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The more Chan looks at what the Bible says and what he sees taking place in his gatherings, he is struck with this revealing question. “What would the Body [of Christ] look like if everyone was using their gifts?” This journey caused Chan to create the Read Scripture app which allows all of the people that he is discipling to read through the entire Bible in a year. Chan details how powerful this app is revolutionizing how the Church grows. “We’ve got guys coming off the streets, coming out of prison, to doctors, and people that work [at Facebook], or Google, and everyone is on these same reading plans; and everyone is in these homes.” The difference in cost versus his former 5,000 + gatherings are incomparable. Chan continues, “It costs nothing. We have 30 pastors now that all do it for free…so we have 14, 15 house churches and we just plan on multiplying that, doubling that every year. In 10 years, we could have 1.2 million people…and free!” What is additionally exciting is how these 30 pastors have matured and grown in their own journeys of how to take care of others coming to Christ. One of the pastors that Chan has raised up described the journey with these words, “It’s like being adopted rather than being at an orphanage.” Chan relates as he understands the difference of what he was previously doing, to what he is now doing. “Church the way I was doing it was like an orphanage. You know, here’s just a bunch of kids with one leader. And, rather than saying, ‘You know what, we’re going to put you in a home and these guys are actually going to really know you, and love you, and care for you.’”
“Let’s just talk about our environment. We work so hard to build a sense of identity. Identity in Christ. What some people don’t know is the price we have paid to get breakthrough.”Johnson continues to share how people receive prayer for areas, such as healing. As they pray for others they experience breakthrough. What many do not understand is the connection of the breakthrough is because of the inheritance that was given to them. Johnson elaborates; “An inheritance is when you get something for free that someone else paid a price for. But, if you’re going to leave an inheritance for your children, you’ll have to pay a price to increase what you got for free”.
Facebook Invites Francis Chan to Speak: Shares Why God led to him leave his 5,000 Mega Church for a Family Expression of the Church
Many around the world know about the social media giant Facebook which is headed by Mark Zuckerberg. But, some may not be aware that Facebook recently invited Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, to speak to a group of its employees. Chan talked about the awesomeness of God and his journey in his life with the Lord. During the question and answering session, Chan shared that what he was doing in his life contradicted the Word of God and how he changed his actions to line up with the Word. This is such a powerful question for all of us to ask ourselves. “Is what God saying in His Word, happening in my life; in my ministry?”
Francis was asked “What is working well in your “We are Church” model that others can reproduce…?” Francis begins to share about how he started a church in his own home that eventually grew to gatherings of more than 5,000 people, to what many people would consider a Mega Church. But, things began to change when he looked at what the Bible says and what he was seeing. “I got frustrated at a point…Every single one of these people has a supernatural gift that is meant to be used for the Body [of Christ]”. Simply put, this wasn’t what was taking place. As Chan explains, “5,000 people show up every week to hear my gift, see my gift. That’s a lot of waste. Then I started thinking, how much does it cost to run this thing? Millions of dollars!” Looking at how others gather in fellowship across the world reveals a large contradiction of what is taking place in America. This reality caused Chan to ask himself this question, “Gosh, how come people in other countries go to church for free?”
The waste of financial resources as well as the supernatural waste of gifts sitting idle while Chan exercises his gift was too much to bear. As Chan continued to compare what he was seeing in his ministry to what the Bible says, he saw another clear contradiction. “And then the Bible says, ‘oh I forgot, we’re supposed to love each other’”. Looking at what the Bible says demonstrates to the world that God loves them, he talks about what was really happening in his gatherings of 5,000 + people. “Our people don’t even like each other…I make them greet each other for 30 seconds. That’s the extent.”
The more Chan looks at what the Bible says and what he sees taking place in his gatherings, he is struck with this revealing question. “What would the Body [of Christ] look like if everyone was using their gifts?” This journey caused Chan to create the Read Scripture app which allows all of the people that he is discipling to read through the entire Bible in a year. Chan details how powerful this app is revolutionizing how the Church grows. “We’ve got guys coming off the streets, coming out of prison, to doctors, and people that work [at Facebook], or Google, and everyone is on these same reading plans; and everyone is in these homes.” The difference in cost versus his former 5,000 + gatherings are incomparable. Chan continues, “It costs nothing. We have 30 pastors now that all do it for free…so we have 14, 15 house churches and we just plan on multiplying that, doubling that every year. In 10 years, we could have 1.2 million people…and free!” What is additionally exciting is how these 30 pastors have matured and grown in their own journeys of how to take care of others coming to Christ. One of the pastors that Chan has raised up described the journey with these words, “It’s like being adopted rather than being at an orphanage.” Chan relates as he understands the difference of what he was previously doing, to what he is now doing. “Church the way I was doing it was like an orphanage. You know, here’s just a bunch of kids with one leader. And, rather than saying, ‘You know what, we’re going to put you in a home and these guys are actually going to really know you, and love you, and care for you.’”
As Francis clearly sees how his present gatherings are just like family, he recalls the moment when he realized he just couldn’t keep doing things the way he previously was. Chan was able to baptize a young man that was previously in a gang. Someone had seen the young man a time later and asked why he was no longer coming to the services on Sundays. “When I was baptized, I thought it was like being jumped into the gang, where it’s like ‘24/7 they’re my family’. I didn’t know it was just somewhere we attend on Sundays.” When Chan heard what the young man’s response was, he was cut to the heart. Chan couldn’t help but see how devastating this reality was to him. “Oh, that makes me sick. That makes me so sick, that the gangs are a better picture of family than the Church of Jesus Christ. I can’t live with that. I cannot live with that. We’re gonna do something different.”
Presently, the Church in America has been living like a flower pot. We are called to be a vine. When we being to walk out Church as God has called us to be, we’ll enjoy Church again. God has called us to be a family. His family. Be encouraged as you hear the full statements from Francis Chan during his time at Facebook, how you can learn more about what Francis is talking about, the importance of a Vine Seminar, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: traditional church, original intent of the Church, Francis Chan, Facebook, Crazy Love, San Francisco, family, God’s design of family, relationship, Vine Seminar, and love. Greg and John shared in this segment.
Boy ask for New Dad: Presence of God Drops
Our hearts are for the fatherless. For ten years Greg ministered to the fatherless through the Father and Son Camping Trips that focused on one weekend of uninterrupted time between men and boys. This is the very heart of God, for the fatherless, as the very last words of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5-6 reveals, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
This very truth is seen when Michael Koulianos was recently ministering as people were being touched powerfully by the Holy Spirit. As different prayer requests were being asked for, a young boy, Kenan, was brought onto the stage and his request was unlike any other. When Kenan was asked what he wanted from the Lord, he said these words, “a new dad”. Everything shifted. Koulianos couldn’t help but stop and embrace Kenan as he began to pray for him. “Father, this little boy wants a dad. Bishop and I bless him with the blessing of the Father. Jesus, you know the feeling of being an illegitimate son. The Father’s blessing over this little boy cannot. Fill every void. Fill every bit of brokenness. Anoint him. Raise him up and bring him a dad.” There isn’t a dry eye in the gathering as Koulianos shares these powerful words.
Koulianos continues to speak to Kenan as the Lord revealed a powerful vision to Koulianos. “The Lord just told me to put my jacket on your back…because the Lord now, is going to cover you with Himself. And, every bit of brokenness, of you feeling like you weren’t good enough for a dad, is gonna leave now.” Hands all across the room raise as Kenan is covered with Koulianos’ jacket. “You’re gonna get a lot more than you prayed for”.
Koulianos recalls the words that were spoke over him by the Lord, as a young boy, that he would be sent to the nations, but didn’t believe it as a young boy. As he prays for Kenan, he speaks similar words over Kenan. “Send Kenan to the nations before he turns twenty. Send him to the nations. Clothe him in that healing anointing. Teach him how to talk to You and keep You. Teach him how to hide Your Word in his heart. Teach him how to treasure you. Use his life to shake the world and feel the weight of your calling on his back his whole life as a constant reminder that he carries Your Cross. In Jesus’ name.”
As Koulianos continues to pray for Kenan, he shares words of encouragement to him to guide him and remember as he grows older. “The world is going to try and pull you away. You remember what the Lord said to you tonight. You don’t belong to yourself anymore. You’re His and He’ll take care of you. When you drift, come back. If you drift 5 times, come back 5 times.”
This is such a powerful moment. We must recognize how important and vital our words are and that we speak words of affirmation and encouragement over our children. To the fathers, you matter to your family. If you are being tempted to leave your family, it is a lie of the enemy. Your kids count. Many men decide to leave their wives because of the inability to get along. So, they reason why it’s ok to leave their kids with the woman that they themselves, couldn’t get along with. We must look at marriage in light of eternity.
Be encouraged and inspired as you see the full encounter with Michael Koulianos and Kenan, the importance of men in marriages and family, how God is a Father to the fatherless, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Michael Koulianos, Holy Spirit, healing, brokenness, marriages, Emerson Eggerichs, anointing, and prayer. Greg and John shared in this segment.
“There is always a Price to Pay for Breakthrough”, Bill Johnson Shares Important Wisdom for Young Ministers today
It is important to recognize that whoever we are, we didn’t just get here. Wherever we are, we got here because of those who went before us and labored so that we can have what we are presently given. When Michael Koulianos recently sat down with Bill Johnson, he asked if Johnson saw anything that he would “tweek”. As a man with extensive experience and wisdom, Johnson elaborates that it is easy to spot problems, but he shares even deeper wisdom.
“Let’s just talk about our environment. We work so hard to build a sense of identity. Identity in Christ. What some people don’t know is the price we have paid to get breakthrough.”Johnson continues to share how people receive prayer for areas, such as healing. As they pray for others they experience breakthrough. What many do not understand is the connection of the breakthrough is because of the inheritance that was given to them. Johnson elaborates; “An inheritance is when you get something for free that someone else paid a price for. But, if you’re going to leave an inheritance for your children, you’ll have to pay a price to increase what you got for free”. Koulianos continues to press into the profound wisdom as he addresses Johnson’s awareness of past moves of God and the lives that were lived by the pioneers of our past. “Have you ever read of anyone who made a significant impact on culture who did not have a price to pay?” With straight resoluteness, Johnson responds, “Oh no. No. It’s not possible.”
This is such an important revelation to understand. So many that inherit wealth, waste it. Most of them lose it all. There is a special gift in understanding the value of hard work. It is important to understand that our labors are not for ourselves, but for those who will come after us, the next generation, so that they can walk in exponentially greater than what is presently being walked in. See the full discussion between Michael Koulianos and Bill Johnson, the significance of the next generation, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: anointing, wisdom, price, cost, inheritance, cost, Bill Johnson, Michael Koulianos, Bethel, and generations. Greg and John shared in this segment.
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