Men in Ministry Waiting on God

Levis Hernandez the Missionary to Nicaragua

In 2010 Glad Tidings Church took 41 people on a Mission Trip to Nicaragua. The trip was amazing. The learning experience of waiting on God to give us the destination was unbelievable. Here is part of the story. 

It started with “d-Class” discipleship class, early Sunday mornings. The purpose of the class is to learn obedience, holiness, process, priorities and to prepare everyone for the trip. This is where iron sharpens iron. The study is rich. The commitment of the people is evident. We washed cars and worked together to raise money and build camaraderie. Still there was not a country on Pastor’s Heart. We prayed together and worked hard together. We studied French. It was likely that the country we would go to in Africa would be French speaking. I was hoping for Burkina Faso as my friend, Barkwende Sawadogo, was from Burkina and I wanted to see where he grew-up. At the same time visit his Father John-Baptiste Sawadogo and his mother Marie Rose. I had not seen his parents for since his wedding, 2 years earlier. Lisa and Barkwende have gotten pregnant, since the planning began. Naomi would be born a few weeks before we leave for Nicaragua. The mission’s team stayed pretty much together during this time with optimism as to where we would go. Pastor announced the dates for the trip in December 2009. He told us about how much it would cost. There was still no decision on the destination. Pastor is decisive and direct. In this case God was just not speaking on the location he was speaking on preparation. It takes discipline to go into an environment that is in deep poverty and spiritually aggressive. We would prepare to conduct spiritual warfare; there is no such thing as enough prayer, enough Bible Memorization and enough dependence on God. Never enough!

January 12, 2010, 4:53 PM sent us to Nicaragua. This is the date of possibly the most horrific earthquake tragedy the world has every seen. On Sunday January 17th, Pastor said; "we may not be going to Africa." His heart is for Africa. Everyone knew how painful this revelation was for him. We knew we were not going to Africa. There was somewhere God wanted us, but it would not be Africa.

Pastor thought for sure it was Haiti. They needed us. We had 5 ministry teams prepared to go and minister. We had a connection through Convoy of Hope. They had been on the ground in Haiti for 18 years. They were there, we were connected and this must be the country. Two families in our church were from Haiti it seemed a natural.

Convoy did not need us in Haiti, they needed us in Nicaragua.

The two weeks leading up to the Nicaragua Trip were unbelievable. Starting with the Youth Convention and Pat Shatzline. Lives changed every night. Sunday 7-18-2010, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I was out of town and could only attend the Wednesday meeting. The meeting had over 350 people in attendance, on a Wednesday night in the summer! The Holy Spirit moved gently and mightily throughout the meeting changing lives.

A number of things about the trip challenged me. As Pastor would say “get over it." First is spiritual preparation, which after my morning prayer on Monday July 26th, I had a break through to the prayer preparation as to how to pray and what to pray. The second challenge is the total lack of a schedule for the trip other than the flight schedule. Obedience and following are essential. I had another break through when I realized that being a servant requires blind obedience.

The Wednesday before we are leaving, July 28th. I was getting ready to take a red eye to Boston for a one day meeting. The flight would leave at 10:50 PM. Oasis is essential I did not realize how powerful not only to me but to the Nicaragua Team, Glad Tidings and San Francisco.

I was late getting to Glad Tidings arriving about 7:20 PM. Worship was in full swing with 100's of people in the service was a bit overwhelming in a good way. It seemed to be a healthy mix of people. They were singing a new song. The presence of God was evident. The mix of people men, women, youth ..there was a difference about the place that was strongly evident as I entered. (I wrote this on the plane on the way to Boston, United 180 seat 12E)

Pastor Tim talked of the realness of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Beiser closed with simple stories of his experience of multiple realizations of the Holy Spirit, for him, during the meetings. He spoke of how he questioned Pat Shatzline's methods. He specially questioned “The Alabama Door.” He questioned it until he saw the Holy Spirit in action because of the expectations people had as they stepped over the threshold and were “blasted” by the Holy Spirit.

During the Pat Shatzline meetings, Pat said things to Pastor that were then immediately verified. One was of a little girl, who was not little anymore, but when she was 8 God told her would experience revival. The person was in the congregation. She had recounted to Pastor this word from God prior to the meeting. She was 8 years, when she received the word at the time of this meeting she is over 50. This was a testimony that Pastor recounted on this night.

Pastor stopped as he walked in the “pit” in front of the sanctuary as he often does when drawing the audience close to a message, a mission or a testimony. He then called Tim away from the electric keyboard replaced him with Pastor Isaiah, called Pastor Nathan and Pastor Catherine, the 8 year old girl to the front with him and simply asked people to come forward for prayer.

I knew I needed to be there and went quickly because I had a plane to catch. I stood in Pastor’s line. I was 4th in line. I do not know who was directly in front of me. Pastor prayed for the first two people and while I believe the Holy Spirit had an impact it was not visible, as a matter of fact the first person walked away and looked a little disappointed. I began to pray, eyes closed to block distraction. I was expecting God trying to block the mind distraction, praying for a new, fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.

I could feel movement around me. I prayed calling out in my spirit for a new, fresh filling. I was touched in a different way it was like a bolt of energy blew me backwards off of my feet. This was not after any audible prayer I just felt a touch. I was blown backwards on to the floor. On the floor, I could feel people around me. I was unwilling and unable to get up. Unwilling because I wanted more, unwilling because I wanted what I experienced not to end, I was at peace with everything. There is no other way to say it but peace came over me and continued.

A few minutes might have passed. I got to my feet a little wobbly I was glowing in my spirit. I have never experienced such a deliberate move of the Holy Spirit. It was fresh and new. I sat on the plane waiting for it to take-off I was still experiencing the Comforter. I am ready to go to Nicaragua! Holy Spirit, paraclete come you are welcome here.

In the morning on the plane as I arrive in Boston, last night is so real and still vibrant, still fresh and new.

I am flying back from Boston we have practice for the Puppet Ministry tonight I need to learn the songs.

Glad Tidings Men's Ministry International is a ministry of Glad Tidings Church, San Francisco. 

 

Men in Ministry: What are we doing?

This past weekend we had a very well received Men's Ministry Core Leadership meeting for Glad Tidings San Francisco. It was great. The objective of the meeting was to get all the men on the same page as the leadership. We had a dinner of sausage and potato salad, good fellowship and a planned out meeting. It took place on Sunday night after a long day so I committed to just 90 minutes and we finished in less time.

Let me explain the core leadership concept: Glad Tidings Men's Ministry International has a leadership team of 3 "senior" leaders. These are the guys who are consistent in showing up to leadership meetings and creating the vision the action plans for the ministry. Most important these are the guys who with this consistent leadership role are living their lives in such a way that they are practicing iron sharpens iron. The next level of leadership is the Core Leadership. This consists of 10 to 15 men who are committed and will carry the message forward. They will be consistent participants and take on facilitation and small group leadership roles. They live for Christ as a good example and are in the iron sharpens iron category. With the leadership group formed this way it is effective to get the messages out and have the ministry talked up one on one!

Back to the meeting, we did many things to organize the ministry for the year. The center was to have each man, in leadership and in the core, to sign a "contract" committing to the ministry. The contract looked like this:

As a leader with Men in Ministry at Glad Tidings and GTMMI you are willing to make the following commitments.

1. Fully support Vision 2012

a. Honor your pledge on time

b. Actively support the vision as expressed by Pastor Beiser

2. Tithe

3. Commit to reading the One Year Bible everyday

4. Pray for the Glad Tidings Leadership everyday

5. Pray daily for the youth and Teen Challenge

6. Support GTMMI and the activities

Name:___________________________________

All the men signed the contract! We will follow up to remind the men, in love, to keep the agreement they made. If they fall off just get right back up and start again, that is OK.

In addition to the contract we brain stormed at each table (31 men, 6 tables) about things we should do in 2012. Then each tabled narrowed their list to 2 activities then 2 people from the table took responsibility to make each of the top 2 activities successful. The result is 12 good activities that everyone agreed to and 24 leaders heading them up. Ministry leaders die a painful death when they try to do everything themselves.

We also had some of the youth leaders participate. I want them to see how Godly Men act and the commitments they make and keep.

Dream Big Dreams to Win Men, One Man at a Time

Big dreamers who dream about what will be during the day and put it into action are people whom you want to be around. Men in ministry need to be dreamers and doers of dreams.

“All men dream, but not equally. Those that dream at night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake the next day to find that their dreams were just vanity. But those who dream during the day with their eyes wide open are dangerous men; they act out their dreams to make them reality.” -T.E. Lawrence

Dreaming with your eyes open, not necessarily physically but in the awareness mode coupling that with confirmation, understanding, planning and executing the dream is the key to success. Dreams that are confirmed by the Bible, the Holy Spirit and then confirmed by respected, Spirit led leaders are dreams that need to be carried through to fruition. Believe that signs and wonders follow, they do not lead. So as the dream is carried, out those signs and wonders will be obvious in their confirmation of your direction.

An example, that we recently participated in and experienced in our home church was one that involved a physical renovation, which is the representation of the larger dream to take the city for Christ.

The church 12 years ago had 37 members today there are over 650 members and over 2,000 people who call the church their home church. In the last few years the growth has been dramatic. The building is 100 years old and has been updated a number of times. Rooms have been created taking away from the space in the main auditorium. A room that at one time sat 1,500 would only seat about 900 for a single service. This was becoming a challenge but was OK for the time being, we went to multiple services. Our pastor then had a dream from the Holy Spirit for the balcony to be re-opened to expand the church. It had been covered over and made into offices. He also in the same dream saw the ceiling of the auditorium being removed so it would open to the rafters making it more modern and inviting. This would open the room up and with the balcony increase the seating to 1,200 plus.

He mentioned the dream to his inter circle a number of times. Then in rapid succession, two evangelists from different parts of the planet told him to open the balcony up, then another national church leader said the same thing and finally our pastors mentor, for 30 plus years, a true man of God, as he left the church for the last time (he died shortly after) told pastor to open up that balcony.

This is a huge project. First we had to raise a huge amount of money for this and all the other things we were doing. The pledges came I in an overwhelming abundance, the money then flowed. We thought the renovation would take months because fo money and workers. Oh we of little faith.

We started early one month and literally 3 weeks later the ceiling was down, the rafters painted and the balcony opened up. The auditorium now seats 1,200 plus. We expect it will be filled in the next 4 to 6 weeks. Counting is not important remember when David counted in 1 Chronicles 21:1. Don’t get me wrong God likes numbers He has book with the name. The importance is not how many people but how many hearts will commit to the Lord because of the increased capacity.

This was a huge dream. Well really not so, because to the creator of the universe and the one who keeps galaxies known and unknown logically in place, what is a huge dream. I can talk about others. How about 300 people at a Saturday morning 5 AM Prayer Meeting, or 50 men in a Bible Study on Saturday morning, or 100 men at a Men’s Ministry Retreat, need I go on.

In your ministry whether the dream is to have a Bible Study with 50 men, it is biblical confirm the timing of your dream with the Holy Spirit and your leadership then plan and go. Check the signs and wonders along the way.

Ultimately making disciples of the city and the nation. Creating relationships and seeing once again that iron sharpens iron, in your ministry with the Holy Spirit leading the way.

In the ministry believe in your Godly dreams, Dream big dreams and then test them, plan them and execute them.

Men in Ministry

Hardworking Men, at Work in Ministry, Changing the World One Man at a Time

That is a mouthful of direction for men everywhere. How can we effectively make a difference, everyday? We are each only one man, how can we make a long-term difference? How can we change the world? These are all good important questions for us to ask, ultimately how do we, as individuals, become world changers? Let us look we are really never alone.

Let us first look at making a difference everyday. We do this whether we think we do or not. Just by being, we make a difference. I live in San Francisco, California, not to confuse it with any other San Francisco. In this city, not unlike any other, just by walking around with a smile on my face and greeting the people I walk past, I make a difference, a modest difference, but a difference just the same. Now if I take that walking around, smiling and greeting to the next step and actually talk to a few people that are willing to have a conversation. With this conversation I will make a greater difference. Now let me become deliberate and decide I want to talk to people, who seem willing, about a particular subject. Now I will make a deliberate difference in some people’s lives. That deliberate action may be positive or negative we will move people one way or another.

Some good examples that we know, your father was / is a world changer. He had an impact on you. You will take that experience and have an impact on others, one person at a time. Liken it to the butterfly effect. The flapping of the delicate wings has an impact on the movement of the air.

The best example is Jesus; He was very personal, He developed a deep personal relationship with a few people. His inter circle was James, John and Peter. Jesus was a one man at a time guy. He lived the fact that iron sharpens iron. He is deliberate in His relationship with us. He is the ultimate example.

The original questions can then be summed up in one question. How can we change the world one man at a time? That is the only way to change the world one man / person at a time. It is work and it is rewarding.

The “how to” of this will take practice. We cannot do it alone. I will be deliberate and say how do we complete the mission which we were assigned right before Jesus ascended into heaven, as told to us in The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

If we look at this command, backwards, and say Jesus is with us, individually, always, to the very end of the age. He gave the command and then said He will be with us to execute the command. He then sent the Holy Spirit, to be along side of us to assist us, when called on to do so, to complete the command.

In a conversation or in a public speech the most important words are, if planned well, the last words spoken. This is what the speaker or the person wants the audience to remember.

These were the last words Jesus spoke, while in the flesh on earth. They are the important words; they are our mission in life.

The formula for the mission is to garner all the resources we have been given to succeed in the mission.

Call on the Holy Spirit each morning and throughout the day to prepare for the people He will put in our path to effect, then pray that we will recognize those people. Then ask for the words to say. We do not want to offend with harsh statements, we want to lift up the people we meet with the love of Jesus.

Once we have done this and put on the armor of God then we are ready to change the world one man at a time. And that is your ministry!

Men in Ministry

Who are you listening too?

Glad Tidings Men's Ministry International conducted a Men’s Bible Study this morning. The subject for all our Men in Ministry is Evangelism. Particularly witnessing to men. The mission is witnessing to one man at a time. This brings to the for front the question “Who are you listening too?”

My career began in the 70’ s in the computer industry. I love the productivity that technology produces for individuals and businesses. The advances over the time I have been in the industry have produced dramatic gains in productivity. Properly technology has created dramatic changes to our lives, allowing flexibility in work schedules and allowing professional people to spend more time with family and in ministry. The ultimate is the ability to get more work done in a shorter period of time. The quality of the work is always the question.

Technology has also allowed us to hide behind email, voicemail and the like. It has allowed us to “communicate” without talking to anyone. It has allowed us to make excuses for, at times, garbage in the communication, causing disruption or at a minimum confusion, which may slow others in the chain of communication in the execution of their tasks. How many times have you received a text or an email with a word missing or out of order, leaving you to wonder what the message is?

From the early days of the industry to the present time, one phrase continues to ring true. Garbage in, garbage out, is the phrase, whether that garbage is conversational, a tweet, an email or a text or data into a business model. This phrase also applies to our lives.

Letting garbage come in to us allows that garbage to have an influence on us. Let negative stuff in and sooner rather than later it will affect our attitude and our actions. Where does the negative stuff come from? All over radio, TV, Internet, Spam, people on and on. The age we live in allows somewhat unbridled access to us. If you leave your email address on a site for any reason or do a search on Google or another search engine you have opened the door for a barrage of “stuff” to come your way.

Who are you listening too? With all this stuff coming in, much of it trying to influence how you think or react to situations and people, the stuff needs to be screened and off set with the truth. If it cannot be screened, which is difficult, it will need to be filtered through the truth by which you can test everything you hear, read or see.

If you will live to a consistent standard, what is that standard or is there a standard that has absolute consistency?

Who are you listening too? You can listen to all the people who say what you want to do is hard, it is not supported by the “norm”, it will be a lot of work, and the possibility for success is slim. They say!

Do the research and look to the successful, experienced sources for the answers. Find those people who consistently perform, way above the norm. If it was easy everyone would be doing it and the value will be much less, when you are successful.

For me the Bible is the one true over arching source of truth. From here I can test everything I hear, see or read, no matter where it came from, to see if it measures to the truth. Once, what I am using has been tested, then I can be comfortable putting it to use. The results will be consistent and fair, decisions and actions in my family, business and personal relationships. In all three areas iron sharpens iron. This then gives me a strong foundation for building great success for the people around me and myself.

Glad Tidings Mens Ministry International

Iron Sharpens Iron

The stronger men in the Lord need to take the mantle of supporter and mentor, for men and boys newer to the faith. This is a conscious effort a large responsibility and a requirement. Jesus said "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19 NIV. Making disciples of all nations is a command not an ask. Iron sharpens iron in all cases, in all actions, in all words, in private and in public. In private we prepare for the public side of our ministry.

We will want to live our faith, all the time. It is always being responsible and capable of having our lives being placed under a microscope. The reality is that our lives are under a microscope, God's microscope. We will be held accountable for every word and every action. So why not make it worth something and take on the mantle of being an accountability partner for those who are newer in the faith and for a youth. The role of accountability partner, for you, will have to be approved by your leadership or your Senior Pastor. This is an important step, getting the approval, we are all under authority.

In private: A man's character is really revealed, when he thinks, no one is watching. Take this time as preparation, for the majority of your time when you are being watched. I was watching a video on Affiliate Marketing a few weeks ago. The video was talking about being successful. The person on the video was describing the results of what we put into us. It was secular in nature, but he did refer to Joel Olsteen at one point. His message was, what we put in will determine what comes out. Garbage in garbage out. So in your private time be sure to feed yourself with prayer, Bible Study, Christian Literature and spend time with Spiritual Warfare Prayers, which will increase your ability to increase the Kingdom. When you are working in private do the best work you can do. What you do in private will be revealed and also revealed in your public life. They should be the same!

In public: What you do, where you are seen and how you act are important, very important. Early in my Christian Walk, I heard someone say when there is Church we should be in Church. For the most part I believe this to be true. If Jesus is first in our life, then our wife then family, you will have order and peace. Church functions need to fit into this scheme. There are basics to be fed and to feed others. Certainly Sunday, Wednesday or mid week, at least one ministry commitment, special fasts and prayer meetings. These are the basics, which you should be not just attending but being a great contributor.

How you act in public, whether Church related or not, will be what the people see. The newer Christians and the youth will relate to and follow. Be aware, when you are in public, everything you do will be public. The mantle of leadership, which you have chosen to take on has a burden associated with it. It is important that you wear it as Christ would have you wear it. When you falter or fail, confess, ask for forgiveness and move forward in the Lord.

When your private and public life is reflective of what you would like to see in others, you will begin to see it in others.

So the iron sharpening iron has begun. The next step is for you to have an accountability partner for your life. A Christian stronger than you, one who will tell you the truth, support your walk, pray with you and be your mentor in the Lord. This relationship would be approved by your leadership.

Men in ministry, now you are ready, the foundation is laid for you to be an iron sharpener, an accountability partner for someone else, leadership approved. Once this is established your commitment is to be available, on a scheduled basis, unless you are mentoring someone who is in crisis. Available and committed to pray for that person, meet with them, pray together, be in ministry together, talk about life and the trials of life together. You are the accountability partner that is the strength figure so you will not be sharing the deepest with this person more than likely they could not handle the burden in this stage of their walk.

One thing I find amazing in the Book of Nehemiah. Before he did anything he prayed. I fall short of this myself, but I hold Nehemiah as a standard for my life. Paul of course next to Jesus may be the ultimate standard in many ways and he says pray continuously!

Prayer is the armor to allow iron to sharpen iron!

Glad Tidings Mens Ministry International