What did I experience during camp meeting on a personal level that made me excited? I experienced a lot of spiritual renewal for souls, and spreading revival. The lord had explained the second part of my vision for coming down to the river. The Lord also, gave me the next instructions for the next step for my ministry, and that happened Sunday morning service.
The promise of this generation was received for me personal to carry revival by any means necessary, especially in my private walk with the Lord Jesus, himself. I know the lord is urging, and a new since of urgency was imparted to my sprit, and holiness and integrity to last to the end until the lord calls me home.
I know in the process of pressing in harder to the lord, I will get a deeper desire for souls in general. The Lord renewed and breathed on my vision, so I could see what is coming down the road for my ministry. For example, I had to know the timing in which things were to take place shortly. The lord even spoke to my wife the same morning and that was in itself confirmation, and brought great relief. The amazing part is that I received more from the Lord and not one single person laid hands on me. The second part of my vision was to arise! Which means go!
Before coming to RBI, I was afraid of telling people about Jesus. In my heart I wanted to do that, but just could not do it. When I heard about this ministry and RBI, that it focuses on souls and bringing the gospel to the people, I knew immediately that this is exactly what I need and what I feel in my heart God has called me to do. When the first soul winning took place, I was following other people how they do it, but was still in the bondage of fear to do it my self. The second time I decided to just knock on the door, open my mouth and read the script even though I felt totally incapable of doing it. I had to take the step, no matter what. And, to my surprise, that person behind the door did not reject me or the gospel, but received it and prayed the salvation prayer with me! Praise the Lord!
After that first one, I got SO excited and a huge joy came to my heart. I knew that now I’m in the center of what God has called me to do. That night, during a very short time I had won 6 people to the Lord and hardly could wait for the next time to come! I felt like it says in that song, to be “free to run” for the Lord. After that, every time has been exciting and different. Sometimes I’ve found myself being too confident on my own abilities, and got nobody saved. Sometimes I’ve felt totally incapable in the beginning, and after taking the first step and asking Holy Spirit to help me, have had the best harvest ever. So, it’s been a huge learning process and definitely the best thing that has happened to me during this time.
Now, during this time in RBI, I’ve lead about 200 people to the Lord and to me, it is a total miracle of God when I consider the way I was before. It is awesome to be a vessel for God and feel the power of the Holy Spirit that flows when preaching the gospel. I started soul winning in my home church back in Finland during our time there in December and got a couple of people mobilized. I’m looking forward to continue that there after RBI and get more members of church activated in soul winning and rejoicing in seeing the harvest coming in!
It was not until the first time I went soul wining that I truly understood how much our country needed revival, and even thou I was more than capable of killing my flesh enough to go out, I still tried as hard as I could to avoid actually talking to people but eventually conviction caught up with me to the point where I could not just stand there and see someone without making sure they heard the gospel myself, I don’t want God to say to me that I had them in front of me and I did not tell them, no not anymore, going for as many souls as I, I am trying to bring as many souls I can with me to heaven no holds bars, can I realize that when people say no its not to me but to God and same when they are saying yes.
Seeing the people come into the Kingdome makes all it worth it, watching the same people that I talk to on the streets show up to church on Sunday morning seeing people healed and watching them go out and preach the gospel like they heard it , going to the alter call and getting touched, It makes me feel like I am succeeding on a frontline mission that God himself has ordered me to execute, the plan my friends is to plunder hell concerning souls, take everything and give nothing back, after all it’s the very least one can do for what was done for us on that cross.
I chilling all believers to go to revival.com grab a script or two go out and spread the gospel In your community and see the harvest come, see your communities change, and turn the area around you upside-down for the Kingdome of God.
For a very long time throughout my Christian walk, I really struggled with my purpose and what God wanted me to do. I knew there was a plan for my existence, but I didn’t know what. When I came in contact with Revival Ministries Int’l and Pastors Rodney and Adonica, my life changed
The first time I lead someone to Jesus, I felt like I had just won one million dollars! I was so excited! I was nervous, but I did it! As time went on, something clicked on the inside, that I may be the only “Jesus” the world may ever know. Jesus has touched my life. He has saved me and others need to know!
Soul winning helps to keep my fire burning. When I am having a not so good day, I will lead someone to Jesus and feel 100% better. It is such an awesome feeling. There are times when I may get nervous, but I know it has to be done. Soul winning has shown me that God is not waiting on a title in front of my name, but is looking at my heart that is willing to pour His love out on people!
Soul winning has truly become a lifestyle for me. I’m not declaring to be perfect in this matter, but I do know that God used ordinary people like me to change nations. When I’m out soul winning, I see smiles of joy, people’s countenances change, and tears in their eyes, or how they reach out for hug and it melts my heart! This is what our Christian walk is all about…the lives of others!
Soul winning has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and walk into what God has called me to do “Go ye into the entire world and preach the Gospel.”
Last week, I went to get some Duncan Donuts. I was driving to go home that day. I parked my car in the drive way, and opened my door. I looked up and there was a man fixing the roof next door. I said Hello! Would you like a donut? He said “Yes”. He came down from the roof and picked up a donut. While he was there eating his donut, I asked him “Has anyone ever told you that God loves you and that He has a wonderful plan for your life? He said “No”. I asked him another question, “If you were to die this very second, do you know for sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you would go to Heaven? He said “No” because there’s nothing in heaven, we are going to be on the earth.
I proceed sharing with him what the Bible reads. He didn’t want to hear it. He said I know all that but there is nothing in heaven. He started to question me, “Saying why someone would want to go to heaven if there’s nothing there, we are going to die on the earth. I started to share with him what I’ve learned in class.
As the Lord was speaking through me, I believe that the Lord was opening the man’s heart. I asked him would you like heaven to be your home when you die. His answer was “Yes”. Let me share with you what the Holy Bible reads. I proceeded with the script. He repeated the prayer and got saved. I said to him now you know for sure that you have a home in Heaven when you died. His response was “Yes” I know, and I know that he is Alive! He left with his eyes watery and face was changed.
I have led many people to the Lord, but these past months it has been different. I’m able to listen more and agree with people in prayer depending on their situations. Sharing with them what I’ve learned in class, is becoming more real to me that there’s a place called heaven that is our home.
As Christians it is our duty to take the gospel and share it with those we come in contact with. According to the great commission Jesus says in Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We ought to be soul winners because Jesus Himself was a soul winner. As Christians we should strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Mark 1:17 tells us “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”
As we begin to exercise the great commission we produce fruit by winning people to the Lord. Acts 11:21 confirms “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” When we share the gospel it is inevitable that people will be saved and the hearts of people become touched and changed. When you go into a lost and dying world the wonder working power of the gospel is seen and healings are seen, it builds you up in your faith and makes the gospel that much more real to you. When you do the work of the kingdom and begin to seek God to reach people through soul winning the Holy Ghost empowers you. According to Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
As children of God, the born again believer we are witnesses and examples for the world to see the very character of Christ. Our conduct as Christians is a witness to the unbeliever as to who Jesus is. When we go soul winning people will be drawn to Christ because of who they see Jesus is in you. Therefore it is important to always teach and lead by example. Matthew 28:19 says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” When you teach people the gospel and you are passionate you carry the presence of Jesus Christ with you. In praying for people I become excited about the work God is doing because of the overflow of the work the Lord has done in me.
Because He has carried me, strengthened me, and healed me. When ministering to people they pick up on that and they are instantly drawn to that and they desire to dedicate their lives to Christ. We must be zealous in our efforts and approach people with confidence because of the gift we carry that is so precious. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” When we share the gospel openly it sets us free and edifies our faith as people turn to the Lord and you are able to impact their lives for eternity.
Ever since I started going to The River my life has changed I always feel a joy inside of me and a passion for the things of God. I remember while we were remodeling the church I stopped and looked around and saw all these people just working around the church and I thought to myself, this can only be love, the fact that everyone is working and not expecting anything back is love! That was something that really hit me and I was just amazed on how everyone helps each other out.
During the toy distribution I was playing in Studio B (kid’s church) and I thought it was so awesome to see 156 kids answer the altar call and get saved. I remember looking down at the kids during worship; it was so amazing to watch them worship God and I remember looking at one of them while he was talking about what Jesus did for us, he used me as an example to play Jesus and I’ll never forget, when I looked down at the kids I saw tears running down their faces and that’s something that’s just so hard to describe! All I can say is that it was such an amazing thing to see those kids connect with God. One thing that was really cool is how before the kid service started you get to talk to some of the kid’s and then when you meet up with them after they answered the altar call everything about them has changed, from their face expressions to how they talk to you. There is so much peace in their eyes. To me I love seeing the work of God in the lives of Younger People because that’s an encouragement to me, it makes me want to tell other people that anybody can be saved and can get smacked by the power of God. I can’t wait until the next toy distribution, and to see more people get saved!!
I love this topic! I was so excited to hear that Pastor Adonica was going to be sharing with us for a week, not only because I enjoy Pastor Adonica as a teacher but mainly because I love a challenge.
This year started out a little slow for me but it has definitely and quickly might I add gained momentum. For example this class; I absolutely love and appreciate the Holy Spirit and the way he uses different and even creative ways to show me the matter or state of my heart. I have heard this teaching before but am always thrilled when I get to hear it again because I know I can always learn something new and pull on the anointing for something fresh.
I got several nuggets out of this teaching but one of the things that really blessed and encouraged me, not that I’m in any way perfect in this area, is when Pastor Adonica said this, “spiritual maturity is not about knowing all the big stuff and being blessed it’s about walking in the love of God daily”! Wow does that need to be preached more often! So many times I tend to get down on myself for not being further along in my walk with the Lord, as if I even know where or what that’s even supposed to be like, but it blesses me to know that no matter what people think of me or say about me or judge me unfairly as long as I keep my heart right, forgive and walk in love; that’s really all I have to be concerned about. The rest will work itself out. If I’m wrong, I trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to show me how and what I need to change in the most loving way as He always does. I was talking with my roommate a couple of days ago and we both were saying how that’s probably the biggest thing we’ve learned from being at the River and what I’m most thankful for, is how to keep your heart right and guard your heart from offense. I would argue to say that, that is what takes Christians out the most, is offense more than anything else. When I feel offense trying to get the best of me I meditate on this 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 specifically, it totally helps me gain perspective. Without a humble and pure heart how can we succeed in anything else we try to do, for out of the heart the mouth speaks.
I’m so thankful for this class as it was such a great reminder and confirmation to what Gods been showing me, I could go on and on but I will close with this. Thank you so much for your obedience to Gods call on your life, it really is a blessing for me to have the two of you as an example. God redeems the time. Love you!
Sunday the 13th of December 2009 The River at Tampa Bay Church had a huge toy and food give away. I had the great privilege to work with our bus ministry. I was put on bus route 3 with Rod and his wife Carolann. It was only the second time I had gotten to work on the buses and I saw the people who do it week after week get all excited about seeing the people. Even the bus driver who was a contrite driver excited to see all the people that would get on the bus. I was getting really in to it. Getting to help register all the kids to get toys seeing all the people coming to church it was so amazing. I also was in kids church when we got back to the church and dropped the people off at the front door. Ok I had the boring job of helping take the kids to the bathroom for three hours just getting to see there happy faces when they were in service was so sweet. Joe is so great with the kids getting them involved with the service and scramming there heads off. I have been to concerts that were more quitter then kids church. At the end when they gave the alter call to make sure all those awesome kids had Jesus in there harts it was awesome. I remember what Joe said “everyone of these kids count”. I remember as a kid wanting someone to tell me I count for something. That Jesus loves and cares for every last one of those kids individually. Then as soon as church was done it was back to the buses to hand out the toys to the kids on our bus. I could keep on going on all day but the point is I got to see people lives changed and I cant wait to watch them grow in the things of the Lord for weeks to come.
Winter Camp Meeting this year for me meant new experiences, lasting memories and a better understanding of what God wants from me. I guess it started in class when Pastor Nick Coetzee asked me if I wanted to play the drums for the 2p.m. services. It would be my first time playing for such an event. I was so honored and thankful that God chose to use me in this way. I had always wanted to work with Pastor Nick and be under the anointing that he operates in. There was obvious opposition from the moment I said yes. One of them was my job. I would have to get the whole week off and seeing as though this is peak season at my job it wasn’t going to be easy. The Saturday before camp meeting I was playing basketball with some friends and I tweaked my back really badly. I said to myself ” Lord is this your plan for getting me out of work”. Needless to say I could not function at my job because it requires some heavy lifting. So I went into my managers office and let them know the situation. They gave me the week off without pay because it wasn’t a work related injury. But I was so happy that I had the week off that not getting paid for that week didn’t faze me. I knew God would provide. But the pain was unbearable. I was tempted to call Pastor Nick and cancel but I knew God had called me for this camp meeting and I didn’t want to make excuses. So I prayed over myself and played for camp meeting. It was amazing the grace God gave me to play. Whenever I sat on the drum stool to play the pain would go away. Then it would come back less and less when I wasn’t. By the time camp meeting was over I had been completely healed. I was so blessed playing with Pastor Nick and lead people into the presence of God.