Mar. 11-13, First Foursquare Church, Cascavel, Brazil

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Thursday morning: I leave the house at noon for a 2:00 p.m. departure. It will take four flights to get to my first destination, which is Cascavel, Brazil. Two flights will get me to Sao Paulo, and then two flights internal to Brazil will get me to Cascavel. It’s my first time to this ministry, the pastor is a regional presbyter for the Foursquare denomination. I’m assuming they connected with my ministry via my books, I’m not sure, but they reached out and now the trip has come together.

I am scheduled to minister once daily on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The weekend theme is “the power of the cross.” Then on Monday I go to Sao Paulo for other ministry — more on that later.

Friday 8:00 p.m.: Greetings from the airport at Curitiba, Brazil. This has been the day of mechanicals for me. A mechanical on the plane from Atlanta meant we had to deplane and get on another plane. The delay ate up 4 hours. Thankfully I had a 6-hour layover in Sao Paulo, so I did not miss my flight from Sao Paulo to Curitiba. And neither did I miss another mechanical. In leaving Sao Paulo, we pulled out, and then pulled back to the gate because the ice sensors were acting up. (Believe me, there was no ice on the plane, ha, it’s quite warm here.) That delay meant that I did not make my connecting flight in Curitiba, so I suddenly found myself with a 4+ hours layover in Curitiba. Which also means I didn’t get to Cascavel for Friday night's meeting. 

I sort of found myself in the mix with four other passengers who were on my plane from Sao Paulo, and who also suddenly found themselves with a 4+ hour layover here because we all missed our connections. One of these is a young dentist who happens to speak English, and he became my advocate by default. He helped me get reticketed, and by the time all that happened, the five of us had sort of become a unit. The two young men were going to the same city, and the older couple and I were both going to Cascavel. So they pulled me into their space and told me to follow them. I thought we were going to our next gate together. But no, it turns out that Azul Airlines buys a meal for passengers who have an inconvenience or delay that is over 4 hours, so we were off to an Azul office to get our meal vouchers. We exited Security, found the office, got our vouchers, and sat down together at an airport restaurant for a meal. I told them, this kind of thing NEVER happens in America. Five passengers who just happened to encounter the same delay simply do not join together to do a meal. Only in Brazil. They acted as though this is the normal, rational thing to do. So we got ourselves a meal and enjoyed some fun visiting time. I did my best to draw them out, using my notepad, and Victor served as the table interpreter. I have a photo that I am attaching to this email, from the left: Joao (John the baker), Nilsa (they’ve been married 48 years) Mayck (Mike, a physical therapist), and Victor. Victor is a dentist on a temporary assignment to Switzerland, and is making a trip back home right now to see family. 

I don’t know why the Lord didn’t pull to have me in Cascavel at tonight’s meeting, and I don’t know why he threw me into a dinner with four other passengers, but I kept leaning into the Spirit, wondering if this was a divine appointment of some sort.

Saturday 9:00 a.m.: Upon arrival, I learned that a couple other ministries were also invited in for this weekend. One of them is Luca Martini, a young man from Naples, Italy, who is speaking at this event, and who also will serve as my translator when I speak. They said he did an amazing job of speaking last night in my place, they were raving about it. So the Lord covered! The other is a worship leader from IHOP Brazil in Florianopolis, named Laura Souguellis. They also spoke highly of her ministry, even though I arrived too late to enjoy it. Another brother from IHOP Brazil was also with Laura, it was great to meet them, and to see how IHOP Brazil is touching the nation here. Wonderful! 

Cascavel is very beautiful. Semi-tropical, so you have year-round flowers. The coldest it might get in winter is 4C. In summer it can get up to 39C. They grow mangos, oranges, citrus fruits, there is lots of greenery. And lots of wind. Except for its remote location, it’s a very desirable place to live. I was told 300,000 people live here.

Sunday 5:00 p.m.: The conference in Cascavel is now over. Briefly, Saturday night Luca spoke in the first session, and then I spoke in the second session that started around 8:30 p.m. Doing two sessions at a meeting seems common for these folks. Luca also served as my translator, he seemed to do an excellent job. The Lord graced the ministry of the word, it was a great evening. Then Sunday morning we were collected at 8:30 a.m., and I spoke in the two sessions of the Sunday morning meeting. I offered to speak twice because of missing the Friday service. At the close of the first session around 30 people came forward to express a first-time public stand of loyalty to the cross. At the close of the second session we had an extended time of prayer and ministry around the altar, the saints were very eager to give themselves to the Lord. The sessions have been good, and already they are asking if we can do this again next March. 

The conference continued into Sunday morning. So this morning’s services were attended by people from many area churches. But they will all go to their own respective churches Sunday night because here in Brazil Sunday night is the primary service of the week. 

Tomorrow (Monday) Luca and I travel, it so happens, on the same flights to Sao Paulo. We leave here 2:00 pm. I will be collected by my Sao Paulo hosts, for ministry that will happen in the S.P. metro area Tuesday through Saturday. My host is Mauricio Marques, and his ministry is called Instituto Shofar. Tuesday evening I will be speaking to a group of intercessors, and Wednesday to a group of students. Then Thurs the weekend conference begins. 

 

Mar. 5-6, Grace Fellowship Church, Titusville PA

Posted on March 07, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Friday: This morning I am making my way to Pittsburgh (via Detroit). My brother will collect me at the airport, and we’ll have a birthday dinner at his place tonight for my Mom, who is 87 today. We’ll be pulling out all the stops, it’s a high celebration!

Then around 7 p.m. tonight, my parents and I will make the 2-hour drive straight north to Titusville, PA, arriving to our hotel in time to hit the pillows. Then we will go together to the seminar we’ll be doing at Grace Fellowship Church in Titusville. The seminar will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, I’ll do a morning session, then we’ll break for lunch, then I’ll do an early afternoon session. Then my parents and I will stay over for the Sunday morning service.

The pastor was a student at Elim Bible Institute in the mid-90s, and during that time attended our church in Canandaigua occasionally. He is licensed with Elim, so it will be great to connect with another fellow Elimite.

Saturday 10:00pm :We’ve been having a marvelous time today in Titusville. The morning session on Loyalty was strong. The afternoon session on the Cross was weaker, it seemed that folks were fighting sleepiness, which is common after lunch. We closed in Communion, and everyone seemed edified. Then my parents and I went to the pastor’s home this evening for fellowship and dessert. It ended up being story time with my parents. Once the stories started, they just kept flowing. Our hosts seemed blessed by and interested in the stories. In a context where I can’t talk, it’s been great to have them along to carry that part of the weekend. And our fellowship times have been way sweet. 

Sunday 6:00pm : Greetings from my parents’ place in Pittsburgh. We had a lovely drive back home this afternoon. My parents and I really enjoyed the spirit and atmosphere that is present among the saints at Grace Fellowship in Titusville. Heartfelt, simple worship. Authentic believers. Sincere fellowship. Eager receptivity to the word. I spoke on the power of perspective, and the Lord’s grace was manifest in the ministry of the word. We were all glad to be together in the Lord’s house.

 

Feb 27-28, The Cross Church, Seoul, Korea

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Saturday 6:00 pm: The turnout at today’s seminar was strong, with around 100 people eventually getting to the meeting. I shared some things I’ve never talked about before in a public context. The presentation was not polished, it was a bit scattered, but at least it was fresh and heartfelt. At the close I shared some principles from Joseph’s life. Joseph is an great example for stewardship in the marketplace. The Joseph prison precedes national stewardship because He doesn’t want to use us and then lose us. 

Next: I will be collected Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. service. The service runs 10:00-12:20 pm. (I am speaking in just one of their three Sunday services.) Then I will have a lunch on the church premises with some of the leaders. Then off to the airport, for a 6:00 p.m. departure. 

Sunday 5:00 p.m.: Greetings from the Seoul airport, where I am checked in and waiting for my flight to board. It’s been a great day. Strong confirmation of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of the word. Meaningful connection and response. A good day in the Lord’s house! 

I was able to speak 7 times in 8 days on this trip, and here’s the amazing thing: On Friday, which was my day for vocal rest, I felt like I could have spoken that day without a problem. So the Lord has definitely given me more strength than I had 10 years ago. I’m so grateful! I have more strength and less pain than I had 10 years ago, for which I give thanks to God. 

 

Next: I’m ministering at a church in NW Pennsylvania this coming Sat/Sun (about an hour from Erie), and will have the special joy of having my parents join me for this excursion.

 

 

Feb. 22-25, Last Runner Conference, Seoul, Korea

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Monday afternoon: Greetings from the north side of Seoul, where we are now settled into our dormitory lodging for the Last Runner Conference. The rooms here are heated through the floor, and in time my room should warm, but in the meantime it’s taking the longest time to warm up. So I have my jacket on until then. I have my own private room, which is nice. My hunch is that some of the kids will be lodging several to a room. 

On our way here, our hosts treated us to Korean BBQ. Just amazing! The stoves are built right into your dining table, so you cook your beef right there at your fingertips. 

Monday 11:30 p.m.: First session went well. On entering the Holiest through the blood of Christ. Good flow, good response. Jaye and the team did a super job leading worship. The conference is off to a good start.

Tuesday morning: When I first visited South Korea, which I believe was in 2000, there was much talk among believers of the hope of reunification with the North. The church prayed constantly toward that end, and in fact the great prayer movement of South Korea seemed to stem from this national desperation for divine intervention. The tone in South Korea in 2016 is different. The youth in South Korea today don’t carry a passion for reunification like their parents did. In fact, they tend to oppose the idea, because they see the North as a nation that is hostile to everything they represent, and in the event of reunification would become a huge financial drain. The change in attitude is striking. 

Tuesday afternoon: I have a good report — I am doing much better with the cold. It seems like it’s in its final throes. Thanks for praying!

Tuesday  11:00 p.m.: Wonderful night. I spoke on multitude-driven worship, after which time we had a prayer line “fire tunnel” style, and everyone received impartational prayer. It’s late now, so good night.

Wednesday 10 a.m.: I’m enjoying a prayer walk right now, back and forth in the hallway of this dormitory. The halls are unheated, so I have my winter jacket on and am walking, reading, and praying. Going from the cold hallway to one’s warm room is quite a difference. Walking on a warm floor in our room is really very nice. (the heating is through the floors)

Wednesday midnight: I’m finally back to my room after a long meeting. They told me in advance to take the time I needed, so I relaxed and let the Eye Covenant message have its own cadence. Afterwards, I think just about the whole room came forward for impartational prayer. These saints are so eager, they’re ready to say YES! A very sweet spirit was in the house tonight, so my heart is filled with thanksgiving.

And now I’m hitting the hay. At 8:00 a.m. I am to go with a group to go out for “traditional Korean breakfast.”

Friday noon: I’m sitting in my hotel room and eating a Papa Johns pizza! My hosts dropped off the pizza to my room for lunch, they are spoiling me beyond measure here. This morning we were driven from the conference dormitory back to the hotel in which we first lodged upon arrival into Korea. I am in a very delightful, modern room for my final two days here. Today is a “day off” for me, so I am doing no speaking today, and will have the day to myself at the hotel. And I have much to do. Last night was the closing service of the conference, and I spoke on “it’s not business, it’s personal.” I really don’t have a way to evaluate how this conference was for my hosts and those who attended, but I had a marvelous time with them. 

Up next for me: Tomorrow I am teaching a class for people in the marketplace. This is actually the first time I’ve been asked to speak to this kind of group, so I’ve been stretching and reaching to prepare for that session. My preparation feels rather weak to me right now, so I’m asking the Lord to add His muscle to it, thanks for agreeing in prayer. 

I forgot to tell you in yesterday’s email that the Korean translation of A COVENANT WITH MY EYES was printed just last week, just in time to be made available for this conference. So when I preached on that topic, I was able to recommend the book to them as an additional and enduring resource. I was so pleased that I could do so, so pleased that the publishers got it done in time. Please pray for this Korean translation, that the Lord would take it as far as He might desire among Korean readers. 

 

Feb. 21, Chueum Church, Bucheon, Korea

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Friday: This morning I am making my way to Seoul, Korea (via Tokyo). I am returning to the conference where I ministered last year, called the Last Runner Conference. And am speaking in a couple churches on the weekends surrounding the conference. Here’s the ministry schedule at a glance:

Sunday: Chueum Church, Bucheon

Mon-Thurs: Last Runner Conference, Seoul

Sat-Sun: The Cross Church, Seoul

Jaye Thomas was there with me last year, and is returning with me again this year, big smile.

I am aware of needing the strength and help of your prayers. I am unsettled and unprepared on at least four of the upcoming sessions, which means I will be seeking the Lord as the week progresses for clarity on the direction to take in each session. Thank you for pushing in the Holy Spirit!

First up is a 2:30 p.m. service on Sunday at a church in Bucheon, which is in the metro Seoul area. It is a young adult service.

Sunday evening: The trip to Korea was good, except that my rose was runny and I didn’t feel so good. And we had a 2-hour delay taking off from Tokyo because of heavy rain. But all in all, it was a good trip. My host, Paul, collected me at 12:45 pm today and drove me to the church in Bucheon. He is also my interpreter for the week. I spoke on the book of Habakkuk, going through the book and laying out its message. Paul did an excellent job of translation. I have no idea what significance or relevance the message had for the young people, but felt constrained of the Lord to stay on course. Afterwards they treated me to a lovely Korean dinner.

I am grateful that I’ve only had to use a few Kleenexes today, the nose is quieting down. On the hour drive back to the hotel, I ended up napping during most of the commute. We’re doing the jet lag thing here, smile.

We will be collected tomorrow (Monday) at noon. We are checking out of our hotel here, and being relocated to a dormitory that is by the conference venue. We will return to this hotel Thursday night once the conference is over. By “we,” I am referring to Jaye Thomas and Richard Town, who are here from IHOPKC and ministering with me this week. I will be speaking for the next four evenings at the Last Runner Conference. So the next meeting is Monday night.

Feb. 16, Intro to IHOP, Kansas City, MO

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Bob Sorge

Tuesday afternoon: I had a marvelous time this morning at the Intro to IHOPKC class, speaking on Illegal Prayers. The group seemed to connect strongly with the message. And it was meaningful for me, too, to be renewed in the message. 

 

Feb. 6-7, The Cause Church, Kansas City, MO

Posted on February 08, 2016 by Bob Sorge

This weekend I’m ministering in a K.C. church called The Cause Church of Kansas City. My son Joel and his family have made this their home church in the past year, hence my connection with this church. When they realized I had this Sunday open, this date was suddenly thrown together. They have a Saturday 5:30pm service, and three on Sunday morning (9:30, 11:00, 12:30). They’re located on the Plaza (for those who know the KC area). The church is around 7 years old, and is already running 1000 people, amazing. It’s a very young congregation, I’m told, with a lot of people who are new to the kingdom of God. It’s going to be a great way to launch ministry in 2016!

Sunday 6:30 pm: Four excellent services this weekend. The worship team is energetic, passionate. The congregation is youthful and eager. I spoke on “eternal perspective on your trial,” using the examples of Joseph, Caleb, and Jesus to illustrate God’s eternal perspective on our trials. The grace of the Lord was evident to all of us. My heart is filled with thanksgiving.

Now I’m voting for the Broncos, for one simple reason: They are my son-in-law’s team. 

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