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This is from the blog of Rusty Jackson, a friend of mine who is the squad leader of a team currently in Africa. They where just robbed at gun point. Please read and pray for this team!
Two nights ago my squad and I were robbed at gunpoint in the hostel we were staying at in Johannesburg, South Africa. First and foremost nobody got hurt! Praise God we are all alive and safe! However, we got tons of stuff jacked from us. So here is the email I just sent out to the parents of my team.
Dear World Race parents,
First off I want to apologize to ya'll for just now getting in touch with you. The last couple days have been hectic and stressful to say the least. And my TOP priority has been getting the squad moved out of the hostel and into a location where the folks can feel safe. Not to mention, some of us have been scrambling to get new passports and visas for our upcoming trip to India. So thank you very much for your patience in all this. I can't even imagine the worry ya'll must have been going thru and are still going through.
I'm sure you have heard all sorts of things about what happened two nights ago, so let me just give you the facts. Tuesday afternoon the whole squad, minus Patrice's team, (Patrice, Nate, Angie, Andi and Jen) arrived at The Brown Sugar Hostel in Johannesburg.
I realize it's got a funny name, but the hostel is not in a bad part of Jo'Burg plus we have stayed there three different times while in Africa. So I felt safe about bringing the team here. Anyway, around 8p that evening probably four, maybe five men came into the hostel armed with pistols and told everyone to get on their face in the lounge area. That's where about 12 of us were and the rest of the squad was being held in their dorm room.
Guns were pointed at people, threats were made, but NO ONE was physically harmed. Praise the Lord! However, LOTS of our stuff was taken: cash, cameras, computers, passports, phones, clothes, IPOD's, etc. I'd say the whole thing lasted about 20 minutes. As soon as it was over, the first thing we did was to make sure everyone was OK. Then we started taking an inventory of what was taken, I called AIM, and then people began calling and canceling cards. So anyway, things are just now settling down.
Just so you know, I got the squad at a missionary base an hour away from Jo'Burg. Luckily, when we get to India our team coaches Michael and Kathy Hindes will be there to help us process thru everything. Believe me, we are taking this matter seriously and we do understand the need for counseling at this time.
Now speaking of India, those that needed new passports got them and the whole squad has its visas. So, we will fly out in two groups this weekend: Me, Magen, Caroline, Patrice, Meredith, Nate, Sarah, Jen, Kim, Kelton, Gretchen, Teagan and Laura will leave Friday and Mark, Robby, Steve, Eli, Matt Peters, Matt Snyder, Angie, Ruby, Andi, Michelle, Becky and Tammy will fly out Saturday.
Again thank you for your patience. I love each one of your kids so much and their safety and well-being is my main concern. So if ya'll have any questions please email me or our team coach Michael. His email is Michael@ccchurches.com.
Here's a list of my personal losses:
1. Laptop computer
2. Bible
3. Journal
4. IPOD
5. Two cell phones
6. Passport
7. Credit card and two bank cards
8. 100 USD cash
Plus some other small items that were in my small backpack.
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ"
- Philippians 3:8
Glory be to Christ Jesus, the name above ALL names!
Months ago when I was on the “race” I said “my normal changed.” Since then it’s become a consistent normality for people to call me crazy on a daily bases. On one hand it’s funny, and on the other it’s sobering! The truth is I consider it my blessing!
To give my fellow readers and supporters a quick update I’m no longer at the revival. One morning I woke up thinking I was staying in Florida like every other day. Within a few ours I was on a plane with two friends heading to California. I’ve said many times I came to Lakeland for two things, to worship and to seek the face of God. Out of nowhere on this particular day I felt the Lord say “you have it- you’re full.” Within the next few moments I had an additional confirmation. During the following 60 minutes I had $400 dollars given to me for my ticket and a free ride to the airport that was an hour away that got us on our plane with 20min to spare. Talk about WOW!
I spent the next week in Cali with my friend Terha’s family and drove down to LA to visit my only full blooded Aunt on my Fathers side whom I had never met. Talk about WOW again. Then the three of us drove 20 hours north to Olympia Washington where I spent some time with my folks later to meet Williams parents who live in Seattle. William, Terha, and I have been together everyday for about 5 weeks back in Florida. We have truly grown close. Currently, all three of us are staying in an incredible home with another new “friend” (family in Christ is AWESOME) near Seattle. She said we could stay here for a couple weeks free- I truly can’t imagine a better place to be, no words can explain the love I feel from the Lord! I have my own room! Talk about meeting ALL your needs without even expecting it! There is a WHOLE other chapter to write about in relation to the three of us, what I’m doing, and what’s next…I’ll write about that in my next blog- or make a video. Let me assure you it’s crazy and AWESOME! I mean a whole new level to crazy =) But before I can go there we need to disuse why people think I’m crazy now apart from all that I’ve said up to this point. ;)
I’ve written many blogs on the revival and Todd. Never have I considered myself or did I want to come across as a defender of Todd or the revival, but I am a defender of God and his spirit; a defender of the faith if you will. I wanted to conclude my time in Lakeland with a few words from William J. Seymour, one of the Lords ‘generals’ from the Azusa street revival in 1906. I believe anytime there is a true move of God and with His spirit there will always be persecution, skeptics, and Pharisees. I believe God is the rock of offence. He has historically and is presently offending the church. 100 years ago at the Azusa street revival it wasn’t Todd that was hitting the headlines and receiving the brunt of criticism, but William Seymour and speaking in tongues. I never found the time to write on the last few topics I said I was going to write on ( The Positive, The tongue/ criticism, Revelations, What I'm after/ my hunger, application), but my hope is this will touch on all of them;
“Don’t leave this meeting and talk about tongues, instead try to get people saved. When you go, remember, apostolic power will bring apostolic persecution. If God for Christ’s sake has forgiven your sins, you know it. And if you do not know it better than you know anything in this world, you are still in your sins. If He has given you a clean heart and sanctified your soul, you know it. If you do now know it the work is not done. When you are sanctified people can see it in your life. But when He baptizes you in the Holy Ghost it brings a holy boldness to stand up before the world without fear. Man may say it is of the devil and you are drunk, but glory to God there is a power behind you that men and women can not deny.” --William J. Seymour Oct, 1906
I said above it’s to my benefit that people think I’m crazy, even if it’s my own family. You might be asking, why? Well, I think there are two basic reasons, one, it lets me know I’m on the right path, and two, it forces me to know that I know that I have the word of the Lord and not ignorant ambition. I have already heard the word of the Lord come to me…many many times, confirming I’m right where I’m supposed to be. The things I have written about in my blogs don’t even touch the reality of the DAILY occurrences of his spirit and power. Nor will I try to usher in those experiences into a blog and be in danger of throwing away those pearls. It’s not about what I “think” it’s about what “I know.” It’s not about what you “think” it’s about what you “know.” More than that, it’s about whom we know and His voice! I know very clearly what He’s telling me. I can’t see very far, but I can see my steps, He truly has become the lamp upon my feet. When you have treasures of obedience because you hear His voice and have obeyed, know one can speak against it even if they think they are. Those words become confirmation that you’re worthy to bear the name of Jesus. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31 When you have his voice and promises you no longer need the aproval of "man." Praise God!
Currently I stand in a field with such profound treasure in hand and more in sight. I hear the echoes of past lives lived- that scream of more! “This is what the Lord says, ‘stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16 I’m completely in awe! I’m full of excitement and wonder, but a holy fear rests upon me because of my reverence for my God and because of what the Lord has allowed me to see! I pray I retain this fear so that I may keep my feet bound to this path.
I’m grateful for every person that has taken the time to read, watch, and share their heart with me because of my blogs. I left my country over a year ago to go on the race. I truly did come back changed, but it didn’t stop there. The lifestyle didn’t stop there. I didn’t come back with an experience I came back changed and I’m still being changed. But the acceleration has hit a whole new speed and level that goes far past the race and the revival! Please pray for me, that I stay this course!
Healings, signs, and wonders- real testimonies of my personal accounts and experiences
I don't have the much time to write this blog but I want to share some of my experience since I've been down here at the revival. I wish I could share all of it but the length of this blog would be out of control! This is all for the glory of God and His awesome Love.
Provision-- Within the first 5 minutes of arriving to the revival, not knowing where I would stay, a missionary couple offered for me to stay with them. I stayed at their house with about 5 other pastors or associate pastors/friends until they had to leave the country. Before they left they dropped me off at the campground next to the tent where the revival had moved to, they gave me $225 dollars cash, and filled my tent up full of food. (Thank you Judy, Ken, Becky and the rest of your guys!!) I have been given in total over $500 cash. (people just walk up and say here the lord told me to give this to you). I've been put in a hotel for free 3 times now spending a total of about 2 weeks in a hotel. A friend offered to put me up for free for the first 5 days, which just blew me away. On the day I had my bags packed in a car on my way back to the campground another "friend" offered to put me up for an additional 3 days (thanks Webie), on the day I had my bags packed again waiting on a ride to the campground another friend offered to put me up in a hotel for another 3 days (thanks Linda and Fam). Guess I should just stop packing my pack =) The Spiritual provision has been off the scale! You would not believe the people I have met. Just the other day I met Brother Andrew's (from the book " God Smuggler') son. I've had numerous people prophecy over me or had words of knowledge, most have been very consistent pertaining to my life, other crazy and cool things that I've already heard or things I haven't. The people I've met has just been ridiculous. The two/three I want to mention is Terha, William, and Webie. Terha, William, and I have formed this amazing bond that is truly a gift from the Lord. We call our selves the "A team." Webie is from London and had to fly back home.(MISS YOU WEBIE) Meeting them was truly a divine appointment- much has followed us in our time together! There is a whole lot more to our meeting than, "there just cool people I met." (p.s. I never once asked for money or a place to stay)
Healings, signs, and wonders.-- I'm only going to be able give about 2 testimonies, there are so so many. I'll share the good ones =). I wish I could share them all. Within the first few days at the campground, I went to pay my camping fees. I noticed the elderly gentlemen who ran the campground had a very bad speech impediment. I asked if I could pray for him and his wife. He said "yes." After some prayers and the typical "God Bless You” I left. The next morning he drove his golf cart, or camp cart, over to my tent full of joy. He began to speak to me, and I thought "ahh he's not healed - he's still stuttering." But he was so excited, so I asked, "How are you?" He said, "you prayed for my speech but when you left my trailer my ears popped open!" I said, "what do you mean your ears popped open, I didn't know you had problems with your hearing, I didn't pray for your ears." He said "Yes I've had bad hearing since I served in Vietnam, but now they are perfect." I said, "Praise God, lets pray for your speech and let God heal the rest of you." His speech wasn't healed at that time, so I told him I would pray with him every day I saw him. And so I have. His speech is getting more and more clear as the days pass. Praise God.
As Todd was praying/closing the meeting about a week ago everyone was holding hands. I was holding hands with Jim (from England- never met him before) who was at my left and with Terha who was at my right. I started to feel a very very mild anointing on my left hand. I almost ignored it because it happens so frequently with me. But I thought this must be for this guy to my left because I don't feel a thing in my right hand. Well I introduced myself and we got to talking. It turned out he had been at the meeting for 10 days and still hadn't received what he came to get (a baptism of the spirit/fire from God to take back to England) He was so hungry and was leaving in 2 days. Well I told him I wanted to pray for him, I explained the hand thing and that I believed the Lord wanted to touch him. So I grabbed both His hands, told him to focus on Jesus, and began to pray. As I prayed a very strong fire fell on my hands! I asked him, "do you feel that!!?" He said "yea its like a magnet or electricity." So I kept praying, and it got stronger. He began to breathe heavenly, shake, and then he fell over all by him self. I wasn't expecting it! Fire was still on my hands, and then I felt an anointing on my head- almost like a helmet. While he was on the ground I put my hands on him and felt free and lead to prophesy over him. After I got done prophesying over him there were about five women standing around me who saw what happened. They wanted to get a touch from the Lord. The anointing was still on me so I circled them up and began to pray, and they all got touched. (Mind you, during this whole time we are getting kicked out of the tent because the service was over =) As I was walking out with Webie, we walked by a woman that Webie had a word of knowledge for. We prayed for her and that women got touched. Then in the car on the way back to the hotel we where riding with an older married couple from Jamaica who now live in England. I was so full of joy and faith I asked if anyone needed prayer, the women from Jamaica (can't remember her name) said yes. She had arthritis and pain in her back. I was in the front seat and she was in the back seat with her husband. I held her hand, and as I began to pray in the spirit fire fell on my left hand that she was holding. It was soooo sooo strong!!! I've only felt an anoiting that strong on two other occasions, once in Africa, and the first time the Lord touched me by fire. Lets just say she got touched and leave it at that =) The anointing followed me that night. All glory to God in Jesus Name. Praise you Father.
Personal experiences and accounts....I've never "fallen out" in the spirit since I've been here, don't care if I do or don't right now! But If I go down I'm going down by the power of God not by a push =) Do I agree with falling out in the spirit? Yes- I think it’s completely biblical and beyond, hope to write on it soon! If what falls on my hands falls on my body get your camera out because I'm going to fall flat on my face =) While I’m in the meetings the spirit of God touches me in various ways. I get certain Holy Spirit manifestations like fire/electricity on my hands, face and head among other weird and awesome things. (Some of the manifestations of the spirit pertain to someone else) I’ve laughed uncontrollably on 1 or 2 occasions, and I have to admit I never thought it would happen to me. The Lords presence comes over me like waves of goose bumps from my back to my toes, or just a weighty presence. I've had moments of pure holiness during worship that has just rocked me. I've never been "drunk" in the spirit, again I don't care if I do or don’t- it's all gravy. But anything that’s from God I want! And yes, I think being so consumed with the presence of God and joy can appear as being drunk. I think there is a lot of flesh in the meetings as well as a lot of things that are of God that I just don't understand. I think there will always be out of 10,000 people. But again it doesn’t matter to me. =) The Lord is moving and your accountable for yourself when it comes to how you glorify the Lord and if your going to be distracted or keep your eyes on Him. Above all the physical stuff, is the spiritual...Gods voice is so clear! The peace, joy, and love I have is the most I've ever had I think! God answers my prayers daily! It's just, I'm kept you know, by all mighty God! It's not about the revival, hype, or Todd- and he says this daily himself! It's about intimacy with the Lord, His glory, and His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Some days I don't go to the meetings, I'll just hang back with the Lord! I believe there can be a danger for people coming to the revival for an "experience." Those who do may find themselves as a spectator vs. a participant with the Lord. But I try not to focus on that stuff, it will always be there, I choose to focus on life and truth. The Lord is sovereign and good. God is so big and ridiculous you all! =)
Oil of intimacy "Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
This is such a great time to be alive!!! I know that I can come across as being intense, but it’s only because I love my God and I want to put Jesus on display!! I have so much joy and freedom running through me right now and I just want to share it.
I believe there are windows of opportunities in life where you can offer God High praise in the midst of doubt, persecution, fear and opposition. It’s my blessing that I’m able to seek God in this time and give Him honor and praise. There will be a time where the light of God, and his holy spirit, will pour out so much that if you have the ears and eyes to see and hear God you wont be able to deny it. This isn’t about salvation; it’s about kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. It has begun, and there is going to come such acceleration in the spirit! We haven’t seen anything yet. Those who fill their oil of intimacy now will be on a “high way,” they will be the front-runners, they will be the Lords sanctified vessels for his spirit to move through. He will bless them and partner with them in a way we have never seen! All for His glory!
We must have intimacy with the Lord above all. We cry out to the lord (or at least I do), "send me to the nations, use me to bring your kingdom on earth, use me to win millions and billions of souls. I want the mantle that rested on Elisha to rest on my life and I want a double portion of his double portion. I'll run to the ends of the earth to bring glory to your name!" The truth is if God put in my lap what I ask for tomorrow I would probably drop it. Sometimes we can't comprehend the gravity of that which we ask for, and our intimacy with the lord isn't strong enough to carry it through. God will not be mocked. It's like giving a 20-pound bowling ball to a 4-year-old boy. He hasn't developed the strength to carry it through; he'll probably just drop it. If you are faithful in seeking the Lord and drawing near to Him there is coming a time when God will call you out and put you on a “high way” and your oil of intimacy is your currency with the Lord, and your strength. And the consistent intimacy and communion with the Lord will carry you through all the days of your life!
Below is some concise text from Mike Bickle (founder of International house of Prayer www.IHOP.org) on the oil of intimacy with scripture to support what I’m saying.
Then the Kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil…with their lamps (Mathew 25:1-4)
Ten virgins are all born again believers (2 Corinthians 11:2-3) "I betrothed you to one husband…I present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2)
They each had lamps or ministries that brought light to others (Mt. 5:15; Rev. 1:20; 2:5; 11:3-6; Zech 4:2; Is. 62:1; John 5:35). They all went out to meet or encounter Jesus the Bridegroom.
The “oil of intimacy speaks of our personal reality with the spirit which tenderizes our heart to feel more of God’s love by increasing our revelation of Jesus, zeal for righteousness and spiritual identity (revelation of who we are as sons of God before the Father and the bride before the son).
The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil (perused ministry as their priority over getting oil). The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps (pursued oil as their priority before ministry).
The kingdom shall be likened to virgins meeting the Bridegroom (at the end-of-the-age). The word 'then' leads us back to the end-of-the-age theme Mt.24. At the dark midnight hour of history, the Spirit will raise up forerunners who cary out that Jesus is coming as a Bridegroom God and that we must go out to meet Him (make necessary effort to encounter Him). They all slept which speaks on living in context to the natural process of life. "but while the Bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'behold, the Bridgroom is coming; go out and meet him!' (Mt. 25:5-6)
"The foolish said to the wise, "give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." The wise answered, "No, lest there should not be enough for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves! While they went to buy, the Bridegroom came (End-Time season of revival), and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Aferward the other virgins came, saying, 'Lord, open to us!' He answered, "...I do not know you! Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Mt. 25:8-13)
The foolish recognized their mistake in neglecting oil. Spiritual preparedness is not transferable. therefore, the wise said "No" and refused ministry opportunities. We must engage in the God ordained process of acquiring oil. Jesus said, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold" (Rev.3:18). Those who were ready went in with Jesus. Some ancient wedding feasts had 7 nights of celebration which speak of various seasons of revival. The door of opportunity was shut. The foolish said, 'Lord, open to us!' or give us the same opportunity of usefulness. The Lord did not know or reconize them as those who engaged with Him as the Bridegroom. This is not a reference to salvation as when Jesus said, "I never knew you!" (Mt. 7:23). Jesus did not call them evil (Mt.24-28); wicked and lazy (Mt. 25:26;) cursed (Mt. 25:41).
More to come soon! I ask for patience as my response to comments may be slow. Much love to all!
I've been attending the Lakeland revival for 4 weeks now. I have much I would like to express! I would like to give my account, testimonies of healing and provision, and my personal opinion on many topics. But first I must say I haven't been overly excited about writing a blog on the revival or Todd. It just seems so unimportant in comparison to everything else around me... It seems like most topics revolve around tattoos, falling out in the spirit, angles, or that Todd is just loud... These topics just seem so surface to me! My time with the Lord has been so precious to me right now! That doesn't mean that I think these topics aren't worth discussing or that being careful is a bad thing. And I do realize the impact of these blogs and the people that it could possibly reach. But, does it make sense that I didn't want to put myself in a position of response during this time of communing with the Lord? In ecclesiastics 3:7 it says there is "a time to be silent and a time to speak." Now I feel that it is a time for me to begin to speak.
I came to Lakeland for two things, to worship and to seek the face of God, not for a miracle or to have an emotional experience. I feel like saying, "those who have ears let them hear," like Jesus said many times in the bible. I chose to go "off the grid." This is my "wilderness." A time of filling my oil and I can't leave until I get what I'm seeking after. I have not a clue when I’ll be returning! Praise the Lord!
With-in the next week or so I'm going to post a series of blogs on these topics:
Oil of intimacy
Healings, signs, and wonders- real testimonies of my personal accounts and experiences
The Positive
The tongue/ criticism
Revelations
What I'm after/ my hunger
Application
When I address these topics I'll be writing much like how I share the gospel. I'm not going to try to convince you of anything, I don't need to, I'm going to tell you what it's like straight from my spirit and experience. Like all my blogs I commit myself to be transparent and challenging. I'm not planning on being offensive, but if you get offended just know that my intent is to speak my heart and the truth. I believe God is the rock of offense and I wont sacrifice one detail when God could receive more glory! Nor will I attempt to correct error to create more error.
My approach to the revival was much like Acts 17:11 "And the people of Berea were more open minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if what they were teaching is the truth" My time with the Lord has been so sweet and precious to me since I've been down here. I'm in church anywhere from 6 to 11 hours a day and when I'm not in church I'm taking action to seek God more. If you know me that alone should tell you this is a move of God =). At this point I can say I am unshakable. My closest mentor or family member could say this isn't real and it wouldn't move me, it would probably just grieve me. I have a peace that truly does transcend all understanding in my life and a hunger like I've never known. The Lords presence is so thick! He's been moving through my hands, all around me, and is guiding me every step of the way! What a good Father He is! Much of the criticism and persecution Todd and the revival are facing are symptoms of a greater problem to me, and I won't go into it right now... But I'll say this; we must be careful of topics and discussions that merely appease the intellect and doesn't feed the spirit. You can take anything out of context, especially the bible. But thanks be to God everything is based on intimacy with Him. Talking won’t bring breakthrough (answers or freedom) only intimacy with the Lord! I can say this is a real move of God, not because I think it is but because I know it is. How do you know Sean? I took a step a faith and I'm here, I test it by scriptures, by the fruit, but above all the Lord has revealed it to me personally because I seek him in the secret place. Woe to me if I would have spoke against this and didn't know for sure.
I'll close with this, as Christians we have asked God "rain down on us, bring your kingdom Lord." What does that look like to you? I think most people that have any issues about what’s going on in Lakeland, Christians or not, have an issue because it doesn't look like what they expect it to look like. What's worse? A pastor in the pulpit “sharing” the "gospel" who looks the part, who has his 6 point sermon with the three worships songs, and who makes us feel comfortable but operates in no power or authority. Or, a loud tattooed man who doesn't fit in our box, but who is winning 10's of thousands upon 10's of thousands of souls praising and giving all glory to God in the name of Jesus, and has a whole lot of power and authority behind him. Today more than half the people in the meeting where full time pastors/leaders. In one day! Thats hundreds even thousands of ministers. Just a few days ago I gave 5 of my seats away to 5 catholic priests and watched them get smacked up side the head with the Holy Spirit and joy. Imagine what this could mean for the church!
What if?
More to come soon! I ask for patience as my response to comments may be slow. Much love to all!
When I first herd of Todd Bentley and the revival my first question was "who is he and how do I know if this is real? - Is he a false prophet that the bible warns us about?" If you watched my last video then you can probably tell I don't believe he is a false prophet, but Seth Barnes compiled the blog below that gives us some interesting insight and a deeper look at Todd Bentley.
"I don't know if you've seen what's been going on in Lakeland, Florida. Some are calling it the the beginnings of a global revival; others say it's a farce. This [edited] report describes it. I find it interesting it how quickly some people rush to judgment about something that is bearing good fruit and that God may be authoring. I want to ask them, "So at a minimum they're focusing on Jesus - what are you doing to more passionately pursue a relationship with him these days?" Anyway, I recommend checking this out on line and sounding off one way or another about it." -- Seth Barnes
Revival in Lakeland, FL By Steve Strang May 7, 2008
"The latest outbreak of revival is apparently in Lakeland, Florida. It started with meetings with Todd Bentley on April 2 at Ignited Church pastored by my long-time friend Steve Strader. I've know Steve since I was in the 9th grade and he was in the 6th grade when his father Karl Strader came to pastor the church my family attended in Lakeland.
As I've covered the move of the Holy Spirit for the last three decades, I know that anytime there is a genuine move of God, it is guaranteed that certain people will automatically oppose it.
These people oppose any move of God that is beyond their own religious experience. The sad thing is that some times they will have some valid criticisms that people like me tend to discount because they are so negative.
When I attended the meeting I was excited to see the level of enthusiasm among those who attended. People waited in lines for hours to get a seat at the civic center in Lakeland, a venue that seats about 7,000. There seemed to be about 6,000 there that night and I was told that at the baseball stadium over the previous weekend there were 12,000. The meetings are broadcasted live on the Internet on the Ignited Church's website, http://www.ignitedchurch.com, and also on GodTV which is also broadcasting the services daily from 7 to 11 p.m. EST.
There was great praise and worship that night for about an hour and 15 minutes. Then there were testimonies, Todd Bentley shared and there was ministry of various types that took place. There was a lot of humility exhibited in the service that I attended.
There were also words of knowledge including that there would be an outbreak of revival in Holland, Germany and Ireland. Todd Bentley called for delegations from those countries that had flown over for the revival to come forward. There were about a dozen from each country and they seemed to be mightily touched by God when Todd prayed for them.
Todd Bentley is from Canada. Most of the people in his ministry team have come down from Canada. Many of them are from the biker culture. While I had never met Todd Bentley nor heard him minister, I was a little surprised to see that he was covered with tattoos - which is much more acceptable in his generation than in mine.
Nevertheless he ministered with power. When I was asked later on to describe the service I heard myself saying rather extemporaneously that the first part of the service with worship reminded me of the worship at the Brownsville revival and Todd's style of ministry reminded me of a "Benny Hinn with tattoos." A couple people I've said that to have found it rather funny and have also found it a helpful word picture.
It's too early to really tell the long-term effect of this revival. My report today is neither criticism nor an affirmation. I have not had an opportunity to research any of the miracles or even to talk personally with Todd Bentley.
However, the people I saw at the meetings seemed genuinely hungry for a move of God. Like many, I'm also hungry for a move of God and I'm glad to see this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I'm glad to see the excitement that has been generated - not only in Lakeland, but in various parts of the country." -- Steve Strag
Thought of the day::: I've asked God for courage, strength, wisdom and etc. But I think my prayer might have been slightly off. I think sometimes we ask God for things we already have. He shows us grace as a good Father and maybe in some ways He does give us these things. But I've come to believe that much of what we ask for we already have and He just gives us opportunities to walk them out! The world race was a year long stretch of opportunities to walk out what He gave me before the race.
"The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of man to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." -Psalm 13:2 - I had spelling error on the video =)
"Lord I pray for an Elisha Generation, a people full of your holy hunger. I pray they would seek out the Elijas of this time. That they would ask for a double portion of those before them and that you would give it to them, so that we the "Elisha's" may impart a double portion of your glory in our lives-- Let the five fold, let the wind blow, let your glory come down. In Jesus name!" (Read- 2 Kings 2:9-11
