April 17, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Alfred NY
Sunday 9:00 pm: Hi from the sky. I’m on the Detroit-Kansas City leg of my journey home. This morning Chris and Joan and I piled into a car, together with Anna’s boyfriend David, and we made the 80-minute drive to Alfred NY, in order to minister at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. Anna couldn’t join us, she had to work today. This church was planted by this pastor back in 1985, started originally as a campus ministry. Roger and Penny have labored faithfully in this university town ever since. Probably a thousand students have flowed through the church over the years. Their congregation is composed 80% of university students, which means they have nonstop turnover in their congregation. And they have grace for it. More than that, they have a vision for it.
About Alfred NY:
Alfred is a tiny town that is host, in an unusual manner, to two universities: The University of Alfred, which is the more prestigious one, and SUNY at Alfred (the State University of NY at Alfred). The two campuses face each other on opposite sides of the main road that goes through town. Downtown Alfred is quite charming. It’s like you step suddenly out of the backwoods into a hamlet of modernity and youthful bustle. The economy of the region is countrified, not very strong, but suddenly in the middle of this village is an engine of vibrant economic activity. The zoning board won’t allow fast food restaurants in the town, so quaint shops characterize the ambience of the village. When the students are gone in the summer, it’s a ghost town.
I spoke on an eye covenant, and while I couldn’t read the response of the kids during the presentation of the message, their response afterwards was clear. Almost every one of them came forward for laying on of hands and anointing with oil. Their hearts were eager for everything of God. Just fantastic to behold. Chris, Joan, and David joined me in ministering to folks, it was a time of powerful impartation. Afterwards, the pastor and a couple of his right-hand young men drove me up to the Rochester airport, and we enjoyed sweet fellowship on the way. So I’m coming home with a grateful, enriched heart.
Next: Tuesday at 6 p.m. I’m speaking to the One Thing Internship at IHOP, which is a group of young adults mostly around the ages of 18-21, who are in a season of seeking to discern God’s will and path for their lives. I’m stoked to minister to this group. Thanks for praying. Then this coming Sunday I’m ministering in the Detroit area.
April 15, Zion Fellowship, Canandaigua, NY
Friday 9:30 a.m.: Greetings from Canandaigua, NY, where I am lodged with Chris and Joan Wood. I arrived into Rochester yesterday, attended the afternoon and evening sessions at the Elim Fellowship conference, and am now preparing for this weekend’s ministry.
Tonight I speak at Zion Fellowship here in Canandaigua (the church we once pastored). Other churches from the region have been invited to join us. I’m planning to minister on "Gaining God’s Perspective on your Circumstances.”
Friday 10:30 p.m.: We had a great evening together. I’m guessing around 150 folks gathered, the spirit of worship was sweet, and the grace of the Lord on the ministry of the word was evident. I began by showing the 5-minute Job film. Then enjoyed liberty in the Spirit in delivering the word. At the close I invited everyone present to gather round the front and sing a closing song together. Then we had a nice time of fellowship and greeting friends I haven’t seen in a while.
Saturday is off. I hope to eat some good food and get some writing done, smile.
Next: Sunday morning Chris and Joan will be driving me to Alfred, NY, where I will be speaking at the church their daughter, Anna, attended while in university there. Anna herself can’t go with us as she has to stay back in Canandaigua and work. Her boyfriend David, however, is planning on making the trip with us. The church is called Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. It’s located in close proximity to Alfred State U, and to Houghton College, so of the roughly 100 folks that attend on a Sunday, 80% are students. I am planning on speaking on an eye covenant.
April 8-10, Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah); cosbt.org.sg
Church of Singapore, cosbt.org.sg
Saturday 6:30 a.m.: It’s a lovely Singapore morning here, and I hope to be able to use the hotel pool in a few moments for some exercise. Last night’s meeting was graced of the Lord. I had no idea what to expect, and was surprised to see around 300 adults in the service, along with around 60 Chinese speaking believers in another sanctuary a floor above us who watched, with a live translator, via webcast. The Lord graced the ministry with His presence and help. Many came forward afterwards to receive anointing with oil and laying on of hands. I had no idea how many COVENANT EYES books to bring to this event, and that was evidenced by the fact that we sold out last night of all the copies I had brought, and they were still wanting more. And I’m still to bring the same message again today to the two youth services they have—without any books to support it! Not what I wanted.
Today I’m speaking in the 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. youth services. The culture here in Singapore is like this: The youth (ages 12-20 or so) come to their own services on Saturdays, and then the adults go to their services on Sundays. They have two services for the youth because one won’t hold them all. I’m told they have upwards of 700 young people between the two services. I have no books to offer them, but still plan to do the covenant eyes message at the request of the pastors.
Saturday 10:00 p.m.: I’m back from the 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. youth services at Church of Singapore. The kids range from 13 to their 20s. Around 600 kids combined between the two services. I spoke on an eye covenant, and they responded with eager hearts for the Lord. Afterwards there was meaningful ministry, the laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. If I had come to Singapore for just these two services it would be enough for me. The youth pastor asked if I knew Sylvia Evans, so we had fun connecting over some shared friendships, including Kevin Graves.
Sunday 8:00 p.m.: Today’s 9 a.m. service is done in Mandarin, so I spoke with an interpreter. Many understand English well, so would laugh at my jokes before the translation came. The 11:30 service was English only, and a slightly smaller attendance than first service. In both services I spoke on God writing a story with our lives, and in the English service I closed the message by showing the baseball film. There seemed to be a strong response in both services (there was no altar call in either service). The Lord’s grace was with us, and so now I will be heading for home with a grateful heart.
April 5-6, Elim Christian Bookstore, Taipei, Taiwan; Tabernacle of David Prayer Room, www.hosanna-tod.com
Tabernacle of David Prayer Room, hosanna-tod.com
Monday morning: I have a day off in lovely Singapore. This morning I enjoyed a morning swim at 6 a.m., and enjoyed watching the stars fade in the sky during the swim. The beach is within walking distance, and I may go for a beach stroll tonight after dusk. And I’m meeting up with a pastor and his wife for coffee at 3:00 p.m. Plus, I want to do some writing. So I have much to do on this day off, smile.
Tuesday 3:00 p.m.: I am now in my room in Taipei. I was first taken to see the Elim Bookstore. Then I was taken to the Tabernacle of David Prayer Room, which is located in the same block of buildings. We had a time of singing and prayer together, and the prayer room team gathered round and prayed for me. Some of my friends have been here before me: Gary Wiens, Stuart Greaves, Julie Meyer, the Mark Hendrickson family. Awesome! Then they took me to an organic store connected to this ministry, and I could pick out anything I wanted, wow. Already I’m being spoiled over the top. We’ll return to the same store for supper tonight, they also serve meals there.
The team has greeted me so very warmly. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for me to finally get to Taiwan. Elim Publishers published Exploring Worship many years ago, and for years that was the only book of mine they had published. But in recent years they’ve picked up Secrets, Unrelenting Prayer, and now Covenant with my Eyes.
Tuesday 10:30 p.m.: I’m back in my room now after tonight’s meeting. The room was packed. It’s not a large room, but I think they crammed just about as many people into it as possible. Their singing in Chinese was especially moving for me. It transported me somewhere. I especially enjoyed the songs that were obviously written in Chinese. Songs written in the native tongue have a flow about them that is hard to replicate when translating songs from English. In terms of the preaching, I struggled a bit tonight. I appreciate your prayers.
Thursday morning: It’s a lovely morning in Taipei, a very nice time of year here. We’re in the same time zone as Singapore here, but the sun comes up much earlier in the day. Last night’s meeting here at Tabernacle of David Prayer Room in Taipei was blessed of the Lord. The Lord helped in the delivery of the message on an eye covenant, and afterwards there was much personal prayer for people. The oil of the Holy Spirit was flowing, it was beautiful. The crowd at this event was the largest they’ve ever had for an event at this venue, so my hosts were very encouraged. They sold a lot of books, which means the message will be spreading throughout the body of Christ. Thanks be to God! Since the Chinese translation of Eye Covenant was just printed, we prayed a corporate blessing over the book, that it would spread throughout the entire Chinese reading world.
Go to my FB page to see a pic of the chicken foot I ate for supper.
I will be collected by my hosts at 11:00 a.m. today, they will take me on a little driving tour on our way to the airport, to see Taipei’s skyscraper. When built in 2004, it held the world record in 3 of the 4 categories in which the world’s tallest buildings are ranked. Today, all 4 categories are held by the Burg Khalifa, so Taipei’s 101 is now a dwarf, ha. I read the wikipedia summary on Taiwan’s political history and present relationship to China, and found it interesting, I recommend it to you. It’s amazing how such a nation can be “not a nation” because of political interests.
Then my hosts will get me to the airport in time for my 2:25 pm departure for Singapore. I’m returning to Singapore for a weekend of ministry at Church Of Singapore. Today is a travel day, no ministry. Up first is a Friday night meeting, at which I am speaking on an eye covenant. COS is composed of nearly 50% Chinese speaking people, so while I am speaking in English Friday night in the main hall, a Chinese interpreter will be translating in a separate room for a room full of Chinese-speaking believers. Simul-translation. This entire trip to Singapore and Taiwan started to come together because of the initial invitation of Church of Singapore, so this church is my primary host for this trip. Ricky Sim is my main contact, a brother who leads the worship ministry at this church, and also travels to other nations (such as Myanmar) to equip churches in worship ministry.
April 2-3, Cornerstone Community Church, Singapore
Thursday morning: Good morning from spring-laden Kansas City, what a great time of year. Today I am making my way to Singapore (via Minneapolis and Tokyo). This is going to be a 12-day trip for me (including travel days), to include two churches in Singapore and a ministry in Taiwan. I arrive Friday at midnight into Singapore, and the first ministry will be Saturday 5:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Church. This will be my sixth visit to this church since I first was with them in 2000. The pastors and team have become dear friends over the years. Then I will do their three services on Sunday morning (35 minutes each service). The Lord has prospered the church through the years, it is the strongest ministry in Singapore to which I’ve been. I’m looking forward to this time of reconnecting, since it’s been six years now since I was last with them.
Saturday 11 a.m.: Greetings from tropical Singapore. You know you’re in Singapore when you have dragon fruit and papaya on your breakfast plate, smile. The trip went well, I got 6 hours sleep last night, and I’m ready for today. (which is my grandson Noah’s 10th birthday, woohoo!) I will be collected at 4:30 p.m., do a sound check, then into the 5:00 pm service.
Sunday 6:00 p.m.: I’m back in my hotel room after a marvelous weekend of ministry. Last night I had 35 minutes to share the covenant eyes message, and so I had labored to get the message as lean as possible. I think I ended up getting it done in 38 minutes. Because of the tightness, I was aware that the message lacked some of the impact it has had in other contexts when I have more freedom from the clock. But even so, I believe there was some eternal fruit. Today I spoke on the power of perspective. It’s a good message to fit into a 35-minute slot, as 35 minutes gives me time to develop the message adequately. Actually, I even took time in this morning’s services to include the Job video that Joel produced for me. The Lord was with us, helping us, and personalizing the message for each one.
It’s been a good time of reconnecting with my friends at Cornerstone. I’m grateful to God for this privilege.
Looking out my hotel window, I have an excellent view of the waters outside Singapore, where are unbelievable number of freighters are sitting and awaiting their turn to load/unload. Looking at the activity of this port, it certainly seems that the economic activity of Singapore right now is robust. I am also able to watch the jets as they approach Singapore for a landing. The flow of jets to this tiny island nation is stunning.
About what’s next:
Tuesday morning I will be collected at 6 a.m. and taken to the airport, for my 8:20 a.m. flight to Taipei. It’s my first time to Taiwan. I will be with my book publishers there, Elim Publishers. They have now published four of my titles in Chinese. The fourth title, Covenant Eyes, was produced just in time for my arrival this week. I’ve been asked to speak on Secrets of the Secret Place, and Covenant Eyes, both titles which they’ve translated. (in addition to Exploring Worship and Unrelenting Prayer)
The meetings in Taipei will be Tuesday and Wednesday evening, around 7:00 pm I believe.
My hosts in Singapore told me that the two nations in Asia that share the lowest percentage of Christian population (around .7%, according to wikipedia), also share this unique status: both nations have Emperor worship. Those nations are Japan and Thailand. It is perceived, therefore, that Emperor worship is a great hindrance to the gospel. Let’s pray for Thailand and Japan!
Mar. 25, Hope City, Kansas City, MO:
Friday 2:30 pm: Tonight I’m speaking about the cross at Hope City in downtown Kansas City. 6:00 pm service.
Friday 10:00 pm: Tonight’s Good Friday service at Hope City was marvelous. There’s an excellent spirit among the folks at this ministry. They have a strong family spirit in their midst, which is strong in part because many of them live daily life together. They were attentive and engaged in the ministry of the word, and at the close four brothers came forward to express a first-time public loyalty to the cross.
Mar. 15-19, Instituto Shofar, Sao Paulo, Brazil; www.shofar.com.br
Monday 7:00 pm: Greetings from the back seat of a car, I am being driven from the Sao Paulo airport to my hotel. The airport is 25 km outside S.P., so we have a 50-minute drive. At noon today, my host pastor in Cascavel made his specialty for me — Brazilian BBQ. You should see, he has this wood-burning BBQ pit built right inside his home. With skewers the size of swords. It’s the perfect setup for grilling meat. We have fireplaces, but they have BBQ pits. Sausage, chicken, and huge slabs of beef. Salted generously, very flavorful. I ate today like Solomon only dreamed. I posted a video clip to my personal FB page, you’re welcome to check it out. I’m still hardly hungry, but now my driver is under instructions to take me to dinner, so I have requested beans and rice. No ministry tonight. The first ministry is tomorrow (Tuesday) night.
Tuesday 11:00 p.m.: Wonderful night. They started with no worship, just made some introductory remarks, and then I was on. In college classroom style. Around 100 prayer leaders from the church had gathered. I brought the “illegal prayers” message from Luke 11, and they expressed strong appreciation. They were wanting the book in Portuguese, smile. Happily, the Portuguese translation of A COVENANT WITH MY EYES arrived today, and tonight was made available for the first time. Please bless that translation with your prayers. I intend to speak on that topic Thursday night.
Next: Wednesday 7:30 meeting. We’re meeting at the same church sanctuary for all the meetings. They are expecting many of those who came tonight to return tomorrow night, and they will be joined this next time by around 100 students who are part of the institute here. So we may have close to 200 tomorrow night, we’ll see.
Wednesday midnight: I’m just back from an excellent evening. I taught on the taking of the stronghold of Zion. It’s difficult to read the responses of the people, but at the close a meaningful number of folks came forward to stand before the Lord and express their response to Him. It was especially meaningful for me personally, I was preaching to myself, smile.
Next: The conference starts tomorrow (Thursday).“A covenant with my eyes” is the conference theme. I see now that I’m ministering with a couple other folks. From what has been said about them, I look forward to meeting them.
Friday 8:00 a.m.: Last night’s conference launch was powerful. The Lord anointed the Covenant Eyes message in a strong way. At the end, I think virtually everyone in the place came forward to receive anointing of oil and laying on of hands ministry. Many were moved by the Holy Spirit in a way that was visibly evident. I have to say about these Brazilians, they are very eager to respond and give their hearts to the Lord! I’m falling in love all over again with the awesome family of God.
Friday 3:00 p.m.: They asked me to go to a local mall at 11:00 a.m. today, a secular bookstore, where they were wanting me to do a book signing. I tried to get out of it, but they prevailed upon me, so I went along for the ride. It was different from what I had expected. As it turns out, they didn’t have a morning meeting at the conference, but encouraged everyone to come to the bookstore for the signing session. I’m guessing around 60-70 people from the conference showed up. Some bought books which I signed, while others just hung around, snacked on the snacks, and just enjoyed the fellowship time. No regular shoppers bought books except only the people from the conference. But for my host, it was valuable to him that we do this at a secular venue, and step into the marketplace with it. Afterwards, a group of us went to a nearby churrascaria, where we had the best churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) in town. Top shelf in every way. Even the desserts were amazing. Wow.
Friday 9:00 p.m.: Greetings from my hotel room, where I’m doing work and getting prepared for tomorrow’s trip home. At 5:30 pm I had my last session, and spoke on Envy. The Lord’s grace was strong, and the impartation and impact was meaningful. We had quite the ordeal getting my Portuguese Envy books to this event, but they arrived THIS MORNING, just in time for this afternoon’s session.
What’s next? My parents are coming to join us for Resurrection Weekend! Can you believe it, that at age 87 and 92, they are still braving airplanes to come to us? Fabulous! They arrive Wednesday, and will hang with us for 5 days. I am home for Easter this year so that we can have the family time together. My next ministry is this coming Friday — I am speaking a Good Friday message on the cross at Hope City in Kansas City’s inner city. Friday 6:00 p.m