Five Things We Will Learn
- Why Rick Joyner believes the world is approaching the greatest harvest of souls in history.
- How weakness and disorder in the Body of Christ often precede powerful revivals.
- Why the current church structure is not prepared for the coming ingathering.
- The importance of prayer, equipping believers, and raising up laborers.
- What it means for Jesus to truly become the Head of His Body again.
A Coming Ingathering Unlike Anything the Earth Has Seen
Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries shared a sobering yet hope-filled burden regarding what he believes is approaching for the Body of Christ. He described an emerging harvest, an ingathering that he believes could become “the greatest ingathering the earth has ever experienced.”
- 13:21 Key Part of the Word Begins
Joyner explained that his perspective comes from both his evaluation of present conditions and from dreams and visions he has received. While he spoke carefully, repeatedly saying “I think,” his concern was clear: the church must prepare itself now for what is coming.
This is not merely about watching world events or trying to predict the future. To Joyner, the central issue is whether the Body of Christ will be ready to receive, disciple, and care for the massive harvest of souls he believes is approaching.
The Body of Christ Is Weak, But That Is Not the End of the Story
Joyner spoke candidly about the present condition of the church worldwide. He described the Body of Christ as being “in really bad shape universally right now,” lacking clear leadership and a definitive trumpet sound that rallies believers together.
Yet he immediately pointed to a biblical pattern that should encourage believers rather than discourage them.
Historically, the greatest prophets and leaders arose during Israel’s darkest moments. Likewise, the greatest revivals since the first century often erupted during spiritually dry and difficult times.
This means weakness is not proof that God has abandoned His people. Often, it is the very atmosphere where the Lord raises up His finest leadership and pours out fresh revival.
Joyner emphasized that believers should not become comfortable remaining weak, visionless, or unfocused. Instead, the church should recognize the moment and cry out to God for what is lacking.
Prayer Is the Beginning of Preparation
One of the strongest themes in Joyner’s message is prayer. He stated plainly that God “won’t do anything on earth without prayer.”
Throughout Scripture, God’s people repeatedly cried out before major moves of God unfolded. Jesus Himself commanded believers to pray for laborers for the harvest:
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV 1984)
Joyner believes the church must once again become earnest in prayer, specifically asking God for laborers, leaders, teachers, shepherds, and equipping ministries capable of preparing people for the coming harvest.
The Church Must Shift from Performing to Equipping
A major focus of Joyner’s burden is the need for equipping believers rather than building systems centered on a few people doing all the ministry.
He referenced Ephesians 4 and the biblical model of equipping the saints for the work of ministry rather than leaders attempting to carry everything themselves.
This requires a dramatic shift in mindset.
Instead of building audiences, platforms, and centralized ministries, the church must prepare ordinary believers to lead people to Jesus, pray for healing and deliverance, teach sound doctrine, and shepherd others personally.
Joyner explained that MorningStar is considering turning conferences and gatherings into training and deployment centers for home group leaders and disciple-makers.
The emphasis is not celebrity ministry. It is multiplication.
Why the Current Structure Cannot Handle the Harvest
Joyner warned that the current dominant structure within Christianity is “not nimble enough” to handle the coming ingathering.
For decades, much of Christianity has centered around institutional structures, large gatherings, and centralized leadership. While many believers inside those structures genuinely belong to Christ, Joyner believes the future framework of the church will look much more decentralized and relational.
This is why he has spent much of his Christian life emphasizing the need for gatherings in homes and for mature leaders capable of shepherding people personally.
The early church spread rapidly through relational discipleship, house-to-house fellowship, shared life, and Spirit-led leadership. Joyner believes something similar is coming again.
What Happens When Jesus Truly Becomes the Head?
One of the most profound parts of Joyner’s message centers on Christ’s leadership over His church.
He pointed to the biblical reality that every part of the human body receives direction from the head. In the same way, the Body of Christ is meant to receive its direction directly from Jesus Himself.
Joyner questioned whether Jesus has truly been recognized as the functioning Head of His Body since the first century, noting that many churches claim Christ as Head while people still make most of the decisions and direct most activity.
He believes the church is approaching a profound transition where believers will once again recognize that the Lord Himself is actively leading His people.
This leadership will often come through yielded believers led by the Holy Spirit, but Joyner also believes there will be moments when the Lord intervenes directly and unmistakably.
Decentralized but Fully Alive
Joyner described the coming move of God as decentralized rather than centralized, while remaining completely unified under Jesus Christ as the central authority.
He painted the picture of Christ’s own life flowing through His Body like blood flowing through a living person, sustaining, directing, and empowering every member.
This vision stands in contrast to systems built primarily around human control, branding, or institutional preservation.
Instead, the future church will be deeply relational, Spirit-led, Scripture-rooted, and actively multiplying through everyday believers who know how to abide in Christ and obey His voice.
Learning to Abide, Grow, and Lead
Joyner also shared the heart behind MorningStar University, describing it not as a pursuit of titles, platforms, or larger ministries, but as a place centered on Jesus.
He emphasized learning how to:
- Abide in Christ daily
- Grow deeply in Scripture
- Listen to and obey the voice of God
- Be led by the Holy Spirit
- Lead others through genuine spiritual maturity
This reflects the kind of leadership Joyner believes the coming harvest will require: not celebrity personalities, but believers whose lives are deeply rooted in Christ Himself.
The Joy of the Coming Harvest
Despite the warnings and concerns, Joyner’s overall tone remained hopeful and expectant.
He repeatedly described the coming season as “the joy of joys” and “the most exciting time” he believes the earth has ever seen.
He believes believers may begin seeing the early stages of this harvest within the next two years.
For those willing to prepare, pray, humble themselves, and become laborers in the harvest, the days ahead may become some of the most powerful and fruitful moments in church history.
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