Greg Crawford

Category: The Kingdom of God

  • HOW LEADERS NAVIGATE TRANSITIONS IN MINISTRY

    Transition is one of the most defining—and revealing—moments in leadership. It exposes what a ministry is truly built upon. It reveals whether a leader is simply maintaining what exists or actually carrying the authority to move something into its next dimension.

    Many ministries do not fail because of lack of passion, people, or opportunity. They stall because they never successfully transition. They reach a point of effectiveness, and then unknowingly begin to protect what was built instead of advancing what God is saying next. What once required faith slowly becomes familiar, and what was once pioneering becomes predictable.

    One of the greatest misconceptions in ministry is the idea that transition occurs when people are ready, when enough time has passed, or when growth demands it. None of those things actually produce transition. Ministries transition because leaders make a deliberate decision to shift the culture. The issue is transition does not happen automatically. It happens intentionally.

    Scripture establishes this clearly: “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). The limitation is never primarily the people; it is the absence of clear, forward-moving vision and understanding it. Apostolic leadership knows this. It does not wait for consensus. It does not wait for comfort. It moves because it sees. It sees the future and for them it has been made known, for others it is still unknow. That is one key eliminate, can you explain what you see for others to engage into it.

    At the center of every transition is a shift in emphasis. Every ministry is producing something, whether intentionally or unintentionally. What is being produced is directly tied to what is being emphasized. What you emphasize, you will produce. What you emphasis is what is important to you. If a ministry emphasizes attendance, it will produce attenders. If it emphasizes programs, it will produce participants. But if it emphasizes development, it will produce leaders. The difference is in what the focus is put upon. If the emphasis does not change, the outcome will not change. Many leaders say they want mature believers and equipped leaders, yet their systems reward presence rather than growth, activity rather than transformation.

    This shift is not only corporate; it is deeply personal. Every leader who walks with God long enough will face seasons where their assignment changes, where the grace they once operated in begins to shift, and where what once felt fruitful now feels limited. These moments are not signs of failure—they are invitations into transition.

    However, the greatest challenge in these moments is not stepping into the new. It is letting go of what has been familiar and fruitful in the past. Personal transition demands a restructuring of value. It forces a leader to reevaluate time, energy, and purpose, asking honestly, “Is this still aligned with why I am on the earth?” Alongside a shift in emphasis must come a shift in measurement. One of the most common reasons leaders fail to transition is because they attempt to evaluate a new season using old metrics. But transition always introduces an unseen future. It cannot be measured by what has already been.

    Paul addresses this when he writes, “They measuring themselves by themselves… are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV). In transition, leaders must change not only what they measure, but how they measure and what they value. What you measure reinforces what you emphasize. If you measure attendance, you reinforce gathering. If you measure activity, you reinforce motion. But if you measure development, you reinforce transformation. A ministry will never successfully transition while it continues to reward the outcomes of a previous season.

    God’s perspective on evaluation is different from man’s. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV). Transition calls leaders to move beyond surface-level indicators and begin discerning what is actually being produced within people and especially and foremost themselves. As this internal and structural shift takes place, clarity becomes the defining factor. Clarity in who they are as a leader. Clarity in the calling and assignment. Then clarity in the ministry. Leaders must define where the ministry is going, simplify the vision so it can be carried, and communicate direction with precision. Without clarity, people do not move forward—they drift.

    God instructed Habakkuk to “write the vision, and make it plain…” (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV). Why? Because clarity creates movement. When vision is clear, it becomes transferable. When it is simplified, it becomes reproducible. When it is communicated, it becomes actionable. You see clarity gives people confidence to move.

    As leaders step into this clarity, they must also confront one of the greatest barriers to transition: the need to remain the primary doer. A ministry cannot transition while the leader is still carrying the weight of doing everything. Ephesians 4:12 makes the role of leadership clear: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…” The assignment of leadership is not to perform ministry, but to prepare people to do it.

    If people are not being developed, they remain dependent. And if they remain dependent, the ministry cannot expand. Transition requires a shift from doing ministry to building people. This shift demands structure. Many ministries rely heavily on moments—powerful gatherings, emotional encounters, or inspiring teachings. While these moments are valuable, they do not produce sustained transformation. Transition is not built on moments; it is built on pathways that lead to a future. People do not grow simply by hearing truth—they grow by walking it out.

    This leads directly into the necessity of responsibility. Leaders cannot develop other leaders without entrusting them with something real. Jesus did not merely instruct His disciples—He sent them. “He gave them power and authority… and sent them…” (Luke 9:1–2 KJV). responsibility reveals capacity, develops maturity, and exposes areas that require growth. Without it, people remain untested and undeveloped. Faithfulness is proven through opportunity, as Jesus taught: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” (Luke 16:10 KJV).

    For this reason, leaders must intentionally create room for others to function. This means allowing people to lead, to teach, to make decisions, and even to fail. Leadership development does not occur in controlled environments—it occurs in real situations where growth is required.

    However, opportunity alone is not enough. People must also be developed intentionally. Leaders are not discovered by accident—they are formed through process. This includes instruction, correction, accountability, and impartation. Paul modeled this when he instructed Timothy: “Commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV). This is the pattern of multiplication. It is generational, not seasonal.

    The reality is that potential is common, but development is rare. Growth requires pressure, consistency, and intentional investment. Hebrews reinforces this by declaring that maturity comes through use—through exercising what has been learned. At this point, every leader encounters a defining tension: the struggle between control and release. Control feels safe because it protects what currently exists. But release is what builds the future.

    This is where the shift from addition to multiplication becomes critical. Addition increases numbers, but multiplication expands impact. The Kingdom model is not built on accumulation—it is built on reproduction. Paul’s investment into Timothy, who then invested into faithful men, who then taught others, demonstrates this clearly. This is how something outlives the original leader. Genesis establishes this principle from the beginning: “Be fruitful, and multiply…” (Genesis 1:28 KJV).

    A ministry that depends entirely on one leader will never move beyond that leader. But a ministry that flows through people will expand generationally. This is why sending becomes essential. A transitioning ministry does not hold people tightly—it releases them strategically. In Acts 13, the church did not cling to Barnabas and Saul. They sent them. Jesus affirmed this pattern when He said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (John 20:21 KJV). Sending produces expansion, regional impact, and Kingdom advancement.

    Ultimately, true transition is generational. It looks beyond the present moment and begins building for what comes next. “One generation shall praise thy works to another…” (Psalm 145:4 KJV).

    In the end, the conclusion is unmistakable. If leaders are not raising replacements, they are not truly transitioning—they are maintaining. And maintenance never produces legacy. A ministry does not become powerful because of what it gathers or the number gathered. It becomes powerful because of what it reproduces. Transition is not a moment you go through it is a leadership decision .you have to live out.

  • Apostolic and Apostle Defined: Rediscovering the Authentic

    As I look around today, it seems the words apostle and apostolic are used almost interchangeably. The problem is one is a grace and the other is a function coming forth from that grace. One is a divinely placed person and the other is a function of members of the body. What is needed for today is clarity of how grace works.

    Paul begins with striking clarity

    “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God…” (1 Corinthians 1:1)
    “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” (Galatians 1:1)

    Right away, we see: apostles are not appointed by men or prophetic words or someone saying it over you, but by Jesus Christ Himself. This divine call is not about title, popularity, or organizational hierarchy. It is a governing call, grounded in spiritual authority and spiritual purpose. It has a set grace that is divined, seen and tangible. This is what men should be affirming of those called as apostles. 

    The Marks of Apostolic Grace

    Authentic apostles carry a grace for:

    • Doctrine: guarding and clarifying the doctrines of Christ.
    • Kingdom: revealing and guiding the formation of the Kingdom.
    • Function: activating faith into action.
    • Order: setting divine order among gifts, gatherings, and lives.
    • Vision: carrying a vision broad enough to encompass the visions of many.

    Paul writes:

    “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation…” (1 Corinthians 3:10–11)

    This is the heart of an apostle: a master builder, laying Christ as the only foundation. The difference between those who walk in an apostolic grace and those who carry the grace as an apostle is like the difference between working within an anointing and being entrusted to release that grace for others. Many think they are apostles because of doing spiritual things, but are really under an unrecognized or unseen grace an apostle released in the spiritual atmosphere.

    If someone claims apostleship yet doesn’t carry these marks—doctrine, order, function, vision, kingdom stewardship—they may hold a title without the grace.

    The Era of Authenticity

    We are now in what I call the Era of Authenticity.
    Era means a distinct period marked by something defining. And what defines this moment is not style, branding, or methods—but authenticity: the real, the original, the tested, the true.

    Authenticity means more than copying acts or principles. It means conforming to the origin—bearing the image of Christ Himself. Even Paul was tested on this:

    “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem… they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26)

    They doubted his authenticity—until his life and fruit proved it. This then is apostleship. It is what remains when you are not around. It is legacy being created. It is others carrying the same message on the same assignment. It is the empower of the Body that creates a fullness in them. When I ask many saying they are apostles, about apostleship, they have a hard time answering.

    Today, there’s a cry in the spirit for what’s real—not promotional, but substantial; not trendy, but eternal. Not prophetic acts alone, but apostolic acts: present-tense, redemptive, and rooted in the now word of God.

    Something I see happening in the Body of Christ today is what I would describe as the difference between an old understanding of apostles and the apostolic, and what is now emerging as a revelatory understanding of the apostolic.

    What do I mean by that?

    Many are still teaching about apostles from the framework that first began to define the apostolic restoration more than thirty years ago. At that time, much of the emphasis was simply on recovering the biblical reality that apostles still exist and giving the apostolic gift a legitimate place again within the Church. Teaching focused on defining the role, explaining its function, and helping people understand how apostles fit practically within church structures. These were important introductive truths. They opened eyes and created room for the apostolic gift to operate again in ways that had been largely forgotten.

    But much of that early teaching defined the apostolic primarily by function, structure, and terminology. In many cases what developed was a recognition of apostolic calling, yet not always the full expression of apostolic functioning. When our understanding remains framed by those earlier definitions, not everything we call “apostolic” actually carries the nature or weight of the apostolic grace.

    What we are seeing now, however, is that the apostolic has continued to unfold.

    The apostolic has evolved immensely, and you can clearly see different degrees of maturity among apostles and in apostolic expressions. The apostolic today is emerging with a progressive revelatory wisdom—an understanding that continues to expand as the Spirit reveals more of Christ’s intention for His Church.

    We are beginning to recognize that the apostolic is less a list of functions and more a living grace. It is not primarily measured by gathering large numbers but by influence that shapes and establishes. True apostolic grace builds things that are unshakable, rather than systems that require constant tending and maintenance.

    It carries more than a knowledge of Scripture. It carries a revelatory unveiling of hidden mysteries—insights into the purposes of God that unlock pathways for others to walk in. And it is more than being a skilled administrator. Apostolic grace creates opportunities that release others into responsibility, empowering people and structures to function without constant oversight.

    In this way the apostolic matures—from something defined primarily by role, to something recognized by the weight of grace, revelation, and enduring fruit that it produces.

    Beyond Seasons: Stepping into an Era

    Many talk of “new seasons,” but what God is giving is an Era—an apostolic era marked by regeneration, restoration, and the authentic acts of God among His people. We are moving:

    • From mere doctrine of the Kingdom to living in the manner of the Kingdom.
    • From principles to governance.
    • From institutional maintenance to authentic expression.

    Paul says:

    “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward…” (Ephesians 3:2)

    This grace isn’t for self-promotion—it’s toward others, for maturing and equipping the Body.

    The Living Grace of an Apostle

    An apostle carries a living grace—not just giftings or charisma. It’s something that changes people and places. Paul writes:

    “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all… ye all are partakers of my grace.” (Philippians 1:7)

    This grace is territorial—it affects the atmosphere and spiritual climate of regions, not because of personality but because of divine assignment.

    Apostles don’t exist to control or centralize power, but to release, activate, and father. The heart of a father is felt, not just heard. This is the difference: apostles have the vision and grace to implement; the apostolic serve and build within that grace.

    Strategic vs. Tactical

    Apostles carry a strategy—a heaven-breathed blueprint to shift cultures and build foundations that last. The apostolic function is tactical: training, equipping, sending. It is intentional and even calibrated looking for cause and effect. Reproducible. It is not based on numerical involvement but on numerical influences.

    Many confuse leading or training with apostleship itself. But the apostle’s role is broader: to establish doctrine, order, and future vision for the Body. These things play into the role of individuals, but apostles are looking more wholestic.

    The Ancient Understanding: Sent as the Sender

    The Hebrew word Sheliach shows the depth of what “apostle” means:

    “The Sheliach of a man is as the man himself.”

    Jesus used the Greek apostolos but filled it with Hebrew meaning: a fully authorized representative, carrying not just words but the authority and heart of the Sender.
    To receive an apostle is to receive the One who sent them. To reject them is to reject the one who sent Him.

    The Corporate Dynamic

    True apostles speak “we,” not “me.” Their doctrine isn’t just local but universal, setting order for the global Body of Christ. They see beyond one congregation to the corporate Bride.

    Paul’s letters overflow with corporate language: “we,” “us,” “our.” Apostolic ministry is never self-contained—it is always for the whole ecclesia.

    Authentic Community and Regeneration

    Finally, this era will restore authentic community—a sacred, interdependent life. We are in an Exodus: coming out of institutional religion and into the foundations of the Kingdom.

    Regeneration—new birth, renewal, restoration—will mark this era.

    “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but… by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:4–7)

    The apostle carries the spirit of regeneration, creating spaces where lifes, families, and even regions are reborn.

    In Conclusion

    We’re entering not just another season but an Era of Authenticity. An era where apostles will:

    • Govern the mind of God for the Body’s future.
    • Establish order, doctrine, and Kingdom culture.
    • Release grace that empowers, not controls.
    • See the Kingdom advance through authentic, tested lives—not by words alone,  but by the Acts of the Apostles alive in our generation.

    May we embrace what is real, reject what is counterfeit, and together build what remains.

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  • Church and Culture: The Great Divide

    Over the years in ministry, through seasons of change and decades of serving in the calling, I’ve watched the landscape of the Church shift—again and again. New strategies rise, new expressions emerge, and cultural waves crash at the gates of the Body of Christ. There is always this desire to be “relevant,” to meet the world where it is. And yet, deep within the soul of the Church is a cry to recover the DNA of the early apostolic company. What we have is not just a tension—it’s a tug-of-war.

    Relevance has become a buzzword. But relevance, when not anchored in truth, requires compromise. And compromise—though subtle—is deadly. To be relevant to culture often means we must absorb part of it. To speak to modern issues, we immerse ourselves in them. To communicate faith on the level of the hearer, we water it down. I’ve watched it happen slowly, incrementally. But over time, relevance begins to redefine our values.

    But here’s the truth: the Church was never called to mirror culture. It was called to confront it. The early Church did not try to “relate” to Roman rule, or blend with religious traditions, cultic practices, or distorted values of life. They were unapologetically counter-cultural. They understood the call to be in the world, but not of it—and they lived it.

    What’s disturbing is how far we’ve drifted. We’ve tried to attract the world by looking like it, thinking we can rescue people from worldliness while using worldly methods. We justify our compromises as “relatable.” Social drinking, carnal environments, and a diluted holiness have all found their way into our sanctuaries. But relevance without holiness produces confusion. We’ve normalized immaturity and called it maturity because someone knows both sides. Yet many of these are still babes—stuck at salvation, never maturing into discipleship, let alone Christ-likeness.

    Who let these false ideas in?

    Even well-intentioned efforts, if not grounded in truth, open the door to private interpretation. Jesus never spoke in vague language. He confronted error, exposed darkness, and raised a standard that was not only high but clearly understood. His invitation wasn’t to blend in—it was to follow Him. That meant dying to self, abandoning personal wisdom, living by faith, and ministering to souls, while not making friends with the world.

    Today, everything is labeled “Christian” or “church,” even when the foundational truths are absent. Maybe the issue isn’t culture invading the church—but the Church lowering her standards.

    I recently found myself reflecting on the early Church’s demands: the qualifications for elders, the weight of fivefold ministry, and the expectation that saints would do the work of ministry. There was an assumption that the life of Christ within the people would be so vibrant, it would require spiritual oversight by mature elders—those who carried God’s heart.

    And they weren’t living in a vacuum. Their world was far more corrupt than ours: idols at every turn, public temples to demons, open witchcraft, Baal worship, the cruelty of Rome, the celebration of depravity. And yet in the midst of it all—they stood. Separated for the work. The Church didn’t just survive—it multiplied.

    They had a clear vision: manifest the Kingdom of God.
    They had a clear mission: preach the gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
    They had apostolic oversight: men who set doctrine and brought what was lacking into fullness.
    They had eldership in cities who preserved what the apostles had established.

    And still, through every age, with all the cultural pressures, false teachings, ego-driven ministries, and shifting models—the Church, the ekklesia, stands. Bruised, stretched, and reshaped at times—but never destroyed. She is still being refined. And yes, she will become the glorious Bride. She will be the one who delivers the Kingdom to the Father. She will rise in apostolic and prophetic order. She will become the ruling, reigning ones.

    This is my hope.
    This is my assignment.
    This is my call.

    To reveal the King and His Kingdom. To unveil the mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

  • Do All Apostles Have Large Works?

    Let’s talk about something that quietly but deeply affects the way many in the Church think—especially in the West. There’s this lingering, often unspoken assumption that apostolic ministry is measured by the size of one’s structure. If it’s big, if it’s visible, if it’s functioning like a well-oiled machine, then surely—surely—that must mean there’s an apostle at the helm, right?

    Not necessarily.

    We’ve entered a time where titles are handed out like business cards, and large churches are seen as automatic qualifications for apostleship. But what I’ve found, again and again, is that many of these so-called apostles are actually brilliant administrators. Gifted managers. Skilled builders of systems and programs. But apostles? That’s another matter.

    A true apostle doesn’t have to build something big—but they will always carry something weighty. Apostolic grace isn’t about the magnitude of your structure; it’s about the magnitude of your influence. That’s the mark. That’s the fruit. That’s the separating line. Myself I have been dismissed multiple times because I don’t have a “visibly” large ministry. The conclusion comes by measuring by worldly success, not having many bodies in seats, then there must not be much offered. Yet my greatest impact is not in a room but in multiplied “Rooms” all over the globe. How immature we are to measure by a worldly standard.

    When I sit with leaders, I often ask a simple question: “Tell me about your apostleship.” What have you put in place that keeps moving without you being present? What has been established under your leadership that doesn’t collapse when you leave? What order have you brought from chaos? What foundations have been laid in equipping verses teaching?

    Apostles don’t just plant—they align, they correct, they instruct, and they guard the truth. They are fiercely loyal to sound doctrine, deeply studied, and grieved when the Church begins drifting into error. Their heart isn’t to be the face of a movement—but to make sure that what is being built actually reflects the King and His Kingdom. They don’t want to be seen, but an apostolic people to be made known.

    Consider Paul. He planted thirteen churches—but honestly, you might expect more from someone of his caliber. But here’s the thing: Paul’s influence didn’t stop with those thirteen. His epistles are still forming the foundation of the global Church today. His words are shaping faith in nations he never stepped foot in. That’s apostolic impact.

    Or look at John the Revelator. He didn’t start a single church. He didn’t have a large following. But his heavenly vision brought the Church out of complacency and back into the reality of eternity. He stirred the Bride toward martyrdom and mission. He carried eternal influence, not institutional reach.

    Real apostles don’t operate in time—they function from eternity. They see what’s not yet visible. They labor for a future expression of the Church, a people formed in the image of Christ. They send the right people into the right places at the right time. They see the whole work and move toward its completion.

    They aren’t interested in building vast networks for name recognition. They’re building people into the fullness of Christ. Often hidden, they labor in the secret places. They test, they discern, they train. They look beyond charisma to character. They know that what’s sown in sound doctrine will reproduce for generations.

    And let’s not forget the Apostle of all apostles—Jesus. He didn’t plant a single church in the traditional sense. But He birthed a movement that spans the globe and ages. His work wasn’t about building structures—it was about transforming lives and building a Kingdom. His influence is still the most potent on the earth today.

    So, do all apostles have large works? Not always. But they will always have lasting fruit, eternal influence, and a legacy that outlives them.

  • The Wineskins of Decisions: Building for God, Not Just for Us

    I wrote this blog a few weeks ago and felt I was not to not post it until later. Now I see some posting on wineskin and feel I should post.

    For decades now, there’s been a constant buzz in kingdom circles about the “wineskin” and what God desires to build in this season. There’s been talk of new dynamics, fresh structures, and groundbreaking concepts that are supposed to carry the “new wine” God is pouring out. Countless conversations, teachings, and strategies have centered on this theme for over 30 years.

    But here’s what I’ve noticed: most of these discussions focus more on the wineskin itself than on the new wine meant to be inside it.

    When Jesus spoke of wineskins, His audience understood the natural process. New wine required a new wineskin. The grape juice would ferment, releasing gases and creating pressure. An old, dry wineskin couldn’t stretch with this process—it would burst. The wineskin wasn’t just for fermentation; it was also for transportation. It was a portable container designed for movement and flexibility.

    Through the years, I’ve heard many interpretations:

    • The wineskin is the kingdom, the wine is the ecclesia.
    • The wineskin is sonship, the wine is identity.
    • The wineskin is Jesus, the wine is the Holy Spirit.
    • The wineskin is the apostolic, the wine is the ecclesia.

    At different times, I’ve embraced each of these views. Lately, I’ve been sensing the wineskin is sonship and the wine is holy community. Maybe the wineskin looks different depending on the season we’re in. There’s no shortage of speculation about Luke 5 and Jesus’ teaching on wineskins and how we would apply this for today.

    One widely accepted interpretation is that new revelations won’t fit into old structures, and therefore, we need new structures. While that’s true, we often overlook the primary message Jesus was sharing: the old wineskin is the Old Covenant, and the new is the New Covenant. That’s the essential framework He was establishing.

    Where we tend to get tripped up is in attempting to build a new wineskin inside an old environment—or alongside it—without recognizing that “new” means exactly that. New. Nothing of the old can really be repurposed. The conversations about new wineskins that have echoed for over 40 years haven’t materialized into visible change, perhaps because we’re still clinging to fragments of the old.

    The reality staring at us is who is willing to let go of what has been in order to grab what is indeed new. Who is willing to lay everything as an offering in being able to go into what we don’t understand. It really is the ultimate faith journey.

    The word “new” (in Greek) means unused, unworn, recently made, fresh, unprecedented. It describes something of a completely new nature—not just new in time, but new in kind. It hints at something miraculous and unexpected that salvation ushers in: a new heaven, a new earth, a new Jerusalem, a new name, a new song, a new creation, and yes, new wine. All of these point to God’s desires and plans, not man’s.

    Here’s what I also see: the wineskins people are trying to build today are heavily influenced by the times they live in and the revelation they currently carry. This has led to many people building many wineskins for many reasons, instead of us collectively building a singular wineskin focused on the kingdom Jesus spoke of. Often, the emphasis is on creating a new structure to make ministry easier and more effective—rather than building from a kingdom covenant framework that aligns with the heart of God.

    Add to that the tension of personal preference. It’s easier to default to the old wineskin because it feels familiar. It reflects past preferences, past experiences—even good ones—that we’re reluctant to let go of. But what was a productive truth in the past might not be the truth needed now.

    I believe much of our pursuit has been about creating a wineskin that works for us, instead of asking what would a wineskin built solely for God look like? Could we dare to build something not centered on our convenience or efficiency, but entirely for His pleasure? What if the wineskin we’re called to build is designed to connect deeply with the next age—the eternal age?
    What if it was a portal, a spiritual opening, transferring heaven to earth? A place where the frequencies of heaven resonate across all dimensions? A way of redefining and realigning. Could the wineskin be a kind of superposition—a quantum space operating simultaneously in two dimensions, waiting to be measured by the manifestation of His glory? At its simplest, the wineskin is a container—but for what? For God’s new. And if we built it for Him alone, would it even entertain men? Or would it instead draw God Himself?

    In 2015, God told me to build a throne for Him in our state. I didn’t know what that meant at the time. Now, the pathway is becoming clearer. The “new” rarely seems logical or realistic. It never fits the status quo. But in contemplating what a wineskin built for God might look like, I wrote down these thoughts:

    1. It would be a place that allows the expression of the next age to form.
      An understanding of the eternal would permeate everything.
    2. It would be a place where the sounds and frequencies of heaven are heard and felt.
      Not just earthly worship, but a heavenly discourse and sound.
    3. It would be a place of spiritual flow and expression.
      Flowing in sync with God, unrestricted by time or human agendas.
    4. It would be built for God’s presence more than for man’s entertainment.
      A place not of visitation but sustained dwelling.
    5. It would be a place filled with revelation of the mysteries of God.
      A continual unveiling of God, leaving man in awe.

    These would naturally result in the things we currently discuss about wineskins, but those would be the byproducts or fruit of, not the focus. The how-to’s of ministry would emerge from the wineskin itself as fruit—an effect of being inside the wineskin and becoming the wine.

    What strikes me is how little conversation actually focuses on building a wineskin for God.
    After all, it’s His wine, His container. We can’t build anything apart from Him. This requires us to move from ownership to stewardship—a shift that might explain why many cling to the old wineskin. The new demands we give up control.

    All the ministry functions we struggle to implement would naturally flow from His presence. Needs would be met simply by standing before Him. Ministry would shift to its rightful order: Melchizedek priests ministering first to the Lord, and then into the earth’s culture.

    I challenge you to reconsider your wineskin. What if you built it as a place where God would love to dwell? When He is with us, many of our issues would resolve in His presence. Let’s not confuse the wineskin with the wine. If we build for Him, the wine will come.

  • Transitioning into Kingdom Age – Theology

    I first wrote a blog in 2014 called the shift from church age to kingdom age which is still the highest read blog monthly since I posted it. I wanted to touch on this again and may write a series of blogs on it. We indeed are shifting and seeing this shift underway. So, I hope this gives us some insight into what is going on.

    The first and primary shift is a theological shift. This has to occur before any other shifts occur. We are seeing not a shift away from theology but more so an in-depth dive into true theology. We are seeing many searching out the deep things of God and the hidden mysteries. We are not looking through denomination eyes but through kingdom perspectives. We are re-evaluating what we felt was primary truth and concluding it was support truth. The primary at this time is the kingdom of God.

    One of the theological shifts is actually understanding this truth of the kingdom not just through intellectual understanding of principles and promise we operate or believe. But it is also spiritual understanding of those same principles and promise with one more added dimension, protocols. We are becoming more aware of our spiritual reality that it is more than an add-on to our humanity, but our humanity is only the container for our spirit man. This means we are seeing how the kingdom and spiritual spheres operate (protocols). We are seeing things through eternal eyes and also kingdom language more than Greek or Hebrew.

    As kingdom theology has come so has spiritual principles and protocols of how to function and function effectively. We have seen training and equipping not so much in proper exegesis and language understanding but in revelation and application. The Body of Christ has moved from being consumers to investors. Some have taken ownership of vision and mission. Others support it because of kingdom purposes. These are all parts of shifting from church age to kingdom age. We are more concerned about others than ourselves. We see services as times to equip more so than meet my need. Overall, this makes the Body healthy and to have a healthy perspective. We are actually bringing life back into daily areas once reserved for what revivals would do.

    A kingdom of God perspective or focus brings greater clarity to the interpretation of the scriptures and a wider scope of understanding. We are not taking scripture out of context which happens many times in a church setting by taking the pastoral part and leaving the apostolic or kingdom part as not important. We are maturing into wanting the full counsel of God and the full application of the context of scripture. This means every scripture is a gateway to a vast mystery of God that has been hide but now is being revealed. We are actually beginning to re-find what the ancient fathers knew.

    This theological shift is causing us to look again at eschatology and ecclesiology. These both have shifted in the last ten years to a kingdom theology redefining both. We are not looking at escaping but looking at overcoming. We also don’t see the church as a club or religious expression but as an army that is alive and trained to govern. These two things have shifted the function of the Body of Christ into activation and participation instead of being spectators. This is the second shift which has a function.

    This has also brought forth identity and purpose in many. Many are seeing how they are designed and what they are designed for. Finding their place, we see a lot of new ministries formed that are non-traditional. Creatives are finding their place of expression as well. People are becoming content with who and how God made them to be. Yes there is still striving and comparing, because of human nature and unredeemed areas, but I see a unique church arising that is creating a non- traditional expression.

    Kingdom theology has also opened up the area of creativity in books and publishing. We have moved from self-help guides to eternal perspectives bringing a seriousness of purpose upon the body of Christ. Since the kingdom is so vast the need to understand it so great, there is much being produced to bring clarity in the area of published writing, blogs, podcast and a host of other avenues to reach a larger audience.

    Kingdom theology also has begun to connect us as a singular Body of Christ verses a disjointed body. Kingdom principles have shifted our values and focuses. We are beginning to cross pollinate better, yet we still lack allowing the five-fold graces to cross pollinate, specifically apostles and prophets. We see there is more than a promise to stand on for what we need. We see kingdom principles of how to work those promises with faith to see outcome. This is not just affecting our personal lives but is starting to shift cities, states and even nations. 

    These are all some insights into things to shift into, if you haven’t already. If you have shifted into these things then you need to steward to see fullness come. There is an ever-expanding understanding of this kingdom without end. It is now coming upon us and will continue to expand around and within us. Now is the time to either embark on a new journey of the kingdom or to enlarge what you have already experienced.

  • Christmas Story Through Revelatory Eyes

    The Christmas story has much more to it than shepherds, wise men and a manger. We all know the birth of Christ and the amazing moment of time not only for the earth but all creation. Emmanuel, God is with us. But what lead up to this moment most don’t know and the spiritual activity we assume was normal when it was far from it. During this time:

    Prior to Christ birth there was the 400 silent years The Jews returned from Babylonia captivity. Israel did give up their mixture but didn’t spend the time in preparation for the Messiah to come. Aaron’s priesthood was restored but the temple was neglected and so was the teachings of God to the people. Because of this the people stopped tithing, began to mistreat their wives and married pagans.

    The language shifted from Hebrew to Aramaic and Greek. Along with this some of the customs were adopted as well. Antiochus the Great captured Israel and sold the priesthood which Desecrated the Holy of Holies.

    Then the Maccabees Revolution BY Judas Maccabeus came in 165 BC. Called the “hammer” of Maccabee it was to break the walls of darkness and restore light back to temple practices. But 1oo years later in 63 BC Rome gained control of Israel.  Pompey entered the Holy of Holies and desecrated it.

    From here the new priesthood would become politically motivated and 2 groups were formed. The Sadducees who were liberal and practiced Greek ideas. They did hold to the Torah – first 5 books. The other group the Pharisees were conservative, and long with scribes made laws without regard to the effect upon the people. Multiple synagogues were erected for worship and social activity. Religious and civil matters governed by Sanhedrin who was the Chief priest with 70 lesser priests.

    The Daniel 8:14 prophecy of desecration of the temple was fulfilled over 2400 days. All of these events caused the bulk of the Jews to doubt a messiah was coming and felt abandoned by God. They never pursued what Malachi had instructed them.

    In this state Jesus is birthed.

    Jesus’ birth was one of great events the earth had seen. Born of a virgin, God incarnate. The supernatural was unleashed upon the earth in a new dimension. Suddenly the silence broke. God was speaking and speaking with great signs and wonders. Spiritual dreams, signs in the sky, prophecy, angelic visitation and supernatural conception all showed a new season had come to the earth. A supernatural season. A new birth of freedom was upon all.

    We have Joseph and Mary, but we also have Elizabeth with John the Baptist in her womb. Whose spirit communicated with Jesus before birth causing Elizabeth to feel the supernatural excitement. We have wise men who came to Jesus following a supernatural sign. They believed when a new star appeared a new king was born.

    Zacharias who was a priest in the temple who had been believing for the Messiah just happened to be in the temple and the angle of God spoke to him. Incense was offered one time a year as it symbolized the prayers of the nation. That’s why it said he was waiting for his moment. Who was given the privilege to offer the incense was by casting lots and you were only allowed one time in your life this privilege. So, this is his only time in his entire life to do this! ALL EYES ARE ON HIM. During this time a large number of people are praying at times of incense. He had an angelic visitation from Gabriel like Mary did and He lost his ability to speak because he doubted God but gained it back at the birth of John.

    There is also Simeon who the Holy Spirit was upon him as well and he was waiting for the Messiah. He had the highest title of honor being a Rabbi. He also was a great Sanhedrin and the president of a college. Along with Anna, a prophet who was an intercessor serving God in prayer and fasting, she was a widow of 44 years who spoke of the coming messiah. She was 84 years old, which was very special to live that long, but what she knew in her spirit of the coming Messiah was keeping her alive.

    Elizabeth who brought forth John went into hiding for 5 months, the number of grace. It was the hiding of God like the 400 silent years before the revealing of God. John was birthed before Jesus. The prophet before the Apostle. The prophet pointing to the next office. John’s name means Jehovah has graced. The word birth means genesis! Both john and Jesus were “genesised” coming from the origin point. John was in the lineage of priesthood so later in the wilderness he would be seen as a prophet priest.

    The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary in the 6th month, representing the month of humanity and mankind. Luke 1:26. She is told she is highly favored. It is not the angels opinion but Gods, which the angel is convey the message to her. Mary has to wrestle with this message. It is a new identity she has to receive. She has fear and the angel comes back and says fear not. She was fearing being an outcast and possibly stoning being pregnant out of marriage. But when she accepts the angels’ words she has found favor (past tense) she then conceives! She conceives after she has accepted her identity.

    Now Mary brings forth the savior.  But also brings forth the Chief Apostle and High priest of a new order of priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. Our savior is born. Our apostle is born. Our high Priest is born.

    So, what am I saying? There was so much symbolism, so much supernatural activity, so much God intervention, angelic activity, signs and wonders in this moment of time. Yes Jesus was born with all of heaven invading the earth. A new course was being set for us today. A new and living way had life surrounding it.             

  • Where do Doctrines Come From?

    Today we have lots of beliefs and much more even some open belief system. Where do doctrines we practice come from? Are they biblically based? What really makes a doctrine? Ill try to just give a quick overview and you can do some more digging.

    The word doctrine is actually a Latin word, doctrina, meaning “teaching, and instruction”. It is defined as a belief system that has a body of teachings or instructions, which has principles in how that belief system is operated. Again, all belief systems have a foundation that comes from a doctrinal statement of what they truly belief.

    Men have categorized biblical doctrine into class of study. You have heard of these as these are the main classifications.

    • Anthropology           Doctrine of Man
    • Angelology              Doctrine of Angels
    • Hamartiology           Doctrine of sin
    • Soteriology              Doctrine of salvation
    • Christology              Doctrine of Christ
    • Ecclesiology            Doctrine of the Church
    • Eschatology            Doctrine of future things
    • Pneumatology         Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

    Now all these help us see what we truly believe and to also see just how broad and all-encompassing certain topics are. Before we set these in place we looked at experiences that happened in belief systems. We looked for expressions of these experiences and these became sources of early doctrine. These are seen in orthodoxy:

    • Revelation.
    • Tradition.
    • Bible.
    • Liturgy.
    • The Councils.
    • The Fathers.
    • The Saints.
    • Canons.

    Now both of these sources can have lots of pitfalls and over emphasis. They also are coming from how men decided to categorize or what they felt was valuable. Many times, this is based on personal preference or even opinions.

    But the bible is noticeably clear only speaking of “Doctrines” through five distinct areas.

    • Doctrines of men    Man made rules to help maintain disciplined life. Generally, ends in control or intellectualism.
    • Doctrine of devils     False doctrines detrimental to all humankind
    • Doctrine of God       Foundational spiritual laws governing all existence, as we know it.
    • Doctrine of Apostles    Guidance of the church into understanding the above two doctrines
    • Doctrine of Christ     How the spiritual principles of God affect humankind.

    Doctrines of men is everything we listed out in the above two sections as truth is put into a man-made structure for interpretation. The belief statements in a ministry can include their own perspectives. Rules verses freedom or a heavy focus on certain actions. If there is manipulation you are seeing doctrines of men.

    Colossians 2:22 (KJV 1900) — 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

    Mark 7:7 (KJV 1900) — 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

    Ephesians 4:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

    The doctrine of demons is the mixture of Biblical truth and occultism or practices. It is the worship of angels, or deities and even men. It is the enshrining of relics, altars and burning of incense. It is focusing upon departed saints as well. The doctrine of demons comes through men and many times is mixed with the doctrines of men. Much of the time it works with a religious spirit as well. It is where eastern meditations come from, astrology, yoga, new age, wicca, magick, Qabalah, Chaos magic, satanism, freemason, Daughters of Eastern Star, Astro project, ceremonial magic, Transcendental Meditation, and a host of others that are embrace and even promoted in church structures.

    1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

    2 Timothy 4:2-42 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 43 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

    Next, we have doctrines that come from God. These would be sovereign actions or laws. They show forth his creative position as the creator and the covenant keeping God.

    Deuteronomy 32:2 — 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain upon the tender herb, And as the showers upon the grass:

    God’s doctrines show forth his righteous position as a righteous judge. As the lord of his creation. As one who is providential and works in the hearts of men and humanity. That he is supreme in love, authority, and decision. Paul’s said it best in:

    2 Timothy 3:16–17 — 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    Next, we see the doctrines of Christ in Heb 6:1. There is much to say about this as most people do not even realize these doctrines are something we should have a firm grip on.

    Hebrews 6:1–4 — 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

    Notice it says plural dead works, baptism and laying on of hands. This section of scripture would take many blogs to understand, and I suggest you study this out on your own. I do have a video on it in the Pathway Discipleship Video series on YouTube.

    But Jesus came as one to model what the doctrines of God were and how they were to be placed in our lives. John 7:16  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. His doctrine was only an extension of the fathers. But he made the fathers doctrines his very own. Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine… 

    They were very adamant to maintain the right doctrine and did not take it lightly if the doctrine was getting off or was false. To have right doctrine was a sign that you truly belonged to God the Father and the Son. But if the doctrine someone had was off it was not to be allowed the privilege of entering your house nor was the person carrying it.

    2 John 9 -10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

    So, the help maintain the Doctrine of God and Christ we have the Apostles Doctrine. It was a governing of both doctrines and a further explanation of how to walk it out between us.

    Acts 2:42 — 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

    It was how the kingdom of God and the interaction of the king redeemed man. It was a doctrine of cause and effect, and a doctrine of actions. The expectation was believers would do what Jesus, and the father had already determined. There would be heart felt devotion and self-courage. So, it was a doctrine of:

    1. Doctrine of Governmental Oversight of the Kingdom and the Church
    2. Reinforcement of the Teaching of Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit
    3. The advancement of the Kingdom
    4. Establishment of new doctrines based on the current moving and advancement of the church through the Holy Spirits activity.

    This can best be summed up in the following verse Paul spoke of to the Ephesian church.

    Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

    • One Body               Kingdom thinking not denominationalism.
    • One spirit                The Spirit does not contradict Himself.
    • One hope                Only one way of eternal life
    • One calling               To be conformed into the image of Christ.          
    • One faith                 Only one belief system
    • One baptism           Repentance (metanoia)
    • One God                 The Most High God

  • The Glories Upon the Earth

    Last night my wife and me were talking about a book I wrote in 2014 called The Breath of God. Today I wanted to post a blog concerning our discussion.

    The book was a divine inspiration God gave me over 30 days of being locked away with him. I wrote all 300 pages during that time. In the book the Lord showed me the book of Ezekiel and how in it is 4 distinct times the breath (Ruwach) of God came. In between these breaths there were certain glories that also were released because of the breath. Our conversation last night was about where we are at in the process.

    I am amazed by this pattern that has unfolded over the last 10 years. It is very distinct and once you grab hold of the revelation it is easy to see unfolding. But like many prophetic revelations God gives there are overlaps of time and cycles. There are also people at different maturity levels and understandings. But the patterns are there and continue to unfold whether we understand them or not. Here is a very brief overview of the 4 breaths and seven glories the Lord gave me:

    The first breath – First Glory – The Glory with The Captivity.

    Ezek. 3:12-13, 15 “Then the Spirit (breath Rawach) took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels… then I came to them of the captivity.”

    This is an illumination glory or an awakening glory. It is where God shines light into the hearts of men 2 Cor. 4:6. The Breath of God carried him to the place where the glory was. The frustration a watchman experiences is seeing the lack of relationship with the Lord that causes a lack of spiritual life. This is the same as the outpouring in the upper room, Acts 2:1

    The second breath – Second Glory – The Glory at The Inner Gate of The Temple

    Ezek. 8:3-4 “And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And,behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there.”

    It is a freedom glory bringing deliverance, expressiveness, outward manifestations because of inward work. Now the breath, instead of carrying him, lifts him to the place of second heaven. It is a glory above the glory of man upon the earth. This relates to the outpouring into the streets in Acts 2:5.

    The third glory – The Glory Moves to The Door of The House

    Ezekiel 9:3–4 — 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

    This is an honoring glory of His character. Honor opens doors and this is a glory of entrance. A glory that requires sanctification. This is the Acts 3 glory seen at the gate beautiful, which revealed the divine origins of God.

    The Fourth Glory – The Glory Fills the Court to the point of touching the Cherubim.

    Ezek. 10:4 “Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory.”

    This is His filling glory. It requires his Presence. It is his nature being formed within us. It is an Acts 4:31 moment and focus.

    Fifth Glory – The Glory Moves to The Eastern Gate

    Ezek. 10:18-19 “Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim… the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.”

    This is a dividing Glory, a separation of holy from profane and an entering into the true holiness of God. It is a national purging glory. It is seen in Acts 5.

    The Third Breath and Sixth Glory – The Glory Moves to The Mountain on The East

    Ezekiel 11:1 (KJV 1900) — 1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord’s house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

    Here we have another breath and again it lifts him. This is a covenantal alignment glory. A supernatural knitting of hearts for common purposes. A oneness of John 17. The forming of one new man and a corporate expression of a corporate man no longer divided but as one. These 25 men representing the Ecclesia or government of the city. We see this in the beginning of Acts 6.

    The fourth breath and 7th Glory – The Glory Fills the House he has built, and He is now in the House!

    Ezekiel 43:5–7 (KJV 1900) — 5 So the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. 6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. 7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcasses of their kings in their high places.

    Now the breath takes him. It is transparent glory or transcended glory. The corporate man is formed, and He is now dwelling in the house. We become a doorway to heaven as they peer into us, they see heaven because of our transparency. These will be outward expressions because of inward work. This is where the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God.

    Now as you can see there is much to each of these. I have watched the overall themes of these 4 breaths and 7 glories played out in real life. But where are we in the process? That was the discussion we had and that is where the discussion always seems to lead in the countless groups that have done book discussions and studies on “The Breath of God.”

    So, I want to help us understand exactly where we are. As I said, many are in different journeys of spiritual time and maturity. But God has a timetable as well and it continues to unfold. Some will know the times and seasons and others will experience times and seasons. Some will open and lead a season, and others will be the participants.

    As I see it from the one who got the original revelation, we are waiting for the third breath to occur. It is starting to come forth because of the indicators of the Glories that follow. Many are in the fourth glory and are experiencing new degrees of filling by God. Others are moving into the fifth glory and are seeing holiness in a new light. As a nation we are in a national purging right now. Decisions are being made for righteousness or what is profane. It is indeed a dividing glory. The fifth breath is focused upon the Eastern gate. To me this is symbolic of Washington DC. As the sixth glory is focused upon the mountain in the East.

    Still others are working towards a one new man and a corporate expression. They are forerunning the sixth glory. It has not yet come because there needs to be a breath of God first, but the pioneers and forerunners are already seeing the next place God is about to open.

    I know this all might seem very new to you and may be hard to follow but what I tell people is you must go in the spirit to the place the revelation came from to understand it. My quick summary is this. Some are beginning the third and fourth glory. Others are in the fifth and still others are forerunners in the sixth. These are the overlaps of people in different journeys. But I know we are all waiting for the next breath to come. We all are in one of the glories that is between the second and the third breath. The third breath we desire is not yet here because God is endeavoring to do something together with the corporate man and is giving time for people to get caught up.

    I hope this short teaching helps you in some way to see you are part of a grand plan of God. That our lives are connected more than we think. We are all heading to a single destination of spiritual life and may be experiencing frustrations of why the delay. I hope I brought some clarity of what God is working out in people who are at various stages. As I travel and speak, I see these different dynamics in separate groups. I can honestly say, oh God is working this in you because you are in this glory. My prayer is that you to can see this as well and hasten what God is doing in the earth.

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  • International Ministry

    I am just getting back from another trip to Nigeria in West Africa. I am not going to make this blog about typical mission’s report because I don’t do typical missions when I go overseas. I go to equip and train leaders. I go to give leaders council about critical situations going on in ministry and the nation. I release kingdom dynamics through apostolic and father graces.

    The nations of the world are no different than America even though their cultures are different. The same problems exist in different levels and degrees. Some are masked and packaged differently. Some are at extremes that make them easy to see while others are deeply hidden. But when it is all done there is a root problem, a root demonic force is activity, that is crushing against humanity.

    As I have now done over 24 trips into the nation over 20+ years I have seen a metamorphous take place. I must say in many ways the Nigeria church that I first saw with great faith and miracles has been diminished and discouraged by the new standards of the measurement of success that has come from the west. The same problems we face as kingdom people they face as well. The true Kingdom is in smaller places as they hold the greater revelation. As I do each time coming from a trip, I contemplate the comparisons both good and bad. Here are some of them.

    In Nigeria there are new problems that exist. Problems created by seeker friendly prosperity driven ministries. These ministries I am ashamed to say patterned themselves after what they saw in the America church and specifically as defining success. Large ministries, large crowds and lots of entertainment driven programs. These have become the pinnacle of arriving at the top. The prosperity gospel and seeker friendly approach have created places of a powerless church. Some large churches do multiple offerings. Offerings for health, husbands’ health, children’s health, prosperity in business, prosperity in life, and on and on, all in one service.  People are desperate as they suffer in poverty, they are reaching out to anything that appears could help, even if it is has twisted the word of God. The people are in poverty as leaders are prospering. Forms of religion but denying the power.

    The embrace of the kingdom of God is present and operational but not widespread but growing. Apostles and prophets are in place but there are excesses like in America. Many claim apostleship and to be prophets but actions are contrary to the word of God and the grace needed is not there. Currently there is a movement unfolding on university campuses. Students and young adults claiming to be apostles and gaining following through all kinds of means including voodoo. Voodoo is also being practiced by scammers into America, and by boys desiring sex with girls. The witchcraft in America is subtle but still here, just disguised in other forms of manipulation. Any form of manipulation is a form of witchcraft.

    The false positioning of leaders has made them take on titles to hold, without the grace that comes with it to release. Like the American church everyone desires a title to be affirmed and feel important. Most do not go through the process of suffering and development. A real doctrine understanding of Biblical government is needed and a house cleaning of true from false is needed. Sounds like America. The Kingdom churches that are in place are healthy and stable. The excesses are the fringe churches and even large networks of churches.

    Since 85% of current church structure worldwide is made up of less than 80 people, the real barometer to look at is these smaller churches more so than the less than 3% of mega churches and 5-8% of medium churches. The same holds true in Nigeria and other nations as America. Senior leaders of larger churches have no need of the fivefold graces available and have done building by charisma, good administration and possible compromising to be relevant. Their programs and technics have brought them accomplishment. The smaller churches are willing to embrace the Ephesians 4 graces, and the impact when they do is very high in spiritual growth and kingdom vitality. The bulk of the work needing to be done is the investing into the hearts of the leaders of these kingdom expressions. They are open, teachable, honoring and willing to steward the church properly in biblical alignment. We are to advance the kingdom as God builds His church. As God builds the ecclesia, we then have the rulership of the kingdom. If we are building a church, then we for the most part we are building our ministry or our own kingdom at times. Steward the church – build the kingdom.

    As I have travelled all these years I have invested in the leaders of ministries as it will affect a multitude under them. Let’s say a conference of 300 leaders who each have 80 members is an influence on 24,000 people! That influence is more than most mega churches. This is why I do leadership training. These leaders are highly appreciative of the sacrifice in going and giving of yourself. If you are a gifted teacher, I encourage to consider how you can invest into these leaders. I find it very rewarding each time I go that I know there is a lasting and eternal impact.

    The people of Nigeria have a deeper joy than the church in the west.  Their joy is deeper because it is based on faith in Christ, and not over how circumstances are around them. They can be living under great distress and an unknown future, yet they are resolute when it comes to life and expressive of heart when it comes to worship. Something the America church could really learn from. These types of things always make it hard to come home, as they are pieces of authentic faith. These people are experiencing real life traumas and events and have found a way through Christ to indeed overcome. In the west we embrace the traumas and hold them higher than the freedom we could have. We allow them to affect our worship, thoughts and how we see life. That is why it takes time for me to process back into western faith and what we consider normal, even though it might not be authentic.

    In the west we have so much. Because of this we lose value of what we have available to us. We have excellent sound, worship, teaching, electricity, buildings, hot showers and luxury items to do life. We have lost honor for the journeys true men and women went on to be formed and discard their words taking them lightly. In other nations the opposite is true. A seasoned man or woman of God is treated with respect and honor. It is knowing the process that was required to bring forth wisdom. The years of service and the sacrifices made are held in esteem. In America all of these holds no real value. What seems to only gain respect is if the person has met my need, or if they have placed me in a position to be recognized, or if their ministry is a certain size. In Nigeria a person’s honor is held as part of how they are seen. Honor is in the culture both in and out of the church. I am not talking about making people idols or putting on pedestals but giving honor where honor is truly due.

    I tell you the work in nations is great and the response is even greater. America is in need as well but is blind in contentment. We believe we do not need the fullness of God but are willing to live in portions of fullness. We live compartmentalized lives of faith. We decide what we will or not believe and do. We take time to process truth to fit our lives while in nations truth is embraced with faith and understanding comes as they walk it out.

    I believe if all I did was ministry in America, I surely would be discouraged. The change is slow and at times unappreciated. I am thankful that he has counted me worthy to go to nations. I am thankful that I am not wasting what I have been given. I am thankful to be part of the Body of Christ universal and can see the kingdom amongst the nations as well as here in America.