders like Bishop Harry Jackson, Tony
Perkins, Ron Luce, Bishop Wellington Boone, Bishop Vaughn
McLaughlin, John Stemberger and Clayton
Cloer. Thousands of supporters will gather
for this Concert and Rally which will take place in Jacksonville on October 13th at Potters House Christian
Fellowship and on October 20th
at First Baptist Church of Orlando. Make plans to attend these block
buster events now.
VOTE EARLY AND THEN HELP ON ELECTION DAY – NOV. 4TH
Early
voting begins on October 20th and the Yes2Marriage.org Campaign
encourages you to pray together as a family and then vote early. Then consider helping further by standing at
an Early Voting location or at a precinct on Election Day and waving a
Yes2Marriage.org sign. Get in touch with
your County Coordinator today to find out how they can use your help. Get your whole family, Sunday school class or
church involved – we need 1000’s of volunteers statewide. Find the contact information for your county
coordinator HERE.
If you
are not able to volunteer your time, then please make an online financial
gift to support our efforts for $100, $50, or even $25--
to help us print 5 million bulletin inserts for churches all
across this state. You can give an online gift HERE: Thank you for standing with us in
this historical effort.
Sincerely,
John Stemberger
State Chairman, Yes2Marriage.org
From: "Maureen Bravo" <maureen@ruii.org>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:04:03 -0400
Subject: If not you, who? If not now, when?
If not
you, who? If not now, when?
Phone
banks have been set up at two Central Florida locations to get the word out
to voters
about the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment
(Amendment # 2 on our ballots on November 4th).
(ie. Defining marriage ONLY
as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife)
Volunteers
are needed to make these critical informative calls!
Prayer
groups, youth groups, seniors groups, Bible study groups, home groups…
Would
you be willing to serve at any of these times?
First
Baptist Church Orlando
( 33rd Street off of I-4 )
Monday
– Friday: 6 PM - 8
PM
Saturday:
10 AM - 12 Noon and 1 PM
- 3 PM
Metro
Life Church
( 436 and Red Bug Lake Rd )
Monday
– Friday: 6 PM -
8 PM
To
volunteer, please call: Judy Johnson 407-365-4270
or 407-376-2891
If not
you, who? If not now, when?
************************************************************
(4) Feast of Tabernacles- Tuesday, October 21st at 7
PM
From: "Maureen Bravo" <maureen@ruii.org>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:21:36 -0400
Subject: Feast of Tabernacles
Fall
Feasts celebration with Randall Bane and Company
Tuesday, October
21st at 7 PM
Orlando
Worship Center at 4700 Goddard Avenue in Orlando
************************************************************
(5) Special Edition: Millions Uniting in Prayer &
Fasting
From:
Intercessors For America <ifa@ifapray.org>
To:
praycf@juno.com
Date:
Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:42:43 -0400 (EDT)
Subject:
Special Edition: Millions Uniting in Prayer & Fasting
SPECIAL
EDITION
PRAYER & FASTING ALERT
25
September 2008
Millions
Joining in 40 Days of Repentance, Prayer and Fasting
"To You we owe our hymn of praise, O God on Zion; to You our
vows must be fulfilled, You who hear our prayers. To You all flesh
must come with its burden of wicked deeds.
We are overcome by our sins; only You can
pardon them...You answer us with awesome deeds of justice, O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of far distant islands. You are robed in power...." (Psalm 65:1-4, 6-7 NAB)
ACROSS
THE USA
As two
million or more students literally rallied around their school flag poles
at yesterday's See You
at the Pole early morning prayer
assemblies, they helped set the tone for what is shaping up to be an
unprecedented 40-day nationwide period of pre-election repentance, prayer
and fasting.
The U.S.
is still recovering from recent hurricanes, is receiving al Qaeda "October
Surprise" terrorist threats, and is now in a severe financial crisis
just 40 days from an historic election, where nothing less than our
Judeo-Christian values and our way of life are at stake. Today and
tomorrow, millions of U.S. Christians are embarking on new commitments to
concerted prayer and fasting. Multitudes of believers in other nations
are also joining in these efforts.
The financial meltdown on Wall Street has triggered
prayer meetings citywide. Last Sunday night many Wall Streeters could
not get to sleep. On Monday, Christians on Wall Street set up special prayer
meetings for the week. Pastors organized street prayer meetings outside
the Stock Exchange. Noontime marketplace prayer meetings, similar to
those which fueled the 1857-58 Fulton
Street Revival, are again spreading in New York City and across the
nation.
The
hugely successful 40 Days
for Life campaign kicked off again yesterday morning in
cities across the country in an effort to persuade more women to change their
minds about abortion.
In
California, Arizona, and Florida, a coalition of pastors and churches began to
fast and pray on behalf of the marriage protection amendments in their
states. A 100-day marriage initiative has been underway by the Family
Research Council since late July and is now emphasizing 40 Days
of Fasting for Marriage. Biblical marriage, the sanctity of human life,
and racial reconciliation will be in sharp focus at the gathering of tens of
thousands at The Call
in San Diego on November 1.
Believers
in the U.S.
Department of State (DOS) are engaged in a probable
"first-ever" Day of Fasting and Prayer in their department
today! It is patterned after Abraham Lincoln's 1861 historic call for
"humiliation, prayer and fasting," on the "last Thursday in
September" during the Civil War. They convened while fasting for an
hour in a DOS conference room and reported great anointing, brokenness, and
weeping.
The
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners (CHPP) ministry is maintaining on-site
intercession in Washington, DC and at strategic locations across the
nation. CHPP Daily
Briefs are posted and available for daily prayer.
The
Presidential Prayer Team has launched a 40-day Pray the
Vote campaign and the Southern Baptist Convention is
maintaining a 40/40
Prayer Vigil for spiritual revival and national renewal. The
National Day of Prayer Task Force is convening a strategic National
Prayer Summit in Colorado Springs on October 17-19.
Campus
Renewal Ministries, 24-7prayer, Campus
America, and the Luke 18
Project are mobilizing more 24-hour prayer on
campuses and nationwide than ever before. The
International House of Prayer combines worship and prayer in 24-hour cycles.
The
National Governmental Prayer Alliance has compiled a scripture guide for 40 Days
of Prayer for Revival in America for meditative study, intercession, and
transformational proclamation. The U.S.
Reformation Network is convening a strategic pre-election Convergence
08 in New York City October 31-November 1.
Intercessors
for America (IFA) is again spearheading a 40daysUSA thrust, encouraged by America's
National Prayer Committee, and is calling for a pre-election posture of
repentance and concerted pre-election prayer and fasting. IFA has
also outlined Areas of
Critical Concern for Revival and Reformation drawn from the ever growing U.S. prayer
movement. Other prayer guides are also available on the sites noted
above. You will be encouraged as you visit and learn more about all
that the Lord is doing!
With
calamities and crises, and millions of souls and Judeo-Christian civilization
itself hanging in the balance, let us offer thanksgiving for this great
"symphony of prayer and fasting" that is getting underway. It
is important that you find your niche, and join in prayer and fasting as the
Lord leads you during this 40-day pre-election vigil.
Special
Edition Alert Editorial Team:
Gary Bergel | Cecelia
Gleason | Brian Miller | William Lee | Linda
Watkins
THE MISSION OF INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA:
Uniting Believers in Effective Prayer and Fasting for America
INTERCESSORS
FOR AMERICA
Purcellville,
VA | 540-751-0980 | www.ifapray.org
**************************************************************
(6) Is your Church or City Reaching
group ready for disaster? Learn How Oct. 23rd
From:
Mission America
To: praycf@juno.com
Date:
Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:43:58 -0500
Subject:
Is your Church or City Reaching group ready for disaster? Learn How!
Join us
Oct 23 to find out how you can launch Ready Church in your city and position
your city network to play a critical role in responding to emergencies of all
kinds. You’ll learn how to restore the church’s role as an agent of positive
change in your community, how to strengthen and sustain your city reaching
efforts, how to win permission to share the gospel in season and out, and learn
more about a Biblical collaboration opportunity to transformation our cities
for Christ in such a time as this!
WHEN: Oct 23rd at 10am CDT (11am EDT , 8am PDT )
Guests: Mary Marr, CEN Founder and Chairman of CEN (national
network/city leader), and Dr. Sam Tillery, Together
in Christ (Sonoma county/city leader), John Howland (Local Chapter champion),
Dr John Schmitt (Santa Rosa champion pastor)
Please reply to this email to receive the phone number and code info@cityreaching.com.
A Personal note from Jarvis:
Two years ago a tanker truck filled with one of the most lethal substance on
our planet over turned on I-20 West and required the evacuation of our
community. Our local congregation along with all of the other congregations did
not have a disaster preparedness, response and evacuation plan. We were neither
as a local church nor as a coalition of churches prepared/ready to evacuate the
elderly and those without transportation, etc. We realized we needed
to assist local congregations and help them work together to prepare,
respond and minister through a prayer-care-share lifestyle in the event of a
natural or man-made disaster. If you live in a community where you local church(es) does not have a plan and
or has not developed a plan for coordinated collaborative
emergency/disaster response, I strongly urge you to join this call and invite
other local pastors!
To prepare for this conference call read ahead the full Ready Church Report at www.christianemergencynetwork.org.
Register your city once you have read the full report saying you are interested
in taking the next step in your city for CEN to contact you.
Remember, cities all across our nation are already responding to this
opportunity on a first come first serve line.
Please reply to this email (infor@cityreaching.com) for the number and code.
Jarvis Ward
National Facilitator City/Community Ministries
Mission America Coalition
***************************************************************
(7) Gianna Jessen speaks out for
life!
From: "Virginia Knowles"
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:47:44 -0400
Subject: [HopeChest] Gianna Jessen speaks out for
life!
Please listen to what Gianna
Jessen has to say about surviving
an abortion -- when she was the baby! She speaks with passion and
grace.
Here are the links to watch them on YouTube.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg
Check out the site www.bornalivetruth.org as well as www.abort73.com.
Pass this along!
Blessings,
Virginia Knowles
www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com
[Note from George: If you are a home schooler you should be on Virginia’s e-mail list. It’s just
that simple. Go to her blogspot and sign up.]
************************************************************
(8)
Prayer mobilizing for our nation and economy
From: Intercessors for America
<ifa@ifapray.org>
To: praycf@juno.com
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:28:02 -0400 (EDT)
Markets in Turmoil | Hearings in Congress
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds
of evil,
for which some have strayed
from the faith in their
greediness, and pierced themselves
through with
many sorrows." - 1 Timothy
6:10 (NKJV)
OFFER PRAYERS OF REPENTANCE for the greed and moral
failure which is at the root of the financial crisis and potential economic
collapse we are facing. Pray for
deliverance from the power of Mammon, for God's cleansing from corruption, for
a breaking of "the near-incestuous relationship between politicians and
big-time government-supported financial institutions."
INTERCEDE that God's correctives, not a man-made
fix, come to our financial institutions.
PLEAD for mercy, wisdom, guidance and provision for the multitudes of
hard-working, ethical Americans already impacted by this crisis. Pray that "wisdom from above" be
granted to the Executive Branch, Congress and all the leaders God has
strategically placed to lead us out of this crisis.
Many on Wall Street and in NYC Turning to Prayer
OFFER
THANKSGIVING for the many Christians crying out to the Lord. Pray for lasting revival to come to Wall
Street.
The financial meltdown on Wall Street has triggered
prayer meetings citywide. Tony Carnes, Senior Editor for Christianity Today,
reported that starting early last Sunday morning, the turmoil in New York's
financial markets triggered a spiritual response among Christian leaders
reminiscent of the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Cell phone text messages quickly spread calls
to prayer.
New York City is the center of the world for
most members of the financial community. Many Wall Streeters
realized that the crisis could be earthshaking.
A. J. Rice, well-respected CEO of the hedge-fund firm Pomeroy Capital,
says, "Most people think this is a
once-in-a-lifetime thing. In 1987 we had a dramatic shock, but the other shoe
didn't drop." This year, a whole lot of shoes have dropped. Wall Streeters have lived with a constant sense of foreboding.
Rice says the emotional impact of the current crisis
on Wall Streeters is amplified by attitudes like
those described by many chief executive officers: "There is an element of,
'I am master of my fate. I put in 18-hour days and am making it.' Then, this
crisis pulls the rug out from under them. This may be the first dislocation of
their lives. Their savings have disappeared in 15 minutes."
Last Sunday night many Wall Streeters could not get to sleep. On Monday, Christians on
Wall Street set up special prayer meetings for the week. Pastors organized street prayer meetings
outside the Stock Exchange.
Some Christians in NYC, such
as long-time prayer mobilizer Mac Pier says,
"God can use this situation as he did in the 1857 Layman's Prayer Revival
that started on Wall Street to draw people to a fresh recognition of our
absolute dependence on his grace and love."
Click here to read Tony Carnes'
complete article.
Recommended
reading / back in print! "The New York City Noon
Prayer Meeting." Talbot
Chambers' eye-witness account of the lower Manhattan noontime prayer meeting
started by Jeremiah Lamphier which grew into the
Revival of 1857-58 is back in print. (See side-bar offer under Featured
Resources)
Please
consider engaging in noontime marketplace prayer. Unite with other Christians praying over
their lunch hours in workplaces across America.
Start noontime prayer where you are employed! Click here to read a short historic
account of the Fulton Street Prayer Meetings and an outline for starting and
conducting your own.
*************************************************************
(9) If
you have any questions about the mission and methods of Planned Parenthood,
read this…
To:
praycf@juno.com
Date:
Tue, 2 Sep 2008 13:42:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject:
LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report 9/2/08 #4407 (Re-Send)
Abortion
Business Planned Parenthood Encourages Teen Sex With
New Web Site
by Matt Barber
Planned Parenthood, the billion dollar corporate
abortion mill, has taken indecency to a whole new level and is using your
taxpayer dollars to do so. The organization, which is responsible for the
abortion deaths of tens of millions of people, was founded in 1916 by admitted
white-supremacist Margret Sanger, with the lofty goal
of, as Sanger put it, eliminating “the ever increasing, unceasingly spawning
class of human beings who never should have been born at all.” Lest there be
any doubt as to whom, exactly, Sanger was referring to, she also wrote: “We do
not want the word to go out that we (Planned Parenthood) want to exterminate
the Negro population.” Sorry, Maggie. Word’s out. Although Planned Parenthood’s
primary mission is detestable beyond words and remains unchanged still today,
its secondary goal, if left in a vacuum, is not so sinister. That is, of
course, to make lots and lots of money. But here’s what is sinister. In order
to make lots and lots of money, Planned Parenthood, just like any other
“service provider,” needs lots and lots of customers, and the best way to get
those customers is to promote the very behaviors which create them.
Specifically, to manipulate kids – under the guise of so-called “comprehensive
sex education” – to engage in promiscuous, casual sex as soon and as often as
possible. It’s simple supply and demand. Planned Parenthood encourages the
behaviors which create the demand and then dutifully offers its deadly supply.
To that end, Planned Parenthood has created a new promotional Web site that
targets youth. It’s called “Take Care Down There.” It
features short, near pornographic “public service” video vignettes which, among
other things, promote casual sex, immodesty, homosexuality and even group sex.
Read the complete story here.
*********************************************************
(10) Update on Lakeland Revival By
George Kern
The
Ignited Church web site says that the nightly meetings are now over. Yes, I
still believe God was in Lakeland and I’m glad I went to experience it for
myself. Yes there was some flesh involved there, but could God still move in
spite of it? Yes He could and I believe He did. God moved in spite of the sin,
God exposed the sin, God judged the sin. In the process God saved tons of
people, healed tons of people and even raised people from the dead (though not
as many as were claimed, but even a few is pretty awesome for here in America).
You can see first-hand testimonies of all the above on you-tube (along with
many rantings against) and can read about them in
many other places. I would be happy to share more of my personal take on the
situation with any of you, one on one, but here I would rather devote the space
to some people who have much more experience with this kind of thing than I do.
Please read the following three items – the first from Charisma Magazine Forum,
the second from GOD TV founders Rory and Wendy Alec and the third from Dutch
Sheets. Taken together, the three
offer (I believe) a pretty balanced analysis of the situation.
FYI – the
three are quite long so if you are tired of hearing about Lakeland feel free to
bail out here – the rest of this edition is only about Lakeland and Todd
Bentley.
**********************************************************
(10a) Lakeland
Revival Officially Ends
[This is from a Charisma magazine forum - http://forums.charismamag.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=3482 ]
Lakeland
Revival Officially Ends
After a major scandal and dwindling crowds, the
Lakeland Outpouring concluded Sunday.
[10.13.08]The Lakeland Outpouring’s final meeting was held at Ignited Church on
Sunday—six months after Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley launched daily
meetings in the small Lakeland, Fla., community and left without warning Aug.
11 in a cloud of scandal.
“None of us knew how long this would last,” said Ignited Church senior pastor
Stephen Strader, who announced on a blog Oct. 2 that, with the outpouring ending, he intends to
set up a global apostolic base in Lakeland. “Ignited Church has had a vision
[for] an International Apostolic Center. The Lakeland Outpouring has catapulted
our vision forward.”
Strader said with the support of “dozens of major
leaders” for his apostolic center, he envisions a place for hosting
conferences, special events and training workshops. He also announced the
creation of Ignited Network of Ministries (INM), an initiative to connect
Ignited Church with Lakeland-spawned revivals worldwide.
Days after Bentley told his Fresh Fire Ministries (FFM) staff in August that he
and his wife were separating, the 10,000-seat air dome
used for the revival meetings was taken down. Bentley resigned his position at
Fresh Fire, stepped down from public ministry and faded from the public eye.
It was his FFM board in Abbotsford, British Columbia, that later announced that
Bentley had confessed to an inappropriate relationship with a female staff
member. At the time, a senior board member told Charisma that Bentley’s alcohol
consumption also had “crossed the line.”
Rick Joyner, founder of MorningStar Ministries in
Fort Mill, S.C., has since taken the lead in helping Bentley find healing and
restoration. Joyner appeared on the platform in Lakeland in June when Bentley
publicly submitted himself to the oversight of apostolic leaders Bill Johnson,
John Arnott and Ché Ahn.
Joyner told Charisma that Johnson and Texas pastor Jack Deere would assist him
in Bentley’s restoration. He admitted that the process would not be easy. “Todd
does have some serious issues he must deal with, and he knows it more than
anyone,” Joyner said.
Observers say that worldwide, via GOD TV and the Internet, Bentley’s
involvement in the Lakeland Outpouring sparked genuine renewal among Christians
despite criticism of his theology and character stirring among some charismatic
leaders.
Bentley’s faith and exuberance impressed seasoned, prominent revivalists while
his wild tactics often tempered the enthusiasm of other leaders. When praying
for healing, the tattooed evangelist was known to hit the sick in the stomach
with his knee in a move more common among wrestlers than preachers. Bentley
even recounted kicking a woman in the face in an act of “obedience to the
Lord.”
Yet, with the exception of a few ministers, many charismatic leaders chose to
overlook Bentley’s peculiar methods for the sake of what they saw as “fruit.”
They claimed the revival stirred many Christians worldwide to pursue God with a
renewed hunger.
“Personally, I believe that the Lakeland Outpouring was another wave of revival
like Toronto and Brownsville,” said Los Angeles-area pastor Ahn,
referring to the Toronto Blessing and the Pensacola Revival, both of which
occurred during the 1990s. “Each wave has its own life span.”
Johnson, senior pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, Calif., told Charisma that
many people were deeply saddened over the revelations of Bentley’s moral
failings, “but people have also come to grips with the fact that it was never
about Todd, it is really about God.”
“The impact of the Lakeland Outpouring is quite significant on a global level,”
Johnson said. “There are fires of revival all over Europe that are the direct
result of what God was doing in Lakeland.”
The reason so much of Europe was impacted by what occurred in Lakeland was
largely because daily meetings were broadcast on GOD TV, a satellite-based TV
network with millions of viewers in 200 nations.
More than a month after Bentley’s problems became public, GOD TV co-founders
Rory and Wendy Alec issued a statement defending the outpouring and Bentley’s
work in Lakeland. “[Todd] was consistently and unrelentingly criticized,
maligned [and] persecuted,” they stated. “The attacks grew increasingly
violent, and the heartbreaking thing was that so much of it came from the
church.”
The couple said they would never regret airing the Lakeland Outpouring because
tons of e-mails from people claiming to be healed, transformed or revived
inspired a “fear of the Lord” that motivated them to continue the broadcasts.
“It was not a mistake,” the Alecs said. “It was not
by mistake. We believe it was a clear instruction from the Lord” to air the
meetings.
The network plans to broadcast other offshoots of Lakeland, including current
revival meetings in Dudley, England.
As repercussions of the Lakeland Outpouring continue spreading across the
globe, leaders who are ministering to Bentley said they are not overly
concerned with seeing him quickly return to public ministry. “The focus is not
of Todd the evangelist; it is on Todd the person,” Johnson said. “We want him
healed up, not because of what he can do, but because God loves him and
treasures him as a son.” —Paul Steven Ghiringhelli
*******************************************************
(10b) Personal message from Rory and Wendy concerning
Lakeland
From:
"revival@god.tv" <revival@god.tv>
To:
"praycf@juno.com" <praycf@juno.com>
Date:
Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:54:40 -0400
Subject:
Personal message from Rory and Wendy concerning Lakeland
Beloved
GOD TV viewer,
In the
light of many statements having been released about the LAKELAND OUTPOURING and
concerning Todd Bentley’s marital situation, we sensed that the Lord has
released us to write concerning this situation, so that you, our viewers would
know our heart concerning this matter.
The first
thing we feel led to do is to state unequivocally that in the same manner as
the Lord instructed us to broadcast and serve TheCall
gatherings with Lou Engle; to broadcast what was happening at the International
House of Prayer with Mike Bickle; Rick Joyner and MorningStar; the Solemn assembly in San Francisco; BattleCry and Teen Mania with Ron Luce; Focus on the
Family’s prayer event for America; the Day of Prayer for the Peace of
Jerusalem; and hundreds of other anointed events over the past three years, we
believe that the Lord instructed us to broadcast the Outpouring services at
Lakeland with Todd Bentley.
It was
not a mistake.
It was
not by mistake.
We
believe it was a clear instruction from the Lord.
Over the
past twelve years, but especially since our launch in America, we have in
obedience to the Lord searched through the earth for those events and anointings that the Lord has laid on our hearts – to
amplify their message and anointing to the Body of Christ in this crucial endtime hour that we live in.
The
Lakeland Outpouring with Todd Bentley was one of those events. We received over
45 000 e-mails many, many of these heart rending, powerful testimonies from
viewers across the earth of their bodies or their families bodies healed, their
lives transformed and their hearts revived.
None of
us have ever seen such significant fruit in all the years of broadcast.
Far more
profound than that were the desperate cries for help. I (Wendy), would go
through the live inbox and see the desperate cries from mothers, wives, sons
and daughters, so many with TERMINALLY ILL husbands, wives, children, sometimes
babies in arms – sensing HOPE in their situation that for so long had been
without hope.
Just
reading these prayer requests would bring one to tears –
We are
often so cloistered from the agony of peoples day by day real life agonies -
and their agonies were written there.
So much
so - that we both sensed that would need the word of the Lord under the fear of
God to stop these broadcasts with the life changing impact they were having in
homes not only in the UK and America but all across the world. And the Glory of the Living God that was being imparted.
We both
kept a very close pulse on the revival since the start of its broadcast - we
had first hand knowledge of the enormous criticism, persecution and reviling
that Todd Bentley was receiving (often we were second contenders for it) but it
was Todd Bentley and the Fresh Fire team who received the terrible weight of
this.
Todd
ministered each day as the revival continued but was consistently and
unrelentingly criticized, maligned, persecuted - the attacks grew increasingly
violent - and the heartbreaking thing was that so much of it came from the
Church.
At the
same time, Todd was facing a second wave of attack. This was from the covens,
the warlocks - we heard firsthand concerning some of these assignments. The
enemy had heard of the great honoring of the Lamb and was determined to destroy
it - BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE AND AT ANY COST.
And the
cost was Todd Bentley.
Was it
because Todd was vulnerable and certain areas of his life were not surrendered
wholly? Yes – like so many of us - in all probability.
Was it
because the character of Christ was not yet formed in him in the equivalent
measure to his gifting? Yes - like so many of us - in all probability.
Could it
be the case that there by the grace of God go YOU AND I…
Yes - In all probability.
Some of
the areas in our lives are watertight and have been honed and refined and
polished by the Lord while still other areas in our lives are often still in
desperate need of attention. We are an ongoing work and we work out our
salvation with fear and trembling.
Well -
all ministers who preach should ensure their lives are in order, you may be
saying.
Yes - we
and our board and our minister peers across the globe agree wholeheartedly.
And yet,
beloved - unfortunately, THERE ARE TIMES when satan
comes unawares and targets a vulnerable area whose weaknesses only become
apparent under the most enormous and unrelenting pressure brought to bear.
We
believe and of course this is just our personal opinion, that the revival
stirred up the satanic realms in a manner that has rarely been seen and with a
violent wrath.
It is
difficult to understand the degree of spiritual battle that comes against a
leader. We have learned we need to protect the move of God with greater prayer
for leaders, including ourselves. The body of Christ is growing in greater
transparency and accountability, and this too should be a subject of prayer.
Should
all of us wait till we are as perfect and as watertight as can be and mature in
every area - that of course, would be the safest course of action, but the
truth is that most of us would be 90 years old!
The Lord
who made us and knows that we are as dust and yet looks on us with His great
mercies and compassions knows this and He the sovereign God of heaven and earth
still chooses to take a GOD-risk on you and I every day of our lives.
That even
under the most intense pressure that we would choose HIM.
That we would love HIM.
That in times of intense duress and temptation that we
would follow HIM.
And let
it be so - even more in all our lives, but beloved - let us not forget so many
of those who walk in ministry across the earth today with such COURAGE and
FERVOR and lay their lives down for HIS CAUSE at great cost to themselves -
Todd and Shonnah sowed their lives to sow the seeds
of revival and we believe became a supreme target of the enemy.
On the
June 23rd, Todd actually spoke openly and with great vulnerability of his and Shonnah’s previous marriage challenges and how they had
faced those challenges and the Lord had begun His work. He did not try to hide
their struggle but shared their ongoing journey.
As Rick
Joyner so wisely put it –
"In
marriage, I have learned there are those who admit they have been through times
when they wondered if their marriage would make it, and then there are liars.
Relationships are hard, and the closer they are, the harder they can be. I tell
everyone that I give premarital counseling to that the Lord has ordained their
marriage in order to kill both of them! That is true. It is also worth it! The
greatest gift He gave to man was marriage and family. However, to have a
marriage that is good, both will have to die to themselves. If either one does
not make the commitment to lay down their life for their mate and their family,
then what was meant to be heaven can be hell."
It is an
ongoing walk - and we all are ongoing works. But the Lord said something to us
some years ago - He said - When you hate sin because it HURTS ME - then it will
lose its grip on you. When you hate sin because it displeases ME - its hold
diminishes.
The Lord
also shared with us that someone can be deceived in an AREA of sin but it does
not necessarily mean that in every area of his or her life or ministry, they
were walking in deception as some critics of the revival may lean to believe.
And who
is to judge that the Lord does not hold the violent unleashing of criticism and
faultfinding and tearing down and divisiveness of the heresy hunters, as severe
a sin as separation in a marriage?
We will
find out before the judgment seat in eternity.
One of
our greatest grievings has been to see how many in
the church backtracked to protect their own reputations. We have been truly
refreshed by several close ministry friends with their uncompromising love of
truth and lack of a man pleasing spirit that has arisen in the church in the
light of the Lakeland aftermath. They have given us fresh courage when we grew
weary.
So
beloved friend –
Do we at
GOD TV refute the Outpouring? NO.
We are
presently planning to broadcast other offshoots of Lakeland in both the United
Kingdom and America, including revival meetings in Dudley, England.
We have
determined in our hearts to follow the Lord with all our might as courageously
and as boldly as we can, to reject the pressures to bow to a man pleasing
spirit but instead to humble ourselves under the Fathers leading.
For HE is our all in all.
He is our
great desire.
Finally,
dear friends, while we defend and rejoice in the many ten thousands that God
lifted and healed, we also know that there were dear souls, sheep, who were
scattered as a result of Todd’s personal choices. The Bible says that “hope
deferred makes the heart sick” and this is the last thing GODTV would want to
see happen. We are praying for any that stumbled and believing that the Lord
will restore them to Himself.
Remember:
this was never about Todd Bentley. It was always about the Holy Spirit and the
fact that God loved you and I. It was GOD who touched
our lives.
One
thing, we felt impressed upon our hearts thirteen years ago when we first
launched this ministry. That the Father will allow none of us
- whether in ministry or as a viewer to hold idolatry in our hearts for any
man.
For the
Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit alone are to receive our worship.
We
continue on the road to maturity.
We continue our efforts to serve an end time spiritual army.
We
continue to try each day to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of the ONLY
one who is worthy of ALL adoration.
Of ALL HONOUR.
Of ALL WORSHIP.
Remember
also, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Let’s
turn our eyes toward Him and away from our trust in man.
He who
sent His only begotten Son.
The Great Father of Compassions.
To Him
alone we bow.
Personally
we believe that the best is yet to come.
For
our King and His Kingdom
Rory
and Wendy Alec
**********************************************************
(10c) A Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland – by
Dutch Sheets
[Note: I
did not find this on Dutch’s web site (there wasn’t much there) but it has been
referenced by many others including Charisma Magazine so I believe it to be
legit. I found it on the following blog and am
including it here to provide (in conjunction with the other previous items) a
balanced analysis of the situation.
A
Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland
August
21, 2008
It has
now been a couple of weeks since I heard about Todd Bentley’s
plans for separation and divorce. Like everyone, I have had
a variety of emotions
including anger, sadness, and grief. Every time I see this
scenario repeated, I
grieve: for the husband and wife involved; for the family
that will be scarred in so
many ways; because of the incredible reproach it brings to
Christ; and the
distortion it gives concerning God’s heart and ways. I am
praying for Todd and
his family.
I was
asked numerous times to write my position on Lakeland while it was
happening, but always felt checked by the Lord—the waters were
too muddy and
emotions too high. I now feel strongly that the Lord wants me
to do so. It will be
arguably one of the greatest risks of my ministry to date, but
one I feel must be
taken. Fathers, when given the voice to do so, bear the
responsibility of giving
correction and wisdom. I hope mine qualifies for the latter. I
assure you I have
spent many hours praying and thinking through the
situation.
The risks
are broad: with some of my dearest friends and co-laborers, I
risk harming those relationships; with many in the
charismatic body of Christ, I
risk appearing to be an arrogant, “self-appointed”
spokesperson for them; to the
“I told
you so” crowd, I risk the accusation of “spinning” the situation. (As far as
the heresy hunters and revival police—not those who
raised legitimate questions
about Lakeland, but the attack dogs who make their living
and build their
ministries criticizing everyone else—I lost respect for them
long ago and couldn’t
care less what they think.) My purpose and sincere prayer
in writing this
statement, however, is three-fold: to see healing begin for the
body of Christ; to
initiate a process that can remove the reproach brought to
Christ and the Church;
and to do these things while preserving and honoring my
current relationships. I
pray that these desires, along with my heart, come through
loudly. And I hope
I’m
writing this with true humility—who among us clearly sees all hidden in our
own hearts?
Let me
also preface this statement by saying that what needs to be said
cannot be done quickly or carelessly. I do not want my heart
to be missed and
am not willing to run that risk for the sake of brevity,
so please bear with the
length. (Incidentally, I think it will be obvious no one
involved in the Lakeland
situation has asked me to write this; and for the sake of
integrity on my part, none
have been consulted concerning what I’m stating.)
Mistakes
at Lakeland
Did
leaders handling the Lakeland situation make mistakes? Yes—huge
mistakes. Beyond the obvious fruit of salvations and healings,
can good come
from Lakeland, as some have suggested, even with the
recent revelations
concerning Todd Bentley? Yes, but only if there is complete
honesty and
transparency, the removal of all attempts at self-preservation,
and absolute
humility from all sides.
Did I
endorse the Lakeland meetings? No, I did not, nor did I condemn
them. I acknowledged that healings were occurring and some
were being saved,
which I still believe and rejoice over. I realized and
stated that the thousands of
people attending were hungry and sincere, as were those
involved in leading the
2 meetings. The worship was regularly good. But looking past some
of the
immediate and positive results, I, like many, also looked ahead
to the possible
fruit from questionable doctrine and experiences,
exaggeration and hype,
youthful pride, character issues and the frightening potential
of a 32 year “young”
man leading a movement that could shape the future of the
Church. These
things were frightening, very frightening, to others and me.
When
something has the potential of setting precedent, birthing a
movement and being reproduced as a prototype, we are no longer
simply
endorsing good brothers, good intentions and miracles. Doctrine
and
foundations will be built on these events. Teachings and
paradigms for future
ministries will be formed—in short, the next generation of the
church and the
move of God in the earth could be greatly impacted. This
is why I stopped short
of endorsing everything at Lakeland. Just as
importantly, I could not ignore the
“check”, the uneasiness, the sickening feeling deep in my
spirit telling me
something else was wrong—terribly wrong—in this situation. Like
other leaders I
tried to push past my uneasiness with the showmanship, the
“bams,” the head
butts and kneeing, along with certain experiences and
doctrines, all in order to
embrace the good. Like many of my friends I tried to be—and
believe I was—
gracious, accepting, ready to think “out of the box”, etc. But
try as I may, the
uneasiness in my spirit just wouldn’t leave.
Did I
voice my concerns to the appropriate people? Yes, including stating
my concerns for Todd’s marriage to the Lakeland
Outpouring Apostolic Team.
Did they
listen? Some did, some didn’t. But I want to state emphatically, this is
not an “I told you so” statement. In fact, much of what I
want to address goes
back several years into our charismatic Christian history.
And I assure you that
concerning our present weaknesses in the charismatic church,
there is plenty of
blame to go around. Personally, I’ve been right at times
with my discernment
and decisions, wrong at others. It would be worse than
hypocritical for me to
point the finger of accusation—I have no stones of judgment
to throw.
Nonetheless,
mistakes were made and must be acknowledged and learned from
in order for us to heal, grow and move forward.
Some of
my closest friends endorsed and participated in the Lakeland
meetings. For them I have both criticism—all of us lose
credibility at this point if
we’re not completely honest—and affirmation. Should they
have been more
discerning and have listened to the warnings they received? Obviously. Should
those who “aligned” Todd with spiritual fathers (which was
a good thing and
positioned him to receive help if he chooses to accept it) have
realized to do so
publicly was a mistake and could be interpreted by those
watching in no other
way than as a complete endorsement? Yes, they should
have, especially when
the event became a commissioning ceremony, complete with
decrees and
prophecies of going to higher levels, predictions of Todd’s
increasing world-wide
influence and leading a world-wide revival, emphatic and
prolific endorsements of
his character, etc.
How could
those watching believe the evening was anything but an
aligning, endorsing and commissioning ceremony? It was. It
really doesn’t
matter who laid their hands on Todd—all share
responsibility. This was unwise
at best, naïve at least and at its worst, foolish. And
should the leaders involved
have realized that those of us connected to them
relationally, ministerially, and as
movements—some even in alignment with them apostolically and as
sons and
daughters—would feel minimalized, if
not betrayed, by the fact that they were in
essence taking us onto the stage with them? Yes. These
feelings were
3
inevitable, especially when we had such uneasiness and asked
them not to.
Should
there be an acknowledgment of these mistakes to the body of Christ for
the sake of accountability and in order to rebuild trust?
I believe so, and remain
hopeful this will happen.
With such
strong statements of disagreement, what is the affirmation
toward my friends who led, participated in or endorsed this
ceremony (and the
meetings in general)? Simply stated, I know their hearts. It
is not a contradiction
of my criticisms toward some of their actions to, at the
same time, defend and
endorse their hearts and character. It is completely
appropriate—when true—to
defend a person’s heart and integrity while disagreeing with
their actions. I think
the blunder of that night was huge and very damaging to
the body of Christ, but I
also realize that in their hearts, those involved honestly
felt they were doing the
right things.
Again,
while not defending the action taken, I would defend the character
and integrity of Peter and Doris Wagner as vigorously as
anyone I know, and do
so with absolute confidence. There are no two people,
and I mean that literally,
who embody the qualities of humility, integrity, holiness
(no compromise!),
sacrifice, unselfish kingdom-thinking, the tireless giving of
themselves to Christ’s
cause and the body of Christ—and do I need to add
risk-taking?—as much as
Peter and Doris Wagner. It remains my great honor to be associated with them
and call them a spiritual father and mother. And again,
while not minimizing or
“sweeping under the rug” any wrong decisions, I remain
steadfast in my belief
that similar affirmations could be made of others
involved—either directly or
indirectly—in the ceremony. And some of them still see their
endorsing of
Lakeland as an endorsement of revival generally, not
of Todd personally.
The
Bigger Picture
It may
come as a surprise, however, that my real purpose in writing this is
not to only state the above, as important as I believe
saying it is. My primary
purpose, and I believe my assignment from the Lord, is to identificationally repent
on behalf of the leadership of the charismatic body of
Christ (see Nehemiah 1:4-
7; Daniel
9:1-19). In doing so, I do not have a pompous, “no one else will, so I’ll
do it” attitude, nor am I arrogant enough to think I
have become the
spokesperson for the charismatic church. But in the same way that
I can identify
with the racism of white predecessors and repent to
blacks, Native Americans
and other races, I can represent the leadership of the
charismatic body of Christ
and identificationally repent
for our sins and weaknesses. I encourage leaders
who find my statements true and appropriate to join me.
Beyond the simple fact
of it being appropriate, I firmly believe it is the only
way to begin the process of
rebuilding trust with those asked to follow us and to remove the
cynicism of the
world we ask to listen to us. As you know, regaining
credibility is much more
difficult than attaining credibility.
Concerning
what I’m about to say, I don’t believe I have a critical spirit, nor
do I want to diminish the sacrifices, faithfulness, and
hard work done by so many
in ministry. The fact remains, however, that we have
failed the Lord and His
people in many ways—not just with Lakeland but in countless
other situations—
and must repent if we are to be trusted in the future.
And as you also know, no
repentance is effective if watered down and couched in excuses,
therefore, I
intend to be brutally honest:
1) We,
the leaders of the charismatic community, have operated in an
extremely low level of discernment. Frankly, we often don’t
even try to
discern. We assume a person’s credibility based on gifts,
charisma,
the size of their ministry or church, whether they can
prophesy or
work a miracle, etc. (Miracles and signs are intended to
validate God
and His message, not the messenger; sometimes they
validate the
assignment of an individual, but never the person’s character,
lifestyle
or spiritual maturity.) We leaders in the Church have
become no
different than the world around us in our standards for
measuring
success and greatness. This has contributed to the body of
Christ
giving millions of dollars to undeserving individuals; it
has allowed
people living in sin to become influential leaders—even to
lead
movement, allowing them influence all the way to the White
House.
Through
our lack of discernment we built their stages and gave them
their platforms. We have been gullible beyond words—gullible
leaders producing gullible sheep.
When a
spiritual leader we’re connected with violates trust, is
exposed for immorality or falls below other accepted
standards of
behavior, it does not exonerate us simply to say we don’t
condone
such behavior. Those we lead trust us to let them know
whom to
trust. We have failed them miserably in this regard.
For this
lack of discernment, and for employing and passing on
inappropriate standards of judgment, I repent to the Lord and ask
forgiveness of the body of Christ.
2) We,
the leaders of the charismatic church, spin our involvement and
fail to acknowledge our responsibility when other leaders
fall—all of
which stems from our self-preservation and pride. Enough of
the
spin—we’re no different than Washington, DC. Every time
another
embarrassing and disgraceful situation is exposed, the dancing
begins. It seems that no one bears any real responsibility
except the
man or woman who actually commits sin. Incredibly, we
even blame
“revival” itself—the pressures, attacks, weariness, the
“revival is
messy” argument, etc., saying it is responsible for the
failures. This is
disgusting. Those of us on boards of fallen leaders, those who
helped
give them a voice, put them on TV, published and endorsed
their
books (yes, I have), etc., are not exonerated simply by
saying we
don’t condone the wrong behavior or that we didn’t know.
We’re
supposed to know.
I don’t
believe anyone is expecting perfection from us—I
know I’m not. We’re far too human for that. But we are
expected to
have enough humility to look the world and those who
follow us in the
eye when we miss it and say, “we were wrong and we are
sorry.”
Our
careless accountability has caused the body of Christ to
be spiritually raped and abused. It has produced
disillusionment and
brought immeasurable reproach to our God and cynicism to His
message. Concerning Lakeland, what was called the “greatest
revival since Azusa Street” has become possibly one of the
greatest
reproaches. We, the leaders of the charismatic church, are
responsible.
For not
accepting and acknowledging our responsibility, for
caring more about our own reputation than Christ’s, I repent
to God
and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.
3) Our
procedures and standards of accountability are incredibly
inadequate. We have provided camaraderie, not biblical
accountability. For those on Todd Bentley’s board who had previous
knowledge of his marriage problems and said nothing, it was
more
than a mistake—it was reckless, foolish, and
irresponsible. For those
on the stage the night of his aligning and commissioning
who knew
and said nothing—ditto. For those there who didn’t know, my
question is, “why didn’t you?” You were trusted to know. That
is one
of the purposes of public commissioning and the purpose
behind the
concept of endorsement. I’m not trying to point the finger;
I’m
endeavoring to get us to be honest about our failures—we have
serious credibility issues. Have I ever laid hands on,
commissioned or
endorsed anyone without adequately checking them out? Yes, but
you better believe I’ll be more careful next time!
And we
must not single out Lakeland. We’re all guilty.
What
about the leader in my city who ran with some of the leading
spiritual fathers in our nation—sincere and good men, I might
add,
and not all “charismatic” leaders—who sang his praises
and helped
build his stage—all while he was doing drugs and having sex
with
other men? But we shouldn’t blame only the high profile
cases—what
about those of us who unknowingly have had adulterers on
our staffs
or appointed elders that turned out to have compromise
in their life?
Sounding
familiar yet?
This is
so epidemic that every member of the body of Christ
stands guilty—what pastor or leader did you follow that
turned out to
have sin issues? What ministry did you support that was
unworthy?
There is
plenty of blame to go around. The big question becomes not
“who do we blame” but “how do we fix this mess?”
Leaders
can live in sin—adultery, homosexuality, financial
wrongdoing, drugs, etc.—for years without it being realized.
They can
offer completely unacceptable lifestyles for the body of
Christ to
follow and still keep their TV programs and lavish
lifestyles. In the
name of grace, compassion and forgiveness we have lowered
the
standard so much that often there isn’t one. We have bought
into the
lie that true discipline is “shooting our wounded.” We
have made a
mockery of biblical restoration, making “ministry”—not
healthy
individuals, marriages and families—its ultimate goal. The fact
is,
integrity matters. No, we don’t need legalistic, pharisaical
standards,
but we must have standards.
For this
lack of biblical accountability, I repent to God and I ask
forgiveness of the body of Christ.
4) We,
the leaders of the charismatic church, have built on hype,
sensation, innovation, programs, personality and charisma. This
has
produced: shallowness; false movements; novice leaders—gifted
but
immature and untested; a deficient understanding of God’s word;
the
building of man-centered rather than kingdom-centered churches
and
ministries; competition rather than cooperation; humanistic, selfcentered
Christians
who don’t understand sacrifice and commitment;
Christians
without discernment; superstar leaders; a perverted and
powerless gospel; prayerless and
anemic Christians; a replacement
of the fear of the Lord with the fear of man; and a
young generation
that is cynical of it all. We are responsible, not the
devil; he takes
what we give him.
For this
compromise in the way we build, for giving the
Church
watered down wine, commercial Christianity, a flashy but
weak Church and hype disguised as anointing, I repent to
God
and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.
Galatians
6:1-5 is an appropriate reference with which to end this
statement: “Brethren, even if a man caught in any trespass, you
who are spiritual,
restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one
looking to yourself, lest you
too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus
fulfill the law of Christ.
For if
anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let
each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for
boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to
another. For each one
shall bear his own load.” NAS
My
passionate prayer is that God honors this repentance—I believe He
led me to do it and therefore, will—and uses it to begin
a process of cleansing
and healing for all of us. In order for the coming great
awakening to bear
maximum fruit we must have both, as well as a course
correction that sets us on
a path of wisdom leading to life. There is no doubt
that past moves of God have
been aborted, ended prematurely and contained error or
heresy that have
wounded, if not destroyed, many. The healing revival of the
40’s and 50’s, the
charismatic movement, discipleship movement and Jesus movement
are all
examples. My heart is to help shape a movement, the fruit of
which will last for
decades—better yet, forever. And I have great expectations for
us—I am not a
cynic.
My
passionate prayer is also that Todd Bentley’s marriage survives and
thrives…that he turns his heart fully toward Christ and toward
those with whom
he is aligned, and allows them, as God leads, to put him
on a path of complete
restoration. I thank God for those who were touched by the Holy
Spirit at
Lakeland and while watching it on God TV and the web.
May we
all move forward into all God has planned for us in this awesome
season of endless possibility.
With
great hope—Dutch Sheets
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