Aug. 1, Teen Challenge National Conference, Denver, CO; teenchallengeusa.com
Sunday afternoon: I’m writing from the Denver Doubletree, where I am getting ready for the Teen Challenge National Conference. Teen Challenge gathers its leaders once a year, and this year they chose Denver for their meeting location. All meetings will be held in this hotel. Things launch with tonight’s 6:30 p.m. service. I will take in tonight’s service, and then will prepare to speak twice tomorrow. Alan and Jean Denney are personal friends who live in CO, and they are coming over today to help me by running my book table at this event. They’ll be with me from this afternoon until Monday late afternoon when I leave for the airport.
My connection with TC is through a brother named Duane Henders, who is the TC Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has family in Lees Summit, and so we have had time in the past to connect in personal fellowship. Duane has appreciated my Secrets book a lot, and in turn passed it along to Joe Batluck, the US Director. Joe also connected with the book, and since this year’s theme is on prayer, Joe asked me to come and be one of the speakers at this year’s event. This is a tremendous honor for me, to contribute to a ministry built on the shoulders of Dave Wilkerson.
In the morning session I’m speaking on Secrets of the Secret Place. In the afternoon session, I’m speaking on Unrelenting Prayer (Luke 18 parable).
Monday 5:10 pm: The Lord helped me with today’s sessions. I struggled with my voice and with the sound system, but managed to get through, and the word of the Lord was delivered. This was a fantastic group of heroes gathered, on the front lines making a difference in our nation and world. I was so honored to minister to them! Now I am asking the Lord for the seeds to bear good, eternal fruit.
July 30-31, Jubilee Fellowship Church, Lone Tree, CO
Tuesday noon: I’m just back from the Intro to IHOP internship, at which I spoke on the Luke 18 parable of the persistent widow. The Lord graced the message with an unusual anointing, everyone was edified, especially me. Never stop praying!
p.s. Two Spanish translations have just come out. We just now got our first copies of Unrelenting Prayer, and Loyalty has just been published (we don’t have our copies yet). Both were produced by local churches in Mexico that have publishing ministries. Please join in agreeing prayer for the Lord to make these translations a great blessing to the Spanish-reading world.
Saturday: I had a marvelous time yesterday in CO Springs with Joel and his four arrows. Had fun meeting Jordan, their dog. We took in an animated movie, enjoyed Chipotle, then had a rousing game of Apples To Apples. Audrey ruled that game. Then at bedtime I made the 75-minute drive north to my Denver hotel.
The event that has brought me to Denver is the Teen Challenge National Conference (teenchallengeusa.com) which is convening this year in Denver. My ministry with that event is on Monday. Realizing that I would be in Denver this weekend, I reached out Jubilee Fellowship Church, a church in the greater Denver area where I ministered once before in 2012, and they said yes to my overture, so I am scheduled to minister in their weekend services. They have multiple campuses. I will speak at their main campus Saturday 4 pm and in the two Sunday morning services, and then the DVD of the Saturday service will be played at the other campus locations over the weekend. I have prepared my heart to speak on “God’s Perspective on Your Circumstances.”
Sunday 4:00 p.m.: Yesterday and this morning’s services at Jubilee Fellowship Church in Lone Tree were blessed of the Lord. A lot of appreciation was expressed, which is meaningful for me in the sense that it confirms that the message was relevant and meaningful.
July 22-24, Centro Familiar Emaus, Mexico City, Mexico
Friday morning: Today I’m off to Mexico City, via Atlanta. This will be my first time to Centro Familiar Emaus, a church on the north side of the Mexico City sprawl. I’m sharing at their annual congress, here’s their site for it: www.congresopasion.com. I’m scheduled to minister Friday night, Saturday midday, and Sunday morning. Then returning home Sunday evening.
Friday 4:00 pm Central: I made it to CDMX! (Mexico City) I’m now in my car and being driven to my hotel, which will take 45-60 minutes in this crazy rush-hour traffic. After the heat of Kansas City and Atlanta, I’m stunned at how cool it is here, around 70. The clouds are saying that we should not overrule the possibility of rain. I’ve requested to stop at a fruit market on the way, so I can get a papaya fix.
Friday 11:30 pm: The Lord’s grace was evident tonight. The group was composed of a lot of young people, and they responded in a sincere way to the message — I spoke on the persistent widow parable of Luke 18. Even if they weren’t blessed, I was, ha. I’m meeting some great people here. Already my heart is overflowing.
Saturday 5:00 pm: Today’s noon session on an eye covenant went well. My translator was limited, but we made it through OK. There was a good group of around 100 leaders present, and they were very attentive to the word. These saints are so eager in their hearts, which showed in their response at the conclusion. Wonderful people to be with and minister to! Afterwards we had a marvelous lunch at the pastor’s home.
Sunday 3:00 pm: Greetings from CDMX airport, where I am checked in and waiting for my 4:00 pm flight to Atlanta to board. This morning was challenging for me because of sound system and translator limitations, but the Lord helped us and we made it through. I have no idea exactly how much of the message came through, but they seemed to be edified and encouraged. Everyone bore very patiently with the struggles and limitations, and seemed to take in every word. Above all, I enjoyed the exchanges of affection with these excellent saints of God.
July 20, Selah Worship Conference, Christian Life Center, Tinley Park, IL
Wednesday morning: This morning I have a direct flight to Chicago, and then will be taken to Tinley Park, IL, to prepare for tonight’s launch of the Selah Worship Conference at Christian Life Center. This will be my first time at this event and church.
Thursday morning: I’m being driven right now to O’Hare, returning home. Last night’s Selah Worship Conference in Tinley Park was a blast. Great people, very responsive, the Lord’s presence was real, the kingdom of God advanced in our midst. The Lord helped me to speak, and the group responded openly to the Lord. I feel like my family just grew a little bit more, again.
July 16-17, Life Point Church, Hillsborough NC
Saturday morning: I’m on my way to Raleigh, preparing my heart for ministry this weekend at Life Point Church in Hillsborough, NC. My connection with this church is through a family who attends there, who were part of our Zion congregation back when we were in NY. (Pat & Marie Mahoney) They suggested me to the pastor, and he followed through and invited me. It will be my first time to meet the pastor and to be with this church. Life Point has been in existence not for very long, it’s a comparatively new church plant. I’m looking forward to our time together! Services are tonight and Sunday morning.
Saturday 10:00 p.m.: What a delightful spirit among the saints tonight! This church is around 1.5 years old, so it’s a real fun season for them. They really enjoy being together. The Lord worked in a strong way tonight, strengthening His people through His word. Wonderful.
Sunday 5:00 pm: Greetings from Atlanta airport. I’m still reveling in the delight of being with this little flock of eager saints. Heartfelt worship. Strong response to the word. A real sense of delighting in one another. The family of God is awesome.
July 15, Karitos Arts Festival, Living Water Church, Bolingbrook, IL
Friday: This morning I’m making my way to Chicago to participate again in the annual worship and arts conference called Karitos. I am speaking tonight only at this event, and have been asked to speak on the parable of the persistent widow, Luke 18:1-8. I brought that message at this event many years ago, and because of this year’s theme they have asked me to return to bring that message again.
Saturday 8 a.m.: Greetings from O’Hare, my flight will be boarding in 15 minutes. The Lord graced the message last night (even though I fought with the sound system), and a number of folks expressed strong appreciation for the message and its timing in their lives. It was a marvelous and refreshing service. I’m leaving now, but the conference continues still today, full throttle.
July 12 Intro to IHOP
Tuesday afternoon: This morning I spoke to the Track 1 interns at Intro to IHOP, and spoke on Illegal Prayers. The Lord’s grace and presence was strong. At the close, the group gathered round me on their own initiative, and prayed bold prayers for my healing. I loved it! Although my breakthrough didn’t happen in that moment, it seemed like we were teetering on the edge of something powerful.