         NEWS
&
NOTES ARCHIVES:
2009
2008
2007
2006 |
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NEWS & NOTES ARCHIVE:
2007
Mission
Report: Harrismith, South Africa
Team
South Africa: March
2007
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“All men die; very few ever really
live.” This
is one of my favorite quotes from the movie Braveheart. If we truly want to live for God, we will be people willing
to take risks! We
will be men and women willing to not only live for The
Purpose but to die for The Purpose.
I know that is how many of the 24 team members from
Resurrection Life Church Mid Michigan felt as they embarked
across the Atlantic into the country of South Africa to
partner in ministry with
Thrive
Africa.
Over 14
months ago, the journey of these team members began
as it usually begins with an inward knowing that this is a
part of their destiny.
Today, on the other side of the journey, each and
every one possesses a treasure box full of stories to share.
It truly is amazing that God so cares
for families in Qwa-Qwa -- the poorest of the poor -- that
collectively He brought over $70,000 in funds to get His
ambassadors into their homes and hearts.
What value can you place on the eternal soul of man?
How can you measure the power of God’s seed?
Who’s to say that we did not touch the future
leaders of South Africa?
I believe we did these things and more than we could
imagine. God’s
plans are so much higher than our loftiest thoughts!
What treasures were unveiled while we were there?
I thought you would never ask!
In addition to phenomenal team growth, we saw
character challenged, families strengthened, friendships created, salvation imparted, vision exploded,
hope encouraged, pastors reignited, leaders stirred,
mountains climbed, oceans parted (okay, swum), physical
healings received, worship united, doors opened, gardens
planted, buildings erected and painted, hearts mended,
relationships stretched, leadership expanded, spiritual
gifts unveiled, hearts enlarged, compassion given, animals
discovered, friendships enhanced, hearts united, love
bestowed, answers found, confirmation given and dreams
realized!
The walls of Rez Life have truly been expanded into the nations of the
earth. There
have been so many Rez Lifers exposed to the God of all
nations in such a tender, powerful way that we shall always
be infected with Mission Matters. May our passion continue to burn and ignite others for His
Kingdom purposes. Together
may we continue our quest for the King and His Kingdom!
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Pastor's Conference in Qwa-Qwa,
South Africa
It
was with great delight and anticipation that I accepted the
offer to be the keynote speaker at Thrive’s first
conference of the year.
Our theme was “Living on Purpose.”
It was also my privilege to bring with me our youth
pastor, Dave Maxey, and Believer’s School Director, Chuck
Baxter.
Both Dave and Chuck added great dimensions to the
conference as they taught what God had laid on their hearts.
Living
on purpose is one of my favorite subjects to preach on, so
it was nothing but pure joy and fun as I shared God’s
heart concerning Kingdom purpose.
There were several defining moments throughout the
times that I ministered, and it was those moments that I
knew it, they knew it, and God knew it -- that divine
connections and impartations were being deposited straight
from Heaven above.
It’s in those moments that you feel like you could
raise anything, believe for the impossible, and preach
forever.
The
Lord led us to Psalms 2:8:
“Ask of me and I will give you nations for your
inheritance.”
As the anointing began to penetrate through this
promise, cries began to arise from the pastor’s of Qwa-Qwa,
and the entire place erupted in faith and petition for the
nation of South Africa.
When I left those precious leaders, I had an
undeniable desire to build a memorial to my King for all
that he wrought within our hearts as we gathered united in
Christ.
Look Who's Reading the Book!
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I
must tell you that it brought tears to my eyes and
filled my heart with total delight to sow into every
pastor and leader who attended the conference a copy
of my book Lord of the Season.
What took me by surprise was seeing them dive
right into reading it as soon as we went on breaks and
during lunch.
It was obvious that they were hungry for the
printed word, and it was my privilege to provide this
tool for their library.
If they were the only ones that I had written
the book for, at that moment it would have been worth
it all. |
I want to thank
you for your continued financial support. Because of
your partnership, together we were able to freely give this
book to all conference attendees.
__________________________________
Click
here to visit the Thrive Africa website and read their March 2007 newsletter, which includes our
ministry trip!
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Community
Christmas Tea 2007
A
Night for Miracles: Hope Renewed
November 27 &
30, 2007
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It was clear on that
first night that God fully intended to reveal Himself to all
who were within our walls. Before we even opened with prayer, God was already answering
prayer. He was
mighty in our midst!
Forty-eight hours
before our first Tea night, we had a mother in our own
church family who delivered her third child.
However, the baby went into distress within hours.
With each hour that passed, reports grew more grim.
From an Apgar of 9 to life support, this family
needed a miracle. From
a small community hospital to Sparrow and then quickly off
to Ann Arbor, life seemed to be spinning out of control.
On Sunday morning,
the family of God at RLC grabbed hands and began to
intercede and proclaim life over this little one; we pled
the blood of Jesus over him and believed for a miracle.
On Tuesday evening,
the night of the first Tea, just before the evening began, I
was interrupted with the report that our new baby was
beginning to make a turn towards life and NOT death. What doctors said was certain was no longer clear; what
doctors declared as fact was now dismantled. The hand
of God took over, and truth superseded the evil reports.
It was a tremendous
kick-off to two nights of miracles!
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Faith, hope, and
expectations were running high as different God stories were
shared by women in our community.
All who attended heard firsthand how God can heal
broken bodies. We all saw the pictures of one who was
declared to have terminal cancer, yet God had another plan.
We witnessed how God is involved with every detail of
our lives in order to bring restoration to relationships.
The night was clearly marked with the fact that God
will see to it that His purpose prevails.
Mixed in with the
God stories were super-charged dancing and celebrating,
motivating music, and faith-filled moments.
We closed the message with an opportunity for those
among us who needed a miracle to begin the process by
admitting they needed one, surrendering to the One who could
bring it to pass, and praying a prayer of faith that He is
willing and able to take care of what concerns us today!
To top it all off, we were all able to sing together
a beloved Christmas carol.
The Tea Mission this
year was again a top priority to all who attended; it was
obvious by the generous giving that was displayed.
In just two nights, we raised nearly $6,000,
including a generous gift of $550 from Wal-Mart. Our
goal was to see that no child in Mid-Michigan was left
without a winter coat. Over the following weeks, we
were delighted to give the gift of warmth to many area
children.
In addition, the
women of the community purchased smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms for the St. Louis Fire Department. Anyone who needed a unit could call the department and the
department would come out and install the unit for free.
Finally, the Tea was
able to submit an additional check to the fire department to
further assist them in whatever they deem necessary to
provide safety in our communities.
Together, the women
of our community, Wal-Mart, the St. Louis Fire Department,
and the family at RLC made an impact in Mid-Michigan that
makes life just a little sweeter.
It's another example of the “Grace Works” that
are made possible through common men and women from all
walks of life! To
God be the glory! |
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