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Chapter 2:  The Disciples’ Mission and Ministry

Crowds followed Jesus constantly so that at times he and his followers could not even eat (Mark 3:20). A large group of devoted followers accompanied him, including many women who supported them. Jesus chose 12 to be with him constantly from among those followers and he chose 3 to witness unique events such as the transfiguration, raising Jairus’ daughter from death and his agonizing prayer in Gethsemane.

Jesus’ followers included many women who cared for him and his disciples.

After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3 NIV)

Jesus sent 70 [or 72] of his followers on mission in pairs.

After this the Lord appointed seventy [some manuscripts have 72] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ² He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. …

¹⁷ The seventy [or 72] returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’  (Luke 10:1-2, 17)

Jesus appeared to over 500 of his followers at one time after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6) and 120 of his followers chose a successor to Judas from among those who had been with them from the time of John the Baptist, including Joseph and Matthias.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ¹⁶ ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— …

²¹ So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ ²³ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.  (Acts 1:15-16, 21-26)

Jesus chose the 12 from among his followers to be his disciples (learners) whom he also called apostles (sent ones). They became leaders in the early church. The following passages describe how Jesus began inviting people to follow him first from the Jordan River where John was baptising and then in Galilee. Later from among these followers Jesus chose the 12.

This is important for short term supernatural mission. None of us can do it alone. Even Jesus multiplied his ministry with and through his disciples and followers.

He shared his life most deeply with the core group of the 12 who in turn became leaders in his church, working with and equipping others.

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Called to Follow Jesus

Here are examples of how Jesus called some to be with him all the time and then involved them in supernatural mission.

Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathaniel

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ ³⁹ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). ⁴² He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ (John 1:35-472)

Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.  (Mark 1:16-20; see Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11)

Matthew (also called Levi)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

¹⁰ And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ ¹² But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’  (Matthew 9:9-13; see Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)

The 12 Apostles

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. ¹³ And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: ¹⁴ Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, ¹⁵ and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.  (Luke 6:12-16; see Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19)

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Jesus sent his disciples and other followers to preach and heal.

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1; see Luke 9:1)

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ⁶ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9:1-2, 6; see Matthew 10:1)

So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³ They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:12-13)

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ² Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. … ⁹ And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:1-3, 9)

Note how the followers of Jesus, especially the 12 and the 70 (or 72), did what Jesus did. They taught about the kingdom of God, healed the sick and cast out unclean spirits. Others also did that in Jesus’ name, which he approved.  John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ ³⁹ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.  (Mark 9:38-41)

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The Disciples often failed

Jesus challenged his disciples, expecting them to have faith. They failed at times, as we do, but Jesus persisted with them. Here are examples.

Jesus calms the storm

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’  ²⁶ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’  (Matthew 8:23-27; see Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

Walking on water

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.  ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’  ²⁸ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’  ²⁹ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’  ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’  (Matthew 14:26-33 NIV; see Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21)

Bread and yeast

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’  ¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’  ¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’  ‘Twelve,’ they replied.  ²⁰ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’  They answered, ‘Seven.’  ²¹ He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’  (Mark 8:17-21 NIV; see Matthew 16:5-12)  ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  (Matthew 16:12 NIV)

Who is the greatest?

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  ³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’  ³⁶ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’  (Mark 9:33-37 NIV; see Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 9:46-48)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

²⁷ Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ ²⁸ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’  ²⁹ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ ³⁰ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.  (Mark 8:27-31)

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

³¹ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’  (Mark 8:31-33; see Matthew 16:13-28; Luke 9:18-27)

A boy possessed 

A man in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.’  ¹⁹ ‘You unbelieving generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’  ²⁸ After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’  ²⁹ He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer [some manuscripts: prayer and fasting].’  (Mark 9:17-19, 28-29; see Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-43)

Arguments and opposition

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. ⁴⁷ Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him. ⁴⁸ Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’   ⁴⁹ ‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’  ⁵⁰ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you.’

⁵¹ As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. ⁵² And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³ but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ ⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ Then he and his disciples went to another village.  (Luke 9:46-56 NIV; see Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-41)

Jesus blesses children

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV; see Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17)

Dispute at the Last Supper

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27 NIV; see John 13:1-20)

Jesus prays in Gethsemane

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’  ³⁹ Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.  ⁴¹ Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. …  ⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled.  (Mark 14:36-41, 50 NIV; see Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)

Peter denies Jesus

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ ⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. ⁶⁹ And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ ⁷⁰ But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ ⁷¹ But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ ⁷² At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72)

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Jesus commissioned and equipped his followers

Jesus sent the 12 and the 70 (or 72) on mission with his authority and promised they would be empowered.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal those who were ill. ³ He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6 NIV; see Matthew 10:5-15)

After this the Lord appointed seventy [some manuscripts, 72] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ² He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. ³ Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” ⁶ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹ cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” … ¹⁷ The seventy [or 72] returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ ¹⁸ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹ See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’  (Luke 10:1-9, 17-19)

Jesus’ final promise

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ ⁷ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ ⁹ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  (Acts 1:6-9)

Jesus’ final promise is the key to effective short term supernatural mission. We can only do it in the power of the Spirit, as Jesus did and as his followers did.

We too must pray constantly, be led by the Spirit as Jesus was, and be obedient to his call.

Even the disciples failed, often. They knew Jesus well. They constantly witnessed his power and authority. Yet still their faith wavered sometimes.

Many times we may feel weak and inadequate especially when we are faced with great needs. But we do not depend on our own strength or our own abilities. We depend on Jesus. He is faithful to his word and his promises.

We may also face opposition, as Jesus and the disciples did, especially when we step out in faith and see God’s power healing and setting people free. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus, not on the storm around us. He has conquered and will continue to conquer. He alone is Lord.

Back to Jesus the Model for Short Term Supernatural Mission

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Renewal Journals

All Renewal Journal Topics

1 Revival,  2 Church Growth,  3 Community,  4 Healing,  5 Signs & Wonders,  
6  Worship,  7  Blessing,  8  Awakening,  9  Mission,  10  Evangelism,
11  Discipleship,  12  Harvest,  13  Ministry,  14  Anointing,  15  Wineskins,
16  Vision,  17  Unity,  18  Servant Leadership,  19  Church,  20 Life

Contents of all issues

 1: Revival

Praying the Price, by Stuart Robinson
Prayer and Revival, by J Edwin Orr
Pentecost in Arnhem Land, by Djiniyini Gondarra
Power from on High: The Moravian Revival, by John Greenfield
Revival Fire, by Geoff Waugh
Reviews – Prayer: Key to Revival, by David Yonggi Cho: Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, by Burgess and McGee; Experiences of the Spirit, by Jan Jongenell, ed.; Pentecost, Mission and Ecumenism: Essays on Intercultural Theology. Festschrift in Honour of Professor Walter J. Hollenweger, Jan Jongeneel, ed.; Church on Fire, Geoff Waugh, ed.; YWAM Videos/DVDs.

2: Church Growth

Church Growth through Prayer, by Andrew Evans
Growing a Church in the Spirit’s Power, by Jack Frewen-Lord
Evangelism brings Renewal, by Cindy Pattishall-Baker
New Life for an Older Church, by Dean Brookes
Renewal Leadership, by John McElroy
Reflections on Renewal, by Ralph Wicks
Local Revivals in Australia, by Stuart Piggin
Asia’s Maturing Church, by David Wang
Astounding Church Growth, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews –Heart of Fire by Barry Chant; The Spirit in the Church by Adrian Commadeur; Streams of Renewal by Robert Bruce (ed); Word and Spirit by Alison Sherington; Living in the Spirit by Geoff Waugh; Reviews of the Renewal Journal by Lewis Born and James Haire

3: Community

Lower the Drawbridge, by Charles Ringma
Called to Community, by D Mathieson & Tim McCowan
Covenant Community, by Shayne Bennett
The Spirit in the Church, by Adrian Commadeur
House Churches, by Ian Freestone
Church in the Home, by Spencer Colliver
The Home Church, by Colin Warren
China’s House Churches, by Barbara Nield
Renewal in a College Community, by Brian Edga
Spirit Wave, by Darren Trinder
Reviews – Book & DVD Review: Viva Christo Rey!

4: Healing

Missionary Translator and Doctor, by David Lithgow
My Learning Curve on Healing, by Jim Holbeck
Spiritual Healing, by John Blacker
Deliverance and Freedom, by Colin Warren
Christian Wholeness Counselling, by John Warlow
A Healing Community, by Spencer Colliver
Divine Healing & Church Growth, by Donald McGavran
Sounds of Revival, by Sue Armstrong
Revival Fire at Wuddina, by Trevor Faggotter
Book Reviews – Healing by Francis MacNutt; Power Healing by John Wimber & Kevin Springer; Healing through Deliverance by Peter Horrobin; Healing in the Now by John Blacker; All Together in One Place by Harold Hunter & Peter Hocken (eds)

5: Signs and Wonders

Words, Signs and Deeds, by Brian Hathaway
Uproar in the Church, by Derek Prince
A Season of New Beginnings, by John Wimber
Preparing for Revival Fire, by Jerry Steingard
How to Minister Like Jesus, by Bart Doornweerd
Renewal Blessings, Reflections from England
Renewal Blessings, Reflections from Australia
Reviews – Comment on books by John White, John Wimber, Charles Kraft, and on a World Vision Video/DVD

6: Worship

Worship: Intimacy with God, by John & Carol Wimber
Beyond Self-Centred Worship, by Geoff Bullock
Worship: to Soothe or Disturb? by Dorothy Mathieson
Worship: Touching Body and Soul, by Robert Tann
Healing through Worship, by Robert Colman
Charismatic Worship and Ministry, by Stephen Bryar and
Renewal in the Church, by Stan Everitt
Worship God in Dance, by Lucinda Coleman
Revival Worship, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews – Winds of Change: The Experience of Church in a Changing Australia by Peter Kaldor (ed); Views from the Pews by Peter Kaldor (ed); Jesus the Baptiser with the Holy Spirit by Allan Norling

7: Blessing

What on earth is God doing? by Owen Salter
Times of Refreshing, by Greg Beech
Renewal Blessing, by Ron French
Catch the Fire, by Dennis Plant
Reflections, by Alan Small
A Fresh Wave, by Andrew Evans
Waves of Glory, by David Cartledge
Balance, by Charles Taylor
Discernment, by John Court
Renewal Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews – Comment on books by Partick Dixon, Rob Warner, Guy Chevreau, Mkie Feardon, Dave Roberts, Wallace Boulton, John Arnott, Andy & Jane Fitz-Gibbon, and Ken & Lois Gott

8: Awakening

Speaking God’s Word, by David Yonggi Cho
The Power to Heal the Past, by C. Peter Wagner
Worldwide Awakening, by Richard Riss
The ‘No Name’ Revival, by Brian Medway
Book Review – Fire from Heaven, by Harvey Cox
.

9: Mission

The River of God, by David Hogan
The New Song, by C. Peter Wagner
God’s Visitation, by Dick Eastman
Revival in China, by Dennis Balcombe
Mission in India, by Paul Pilai
Harvest Now, by Robert McQuillan
Pensacola Revival, by Michael Brown
Book Reviews – Building a Better World by Dave Andrews, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit & Surprised by the Voice of God both by Jack Deere, Secrets of the Argentine Revival, by R Edward Miller

10: Evangelism

Power Evangelism, by John Wimber
Power Evangelism in Short Term Missions, by Randy Clark
Supernatural Ministry, by John White
God’s Awesome Presence, by R Heard
Evangelist Steve Hill, by Sharon Wissemann
Reaching the Core of the Core, by Luis Bush
Evangelism on the Internet, by Rowland Croucher
“My Resume” by Paul Grant
Gospel Essentials, by Charles Taylor
Pentecostal/Charismatic Pioneers, by Daryl Brenton
Characteristics of Revivals, by Richard Riss
Book Reviews – Flashpoints of Revival & Revival Fires, by Geoff Waugh

11: Discipleship

Transforming Revivals, by Geoff Waugh
Standing in the Rain, by Brian Medway
Amazed by Miracles,by Rodney Howard-Brown
A Touch of Glory, by Lindell Cooley
The ‘Diana Prophecy’, by Robert McQuillan
Mentoring,by Peter Earle
Can the Leopard Change his Spots? by Charles Taylor
The Gathering of the Nations, by Paula Sandford
Book Review – Taking our Cities for God, by John Dawson

12: Harvest

The Spirit told us what to do, by Carl Lawrence
Argentine Revival, by Guido Kuwas
Baltimore Revival, by Elizabeth Moll Stalcup
Smithton Revival, by Joel Kilpatrick
Mobile Revival, by Joel Kilpatrick
Australian Reports – Aboriginal Revivals
Global Reports
Book Review: 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, by Eddie Hyatt

13: Ministry

Pentecostalism’s Global Language, by Walter Hollenweger
Interview with Steven Hill, by Steve Beard
Revival in Mexico City, by Kevin Pate
Revival in Nepal, by Raju Sundras
Beyond Prophesying, by Mike Bickle
The Rise and Rise of the Apostles, by Phil Marshall
Evangelical Heroes Speak, by Richard Riss
Primacy of Love, by Heidi Baker
Spirit Impacts in Revivals, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews:  Fire in the Outback, by John Blacket;  The Making of a Leader, by J R Clinton

14: Anointing

A Greater Anointing, by Benny Hinn
Myths about Jonathan Edwards, by Barry Chant
Revivals into 2000, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews:
The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition by Vinson Synan
The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenny
Primary Purpose, by Ted Haggard

15: Wineskins

The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenny
The New Apostolic Reformation, by C. Peter Wagner
The New Believers, by Diana Bagnall (The Bulletin)
Vision and Strategy for Church Growth, by Lawrence Khong
New Wineskins for Pentecostal Studies, by Sam Hey
New Wineskins to Develop Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book and DVD Reviews:
Pentecostalism, by Walter Hollenweger
The Transforming Power of Revival, by Harold Caballeros and Mell Winger
Transformations 1 and 2 DVDs (The Sentinel Group)

16: Vision

Almolonga, the Miracle City, by Mell Winger
Cali Transformation, by George Otis Jr.
Revival in Bogotá, by Guido Kuwas
Prison Revival in Argentina, by Ed Silvoso
Missions at the Margins, by Bob Ekblad
Vision for Church Growth, by Daryl & Cecily Brenton
Vision for Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews: Jesus on Leadership by Gene Wilkes
Supernatural Missions, by Randy Clark

17: Unity

Snapshots of Glory, by George Otis Jr.
Lessons from Revivals, by Richard Riss
Spiritual Warfare, by Cecilia Estillore Oliver
Unity not Uniformity, by Geoff Waugh
Reviews – Transformation DVDs; Informed Intercession, by George Otis Jr.

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18: Servant Leadership

The Kingdom Within, by Irene Alexander
Church Models: Integration or Assimilation? by Jeannie Mok
Women in Ministry, by Sue Fairley
Women and Religions, by Susan Hyatt
Disciple-Makers, by Mark Setch
Ministry Confronts Secularisation, by Sam Hey
Book Reviews: In the Spirit We’re Equal by Susan Hyatt,
Firestorm of the Lord by Stuart Piggin,
Early Evangelical Revivals in Australia by Robert Evans
Evangelical Revivals in New Zealand by Robert Evans & Roy Mckenzie.

19: Church

The Voice of the Church in the 21st Century, by Ray Overend
Redeeming the Arts: visionaries of the future, by Sandra Godde
Counselling Christianly, by Ann Crawford
Redeeming a Positive Biblical View of Sexuality, by John Meteyard and Irene Alexander
The Mystics and Contemporary Psychology, by Irene Alexander
Problems Associated with the Institutionalization of Ministry, by Warren Holyoak
Book Reviews – Jesus, Author & Finisher by Brian Mulheran,
South Pacific Revivals by Geoff Waugh

20: Life

Life, death and choice, by Ann Crawford
The God who dies: Exploring themes of life and death, by Irene Alexander
Primordial events in theology and science support a life/death ethic, by Martin Rice
Community Transformation, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews: Body Ministry and Looking to Jesus: Journey into Renewal and Revival, by Geoff Waugh

 

You are welcome to reproduce articles from the Renewal Journal, acknowledging the source as the Renewal Journal with the Web address (renewaljournal.com) or the postal address (Renewal Journal, PO Box 2111, Mansfield, Brisbane 4122, Australia). 

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Renewal and Revival

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Anointed for Revival

Renewal Books

Looking to Jesus
Light on the Mountains

Jesus the Model for Short Term
Supernatural Mission
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Body Ministry
Learning Together
in Ministry
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Church on Fire
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Keys to godly living

Adapted from “8 things God won’t ask you” (God Vine) 

1. It’s not what kind of car you drive.
It’s how many people you drive who don’t have transportation.

2. It’s not the square footage of your house.
It’s how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. It’s not the clothes you have in your closet.
It’s how many you helped to clothe.

4. It’s not what your highest salary was.
It’s how you obtained it and what you did with it.

5. It’s not what your job title was.
It’s whether you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. It’s not how many friends you had.
It’s how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. It’s not in what neighbourhood you live.
It’s how you treated your neighbours.

  8. It’s not about the colour of your skin.
It’s about the content of your character.

Adapted from “8 things God won’t ask you” (God Vine)

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Your Spiritual Gifts: to serve in love

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Chapter 1: your spiritual gifts

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 Bible passages on the church as the body of Christ emphasize spiritual gifts. All God’s people have spiritual gifts.

Two obvious but sometimes overlooked aspects of spiritual gifts need our attention: they are gifts, and they are spiritual.

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They are gifts

Spiritual gifts are given, they develop with use, and they vary among us all.

1. Gifts are given, not earned

Christ our Lord, the head of his church, gives gifts to his people as he chooses. We do not gain them by special effort, holiness, orthodoxy or obedience. They are not a prize for good works, pure living, correct doctrine or personal dedication. Gifts of God’s amazing grace often show up in most unlikely people.

0ur obedience to God enhances our spiritual gifts. Like jewels in fine settings they shine best in wholehearted surrender to God’s will and in holy lives. The gifts, nevertheless, are not a reward for obedience nor a measure of our obedience. Like our abilities, they are part of us even when we fail or sin. Paul reminds us that ‘the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

God gives. We receive. His gifts express and demonstrate his grace; they do not depend on our worthiness.

2. Gifts develop with use

They may not grow in us just because we are holy or dedicated. The more we respond to God in love and obedience, of course, the more anointed we will be and the more Christ-like we will become. Our Christ-likeness is the arena in which our gifts can grow and flourish. That growth, however, comes from use not from our worthiness.

Young, immature Christians can use their spiritual gifts wholeheartedly or enthusiastically and find that they grow in that use. They begin praying in simple faith for the needs of others. Their prayers are answered; their faith grows. As their faith grows their prayers and ministry become stronger. Yet they could still be immature Christians or not Christ-like. They may have much to learn, habits to change, deeper surrenders to make, and more of the fruit of the Spirit to show in their lives. Nevertheless, they can grow rapidly in using their spiritual gifts.

Spiritual gifts are given to use, not to hide away. We grow in ministry as we use our gifts for God’s glory. Gifts may also be abused, misused for our own glory, or used without love in harsh and divisive ways. The answer to abuse and misuse is not disuse but proper use – for the glory of God.

3. Gifts vary

We differ from each other in personalities and in our gifting. As Christians we all have the Spirit of God within us. So we can grow in using a variety of the gifts of the Spirit and grow in using Christ-like fruit of the Spirit.

We don’t need to mechanically limit God’s work in our lives to just some of the gifts and some of the fruit of his Spirit in our lives. Most of us are more spiritually gifted than we realize. God gives abundantly. The fruit and gifts of his Spirit flow within and among us in many unexpected ways and in beautiful harmony.

Other people in Christ’s body often see our gifts more clearly than we do. Each of us needs to know our gifting and others can help us understand that, especially our spiritual elders or leaders. It’s unwise to think we have gifts which others do not see in us.

We can also confuse our natural abilities with spiritual gifts. Others can help us see the difference and use both for God’s glory. So we can confirm and encourage one another in using and developing our abilities and gifts.

 

They are spiritual

Our spiritual gifts are not just human abilities, they belong to the body of Christ, and we need one another to function with our spiritual gifts.

1. Spiritual gifts are spiritual; not just human abilities

These special or spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Jesus and the Spirit of God (Galatians 4:6). God’s Spirit expresses his life in us. He works in and through us as we yield ourselves to him and respond to his prompting or leading.

Personality and natural abilities differ from spiritual gifts although our spiritual gifts are expressed through them and enhance them. Both our natural abilities and our spiritual gifts bring glory to God. They flow together in our lives and service.

Our natural human abilities, however, can get in the way and choke off spiritual power. We may depend on them and not on God.

A preacher may be gifted in speaking, for example, so may not really listen to God’s Spirit nor depend on Him. Even agnostics or atheists can preach scholastic sermons. Some do! On the other hand, the gift of prophecy or speaking God’s word can flow with great power and wide impact through those naturally gifted in oratory or scholarship, but also in people not naturally gifted in public speaking.

Likewise, a Sunday School or Church School teacher may be an expert teacher who can use teaching aids well. Yet unless that teacher also uses a spiritual gift for teaching and caring for those being taught, the teaching is unlikely to give life. Similarly, a children’s teacher who is gifted spiritually in teaching will usually be effective, and that gift may also be expressed powerfully through natural teaching ability as well.

2. Spiritual gifts belong to the body of Christ

“The unspiritual person does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to them, and they are not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Christians share Christ’s life. His Spirit indwells and empowers us. Yet, we can limit his work in and through us. We can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and resist God’s Spirit (Acts 7.51). We all do at times. Only Jesus was fully led by the Spirit all the time.

Even if our gifts have already grown with some use, we can still resist God’s Spirit in our lives. Then our ministry suffers. It fails to be as effective and powerful as it could be. Body ministry (the body of Christ functioning together) works well when all of us respond more fully to God’s spirit.

3. We need one another for body ministry

No one is gifted in everything. All of us as members of Christ’s body share in ministry together; no one person can do it all. Spiritual ministry flows through all kinds of people in all kinds of ways.

That is the amazing but basic fact about body ministry: it is literally Christ’s body, not ours. We all are part of his body. Our spiritual gifts enable body ministry when we are led and empowered by the Spirit.

 

Body Ministry – in One Body

Each passage on the gifts of the Spirit stresses that we are one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13; Romans 12:4‑5; Ephesians 4:4). The whole context of Paul’s teaching on the gifts of the Spirit is one of unity with diversity; unity in community; one body with many parts functioning in harmony. Paul repeats many themes in the three key passages in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4:

• One body: The church is the one body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:12‑27; Romans 12:4‑5; Ephesians 4:4‑6).
• Gracious gifts: They are given, not earned and not achieved (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 6, 8‑11; Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:7‑8, 11).
• All Christians have gifts: There are no exceptions; and each gift is important (l Corinthians 12:7; Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:7).
• Gifts differ: Value our differences; we need each other (1 Corinthians 12:4‑7; Romans 12:4‑6; Ephesians 4:7 8).
• Unity: They function in unity and promote unity (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13, 25; Romans 12:4‑5; Ephesians 4:3, 13, 16).
• Maturity: Spiritual gifts build up the body in maturity (1 Corinthians 12:7; Romans 12:9‑21; Ephesians 4:12‑15).
• Love: Love is the top priority; gifts must be used in love (1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12:9‑10; Ephesians 4:4, 15‑16).

Right at the beginning of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul tackles the problem of divisions in the church. This letter was written to answer questions in dispute among the Corinthian Christians, e.g. lawsuits (6:1), marriage (7:1), food offered to idols (8:1), worship and communion (11:17), and gifts of the Spirit (12:1).

Division, even over spiritual gifts, was a problem in the early church, as it is now. Why does this happen? In 1 Corinthians Paul addresses the problems causing division:
taking sides (1:12);
worldly or unspiritual attitudes (2:12; 3:1);
childish or immature actions (3:1);
jealousy and quarrels (3:3‑4);
boasting(3:21).

What are the answers to divisions over spiritual gifts? The passages on spiritual gifts specifically address division. Note some of Paul’s Spirit‑filled teaching:
Jesus is Lord (I Corinthians 12:3);
we need each other (1 Corinthians 12:21);
be concerned for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25‑26);
we all belong together (1 Corinthians 12:27);
be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1);
don’t conform to the world’s standards (Romans 12:2);
let God transform you (Romans 12:2);
be modest (Romans 12:3)
value our differences (Romans 12:4);
use our different gifts with grace (Romans 12:6);
become mature (Ephesians 4:13);
stop being childish (Ephesians 4:14);
speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15);
grow up (Ephesians 4:15);
be controlled by Christ (Ephesians 4:16);
fulfil your part (Ephesians 4:16).

The answer to abuse and misuse is not disuse but wise use of the Spirit’s gifts and power in our personal lives and our life together.

Gifts of the Spirit are given for mission, ministry or service.

They are tools for the job of serving God in the church and in the world, to meet the needs of people in compassion, grace, and with authority.

The book Body Ministry explores this topic in greater detail including current examples of the Body of Christ alive in His Spirit, as in revival.

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Christian Leaders Training College

Papua New Guinea

CLTC 50th Anniversary – PNG stamps

Papua New Guinea issued these commemorative stamps in March 2015, for the 50th Anniversary of the Christian Leaders Training College (CLTC).

Over 2,000 men and women have graduated from CLTC, an accredited institution of HIgher Education and a servant of the churches in PNG and the South Pacific, inspiring men and women for Christian ministry and leadership based upon biblical values.

Location of PNG – just north of Australia

Contact details for the stamps:

Sam Seigel
Max Stern & Co
Port Phillip Arcade, 234 Flinders Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Australia
Phone: +61 3 9654 6751
Fax: +61 3 9650 7192
Email: maxstern@maxstern.com.au
http://www.maxstern.com.au

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Testimonies of personal and social transformation.

From Chapter 1, “Gangsters in the Dorroway” in Do What Jesus Did, by Robby Dawkins.
[One of two testimonies by Robby Dawkins.  The other blog is Interrupted by God.]

This meeting took place at the end of 2011. It has now made national news that there were no homicides in all of Aurora in 2012. That hasn’t happened since 1946.

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The door of our church swung open, and in sauntered two of the “princes” from the Latin Kings, the dominant gang in our city. Our church is located in the hub of East Aurora, Illinois, a Latin King hot spot. As they walked in, they simply squared up to me in greeting, hardly twitching a muscle. With a nod to the door, they began pointing out different bullet holes in the building and other scars recalling their past battles. This was a typical “Don’t mess with us” threat. When they walked into my church that afternoon, it was because our city was on a brink of an all-out gang war, and they were making it clear that I was definitely in their territory.

Aurora has a long history of violence, from its Al Capone days in the 1930s and ’40s to the ever-increasing gang violence of the ’80s and ’90s, when the gentrifying of Chicago’s urban slums squeezed whole neighbourhoods of lower-income tenants into our western suburb. The resulting pressure between warring gangs that were being channelled into smaller and smaller overlapping territories often boosted our homicide rate higher than Chicago’s. Thanks to exhaustive efforts by community leaders, churches and the police, the situation had finally begun to stabilize. Then the threats began. Outraged by an increasing sense of marginalization and a “lack of respect” from the police, the Latin Kings began issuing warnings that blood would soon flow in the streets. Several drive-by shootings occurred, and a repeat of history seemed imminent.

Alarmed, police began calling me. As a police chaplain I had mediated several high-profile situations in the past and had seen God radically work in the gang community. I currently had several major ex– gang leaders attending my church who had confirmed that a war was on the horizon. After talking with some insiders, I connected with an Aurora businessman committed to community-gang relations. He had grown up in school with one of the major Latin King leaders, and through this connection he often was able to serve as a liaison. He agreed to set up a meeting for me with two of the main leaders. They had street names like Diablo. I had seen their faces on the police station walls for years, and now seeing them framed in the church doorway with nothing but thin air between us sent a quick jolt down my spine.

One gang leader, Shotgun, was in his forties, a fiercely grim-faced man who seemed possessed by an obsession with death. (Shotgun is a nickname I gave him; I’ve changed some names in my stories to protect people’s privacy.) His second man, Diablo, was mainly silent but kept his eyes locked on me the whole time, watching my every move. A woman with them, Diana, had also come. She looked rough when she walked in and was a fiery talker. She had no problem letting me know who she was and what she was about.

I had two of my dear friends with me. Todd White was one, and Darren Wilson was the other. Darren was working on a documentary about the power of God.

Shotgun wasn’t too interested in introductions. He was doing most of the talking. In candid detail, he described for us a shootout that had occurred on the front property of the church and the killing that took place at the corner of our building. He was letting us know just who it was I was dealing with. Without being too specific, he let us know that “they” were about to do some damage in town. He told me that “some people” in the gangs weren’t happy, and if that kept happening, there would be blood in the streets. He said a lot of people were going to get “really jacked up,” and added, “If people aren’t careful, things are going to get really crazy around here.”

I had watched Shotgun before, in the park across the street. One afternoon he and a friend got out of a car and strolled into the crowded park. Within a few minutes, the other men in the park stopped what they were doing, walked over to shake his hand and his friend’s, then backed away carefully. The men took their families and left. Women pushed their strollers quickly out of the park, and twenty minutes later there wasn’t a sign of life on the block. This was a man who wielded fear in our community.

I looked at Shotgun now and thought about how much God actually loved this person standing before me. I told him squarely, “I know there’s the threat of a war, and that can’t happen.” The two men looked at each other. “Yeah, is that why you invited us here? To try and stop the war?” Diablo asked.

“No,” I said. “Actually, I asked you to come here so that I could introduce you to God.”

That was obviously the last thing they expected to come out of my mouth. Diablo looked at me with the strangest expression, then clutched his crucifix and said, “What do you mean? We know who God is!”

I studied him. “Yes, that might be true, but you’ve never met Him the way you’re about to. If you’ll let us, we’ll pray for you, and you’ll meet God.” I glanced over at the businessman and asked, “Could we start with you?”

This businessman attends our church now, but at the time I didn’t know him well at all. He’s a tall, well-built businessman who heads up the Latino business network in the area. He may have been from a mildly Catholic background; I wasn’t sure. But whatever his beliefs, clearly the last thing he had expected us to do right then was to pray. He seemed especially surprised to suddenly find himself at the center of it. Thankfully, he agreed to go along with it, though I realized that if this didn’t go well, he would probably never meet with me again. I intentionally wanted to start with him because he was the leader of our meeting and the gang leaders trusted him. What he experienced would help legitimize it for the others as he encountered the reality of God and what He was about to do.

We began to pray, “Lord, we bless my friend.” I knew he had had an accident years earlier and had suffered back trauma ever since. As we prayed, I recalled this and felt led to pray for healing. The suffering from his back injury was something he struggled with on a daily basis, and his attempts to find ways to numb the pain had negatively affected his life. I asked him if his back still hurt, and he confirmed that he was in pain at the moment from both his back and his shoulder.

I told this man in front of the others, “God is about to make Himself real to you and completely heal your back and take away the pain.” We prayed, commanding his back to come into alignment and be fully healed. After a few minutes we asked him to check his back. I could feel God’s presence in the room.

He started to move and twist, his eyes widening in disbelief as he realized that not a single twinge of pain or discomfort remained. He said out loud, “It’s gone! I can’t believe it. It’s been years since I’ve been without any pain.” He sat there perplexed. “I don’t understand where it went.”

His childhood friend, Shotgun, looked at him. “Are you for reals, man?” (Yes, for reals, not for real. For reals is a very typical phrase in poor urban areas; I hear it in my church every week.)

The rest of the meeting the businessman was silent, his face half hidden behind his hands as he seemed in deep thought, considering what had just happened. He told me later that he felt heat and electricity come over his whole body when we prayed for him. During the rest of the meeting, he didn’t try to stop us or intervene in anything else we did, although later he told me it was way outside what he felt comfortable with.

Diablo had been leaning forward and staring at me the entire time, rocking back and forth a little in his chair. From experience, I could tell already from a few things that had happened that he actually was demonized, but I could also see a look of great hunger on his face. It seemed as though what had just happened with the businessman had peeled a layer off Diablo’s defensive mask. He seemed a little softer and I saw desperation in his eyes, almost like, “I don’t know what this is. It scares the hell out of me, but I just have to have it. . . .” His desperation was reaching past the barrier wall— past the dark stronghold of fear and destruction that had defined his life.

We turned to Shotgun and I asked, “Can we pray for you next?” I also asked him if he had a daughter. I sensed the Lord telling me that He wanted to heal Shotgun’s relationship with his daughter.

Shotgun answered, “Yeah, I have two daughters. Neither of them will even speak to me anymore.”

Then I asked him if something was also going on in his back. I sensed the Lord wanted to heal that, too.

He confirmed, “Yeah, I was shot in the back a while ago; it’s still always in pain. One of the disks was permanently messed up.”

My friend Todd White, who was sitting next to me, also asked Shotgun if one of his legs was shorter than the other.

“Yeah, that’s right.” He nodded slowly, as if a bit mystified by what was happening around him.

Todd asked if he could take Shotgun’s shorter leg in his hands, and he spoke to it: “Leg, get out here! Bones, muscles, skin, grow right now.”

The leg shot out as we watched. Diablo’s eyes popped open, and he stood up to check it. Everyone was stunned.

“Yeah, it’s straight now,” Shotgun confirmed. His back pain was also completely gone.

I looked at him with so much love. “You know, what God just did with your back, He wants to do with your entire life.” The guys looked at each other, and it was as if something had broken in the room. Diablo was next. I sensed God prompting us with a word of healing for his torso area, and Todd said he felt God highlighting Diablo’s stomach in particular. Diablo lifted up his shirt and showed us scars where he had been shot in the stomach. A huge chunk was missing where the wound had been. We prayed for the pain to leave and for complete healing to occur in his stomach.

Diablo’s eyes widened, and he grabbed his stomach. He said he felt heat and electricity there, and that he had felt it all over him since the moment he first walked in the door.

We explained that what he felt was often a manifestation of God’s presence that comes bringing healing. Todd then began praying for Diablo’s scarring to disappear. Honestly, we couldn’t tell much of a difference afterward, but the two gang leaders swore it had changed and said it was about 50 percent gone. Shocked, they were stunned into silence. Their posture was completely different from when they had come in; the hardened arrogance, cursing and threats that had surrounded their entrance were gone.

When I looked at Diana, the Lord showed me some of the spiritual weight she had been under.

I told her, “You’ve been having demonic visitation at night, hearing voices and having terrible nightmares.”

The brassy, outspoken Diana dropped her head down to her chest and started nodding quietly. We also sensed that the Lord wanted to heal her from the stomach trouble and digestive problems bothering her. She confirmed that she was suffering in those areas, too. I told her, “Diana, God loves you and wants to heal you. We can pray for you, and all those problems can leave right now.”

We started praying and commanding the demonic spirits that had been attacking her to leave in the name of Jesus. As we took authority and bound them in the name of Jesus, Diana began sweating profusely. Suddenly she doubled over in her chair as if pushed, and she gasped and let out a huge sigh of air. With that, a heaviness seemed to lift off her, and her face looked different.

We asked her if she had felt something leave, and she nodded. Then we told her, “This needs to be sealed up so that it can’t return. The only way that can happen is if you want to accept Christ.”

Diana nodded and agreed she would do that.

We looked around the table, and I said, “That goes for all of you. If you want to pray right now and give your life to Christ, He will continue to heal you and set you free in every area of your life.”

They all nodded and said yes. I asked them to repeat a prayer giving over their lives to Jesus and making Him their Lord. Shotgun especially, who was standing behind Diana, was almost shouting the prayer, passionately asking God to forgive him for every sin he had committed.

All four of them— the businessman, Shotgun, Diablo and Diana— ended up coming back to join our church on Sunday morning. They’ve also started new relationships with people in the community. Today, Shotgun in particular is a changed man. When I met him before, he was driven by the spirit of death. Whereas before he looked completely angry and hollow eyed, today he glows with laughter and joy. He is the first one to tell jokes and welcome newcomers to our church.

Diana has not missed a Sunday in church since that day and has become an outspoken advocate for Jesus to everyone she knows. She brought her entire family to our church. Shotgun and Diablo brought some other men they met on the street into our church for prayer, and those men also decided to leave their gangs and follow Christ. For weeks afterward, I would get calls from these former Latin King leaders telling me that they kept experiencing the presence of God everywhere they went— when they woke up, in the shower, when they were eating, all the time. One of them told me, “Robby, this is the best stuff in the world.” Crying, he called to say, “I don’t know why, but when I think about how Jesus has changed me, I can’t stop crying. I want the world to know how much Jesus can change people!”

Needless to say, there never was any gang war after our meeting, but both Shotgun and Diablo are still somewhat haunted by their reputations. Every time they show up on a Sunday morning, cop cars begin circling our church. Yet these men continue to praise God, grow in Christ and bring more and more people into relationship with Him. It’s interesting how God works.

At the end of our meeting when everyone had accepted Christ, I looked at these guys and said, “What just happened here will change this city.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was giving a prophetic word. This meeting took place at the end of 2011, it has now made national news that there were no homicides in all of Aurora in 2012. That hasn’t happened since 1946.

Another twist to this story is that we started the church fifteen years ago in Diana’s sister’s living room! I remember her sister, Bobbie, asking us back then to pray that Diana would come to Christ and turn away from the life she was leading. Fifteen years later, I had the privilege of leading Diana to Christ when she walked through the door that day. Yet Diana and I did not know our connected history through Bobbie until afterward.

The results of our meeting with the gang leaders became an awesome testimony in our community. It was part of a long series of changes we’ve seen God bring since we moved to Aurora to plant the church. Many times, it has been an uphill battle. Numerous break-ins have occurred at the church building, and I’ve had my car stolen several times— twice by members of our church. At different times over the years we’ve struggled financially, and it has been difficult growing a community of people as committed to the vision as we are. There have been pain and hard times— but in the midst of it all, we’ve seen incredible breakthroughs time and time again. God has been at work healing, transforming families, restoring marriages, providing jobs and ultimately changing the Aurora community. He has made it a place of hope where people from different parts of the country and even the world come to be trained and equipped.

Dawkins, Robby (2013-06-15). Do What Jesus Did: A Real-Life Field Guide to Healing the Sick, Routing Demons and Changing Lives Forever (Ch. 1). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

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