Oct. 1, Elim Fellowship Tri-Regional event, at Word of Life Church, Henrietta, NY
Wednesday: Greetings from the road, I’m on my way to Rochester, NY. My host is pastor Phil McNeill of Henrietta, who will collect me at the airport today, and then get me in the morning for tomorrow’s event. The Thursday event at which I’m speaking is an annual event with Elim Fellowship called the Tri-Regional gathering. Elim Fellowship (a fellowship of pastors and churches, of which I am an ordained member) is divided into regions across the USA, and the three regions huddled most closely to Rochester have had a joint annual gathering for many years. This year it is convening at Pastor Phil’s church in Henrietta. The event launches at 10 a.m. on Thurday, and is over by 2:45 p.m. I am the speaker for the day, and have two 45-minute sessions, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The event draws pastors, church leaders, leaders from the Elim campus in Lima, and is also usually attended by the seniors at Elim Bible Institute & College. I consider it a great honor to be asked to speak to such a great body of leaders. A little over 200 folks are expected.
It’s in my heart to speak on Luke’s two unique parables on prayer, Luke 11 and 18 (I’ve written a book on each parable). Please agree with me for the Lord’s grace to be strongly upon our gathering, and enabling me in power. I am feeling very weak and dependent upon the Lord.
I would also appreciate your praying for my throat. I came back from Russia with a sore throat (there was the shaking of many hands and the hugging of many necks), and now I am fighting to keep the thing at bay. I’m popping Vitamin C and drinking fluids. Today’s trip is the first day in a week of travels, and I’m asking the Lord for this thing to be reversed that I might be unhindered in both fellowship and ministry during this next week.
By the way, here’s my upcoming week:
-Wednesday travel to Rochester
-Thursday ministry in Rochester
-Friday travel to Chicago, afternoon ministry
-Saturday morning ministry in Chicago
-Saturday afternoon fly to Orlando
-Sunday morning in Orlando
-Sunday evening fly to Dallas
-Mon/Tues attend a leadership conference at Gateway Church in Dallas
-Wed morning return home
Thursday 5:30 p.m.: The Lord really helped us today. I was leaning hard, feeling my need of His help in a real way. The response of the leaders to the messages was very sincere, there seemed to be much edification in the ministry of the word. And so much love was expressed — everyone made me feel sooooo embraced. In the words of Tom Brazell, “Welcome home.” I had great joy in reconnecting with so many cherished friends in my Elim family. It was also a blast to connect with a group of 20-somethings who are with Campus Target, as well as a group of around 15-20 Elim seniors. I love to hang with the kids cuz I like to be with people my own age, smile. I think 3 members of our intercessory team were present as well, and I felt the strength of their prayers very much (thanks Syl, Joan, Gloria!). I am now back in my hotel room, and my heart is overflowing with thanks for the privilege of ministering with and to such an amazing group of leaders. The cream of the earth. It’s so humbling to minister the word in the presence of so many men and women who are better than me in every respect. And there’s nothing quite like a worship service with a bunch of Elim people — they’re just ready to GO THERE!
Tomorrow morning I fly to Chicago, and am speaking around 3:00 p.m. at an event called Mujer Victoriosa. It’s a conference primarily for women, and I will be using a Spanish interpreter during my messages. I’m scheduled to speak Thursday at 3:00 pm and Friday at 9:30 a.m.
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