Charisma April 2010 PDF

April 2010
COME
TOGETHER
» Empowering the Next Generation
21 Emerging Leaders
of Tomorrow’s Church
Follow us on:
MENTOR ME:
What Every Young
Believer Needs to Know
Cover CM 4-10_DIG.indd 2 3/18/10 12:25:32 PM

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R Messner 1p.indd 1 1/16/08 12:04:41 PM
Tyndale-Get it Off Page 1p.indd 1 10/23/09 3:51:19 PM
» Vo l u m e 3 5 , N u m b e r 9
Charisma
[
14
16
» ON THE COVER
N E W S
FYI
News
]
Charismatic renewal marks

50 years / 16
Churches add ‘creation care’
to social agenda / 18
+
Empowering the
church’s next generation of leaders
[istockphoto.com/Archermt]
[
28
C O V E R
The Magazine About Spirit-Led Living
[ F E A T U R E S ]
36
40
We Cry Out
S T O R Y
21 Emerging Leaders of
Tomorrow’s Church
]
Meet the new generation of Spirit-empowered leaders

out to change the world. » BY KEN WALKER
» ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: emerging.charismamag.com
Young Christian leaders today crave authentic c

faith. Here are 7 passions of the next generation. lick h
» ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: cryout.charismamag.com
Listen to Your Mentors
These 7 spiritual veterans offer sage advice to the younger cli
ck
he
®
re
Dream Center pairs new generation. » ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: mentors.charismamag.com

college with ministry / 20
Evangelist to mail book to
46 7 Trendsetting Churches
How churches are pioneering new trails. » BY ADRIENNE S. GAINES
1 million Jews / 21 » ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: trendsetters.charismamag.com
Persecution Watch / 23 52 10 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Was 21

You might think you’re smart when you get out of college, but I suggest
News Briefs / 24 that the real education is only just beginning. » BY MARK RUTLAND
» ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: 10things.charismamag.com
[ D E P A R T M E N T S ] 54 God’s Strength for This Generation
After 20 years, a pioneer’s message on our need for the Holy Spirit’s
6 Charisma Online power is just as relevant–and prophetic–today. » BY DENNIS BENNETT
» ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: bennett.charismamag.com
8 Feedback
[ C O L U M N S ]
26 Bible Reading
Guide 10 Editor’s Note 66 Fire in My Bones
by Marcus Yoars by J. Lee Grady
26 Digging Deeper
12 Straight Talk
A devotional from by Joyce Meyer
Life Publishers Charisma & Christian Life (ISSN #0895-156X) is published monthly by Strang Media Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746.
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TOC CM 4-10_DIG.indd 5 3/17/10 3:48:05 PM

» CharismaOnline For far too long young people
have experienced God from
one side of the church while
The the “older folks” resigned to

do ministry from a separate
corner. Why is there such a wide
Generational generation gap in today’s church?

At realtalk.charismamag.com
Elephant in Charisma held a roundtable
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / L I S E G A G N E ; D R Y P
conversation with leaders from
within the body of Christ to
the Room talk about the generation gap

and discuss a remedy. Listen
to the podcast, then tell us if
you agree or disagree. It’s high
time we start talking about
this elephant in the room.
Creative Churches What Are You Chasing?

To get inspired by how God is This month we’re highlighting young ministers
moving through His church in who are sharing their passions for the next
creative ways, check out trendsetters generation. What are you passionate about?
.charismamag.com.There you can What are you chasing? Go to passionate
watch how innovative ministries .charismamag.com and tell us what you’re
such as the Expectation Church pursuing. We may feature your answers
Network (below) push the envelope. in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
Leaders Predict Where the

Church Is Going
E X P E C TAT I O N C H U R C H N E T W O R K
So where is the church

headed? Is there change
on the horizon? Visit
vision.charismamag.com,
where we’ve gathered
thoughts from leaders
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / R AYC AT; H I D E S Y
about where the

church is
going.
Avoid the ‘Wouldas’ and ‘Couldas’

Charisma tracked down a few veterans in
the faith to give young people sage advice
about faithfully standing the test of time. Go
to mentors.charismamag.com and get advice to
avoid your own “wouldas” and “couldas.”
6 C harisma / A p r i l 2010
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» FeedBack
Charisma ®
Publisher and Founder STEVE STRANG
RECALLING ORAL ROBERTS Bobbie, and I are grateful. Reading the
article, we felt humbled and amazed at
Executive Vice President,
I thank God for Oral Roberts’ legacy all God is doing in Sydney and around
Media Group HUELAN GRIER of faith, love and power (“A Legacy of the globe through His church. We cer-
Editor Faith” by Ken Walker, February). He was tainly feel blessed to have been entrusted
marcus.yoars@strang.com MARCUS YOARS
indeed a true man of God, regardless of with such a great church family. Thank
Managing Editor
jimmy.stewart@strang.com JIMMY STEWART what the critics say. Surely because of you again for featuring our story.
News Editor his dynamic vision and passion for the Rev. Brian C. Houston
adrienne.gaines@strang.com ADRIENNE S. GAINES
kingdom of God the worldwide land- Hillsong Church
Associate Editor
valerie.lowe@strang.com VALERIE G. LOWE scape of the Christian faith has been Sydney, Australia
Assistant Editor positively and eternally affected. May his
leigh.devore@strang.com LEIGH DEVORE
legacy abound and may the good Lord PRISCILLA SHIRER
Online Editor
felicia.mann@strang.com FELICIA MANN help his family and ministries at this time
Contributing Editor of grief. Shalom! Thanks for the article on Priscilla
lee.grady@strang.com J. LEE GRADY
Lawrence A. Lasisi Shirer (“Like Father, Like Daughter”
Vice President of Production WENDY LEECH
via e-mail by Carol Chapman Stertzer, February).
Design Director JOE DE LEON
She is a terrific and dynamic teacher
Production Manager SHELLY DUFF
Oral Roberts changed my life with and speaker. I went to a Bible study of
Production Coordinator CARA S. SHOWERS
his teaching on “seed faith.” I will always Deeper Still. Wow! Other friends have
Advertising Director,
Consumer Group be grateful for the encouraging letters he been to the Deeper Still conference the
chris.barch@strang.com CHRIS BARCH
also sent me. I will be so happy to meet year before and had really liked her. I’m
Advertising Account Executives
annmarie.louis@strang.com ANN MARIE LOUIS with him and Evelyn in heaven. God very excited about this young Spirit-
anna.silva@strang.com ANNA SILVA bless the rest of his family.We rejoice that filled teacher.
tim.kearney@strang.com TIM KEARNEY
steve.tanner@strang.com STEVE TANNER his promotion to glory has arrived. Nadine Childs
Ad Traffic Coordinator
cathy.shipley@strang.com CATHY SHIPLEY
Sally Lockwood via e-mail
Circulation Director
via e-mail
carmen.lugo@strang.com CARMEN LUGO A R E TAT TO O S TA B O O ?
Customer Service HILLSONG CHURCH
nettie.parks@strang.com NETTIE PARKS
“The Dark Side of Tattoos” (by
Director of Finance JOY F. STRANG
Thank you for your interest and care William M. Sudduth Sr., January) gives
EDITORIAL AND
in sharing the story of Hillsong Church some real insight into what is behind
ADVERTISING OFFICES:
600 Rinehart Road (“A Sound From Down Under” by tattoos and what happens spiritually to
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Lake Mary, FL 32746 Nicole Partridge, January). My wife, some people when they get them—
Phone 407-333-0600 • Fax 407-333-7100
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Web Site: charismamag.com through this practice. That is why God
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SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: 12 issues $24.97; 24 issues has a bad spirit, but the devil does use
$39.97. Canadian subscribers add $10 per year, other coun-
tries add $20 per year, payable in advance in U.S. currency tattooing as a means of gaining access
only. If you have moved, received damaged or duplicate to people. We need to be aware.
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use for the days of the week? All pagan.
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MAILING LIST: We make a portion of our mailing list avail- “Because of his dynamic conjure demons. Are drums evil? I do,
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include your name, call 1-800-829-3346, write to us at 600
Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746, e-mail magcustsvc@ vision the landscape of many people get tattoos: to be defiant, to
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been positively affected.” S E E F E E D B AC K O N P G. 6 3 »
Feedback CM 4-10.indd 8 3/5/10 11:24:13 AM

Victory Christian 1p.indd 1 3/8/10 9:39:20 AM
» Editor’sNote need veterans with proven wisdom to help
guide those eager to venture further.
Inheritance Transfer But let me remind my fellow emergents

of this two-sided coin: We may be blazing
new trails, but we must not neglect the
wisdom of the pioneers who came before
IN 1993, PETE MYERS FACED one of the toughest challenges us. Our success will be directly propor-
in sports history.To that point, the 6-foot-6-inch journeyman had tional to how well we listened to the voice
played sparingly for seven NBA teams in seven years. But prior of God speaking through our predecessors.
to joining the Chicago Bulls that year, Myers was asked to do the If the church is to truly flourish in the next
impossible: Fill in for Michael Jordan after the greatest basketball season, young and old must understand the
player of all time abruptly decided to retire (for the first time). need for intergenerational conversation,
I’m thankful I don’t face as daunting a task as Myers did—not not monogenerational monologues.
because the person I’m replacing isn’t as extraordinary, but because This month Charisma highlights the
of the remarkable inheritance he’s left behind and the way it’s being Spirit-prompted generational transfer
transferred. Lee Grady is one of the most distinct and respected already in process—and shown in places
voices in Christian journalism today.After serving Charisma for 17 such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the
years, he’s made my task of following in his footsteps extremely ongoing Empowered21 conversations will
challenging. Yet one thing I love about Lee is that he’s never be celebrated April 8-10. We believe these
wanted me to trace his trail, but instead to blaze one for myself.As pivotal multigenerational gatherings offer
anyone close to him knows, Lee leads by empowering. He believes hope for all ages. Because as in this maga-
in handing over the necessary tools to let people run their own zine’s transfer from one editor to the next,
course, all while he offers them his unconditional support. those involved understand that the state of
The church desperately needs more Lee Gradys right now.We the generational inheritance usually mat-
need battle-proven generals who are willing to make way for and ters more than the individual inheritors.
empower a new generation of passionate, Spirit-filled leaders.We » MARCUS YOARS is Charisma’s new editor.
We bring out your best

so you can honor the call:
Be salt.
You are the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13
46 Undergraduate Degree Programs

8 Graduate Degree Programs
Evening and Weekend Programs
Online Programs
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Compax 1p.indd 1 3/5/10 10:44:02 AM
[
they eventually proved to work, and he
was honored as a hero.
One of the Moors he captured
» StraightTalk by Joyce Meyer

said, “Anyone can kill, but only a true
king can show mercy to his enemies.”
Because of El Cid’s one act of kindness,
his enemies offered themselves to him as
friends and allies from that point on.
Start to Do Good Jesus is a true king, and He is good,

kind and merciful to all. Can we do any
less than follow His example?
Right now, can you think of anyone
to whom you could show mercy? Is
FAMED PHILOSOPHER AND ORATOR Edmund Burke there someone who has treated you
once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for wrongly that you can be good to? Being
good men to do nothing.” It’s true. Doing nothing is easy, merciful and good, especially to your
but it’s also dangerous. Where there is no opposition to evil, enemies, may be one of the most pow-
evil will multiply. erful things you have ever done.
We all fall into the trap of complaining about the things Imagine how diff erent the world
that are wrong. But complaining does nothing except dis- would be if each one of us who claims
courage us even more. It changes nothing because there is no to know Christ would do one kind
positive power in it. thing for someone else every day. The
Imagine what a mess the world would be if all God did results would be astonishing. The world
was complain about everything that has gone wrong since would change rapidly because we really
He created it. But the Father doesn’t complain. He continues could overcome evil with good if we
to be good and work for justice. Evil is powerful, but good all made a commitment to live the way
is more powerful. Jesus tells us to live.
»
We need to stop and realize that God has chosen to work I have three friends with whom I
on this earth through His children—you and me. sometimes go to lunch or have coffee.
It’s humbling to realize that He could do so much more if We often talk about things God has put
we would be committed to love and do good at all times. We on our hearts to do for others, or cre-
need to remember Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16, “ ‘ Let ative ideas for fresh ways to be a blessing.
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good I believe conversations like this are very
]
pleasing to God.
I would like to challenge you to take
It’s humbling to realize that God could a lead role in the “love revolution.” Enlist
people you know and invite them to a
do more if we would do good at all times. planning session on practical ways to meet
needs. Find someone who needs help and
make a group effort to help them.
works and glorify your Father in heaven’ ” (NKJV). The idea of encouraging others to
The more we respond to evil with evil, the more it be aggressive in doing good works is
increases. I am reminded of a movie titled El Cid, the story not new. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let
of the man who united Spain and became a great hero using us consider one another in order to stir
the principle I’m talking about. up love and good works.”
For centuries the Christians had fought the Moors. They We should actually study and think
hated and killed each other. In battle, El Cid captured five about how we can stir others to do good
Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing works and loving, helpful deeds. And
had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to remember, doing the right thing will
his enemies would change their hearts, and then both groups require forming new habits and devel-
could live in peace. oping aggressive acts of love. The results
Although he was initially labeled a traitor for his actions, will be wonderful!
» JOYCE MEYER is a New York Times best-selling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries. She has
authored more than 80 books, including The Love Revolution (Hachette), from which this article is adapted.
She hosts Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. To read
past columns in Charisma by Joyce Meyer, go to charismamag.com/meyer.
12 C harisma / Ap r i l 2010
c-Meyer CM 4-10_FLR.indd 12 3/5/10 3:32:30 PM

Live Simply. Reap Expect Miracles—and Beat Burnout. From J. Lee Grady!
the Rewards. You Will See Them. A revolutionary new way The former Charisma edi-
Join Chuck and Pam Tune into the miracu- to overcome burnout in tor exposes the problems
Pierce as they show how lous and receive more of your life from one of the plaguing churches today
you can simplify your God’s miraculous provi- foremost leaders of inner and offers a bold call for
life, your house and your sion in your life. Includes healing. believers everywhere to
soul. incredible testimonies Renewal for the Wounded Warrior reclaim the genuine pow-
The Rewards of Simplicity from famous leaders by R. Loren Sandford er of the Holy Spirit.
by Chuck and Pam Pierce such as Bill Johnson and The Holy Spirit Is Not For Sale
James Goll. by J. Lee Grady
When God Says Yes by Julia Loren
Available at chosenbooks.com, your local bookstore, or by calling 1-866-241-6733.
a divisi
divisi
vision
on of
of Baker
Baker Publ
Publishi
ishing
ishing Group
Group
Bethany House 1p.indd 1 3/4/10 2:33:20 PM

» FYI
» Gospel artist Yolanda Adams
< S P O T L I G H T > With the charismatic movement
Contagious Joy marking its 50th anniversary
this month, many Christians are

Yolanda Adams says joy is possible even in bad times.
wondering how the Holy Spirit
Y olanda Adams is a Grammy-winning gospel

singer with platinum-selling records, but she is
no stranger to pain. Her father was killed in a car acci-
will move in this generation.
As charismatic leaders gather
at Empowered21 April 8-10 to

dent when she was a child, and she recently experi- discuss the future of the Spirit-
enced an unwanted divorce. Yet she says she’s learned filled movement, we encourage
how to have joy despite her circumstances.“The things you to join us in praying for:
that we look at as hard and heart-breaking, God can » A fresh wave of renewal to
get the glory out of them too, if we let Him,” she says. sweep across churches and
In her book, Points of Power,Adams leads readers on the nations around the world
journey she has walked to defeat “joy killers” through » Revival on college campuses
faith, love and forgiveness.“As a Christian, I want more across the globe
than ever to show others the power of God’s love,” she » Boldness to evangelize the lost.
writes.“You don’t do that by badgering people; you do To sign up for regular prayer updates
from Charisma’s Prayer Initiative, visit
it by being a good example.” —VALERIE G. LOWE prayerinitiative.com.
FYI CM 4-10.indd 14 3/5/10 11:30:49 AM

[ M I L L E N N I A L [ F A I T H & C U L T U R E ]
B E L I E F S ]
Adults under age 30

Movie Spotlights
I S T O C K P H O T O / A L D O M U R I L LO
are less likely to attend
church or affiliate with Faith, Cancer
a particular religion Film from Fireproof producer
than their parents and seeks to inspire prayer
grandparent were at
A
new film from one of the producers
of Facing the Giants and Fireproof will
the same age, according spotlight how the faith of a boy facing
to a recent poll by the cancer changed the lives of many.
Inspired by a true story, Letters to God opens in
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. But modern 18- to 29- theaters April 9 and stars Tanner McGuire (House,
year-olds do have something in common with older generations. Lost) as Tyler Doherty, an 8-year-old cancer-
stricken boy who writes letters to God every day.
The Pew Center found the millennial generation’s beliefs about life The letters eventually end up in the hands of a
after death, the existence of heaven and hell, and miracles closely troubled postman played by Jeffrey S. Johnson
(CSI, Without a Trace) and affect people across the
resemble those of older Americans.The percentage who say they community. The cast also features Robyn Lively
pray daily also rivals that of previous generations at the same age. (Saving Grace) as Tyler’s mother and Ralph Waite
(The Waltons) as a neighbor.
“The real story is that these little letters were
[ C O M P A S S I O N ] really prayers,” says director David Nixon, one
of the producers of the popular Christian films
Facing the Giants and Fireproof, “and that’s really
REBUILDING HAITI what I would like for people to take away from the
movie ... that you can have a connection with God
and it can be as simple as writing a letter to Him.”
The $3 million film, co-written by Tyler’s
An Assemblies of God chaplain wants to help Haiti rebuild, one prefabri- father, Patrick Doughtie, includes uplifting stories
cated home at a time. Denny Nissley, executive director of Christ in Action of cancer survivors and is being supported with
resources to help churches counsel people facing
ministry in Manassas, Va., is shipping 5,000 prefabricated homes at a cost of a cancer diagnosis. Nixon has two more films in
$600 each for earthquake victims in Haiti. The first shipment of 500 homes development through his Possibility Pictures that
will target Christian audiences. “We don’t want
was to arrive in Port-au-Prince by late March.Vol-
to get preachy,” Nixon says, “we just want to tell
unteer crews in South Carolina, Texas and Virginia simple stories about Christians and how they go
are building the $600 home kits, which include four through adversity.” —ADRIENNE S. GAINES
walls, a roof and a pressure-treated floor. But Nissley » Director David Nixon with Tanner McGuire,
is still raising the $3 million needed to complete the who plays a cancer-striken boy in Letters to God
project.“God put this Haiti project on my heart, but

it takes the body of Christ to bring it to reality,” he
CHRIST IN AC TION
says. The 12-by-8 wood frame structures can sleep

up to eight people and will be erected on blocks
or the ground. The kits, designed in a half-hour by
a Christian builder in Virginia, can be assembled
» Denny Nissley in Haiti
in about two hours using a cordless drill. The first
homes will be built for Morningstar Christian Academy in Port-au-Prince.
Other building sites have yet to be selected. —PETER K. JOHNSON
FYI CM 4-10.indd 15 3/8/10 2:07:33 PM

» News
Have the news, as it happens, sent to your inbox.
Go to: charismamag.com/newsletters
« The late Dennis Bennett is considered the

father of the modern charismatic movement.
Episcopal Church in Seattle. He served as

the pastor of St. Luke’s for two decades, ran
Holy Spirit workshops and wrote the best-
selling book, Nine O’clock in the Morning,
in which Bennett shares his testimony and
tells of how the charismatic movement
C H R I S T I A N R E N E WA L A S S O C I AT I O N
spread throughout the nation.
Although Bennett wasn’t the first
mainline denominational pastor to expe-
rience the baptism in the Holy Spirit, he
was the first to openly share his testimony.
The news of Bennett’s Pentecostal expe-
rience even made the newspapers and
wire services, and was featured in Time
and Newsweek magazines.
The membership at St. Luke’s qua-
drupled as renewal began to spread across
[
the U.S. Within just a few years, people
in virtually every major Protestant tra-
April 3 marks the golden anniversary of the day Dennis dition—Baptists, Lutherans, Menno-
Bennett told his church he’d had a ‘personal Pentecost’ nites, Methodists, Presbyterians—were
receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Charismatic renewal has since swept the
Charismatic Renewal globe, though Pentecostal scholars say its
growth has slowed in the U.S.“The move-
Marks 50 Years ment began to wane in America by the
mid-1990s, but it continued to grow all
over the world tremendously, especially
Africa, Asia and South America,” said
T
his month marks the 50th It was a new language, not some kind of Pentecostal historian Vinson Synan, dean
anniversary of what many ‘baby talk.’ It had grammar and syntax, it emeritus of the Regent University School
consider to be the origins of had inflection and expression—and it was of Divinity. “Today there are 640 million
the charismatic movement. rather beautiful.” Pentecostals and charismatics. It’s still the
On April 3, 1960, the late Father Dennis The revelation angered some church fastest-growing part of Christianity.”
Bennett told his 2,600-member Episcopal leaders, who eventually asked Bennett Stanley M. Burgess, a professor of
congregation at St. Mark’s church in Van to resign. “His experience was explo- Christian history at Regent University and
Nuys, Calif., that he had experienced a sive because the Episcopal Church is editor of The Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and
“personal Pentecost.” While attending a known to be a very proper, intellectual Charismatic Christianity, says one-third of
prayer meeting, the Britain-born minister and historic church,” said Rita Ben- the world’s 2 billion Christians are charis-
had been baptized in the Holy Spirit and nett, the rector’s widow and president matic or Pentecostal. “The greatest explo-
began to speak in an unknown language. of the Christian Renewal Association sion is now occurring in China,” Burgess
“My tongue tripped, just as it might in Edmonds, Wash. “Some people were said. “It’s a combination of Pentecostal and
when you are trying to recite a tongue happy and said they wanted to be prayed charismatic.Within 10 years, we expect that
twister, and I began to speak in a new lan- over too. But others were not happy at all. China will be the most Christian nation on
guage,” Bennett recalled.“Right away I rec- They didn’t understand.” Earth, and that’s just stunning.”
ognized several things. First it was not some Rather than fight about charismatic This year, several events are being
kind of psychological trick or compulsion. renewal, Bennett stepped down and was planned to celebrate Bennett’s legacy and
There was nothing compulsive about it. ... soon invited to “bring the fire” to St. Luke’s the 50th anniversary of the movement,
News CM 4-10.indd 16 3/5/10 3:20:11 PM

b Y k Zf ca V Y g h g Y ` `] b[ Ui h\cf
AVS`W@]aSG<9D<9F8
including Empowered21: Global Congress

on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st :]bXWcaZcfhUbXfYghZcfmcifgci`"
Century, which is being held April 8-10 in =bh\YZUWYcZmcifYjYfmXUmVUhh`Yg V][UbXgaU``
Tulsa, Okla.The Rev. Billy Wilson, execu- fY`mcbh\Y;cXk\c`cjYgmciUbXÉ[\hgZcfmci"
tive director of the International Center for
Spiritual Renewal and chair of Empow-
ered21, says the event will explore what’s
on the horizon for the “Spirit-empowered”
movement.
Wilson said charismatic leaders world-
wide have told him there is a growing
need for authentic leaders with integ-
rity. Pastors also say there is a huge need
to teach younger generations about the
Discover wisdom and encouragement
gifts of the Holy Spirit and to answer
to renew your strength and walk in
their “heart cry” for spiritual fathers and power and truth.
mothers, Wilson not ed.
n
“They have a huge desire for what
I call primitive Christianity—New Tes-
tament Christianity in its purest form,”
Wilson said. “They want the miraculous.
They want the gifts of the Spirit, but they
don’t want to make a show of it. I think
this generation is positioned to not only
see the movement grow, but really expe-
rience the Holy Spirit in a totally new CREATIONHOUSE.COM
DO YOU NEED A
dimension.”
In early March, the Regent University
School of Divinity planned to celebrate
PUBLISHER?
Bennett’s legacy by archiving his papers in
their library. Meanwhile, St. Luke’s Epis-
copal Church in Seattle will honor Ben-
nett, who died in 1991, with a series of
events July 26-31, marking the month S:
when Bennett was assigned to the Seattle O U S E O FFE R ce 1970
T I O N H s h in g s in y
church. Rita Bennett, author of You Can C RE A ok p u b li inte g r it d
sful bo n ce a n
Be Emotionally Free, also will honor her ■ Su cce s n f o r e xce ll e s t q u a li t
y
r e p u t at io h t h e h ig h e
husband’s legacy during her annual Emo- A
te d w it s
d a r t is t
■
tionally Free seminar July 19-24. ■ Boo

k s craf e d ito r s a n t io n
in g r ib u
w a r d - w in n g a n d d is t
Bennett said she recently found some ■ A a r ke t in
c t ive m a lt ie s
of her husband’s unpublished papers that ■ Ef fe
e a u t h o r r oy
■ Co m
p e t it iv t im e
shed light on how he learned to “pray
t u r n - around
from the Spirit.” She said the message is ■ Q u ic
k
still relevant.“The reason for speaking and
praying in the Spirit as often as possible is
to keep in touch with your Friend, not
just to fulfill a process,” the late Episcopal
minister wrote.“The experiencing of gifts
fulfilled is very important, but the feeling
of fellowship with Jesus is far more so.”
—TROY ANDERSON FOLLOW US:
FOR INFORMATION CALL:
A p r i l 2010 / C harisma 17 800-599-5750
News CM 4-10.indd 17 3/5/10 3:20:18 PM

» News
[
mirrors a broader change among evan-
gelicals, who today are more apt to address
As the 40th observance of Earth Day approaches, more social justice issues as they advocate for
Christians are embracing environmental stewardship the sanctity of life and traditional mar-
riage. Charismatic pastor Tri Robinson
said seven years ago when he wrote Saving
Churches Add ‘Creation God’s Green Earth: Rediscovering the Church’s
Responsibility to Environmental Stewardship,
churches rarely discussed “creation care.”
Care’ to Social Agenda “One of our goals was to really change
the worldview of the evangelical church
on the subject,” said Robinson, senior
A
s the nation prepares for the what it has to say,” says Dr. Matthew Sleeth pastor of the Vineyard Christian Fellow-
40th observance of Earth Day, of Wilmore, Ky., an ER physician who ship in Boise, Idaho. “It took a while, but
Christians say churchgoers’ quit medicine to preach on environmental it’s really starting to grow now. People are
views about environmental stewardship. “It’s always been important making the connection between biblical
issues are changing, though the validity since Genesis 2:15, where God puts Adam truth and the value of creation care, and
of climate change remains controversial. and Eve in the garden and says to tend and they weren’t making that seven years ago.
Today three-quarters of Christians protect it. But I think in recent history There was this idea if you were pro-envi-
believe churchgoers should be more active there’s been too much politics around ronment you were probably pro-choice.”
in caring for the environment, according taking care of our environment.” Climate change remains a volatile issue,
to research by The Barna Group. Among Sleeth and his wife, Nancy, are founders though, with only 27 percent of evan-
evangelicals the number is 90 percent. In of Blessed Earth, a nonprofit dedicated gelicals convinced global warming is real,
addition to reducing electricity use and to spreading environmentalism among according to Barna. In 2007 the Rev. Jerry
fossil-fuel consumption, more Christians churches. On April 21, a day before Earth Falwell said global warming is “Satan’s
are touting the benefits of simple living as Day, Blessed Earth will hold what Sleeth attempt” to distract churches from fighting
a way to combat rampant consumerism. bills as the largest ever faith-based gath- abortion and gay marriage. Since his death,
“Over the last five years what I’ve seen ering involving Earth Day, a simulcast based leading evangelicals such as James Dobson
is that people who are biblically based from Northland, A Church Distributed, have continued to challenge popular claims
have actually gone to the Bible to see the Florida congregation led by the Rev. about climate change.
Joel Hunter. But unlike with abortion and gay mar-
Sleeth expects riage, opinions vary on the environment.
the simulcast will In 2006 a group of religious activists led
draw thousands by Richard Cizik, then a vice president
of churches of with the National Association of Evan-
all denomina- gelicals, penned a green manifesto calling
tions. “We’ll Christians to action on climate change.
have more than a The same year the Southern Baptist
million people,” Convention adopted a resolution urging
Sleeth said of the better care of God’s creation.
simulcast. “As far Even Christians who support creation
as I know there’s care prefer to step away from left-leaning
never been any- environmentalists. Sleeth emphasizes that
thing over a unlike Al Gore he is nonpolitical and says
BLESSED EARTH
couple thousand the Blessed Earth event will not address

involving the global warming. His group is partnering
faith groups on on the event with Asbury Theological
Earth Day.” Seminary and Zondervan, the evangelical
Chr istians’ publisher of Sleeth’s book, Serve God and
» Dr. Matthew Sleeth expects 1 million churchgoers to participate in his evolution on Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action.
Blessed Earth simulcast, to be held on the eve of Earth Day. the environment —AMY GREEN
News CM 4-10.indd 18 3/5/10 3:20:29 PM

Tyndale-I Get It 1p.indd 1 10/16/09 3:52:04 PM
» News
Dream Center College to
Train Students for Service
The accredited one-year program will pair higher education
with hands-on ministry in inner-city Los Angeles
D
eciding what to do with his
life, Cody Cressey thought
about going to Bible college,
but he wanted to get hands-
on ministry training too.
When he heard about the new Dream
Center College in Los Angeles, the 23-
year-old decided to do both. Now, he’s
planning to take accredited college courses
while he ministers to families living on the
DREAM CENTER
mean streets of the City of Angels. “It just
breaks my heart going out there,” Cressey
said.“You get to see and feel the need first-
hand. I feel called to the ministry ... and the
Dream Center College is an amazing place. » The Dream Center will soon house a college.
I don’t know of any better place to learn
and get this hands-on ministry training.” can go to the college on-site and get all
Cressey is one of hundreds of students the things the Dream Center provides with
planning to attend the college when it opens hundreds of outreaches on a daily basis.”
in September. He is currently enrolled in The idea for the college, accredited
The Movement, a ministry training and under the Oakland, Calif.-based Patten
discipleship program at the Dream Center University, grew out of The Movement, a
that will become a one-year certificate pro- program designed to raise up the next gen-
gram this fall under the new college. eration of “world changers.” Kelli Bradley,
The college will be located in a 160,000 co-director of The Movement, said youth
square-foot tower at the Dream Center, a today want to live for a cause. “They love
nonprofit outreach dedicated to helping the fact the Dream Center has such a great
inner-city people. Established in 1993 by cause,” she said.“We are reaching out to the
pastors Tommy and Matthew Barnett, the community to make it a better place to live,
Dream Center provides food, clothing, and so the students get really excited about
shelter, life rehabilitation and biblical the prospect of being able to do that.”
training through 273 outreaches. During the one-year program, students
Matthew Barnett, pastor of the nearby will receive 24 college credits, 12 from
7,000-member AngelusTemple–the church spiritual formation classes taught in a tradi-
founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in tional classroom by professors and the other
1921—says the college is unique because half through hands-on ministry practicum.
students will get to earn college credits as The credits can transfer into most degree
they spend a year helping the homeless, programs as history or philosophy credits.
poor and addicted in the inner city. After- “I just feel like God is mobilizing our
ward, the credits can be transferred into a generation,” Cressey said. “People are just
degree program at a traditional university. pushing the envelope and doing things I
“It’s kind of like the Peace Corps of haven’t been used to seeing. ... We realize
colleges where people can learn, grow and there is a lot of hurt that needs to be healed
develop at the same time they get college and only God can take care of that.”
credits,” said the 36-year-old pastor. “They —TROY ANDERSON in Los Angeles
20 C hari sma / A pr i l 2 0 1 0
News CM 4-10.indd 20 3/5/10 3:25:29 PM

» News
[ Sid Roth is mailing a book of testimonies from Messianic

believers to 1 million Jewish homes across the U.S.
Minister Leads Jewish

Evangelism Campaign
A
Messianic minister is on a cam- never heard of anything like this before.”
paign to evangelize 1 million He said 50 Holocaust survivors professed
Jewish homes nationwide. faith in Christ during two meetings he led
Sid Roth, founder of in Israel. “Again, by Israeli standards, this is
Georgia-based Messianic Vision and host an unprecedented thing,” Roth said.
of the It’s Supernatural TV show, last year Other Messianic leaders say they are not
launched an initiative to mail copies of his seeing a modern awakening similar to what
book They Thought for Themselves to 1 mil- happened in the 1990s among Jews in the
lion Jewish homes across former Soviet Union. But
the U.S. The book fea- they also say Christians
tures the testimonies of 10 have been wrongly reluc-
Jewish believers in Jesus. tant to evangelize Jewish
“Sure, a lot of [the people. “I think there’s
books] will be torn up been a misconception
without even being read,” that Christians have had
MESSIANIC VISION
Roth said, “but the ones that Jewish people are not
God is dealing with, open to the gospel,” said
they’re going to read this Jonathan Bernis, head of
and they’re going to come Jewish Voice Ministries
to the Lord.” International.“And while
Roth, who ministered » Messianic evangelist Sid Roth true of the older genera-
among Jews in the former tion, the Jewish leadership
Soviet Union for 15 years, says in recent and those that are more observant … it’s
months he has seen a “change in the atmo- not true of the overall Jewish community
sphere” of Jewish evangelism. [in the U.S.] and in Israel.”
Last summer in Brighton Beach, Messianic Vision has launched Project
N.Y., nearly 400 Russian Jews reportedly 77, which is seeking $77 donations to
attended an evangelistic meeting billed as mail seven books to Jewish families in the
a lecture on the paranormal. People were U.S. By February, the ministry had raised
healed, Roth said, including a wheelchair- enough money to mail 82,000 books.
bound woman who had not been able Roth said bringing together Jews and
to walk for five years. “Almost the entire gentiles as believers in Jesus would usher in
group stood up to make public professions a historic revival.“I see these Jewish people
of Messiah,” Roth told Charisma. coming to the Lord, entering the church
Later, at a similar meeting in California, and forming the one new man [described
roughly 30 Jewish people professed faith in Ephesians 2] to catapult the greatest gen-
in Christ. “In my opinion this is unprec- tile revival in history worldwide,” he said.
edented in America,” Roth said.“I’ve been “That’s my vision. That’s what I believe.”
in Jewish ministry over 35 years, and I’ve —ADRIENNE S. GAINES
A pr i l 2 0 1 0 / C hari sma 21
News CM 4-10.indd 21 3/5/10 3:26:19 PM

Eagles Wings 1p.indd 1 3/4/10 9:18:37 AM
Persecution Watch
PUSH FOR ISLAMIC COURTS IN
KENYA ALARMS CHRISTIANS
Christians in Kenya are opposing a proposed
C O M PA S S D I R E C T N E W S
constitutional provision that would expand
the scope of Islamic courts in the East African
nation. In February, 23 Christian leaders
released a statement asserting their opposition
to any inclusion of Islamic courts, which have
existed in Kenya since 1963, with their jurisdic-
tion limited to the coastal province. Christians,
who make up 80 percent of the population, » Observers fear debate over the proposed
defeated a similar proposal in a 2005 refer- provision could spark riots like those in 2007.
endum. Muslims make up 10 percent of Kenya’s
39 million people, and 9 percent of the population follows indigenous religions. Both
Christian and Muslim leaders have threatened to block the draft constitution in a refer-
endum later this year if their preferred language is not included. The 2005 referendum
was followed by a bitterly disputed presidential election in 2007 that sparked rioting,
reportedly leaving 1,300 people dead. The election dispute was resolved with one can-
didate becoming president and the other prime minister, and at the heart of the pro-
posed constitution is an attempt to transfer presidential powers to the prime minister.
EUROPEAN COURT RULES AGAINST TURKEY’S RELIGION ID

A European court on Feb. 2 ordered Turkey to remove the religious affiliation section
from citizens’ identification cards, calling the practice a violation of human rights. Reli-
gious minorities in general and Christian converts in particular have faced discrimina-
tion because of the mandatory religion declaration, which was enforced until 2006.
Since then, citizens have been allowed to leave the religion section of their IDs blank.
The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights “is a good thing,” said Zekai Tanyar,
president of the Turkish Protestant Alliance, citing prejudices against Christian con-
verts. “[Religion on the ID] can cost people their jobs,” he told Compass Direct News.
“It has been known to affect whether they get a job or not, how people look at them,
whether they are accepted for a post or an application of some sort.”
ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS IN KARNATAKA, INDIA, FREQUENT AND FURIOUS

Karnataka state recorded the highest number of anti-Christian attacks in India last
year, and it is keeping that pace this year. Christians in Karnataka are being attacked
“at rapid regularity” and “with near impunity,” and it is “a serious matter of concern for
the Christian community,” said Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of India. Much of the violence occurs under the vigilante pretext of
rounding up Christians supposedly involved in “forcible” or “fraudulent” conversion
efforts. On Feb. 1 in Thagadur village, Kodagu district, Hindu extremists dragged 11
Christians—including four women—from their homes and colluded with police to
arrest them on such false charges. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported
that all of the Christians, members of the Beraka Gospel Church in Suntikupa village,
were tortured at the Siddapur police station to pressure them to admit to the charges.
Police denied torturing the Christians, but like many people in India, Inspector Ratan
Singh of the Siddapur police station seemed to believe that laws against fraudulent
conversion apply to any kind of proclamation of faith.
Source: Compass Direct News
News CM 4-10.indd 23 3/8/10 2:07:08 PM

» NewsBriefs
[
D.C. ISSUES GAY MARRIAGE LICENSES
The nation’s capital began granting same-
[ DENOMINATIONS MOURN LOSS
sex marriage licenses March 3 amid ongoing
OF PENTECOSTAL BISHOPS ]
efforts by traditional marriage supporters
The Church of God in Christ and the Pentecostal Assem-
to get a referendum on the issue. Congress
blies of the World mourned the loss of two prominent
chose not to overturn the gay marriage law
bishops earlier this year. Bishop Allie T. Moore, the last sur-
the Washington, D.C., City Council passed in
viving bishop to be appointed by Church of God in Christ
December, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled
(COGIC) founder C.H. Mason, died Feb. 7 in his Louisville,
that it has been a “matter of judicial policy” for
Ky., home at the age of 98. Moore had been appointed
the High Court not to intervene in local mat-
leader of the denomination’s Kentucky jurisdiction in
ters. Traditional marriage supporters said they
1947 and for more than 60 years had served as pastor of
would continue pursuing a ballot initiative,
19th and Cedar COGIC in Louisville, which was renamed
which would allow voters to repeal the gay
Moore Temple COGIC in 1985. Moore’s death followed
» Bishop marriage law. So far, the courts have upheld
that of Bishop Norman L. Wagner, former presiding bishop of the Pente-
Norman Wagner District of Columbia Board of Elections and
costal Assemblies of the World (PAW). He died Jan. 30 in a Youngstown,
died Jan. 30. Ethics rulings claiming a ballot measure would
Ohio, hospital, after having heart surgery. He was 68. Wagner served as
discriminate against homosexuals and violate
pastor of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church in Youngstown, now known
the city’s human rights law. Same-sex marriage
as Calvary Ministries International, for nearly 40 years and led the PAW, a
is allowed in six U.S. jurisdictions.
Oneness Pentecostal denomination with more than 1.5 million members
worldwide, from 1998 to 2004. A respected singer, songwriter and arranger,
DON WILDMON RETIRES
Wagner was nominated with his choir for two Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
American Family Association (AFA) founder
Donald E. Wildmon has resigned as chairman of
[ BLACK DENOMINATIONS UNITE, UNVEIL PLAN
the Mississippi-based organization. Wildmon,
TO EMPOWER AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES ]
who has led AFA for more than 30 years, was hos-
Three historic black denominations united for the first time in 45 years to
pitalized for three months
unveil a plan to keep black males out of prison and in school and church.
beginning in August after
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Christian Methodist Episcopal and
contracting encephalitis
AME Zion churches announced the Male Investment Plan at the Great Gath-
from a mosquito bite. He
ering March 1-3, which drew 5,000 people to Columbia, S.C., and received
also is recovering from
a video address from President Obama. The plan targets 5- to 25-year-old
surgery to remove cancer
black males and will focus on economic, educational, physical and spiritual
on his left eye. His son,
enrichment, The State reported. Participating churches will lead Saturday
Tim Wildmon, is expected
A FA
Academies that will team youth with mentors and offer them skill-building
to lead the organization.
workshops. The plan will be phased in 13 regions, beginning in Washington,
D.C. The three denominations have a combined membership of more than
» Don Wildmon Don Wildmon plans to
continue working at
5 million and pledged to provide $10 million annually to fund the initiative.
the ministry and with other pro-family groups
AME Bishop John R. Bryant, who helped usher charismatic renewal into his
nationally, but he will not serve in a leadership
denomination in the 1970s, said the church’s power to bring change among
role at AFA, according to a ministry statement.
black males is “in our relationship with the Holy Ghost,” the State reported.
T.D. JAKES PROTÉGÉ TAKES OVER

[ CONSERVATIVE LUTHERANS TO FORM
DENVER MEGACHURCH
SEPARATE DENOMINATION ]
Christopher Hill, protégé of influential Dallas
A group of conservative Lutheran organizations that opposed the Evan-
pastor T.D. Jakes, is succeeding Heritage Chris-
gelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) decision to allow homosex-
tian Center (HCC) founder Dennis Leonard
uals to serve as pastors is launching a new denomination this summer.
as senior pastor of one of Denver’s largest
Lutheran CORE will unveil the North American Lutheran Church at the
churches, according to the Denver Post. Under
ELCA’s convocation in August. The proposed splinter group will be based
Hill—a former minister at Jakes’ Potter’s House
on four attributes: Christ-centered, mission-driven, traditionally grounded
Church in Dallas—the 5,000-member, mul-
and congregationally focused. Meanwhile, the national assembly of the
tiethnic HCC will be renamed Potter’s House
Church of England in February passed a motion that affirmed the desire
Church of Denver, more closely matching the
of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) “to remain within the
name of Jakes’ 30,000-member congregation.
Anglican family.” The ACNA formed in response to liberal moves within the
Leonard, 60, started HCC in his basement with
Episcopal Church USA, the American branch of Anglicanism, that culmi-
30 people in 1985. Jakes presided over Hill’s
nated with the ordination of an openly gay bishop in 2003.
installation as the church’s pastor Feb. 24.
News Briefs CM 4-10.indd 24 3/5/10 3:50:01 PM

FAMC 1p.indd 1 3/3/10 9:24:17 AM
Visit biblestudy.charismamag.com
[A P R I L 2 0 1 0 ] for more Bible studies.
BReading
I B Guide
LE D I G G I N G
D e e p e r
Follow our daily reading plan in
each issue of Charisma to read
through the Bible in one year. SPECIAL FROM LIFE PUBLISHERS
» “I WILL PRAISE you, Lord,

with all my heart; I will tell of
all the marvelous things you
have done.”
This month’s Bible study:
There’s More Down the Road

—Psalm 9:1, NLT
Apr. 1 Judg. 11-12; Ps. 50; 2 Cor. 1 Read Mark 10:46-52
Apr. 2 Judg. 13-16; 2 Cor. 2
True fulfillment in a relationship with Jesus comes are you praying for? Do you ask God
Apr. 3 Judg. 17-18; Ps. 89; 2 Cor. 3 not from a miracle encounter but in walking with to give you a vision of His purpose and
Apr. 4 Judg. 19-21; 2 Cor. 4 Him, no matter which road He takes. will for your life? After Jesus healed Bar-
Apr. 5 Ruth 1-2; Ps. 53,61; 2 Cor. 5 timaeus we find that “he followed Jesus
T
Apr. 6 Ruth 3-4; Ps.64-65; 2 Cor. 6 his month’s reading brings us to along the road” (v. 52).
Apr. 7 1 Sam. 1-2; Ps. 66; 2 Cor. 7
the story of Bartimaeus, a blind Consider the testimony of “Sally,”
beggar. There truly is a great deal who found Christ in a country closed
Apr. 8 1 Sam. 3-5; Ps. 77; 2 Cor. 8
we can learn from this short passage from to Christianity. She made two Christian
Apr. 9 1 Sam. 6-7; Ps. 72; 2 Cor. 9 the Gospel of Mark. friends who invited her to church.
Apr. 10 1 Sam. 8-10; 2 Cor. 10 First, Bartimaeus knew about Jesus. “From the very beginning my heart was
Apr. 11 1 Sam. 11-12; 1 Chr. 1; 2 Cor. 11 “When he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth touched by worship and songs. Later on ... I
Apr. 12 1 Sam. 13; 1 Chr. 2-3; 2 Cor. 12 he began to shout” (Mark 10:47). Second, asked the pastor to pray for my very impor-
Bartimaeus knew that is was Jesus’ char- tant exam. He said: ‘I hope you will pray
Apr. 13 1 Sam. 14; 1 Chr. 4; 2 Cor. 13
acter to “have mercy” on the people with with your own faith.’ So I simply prayed
Apr. 14 1 Sam. 15-16; 1 Chr. 5; Matt. 1 whom He interacted (vv. 47-48). and I asked Him to meet me or somehow
Apr. 15 1 Sam. 17; Ps. 9; Matt. 2 Third, Bartimaeus did not hesitate prove to me that this is the right way!
Apr. 16 1 Sam. 18; 1 Chr. 6; Ps. 11; Matt. 3 when Jesus called him. He threw off his “And He did. I found there were no
Apr. 17 1 Sam. 19; 1 Chr. 7; Ps. 59; Matt. 4 cloak (quite possibly his only possession), more doubts about Jesus as my Lord and
Apr. 18 1 Sam. 20-21; Ps. 34; Matt. 5 jumped to his feet and went to Jesus. Last, Savior. I gave my heart to Him and I started
Bartimaeus knew exactly what he wanted to serve Him right after that. Now Jesus is
Apr. 19 1 Sam. 22; Ps. 17,35; Matt. 6
from Jesus. “I want to see,” he said. the first priority in my life, and knowing
Apr. 20 1 Sam. 23; Ps. 31,54; Matt. 7 Reflect now on your own life. Do and doing His will is much more impor-
Apr. 21 1 Sam. 24; Ps. 57-58; 1 Chr. 8; Matt. 8 you really know and understand God’s tant than even my job and my dreams.”
Apr. 22 1 Sam. 25-26; Ps. 63; Matt. 9 character? Are you assured that it is God’s To truly “see” is to understand that life
Apr. 23 1 Sam. 27; Ps. 141; 1 Chr. 9; Matt. 10 character to give His creation (you) good is fulfilling only when we are following
Apr. 24 1 Sam. 28-29; Ps. 109; Matt. 11
things, to show you mercy? And then do Jesus down the road. It is important to
you actively seek Him? (Shouting in a realize that physical healing or financial
Apr. 25 1 Sam. 30-31; 1 Chr. 10; Matt. 12
crowd as Bartimaeus did is very active.) stability or whatever you are seeking is
Apr. 26 2 Sam. 1; Ps. 140; Matt. 13 The first two steps are easy. But they only the starting point on the road, the
Apr. 27 2 Sam. 2; 1 Chr. 11; Ps. 142; Matt. 14 are where we often stop. We may seek beginning of a lifelong journey.
Apr. 28 2 Sam. 3; 1 Chr. 12; Matt. 15 God, but do we listen for His answer (His
Apr. 29 2 Sam. 4-5; Ps. 139; Matt. 16 call)? Do we throw off what holds us back » Adapted from Principles 4Life (Life
(our safety nets) and go to Him? Publishers International), available free of
Apr. 30 2 Sam. 6; 1 Chr. 13; Ps. 68; Matt. 17
Finally, consider your requests. What charge at lifepublishers.org.
BRG DigDeeper CM 4-10.indd 26 3/5/10 10:20:42 AM

Jay Lowder Min 1p.indd 1 3/4/10 3:07:52 PM
» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E L E A D E R S
EMERG
RGING
LEADERS
Meet
the new
generation
of Spirit-
BY KEN empowered
WA L K E R
leaders out
to change
the world.
Walker-21 Leaders CM 4-10.indd 28 3/5/10 4:10:06 PM

JAESON MA
CHURCH PLANTER, FILMMAKER,
MUSIC ARTIST
Once a hip-hop rapper, 29-year-old Jaeson Ma
ran with an Asian gang as a teen before accepting
Christ. His conversion led to a career as a pastor,
church planter and author before he returned
to music. Ma had a hit single, “Love,” last fall
and this year will release a new album, Glory. He
recently launched into filmmaking with 1040, a
documentary meant to educate and inspire the
world about what God is doing in China. The
film tells stories of faith, hope and love from across
the most populous nation of the world. “Most
Westerners do not know that the greatest move
of God is happening in Asia right now ... with
over 37,000 coming to faith daily. In Asia, 1040
highlights how faith is not
so much what we believe
but how we behave.”
CLAY HEARN
MEDICAL MISSIONARY
Soon after he graduated from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia, Clay
Hearn left for southern Sudan, where he has worked the last 15 months with the
missions arm of International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He helped with the
ministry center’s daily operations and worked with short-term missions teams
but is scheduled to return home soon to enroll in medical school. “I believe the
Lord is sending me into medicine to give me a tool to reach out to otherwise
unreachable people. There are so many places in the world that are closed to the
gospel and missionaries but not to doctors.” His time in Africa changed his view
of the U.S. church, which he says is yielding crucial ground. So many Christians try
to avoid offending others that they avoid doing anything for God, Hearn says.
OF TOMORROW’S
CHURCH
ALEX NOVIK
ENTREPRENEUR
Alex Novik immigrated with his family in the early 2000s from Belarus to
Philadelphia, where his father began pastoring a small Slavic church,Word of
Life. After earning a degree in graphic design, Novik opened Novik Design
three years ago. He says visual messages are the most powerful tool to influ-
ence people’s decisions.“If we put 20 billboards in the city [saying] ‘Real men
don’t smoke’ or ‘Real men don’t hurt women,’ in a
few years we are going to see a significant change
ALEX NOVIK
in people’s mindset about who a real man should

be. God needs His people in the media sphere of
influence to get the right message across.”

JUDAH SMITH
MEGACHURCH PASTOR
Formerly pastor to teens and college students
at The City Church in Seattle, 31-year-old
Judah Smith replaced his father, Wendell, as
the senior pastor last September. The transi-
tion has enlarged his heart for people in all
seasons of life. Many of the young people he
pastored in The City’s Generation Church are
now 25 to 35 years old and are the backbone
of the church—generous in giving, serving and
leading, Smith says. “One of my main goals
when I was the youth pastor was not just to see
young people serve God passionately while they
were young, but to serve God in every season
of their life. My measure of a successful youth
pastor is if the young people he or she pastors
are still in church—loving God and raising
godly families—as they get older.” In addition
to the thousands who hear Smith preach each
weekend at one of The City Church’s multiple
campuses, more than 35,000 people download
his sermons from the church’s Web site.
FRED PRICE JR.

U N D E R P I N P H O T O G R A P H Y. C O M
MEGACHURCH PASTOR
In March, the youngest son of pastor Frederick K.C. Price marked
his first anniversary as senior pastor of Crenshaw (California) Chris-
tian Center after accepting his father’s mantle on his 30th birthday.
Reflecting the younger Price’s age, the church has received an
influx of 18- to 35-year-olds, including new converts and believers
who didn’t attend regularly before. Price says their numbers
include members who have taken commitment to the next level
by assisting with the helps ministry and pastoral duties. “In these
trying and per-
BENJAMIN NOLOT
ANTI-SLAVERY ACTIVIST
ilous times, I
want to see the
Three years ago, Benjamin Nolot founded Exodus Cry, church get in
a ministry countering modern slavery, after his address at line with the
a conference on human trafficking was interrupted by will of God
numerous attendees falling to the floor weeping. Soon after, so we can see
a donor gave him $10,000 to start the organization that today movements of
is part of the 24/7 Justice Initiative at International House God as great as
of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, where Nolot has been a the ones seen
member since 2003. His ministry today receives 90 percent in the book of
of its financial support and involvement from people under Acts. I’d also
age 30. Nolot, 33, is co-author of a book titled Babylon about love to see God
the spiritual underpinnings of modern slavery and currently move through
is filming a documentary about the global sex trade, sched- willing vessels to
uled for release in December. He says that “entering the fight fulfill His plan
against slavery became more than joining a cause. It became and purpose in
an issue of entering into friendship with Jesus.” their lives.”
Walker-21 Leaders CM 4-10_DIG.in30 30 3/17/10 1:50:29 PM

JUSTIN
DORROH
CHURCH PLANTER
Justin Dorroh left the business
world last year to pastor The Door
Community of Faith in Portland,
Oregon—one of more than 40
churches globally that have been
planted by Antioch Ministries Inter-
national of Waco, Texas. He led the
JESSICA MILLER
congregation during its relocation
into a theater setting and capped
off the move with a relaunch of the
church last September.The church’s CAMERON
emphasis is on cell groups that meet
in various areas, including one near Portland State University. Members do STRANG
everything from passing out free coffee to giving away gift certificates to ENTREPRENEUR
establish relationships with nonbelievers. “People have put the church in a In 2000, Cameron Strang launched Relevant Media
box [here], and we’re trying to get out of the box. People think God wants Group, a multimedia company targeting the college-
to condemn them. As we share the gospel, people are saying,‘I’ve never heard to-early 30s audience, and is the publisher of its flag-
that before.’ We’re starting to see breakthroughs.” ship print and online magazine, Relevant.This year the
company released a digital version of the magazine for
e-readers and added an online radio station to the mag-
azine’s Web site. In May, Strang expects to publish the
BENJAMIN first print edition of Reject Apathy, currently an online
site that promotes Christian cultural engagement. He
STEPHENS III foresees a future melding of the church’s “vertical”
PASTOR AND AUTHOR emphasis on the cross with a “horizontal” focus on
Benjamin Stephens III leads four Bible study social justice.“God is doing a new thing in my genera-
classes at West Angeles Church of God in Christ tion, and I feel like I’m charged with navigating those
(COGIC) as pastor to collegiate and young adults. waters in the media—not only reporting on what God
Two groups is doing, but also being a voice of leadership.”
meet on college RANDY
campuses, and
a weekly one OLSSON
at the church TEEN MANIA LEADER
attracts 125 Last November Randy Olsson became the director for global expansion with
young adults. Honor Academy of Teen Mania, a youth ministry based in Garden Valley,Texas,
The 36-year- where he has been affiliated since 2001.
old also serves The one-year academy grounds recent
as national high school graduates in the faith and is
president of the accredited through partnerships with Oral
COGIC young Roberts University and Sterling Univer-
men’s ministry. sity. Olsson is optimistic about youth,
A book he co- saying the young generation has three
authored, From distinguishing marks: a desire for authen-
Jay-Z to Jesus, ticity, an active faith and an emphasis on
has stirred interest outside Christian circles with community. “The young generation is
its call for the church to build bridges with urban so hungry to be relevant. They want to
youth and mentor future leaders.“I pray that God meet felt needs of the world.” Olsson also
will bring revival to young adults. Even though wants to see every believer strengthened
the dress code might be different, or someone for the future. “The culture is swallowing
might have a tattoo or a piercing, I hope that people up, intellectually and spiritually.
will not disqualify them in their worship. Don’t The reason Honor Academy exists is ... to
judge a book by its cover. God is still doing some get people rooted in their faith and able to
amazing things in the lives of young people.” withstand the onslaught.”

DAMON
THOMPSON
REVIVALIST
When he was 9, Damon Thompson saw him-
self in a vision tossing Bibles into wheat fields
and watching balls of fire ignite. He surren-
dered to the call to preach 13 years ago and
has since traveled the globe to deliver a mes-
sage of renewed hunger for God. “I want to
see signs, wonders and miracles following not
just ministers but believers. Jesus said that we
would perform the signs He did and greater.
It’s my passion that the church not settle for
a lesser power.” As a member of the leader-
ship team at Ramp youth and conference
center in Hamilton, Alabama,Thompson has
a large following among young adults. He
says today’s younger generation is tired of
fake religion and doesn’t want to come to
church and see a show. “They want to have a
power encounter that will change everything
about their lives.”
ROB HOSKINS
MEDIA EVANGELIST
“I have a great burden to see the church join together in unity to accomplish the
Great Commission,” says Rob Hoskins, president of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based
OneHope (formerly called Book of Hope).The worldwide ministry, founded by
his father in 1987, teaches children biblical basics. More than 640 million copies of
its Bible summary have been distributed, and 20 million-plus children have seen its
animated movie about Christ’s life, The GodMan. Under Hoskins, OneHope has
expanded to include film, text messaging, trading cards and music. “After 20 years
of extensive ministry work on behalf of OneHope that has taken me to more than
70 countries, I have seen firsthand the need for a more unified approach to world
missions between the church, missionaries and mission-minded organizations.”
REBECCA GRANT
ANTI-SLAVERY ACTIVIST
A 28-year-old graduate of Evangel University, Rebecca Grant spends
most of the year in India assisting Project Rescue, an outreach to female
sex-trafficking victims that originated with members of Mumbai Teen
Challenge. Though based in New Delhi, Grant travels to various cities
with her Rescue Arts, which uses creative arts to minister. “I have seen
broken women and girls learn to express and create through the arts and
discover their value in Christ,” Grant says. “Each time a young woman
creates something beautiful out of what was broken and hopeless, I see a
light of hope and understanding in her eyes.That change is what keeps me
STEVE ANDRES
going.” After spending much of 2009 in New Delhi at a Project Rescue

site, she planned in March to help open a Home of Hope in the city. Grant
says trafficking in India will change only as believers come together across
cultures and ideologies.

DAVE
SUMRALL
CHURCH PLANTER
Last year Dave Sumrall launched ONE, a
ministry for people in their late teens and
20s that brought more than 400 people
to Christ as it spread to three campuses
of Church of the Highlands in Bir-
mingham, Alabama, where he served for
two years. Sumrall, 32, and his wife, Kate,
were scheduled to move to Indianapolis
in March to plant I-town Church, a con-
gregation that will focus on young adults
and families and emphasize children’s
programs and nurseries. “I am very pas-
sionate about the local church. I truly
believe it is the hope of the world. The
generation I am privileged to pastor is
one of the most genuine and hungry
generations to ever live. They want a
true relationship with Jesus that results
JENNIFER
in New Testament power that can be
displayed in normal, everyday life.”
TOLEDO
ACTIVIST
Jennifer Toledo directs with
her husband, Jonatan, the
Africa-based aid organi-
zation Global Children’s
ERIC REEDER Movement, which they
YOUTH REVIVALIST started six years ago to raise
Along with overseeing youth ministry at The Oasis in Middletown, awareness of child pov-
Ohio, Eric Reeder travels extensively, exhorting the church to influ- erty. Their efforts include a
ence society. He has a heart for seeing the church arise, particularly center for women rescued
in multigenerational settings. That happened last November in the from the sex trade in Kenya,
first of a series of worship and prayer conferences held under the a relief center in Congo and
name Surge. The event attracted more than 300, and the crowd was an anti-violence campaign
split evenly between people over and under age 35. “I was thrilled in Uganda. Their organiza-
about that. I’m talking gray-hairs down to teenagers,” he says. Reeder, 33, is also excited about the tion also trains American
promise of today’s youth. “The younger generation is bursting to do more than go to a Sunday pastors and leaders to work
church service. Their hearts are beating to make significant impact and change on a broad scale.” with children. Toledo says
the church needs to realign
its priorities so it will be
ready for what she believes
JONATHAN SHIBLEY will be the greatest revival
MARKETPLACE MINISTER in history for children and
Jonathan Shibley has taken his college background as a business major at Baylor University into youth. “Everywhere we
the world. He is founder of the Marketplace Missions initiative of Dallas-based Global Advance, travel around the world, we
which last year sponsored 20 marketplace conferences in 14 developing nations, attended by meet pockets of children
some 3,000 business leaders. Shibley says evangelism, job cre- who are having radical God
ation and environmental stewardship all occur in this arena. He encounters, interceding for
organized the marketplace emphasis to impart a gospel vision to revival, [receiving] visita-
entrepreneurs and professionals. Pilot projects in 2004 met with tions and being called to
success and revealed that little attention had been given to Chris- the harvest fi eld. There is
tian businesspersons in developing countries. “I think millions of something brewing [and]
believers in the marketplace are awakening to the fact that they stirring in the hearts of this
are a strategic, vital piece in God’s plan. People need to see the generation. There is a com-
power of God manifest, and the marketplace is where the rubber pelling hunger for a gospel
meets the road.” that transforms lives.”
A pr i l 2 0 1 0 / Charisma 33

M AT T H E W C R A I G / C O M M E R C I A L A P P E A L
KIM
WALKER-SMITH
MUSICIAN
Kim Walker-Smith has recorded four albums
with Jesus Culture, a worship movement that
emerged from teaching conferences held by
Bethel Church in Redding, California. Formerly
worship pastor at the church, she stepped down
in January 2009 to attend school in San Francisco
and to marry Skyler Smith, a childhood friend
JOHN
who plays guitar for her at some of her concerts. WHEELER
Despite the move, she is still involved with Jesus MINISTER
Culture and will release her second solo effort John Wheeler made national news a year
this fall. She says youth are growing up with more ago when he helped organize an event
divorce, abuse and violence than previous gen- to foster racial unity among Pentecostal
erations but are emerging stronger. “I see God churches in Springfield, Missouri. Today
N AT H A N G R U B B S
capturing the hearts of the younger generation. the 27-year-old is still calling for racial
They are hungry for the supernatural and for reconciliation.“If racial division is not the
something that goes beyond their full under- biggest stronghold of the devil, it’s one
standing. Faith isn’t really difficult for them.” of them,” says Wheeler, great-grandson
of Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
founder Charles H. Mason. Wheeler
moved to San Diego in December to be
FAYTENE part of St. Stephen’s Cathedral COGIC
and work with its youth ministry. His
KRYSKOW recent relocation puts him closer to Azusa
REVIVALIST Street in Los Angeles, scene of the historic
Canadian speaker Faytene Kryskow has spearheaded 1900s-era revival led by African-Amer-
movements to train intercessors and influence her ican preacher William Seymour. “They
nation’s political system. In 2008, she led the largest- were all of the same motive and the same
ever pro-life gathering in Canada at Parliament, and she heart—they were all one body. A lot of
oversees TheCRY, an interdenominational prayer and people following [Seymour] weren’t even
fasting movement. She says current world events are so the same ethnicity. That’s powerful.”
intense that believers can’t be going about business as
usual:“We have to be sensitive to the times and what the Lord wants us to do.” Author
of a best-selling book, Stand on Guard, Kryskow also launched MY Canada to give
young adults a voice in Parliament and has used it to organize more than 500 meetings
with political leaders. “God has rolled out the red carpet for us to speak.”
DARREN WILSON
INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER
Darren Wilson became an underground success after his first film, Finger of God—which
looked at miracles occurring in the global charismatic movement—sold more than
60,000 copies. The artist-in-residence and assistant professor at Judson University and
head of Wanderlust Productions debuted his second film, Furious Love, on Feb. 14.Wilson,
33, hopes the new movie will start a revolution of love in the Western church, which
he says has a tendency to focus on its
problems instead of reaching those out-
HEAR THEM SPEAK
side of God’s grace. “My passion is for
Visit emerging.charismamag.com to watch today’s church to actually rise up and be
powerful videos from some of the the church God has been calling her to
passionate young leaders featured in this be for the last 2,000 years.We are called to show the love of Jesus, and that love is a
article. radical thing. ... There is power in the exertion of love toward our fellow man.”

The doors of the church are being bound. The growing intrusion of government into the affairs of the church
poses a profound threat to church autonomy and even to our most basic religious liberties – freedom of
speech, freedom to exercise religious beliefs, and freedom of access. Pastors must be willing to speak up
to reclaim and secure the right of the Church to be the Church. To learn what you can do, visit us online:
www.SpeakUpMovement.org Facebook.com/SpeakUpChurch Twitter.com/SpeakUpChurch
A RESOURCE OF THE ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND
Alliance 1p.indd 1 3/9/10 5:52:05 PM

» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E I D E A L S 1. A Cry for the
Simple Gospel
W e
By Francis Chan
When I did youth ministry back in the
1980s our goal was to get people to our
meetings however we could. We offered
entertainment, food, bands, games,
Cry
prizes—anything. Then we would give a
message telling people how easy it is to
get to heaven. We wanted to get them to
pray the prayer!
Some good things resulted from those
days, but I also know I wasn’t being
entirely honest. Fearing rejection, I often
didn’t mention the cost of following
Out
Christ. This was faulty reasoning.
The truth is, when the Holy Spirit
moves, people will come to Christ regard-
less of the cost.All I was doing was deceiving
them into thinking they were saved when
they indeed may not have been.
Thankfully, the days of “tricking”
people into church gatherings and
manipulating them into praying seem to
Young Christian be coming to an end. Today’s Christians
leaders today crave are hungry for absolute truth and des-
perate for authenticity.
authentic faith. Unbelievers are still offended by the
gospel, but they are more offended when
Here are 7 passions
of the next Francis
Chan
generation.
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / T R AV E L P H O T O G R A P H E R
Various-We Cry Out CM 4-10.indd 36 3/5/10 4:31:38 PM

a person’s true beliefs are watered-down. of what they’re
The world can respect those who lov- doing today—
ingly disagree with them but not those how they are
unwilling to state their true beliefs. going to get the
Jesus was very direct and easy to living water to
understand. He said, “Follow me.” He those who are
was clear that following Him was going dying of thirst.
to be difficult but that He is worth it (see If you are
Matt. 16:24-26). biblically literate
Rather than ignoring the commit- you immedi-
ment He calls us to, let’s emphasize the ately understand
JESS BARNARD
worth of our King so people are willing the metaphor
to follow at any cost. of living water.
Jesus used it Erwin
McManus
FRANCIS CHAN is pastor of Cornerstone when talking to
Community Church (cornerstonesimi.com) a woman at a
in Simi Valley, California, and the author of well. He was attuned to the times and to us controversial, then so be it. I would
two books, Crazy Love and Forgotten God. His context, and His imagery and lan- rather be a friend of sinners anyway. How
guage made perfect sense. about you?
Today we’re still using the same lan-
2. A Cry to Engage guage, the same metaphors.When was the ERWIN MCMANUS is lead pastor of
the Culture last time you met someone at a well? But Mosaic, a faith community with locations in
I bet you’ve met someone recently at a greater Los Angeles and Berkeley, California
By Erwin McManus Chili’s or a Starbucks. (erwinmcmanus.com).
For some Christians, whenever they hear We have made the words rather than
the word “relevance” they hear the word the wisdom of Jesus our model. I don’t
“heresy.” Being relevant doesn’t mean you for one minute think Jesus intended for 3. A Cry for Justice
change your convictions to cater to any us to canonize His analogies. I believe He By Lynette Lewis
audience.You do listen carefully to learn expected us to do like He modeled.
how to communicate effectively to the At Mosaic, where I pastor, we carry There comes a time when you look at
people who so desperately need to hear, as our No. 4 core value, “Relevance to all the pain in the world and stop hoping
believe and receive. culture is not optional.” something will change.You decide, I will
Any church that genuinely loves people We keep reminding ourselves that the answer the cry for justice, not knowing how
and passionately pursues them with God’s church isn’t ours, that we are the church you’ll find the time or resources, who will
love is going to have to rethink much and we belong to God. And if that makes join you or when you’ll see results. You
simply decide to act.
That is how the Stop Child Trafficking
Lynette
Lewis Now campaign began. My husband, Ron,
and I were tormented by the growth of
child sex-trafficking in the U.S. But being
appalled wasn’t enough. We researched
the issue, talked to experts and built a
grass-roots campaign.
Though we branded the campaign
as a “human rights” mission, Psalm 10
became our battle cry—in particular
verses 17-18: “You hear, O Lord, the
desire of the afflicted ... defending the
fatherless and the oppressed, in order that
man, who is of the earth, may terrify no
more” (NIV).
As the campaign grew, thousands of
teens and youth inside the church and
beyond it responded to the cry for justice.
The last weekend in September 2009,
people in 40 cities and on 70 campuses
participated with walks, runs and other

rallies, raising more than $750,000 to fund
operative teams of retired military elites
who track down predators and bring
justice to child victims. This is only the
beginning of an all-out effort to defend
the innocent.
This generation will not be silenced
while the atrocities of injustice go on.
The movement will grow until His “jus-
tice rolls down like waters and righteous-
ness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos
5:24, ESV).
LYNETTE LEWIS is an inspirational speaker

and co-founder of Strategic Global Initiatives,
an organization dedicated to giving a “voice
to the vulnerable” globally (sctnow.org).
4. A Cry for the Lazarus

Persecuted Church Yeghnazar
By Lazarus Yeghnazar church? Do you identify with her pain
In the last century, more souls heard the and suffering? Or would you rather be
gospel and accepted Jesus Christ than in in a nonthreatening church with few
all the previous history of humanity. More demands? I am a member of the perse-
martyrs also gave their lives for the gospel cuted church.
in that time period than had done so since
the emancipation of the church. LAZARUS YEGHNAZAR is an Iranian evan-
When we reflect on the first-century gelist based in England and director of 222
church and the suffering it went through, Ministries (222ministries.com).
we tremble and remember the words of
Jesus Himself:
“Anyone who does not take his cross 5. A Cry to Reach
and follow Me is not worthy of me. If the City
you do not take your cross and follow Me
you are not worthy of being my disciple!”
By Napoleon Kaufman
(See Matt.10:38; Luke 14:27.) The first homicide of 2010 in the city
The trail of crimson, holy blood spilled of Oakland, California, occurred during
by the saints has run through the church a robbery in which a young man was
from the foot of the cross to this very shot and killed in front of his wife and
day—from the Roman catacombs to the kids. The story touched me deeply. Our
Soviet gulags to the burning churches church isn’t in Oakland, but we have many
today in Indonesia, Mindanao, Nigeria members who live there.The tragedy was
and India. a reminder that we must reach our cities
The “persecuted” church is the for God.
church. The church that truly is “salt and The apostle Paul was a master at
light” in the world causes irritation, fric- reaching cities for God. Ephesus, Antioch,
tion and suffering. Light and darkness Paphos, Troas—everywhere Paul traveled
cannot coexist peacefully. he left a lasting impact. I believe he under-
Jesus said: “I have come to bring the stood that truth is the greatest need in the
sword” (see Matt. 10:34). A silenced, ami- hearts of people.
able, accommodating and nonthreatening Truth is what ultimately will make us
church will live in peaceful coexistence free. Paul skillfully preached and taught
with the world under an undeclared a noncompromising gospel that helped
truce! people come to grips with the fact that
Are you a part of the persecuted they needed to be born again. As a result,

Napoleon
Kaufman
God’s Word broke through barriers of of thousands of people had walked past
religious pride, cultural bondage and or stepped over them without listening
spiritual deception. to their cry.
We will never truly reach our cities There are millions like them—who
if we continue preaching about politics are not mere numbers but precious indi-
or the latest Hollywood drama. Paul told viduals created in God’s image for whom
Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. Jesus died. But they are unable to voice
4:2) Our cities, political leaders and com- their powerlessness.
munities need the church to be what we God hears their silent cry, and He
were created to be—the pillar and ground commands us to stand up for them as
of the truth. well: “ ‘ Speak up for those who cannot
Had anyone shared the gospel with speak for themselves, for the rights of all
the thief in Oakland? Had he ever been who are destitute’ ” (Prov. 31:8, NIV).
told there’s a better way? I don’t know. I believe He created mankind to
But I hope that there’s a cry welling
up within you to go and reach your city
for Jesus. Promise me that as you go, you’ll
tell them the truth.
NAPOLEON KAUFMAN is senior pastor of

The Well Christian Community (thewellchurch
.net) in Dublin, California, and a former NFL
running back with the Los Angeles Raiders.
6. A Cry for the Poor

By Biju Thampy
Five-year-old Raju and his mother,
Vanda, had not eaten for four days when
we found them lying on a busy street
in Mumbai, India. We were shocked by
seeing Raju’s right eye literally sticking
Biju
out, bitten by something. The infection Thampy
had entirely destroyed his eye.
Vanda had given birth to a baby 12 live with dignity (see Ps. 8:5-8). Today
days before, right on that sidewalk where it isn’t charity that will answer the cry
we found her. The newborn died on the of the poor, but dignity. Charity makes
street for lack of care. the giver feel good and gives temporary
Vanda and Raju would have died in a
few days if we hadn’t met them. Hundreds S E E C RY O U T O N P G. 6 5 »

» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E C H A L L E N G E S
These 7 spiritual veterans

offer sage advice to the
younger generation.
Listen
Mentors F
TO YOUR
or too many years, young Christian leaders had to go

it alone when they launched out into ministry.They
were forced to learn which decisions were costly,
unwise or spiritually damaging from the mistakes they
made. But in the last five decades the church has learned
that everyone needs spiritual mothers and fathers.
This generation is crying out for mentors like never
before, so we’ve asked a few veteran pastors, mis-
sionaries and Bible teachers to share their wisdom
with the next generation of church leaders. And
though their comments are tailored toward those
young in ministry, the insights these leaders
share are valuable reminders for Christians of
all ages.
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / M E N TA L A R T
Various-Listen Mentors CM 4-10.i40 40 3/5/10 5:04:56 PM

world is heartsick and in need of intimate,
safe connections. The problems loom so
large, the needs are so vast, that our response
must at once be intimate and enormous.
Lovely ones, I want you to rise up in
strength, so you can enlarge the lives of
others and hear the cry of the broken and
captive. Any gift, ability or talent you have
was given in order for you to improve the
lives of others. There is something within
you that this world desperately needs.
Together women of all ages are writing
this chapter in the history of God’s daugh-
ters. He is relating the mothers, daughters,
sisters and grandmothers for their personal
strength and spiritual growth, and for
His kingdom purposes. Together we are
stronger than any of us are standing alone.
Women are God’s answer to hurting
relationships, an impotent church and a
dying world desperate for healing.You are
a voice for those who’ve been silenced.You
are beauty amid desolation.You, daughter,
are God’s answer.
1. LIVE LIFE ‘IN the sure course unto life, the pure path of
FRONT OF JESUS’ love and in the securing fold of truth. LISA BEVERE is an international Bible teacher
By Jack Hayford and the author of numerous books, including
JACK HAYFORD is founding pastor of The Fight Like a Girl.
I’m often asked, “What is the one thing Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California,
above all others that is a leader’s pri- and former president of the International
ority?” My answer has little to do with Church of the Foursquare Gospel. 3. EMBRACE THE ‘ONE THING’
personal gifts or professional skill. But it By David Shibley
is the thing that will become the foremost
reason people will trust and follow you 2. BE GOD’S ANSWER FOR A truly successful life is measured not
and the reason God will put His seal of A HURTING WORLD by its duration but by its direction; not by
approval on you. The one thing is integ- By Lisa Bevere its parties but by its purpose; not by what
rity of heart. was amassed but by what was dispersed;
Leaders with integrity of heart listen God created the woman as the answer not by the embracing of things but by
to the Holy Spirit’s whispers, yield to His to Earth’s first problem: that man not be embracing the one thing—to love Jesus
slightest “pings” of conscience and submit alone.Today there continue to be problems supremely and to make Him loved by
to His goads of correction or direction. that only God’s daughters can answer. Our people everywhere. continued
It is found and sustained by daily choices
of a conscience that yields to, and a con-
scientiousness that abides in, this sobering
and inescapable truth: Every moment, I
am naked and exposed in front of Jesus (see
LISA BEVERE
Heb. 4:13).
That I should live my life “in front of
Jesus” is the counsel my mother engraved
upon my heart as a child. It was never
used to condemn, but spoken to teach
me to live self-confronted by that reality.
It has never produced perfection in me,
but it has provided life-long protection
from self-will, presumptuous indulgence
or presumed self-righteousness. To live
your life in front of Jesus will keep you on

To be effective in ministry, you must absolute necessity of taking the time to
pursue God daily through prayer and Bible cultivate a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
study, and guard your integrity. If you lose The pressure to grow a ministry can be
trust, it’s game over. Stay true to Scrip- overwhelming. It comes with many hidden
ture—believe God and His Word—and traps that can kill our spiritual lives. Many
keep evangelism and discipleship central. leaders today confess to living spiritually
Give high priority to cultivating rela- dry, disillusioned and burned-out lives.This
tionships with God, your spouse, your is the inevitable result of pursuing ministry
family, and a few trusted friends, and without a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
always protect your “base,” which is your Jesus corrected the church in Ephesus
marriage and family. Allow yourself to for working hard in ministry without
grow from opposition—we can all learn maintaining a fresh love and devotion to
from our critics—and let disappointments
work for you. Steer clear of bitterness.
Discover and develop your dominant
spiritual gifts and expect miracles. Pour
into others, and do what it takes—count
the cost, pay the price—to be faithful to
your calling. You are the beneficiary of a
MIKE BICKLE
century of the Spirit’s outpouring. Live in
such a way “that all will honor the Son”
(see John 5:23). Inspire your generation
to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission.
DAVID SHIBLEY is the founder of Global

Advance, a ministry that equips church and
marketplace leaders to help fulfill the Great
Commission.
4. CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP
WITH JESUS
By Mike Bickle
When looking back over 35 years of
ministry, the single most important truth
that I can pass on to younger leaders is the

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Him. He exhorted them:
“You have persevered and
have patience, and have
BISHOP GEORGE
labored for My name’s sake
and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have left
your first love” (Rev. 2:3-4,
MCKINNEY
NKJV). Growth in ministry is
good, but it can never replace
your relationship with Jesus.
Ministry service without
the foundation of intimacy
with Jesus inevitably leads to
burnout and, thus, to far less
ministry in the long haul.
Satan’s strategy is to distract
from the simplicity and purity of devotion lean upon our own understanding. Always
to Jesus (see 2 Cor. 11:3). He knows that if remember that God has promised to be with
we lose this, we will be much more vulner- us at all times and that He delights in our
able to disillusionment.We must intention- acknowledging and trusting in Him. The
ally cultivate a responsive heart of love to kingdom is His kingdom, and we belong
Jesus. It does not happen automatically. It to Him; we are God’s responsibility.
is something that we must set our hearts to God’s call to ministry is a call to prepa-
do all the days of our lives. ration. It is not a call to success, but a call
to faithfulness.
MIKE BICKLE is founder of the International
House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. BISHOP GEORGE MCKINNEY is pastor of
St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church of God in
Christ in San Diego and a member of the
5. SEEK THE KINGDOM denomination’s 12-member General Board.
By Bishop George McKinney
My first word of counsel to every 6. DON’T BE OFFENDED
leader is drawn from biblical wisdom— By Bob Mumford
“seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall Years ago, people built traps in order
be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). When a to catch birds. They would balance a box
person’s priorities are out of order, his life on a stick tied to a rope and birdseed or
will be filled with confusion and God’s
given purpose will not be fulfilled.
Confirm your status as a citizen of the
kingdom of God by acknowledging His
authority over your time, talents, oppor-
tunities and treasures. When seeking the
kingdom of God and His righteousness
is top priority, you will be able to expe-
rience faithfulness as a steward of God’s
blessings.
Second,“trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and lean not on your own under-
standing; in all your ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov.
3:5-6). It is essential for servant leaders in
the kingdom to maintain an ongoing, inti-
mate relationship of trust and obedience
to God. Challenging situations tempt us to

N O L A WA R R E N
other food would be placed under the 7. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

box. When a bird came to eat the seed,
the stick would trip, and the box would By Nola Warren
fall on the unsuspecting bird. During our years of ministry in
In Greek, that stick is called the skan- Mexico, my husband and I have had the
dalizo, translated “to offend.” When skan- joy of mentoring hundreds of young men
dalizo becomes your portion—and it and women as they prepared for their
will—and you find yourself in a spiritu- God-given ministries.We always used the
ally or emotionally dark box, it is often apostle Paul’s admonition in 1 Corin-
difficult to recover because you can feel thians 11:1 as our guide: “Imitate me, just
like you’re fighting a tar baby. Every move as I also imitate Christ.” We have always
is the wrong one. Every prayer sounds like believed that is the best mentoring system
a poorly verbalized whimper. All counsel of all, and it was one of the many truths
seems petty or counterproductive. we taught our own five children.
Being scandalized or offended is one Always remember: Lead by example.As
of the most binding traps into which a we are instructed to follow the example of
believer can fall. In many ways, it goes far Christ, we should remember the example
beyond simply being hurt, deceived or He left. Jesus was love. He was sacrificial.
ensnared by carnal sin; it has the capacity He humbled Himself. He came to serve,
to totally undermine and destroy our not to be served. We need to love those
walk with the Lord. When we have been who come to us for mentoring, sacrificing
scandalized, we really do not care what for them and never expecting them to serve
anyone thinks. We feel the early signs us, but rather serving them ourselves.
of deep-seated anger, and if we are not And parents, don’t forget about the
careful we can rapidly be sucked into the little leaders of tomorrow living under
vacuum of rage and depression. your own roof.They also need to be loved
Jesus warned us about not being and trained in the ways of our Lord.
offended. We must allow God to do
things that we would never expect. Matu- NOLA WARREN is a Bible teacher and long-
rity involves guarding against stumbling, time missionary to Mexico.
falling into sin, or giving up our faith
because our expectations were unmet. MORE MENTORING
Find out what advice other ministry
BOB MUMFORD is a veteran charismatic Bible veterans have for the next generation of
teacher and founder of Lifechangers ministry. church leaders at mentors.charismamag.com.

DIGITAL EDITIO
life of change, for our entire
lives. David wrote, “Because 9. BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS
they do not change, there- By Francis MacNutt
fore they do not fear God” There are two kinds of spiritual
(Ps. 55:19, NKJV). It is gifts. First, there are the famous
during times of change that ministry gifts Paul lists in 1 Cor-
we realize our need of God. inthians 12 that are meant to help
Every leader will go others. Then there are the gifts
through changes, and your
happiness in life depends
upon your attitude, prepara-
tion and acceptance of the
changes in your life. When
changes have come in my
life, I have accepted them,
prepared for them and made
the next era richer. Then I
trusted God more because
I had to. And the older you
get when change comes, the
more you’ll have to trust Him
because the harder it is to
change.
So here are a few quick
thoughts on how to make
change your friend: 1) don’t
rush change; 2) prepare for
the next change; 3) enjoy the
time when you need God known as the “fruit of the Spirit”
more because of change; 4) in Galatians 5:22 that are meant to
embrace change as a means of help us become like Jesus.
developing your dependence In my experience, most people
on God; and 5) resist hanging want to receive the ministry gifts,
on to the old. It is chal- but it is the fruit of the Spirit that
lenging to live with change will cause us to become more like
8. EMBRACE CHANGE
but impossible to live without it. Christ. And isn’t that the real goal
By Tommy Barnett
Make change your friend and trust of our lives? People can have spec-
One of the most important les-
God more. tacular ministry gifts and still be
sons for any leader to embrace is involved in grave sin, as strange as
TOMMY BARNETT is pastor of Phoenix First
that change is constant and change that may seem. Many leaders with
Assembly of God and chancellor of South-
is our friend. God has ordained a eastern College in Lakeland, Florida. extraordinary ministry gifts often
D I G I TA L E D I T I O N E XC LU S I V E C harisma / A pr i l 2 0 1 0
Various-Listen Mentors CM DigExc2 2 3/17/10 3:02:03 PM

ION EXCLUSIVE
seem to display glaring personal
weaknesses. Jesus advised us not 10. PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD
to seek the ministry gifts unless By Wellington Boone
our personal lives were noted for When times of inner turmoil
holiness (see Matt.7:22-23). steal your hope, remember this
By all means, pray for the min- story: In 1873, the people of South
istry gifts that help others, but Carolina elected the former slave
do not neglect the personal gifts Robert Smalls to the U.S. House
of Representatives. Despite racial
prejudice, he compiled a brilliant
record and was known as a pow-
erful orator. Later he served as cus-
toms collector in Beaufort, South
Carolina, until Woodrow Wilson
was elected president and fired
many blacks, including Smalls.
This wasn’t the first time Smalls
was forced to humble himself in
the face of injustice. He became a
hero during the Civil War. While
still a slave, he piloted the Confed-
erate ship Planter out of Charleston
Harbor and into Union hands
while the captain and crew were named after an African-American.
ashore.With the reward money he If Smalls had spent his life looking
received, he purchased the house for his reward, or even for jus-
where he and his mother had been
tice to be served, he likely would
slaves. One day, the wife of his
that help you become like Jesus. former slave master, Mrs. McKee, have been deeply discouraged. As
We desperately need the power of returned to the house. She was leaders, we must put our hope in
the Spirit to transform us so that elderly and confused and thought the Lord, and remember the words
we can be like Jesus, especially in she still lived there. Instead of of David:“Why are you cast down,
loving people sincerely—even our turning her away, Smalls moved O my soul? And why are you dis-
enemies. Pray for the power of the her into her former bedroom and quieted within me? Hope in God;
served her.
Spirit to transform you until you for I shall yet praise Him, the help
Smalls died in 1915 at the age
become like Jesus. It’s the greatest of my countenance and my God”
of 76 and was much honored, but
thing that could ever happen. (Ps. 42:11).
he didn’t see his greatest reward
FRANCIS MACNUTT is an author and the in his lifetime. In 2001 the Army
WELLINGTON BOONE is chief overseer of
founder of Christian Healing Ministries in
Reserve commissioned the Maj. the Fellowship of International Churches
Jacksonville, Florida.
Gen. Robert Smalls, the first ship based in Norcross, Georgia.
A pr i l 2 0 1 0 / C hari sma D I G I TA L E D I T I O N E XC LU S I V E
D.L. Foster
Various-Listen Mentors CM DigExc3 3 3/17/10 3:02:27 PM

» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E I N N O VAT O R S
7 Trendsetting
Churches
B Y
In an age of Twitter and Facebook, churches
too are breaking new ground in evangelism,
humanitarian aid and community development.
AD R IE N N E S. G A I N E S
1. Expecting Miracles
in Las Vegas
Every other week, Scott Linklater, 32,
and teams of sidewalk evangelists make
their rounds on the notorious Las Vegas
Strip, where they distribute gospel tracts
that resemble huge $100 bills. They see
the 40 million tourists who visit the Strip
annually as their mission field, and in the
last year have shared the gospel with more
than 120,000 people.
Out of the outreach effort grew the
Expectation Church Network—a group
of “simple churches,” or house churches,
affiliated with the International Church
of the Foursquare Gospel. “In order to
share the gospel, we can’t spend our time
and resources on the stuff that other
people spend their time and resources
on,” Linklater says, referring to the over-
E X P E C TAT I O N C H U R C H N E T W O R K
head and administrative costs associated

with church buildings. “Necessity is the
mother of invention.”
Expectation Church currently links
eight simple churches, and Linklater hopes
that together they will share the gospel
with 200,000 people on the Strip this year.
In time, he wants to reach more than 1 mil-
lionVegas tourists annually.“We can justifi-
ably say we can do that as we build up more
» The Expectation simple church network is evangelizing Las Vegas one gospel tract at a time. and more workers,” he says.
Gaines-Trendsetting CM 4-10.indd46 46 3/9/10 10:55:33 AM

2. Reaching Unchurched
Millennials in Minnesota
When Peter Haas and his wife, Carolyn, moved
to Minnesota to plant a church, they hoped to
launch an arts-focused ministry that attracted the
unchurched. Five years later, what they’ve built is
Substance Church, a 2,000-member congrega-
tion in St. Paul where 70 percent of the members
are part of the Millennial generation, or under age
30, and most were previously unchurched.
A former rave disc jockey, Haas, 34, says he
always hoped to build a church for people like
himself—“who are very open to God but can’t
relate to what we perceive to be the organized
church.” Known for its ultra-contemporary
worship, Substance Church meets in three loca-
tions, but Haas says the ministry’s style is not
the real draw. He says research shows that most
COUR TESY OF JOSH STOKES PHOTOGRAPHY
unchurched people are multiethnic and under

age 30, and they feel disenfranchised in churches
where the average age of the platform leaders is
over 40. “We felt we’ve got to make sure we’re
representing people they can relate to on our
platform,” Haas says.
But a bigger key, Haas believes, is fostering
Christian community by helping members find
a core group of friends who will support them
in their Christian walk. “We’ve lost that com-
munal element to Christianity,” Haas says. “Our
whole philosophy hinges on getting every single
person in a small-group community in as short a
period of time as we can and getting them into » Substance Church pastor Peter Haas leads a congregation that is primarily under age 30.
ministry. That’s the driving force.”
3. Redeeming the City in Milwaukee
Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee,
burned its mortgage in 1987, a year after it was established. Since then the
5,000-member congregation has been moving aggressively to empower
the residents in its city.
Led by Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, the church established a credit
union; K-12 school; housing complex for senior citizens; $15 million
youth center that houses a Boys & Girls Club, theater, and social service
agency; and a free health clinic. The next project, Bishop’s Creek, will
include more than 120 three-bedroom townhomes, a hotel, shops, water
H O LY R E D E E M E R I N S T I T U T I O N A L C O G I C
park, and a dormitory for children that are displaced. Funded through
church giving as well as grants and business partnerships, phases one and
two of the $70 million project will open this year, with the hotel and
water park scheduled to open in 2011.
“The vision of the church is to win souls for Christ,” Daniels says,
“but ... we have a divine mandate that says we are to be mission-minded.
We’re to feed those that are hungry, clothe those that are naked, preach
the Word or make it accessible. In order to do that, you must first give
a hungry man food, as did Christ ... and they can readily receive the
Word. So you provide services, and you provide a holistic environment
where that Word can be embraced with love because it’s demonstrated
through care.”
» Bishop Sedgwick Daniels is on a mission to empower his city. CONTINUED »
Gaines-Trendsetting CM 4-10.indd47 47 3/5/10 3:04:08 PM

involved in what they’re doing,” he says.
The goal is to build the kingdom, not
one congregation, Fletcher adds. “Selfish-
ness has hijacked the church in the West,”
he says. “That’s a fact.We think about our-
selves, meet my needs. That’s not Christi-
anity. Christianity is giving. It’s giving the
gospel of Christ to [the world].”
6. Rescuing the
» Dino Rizzo, pastor of The Healing Place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a passion to serve.
Homeless in Atlanta
Like most other U.S. churches, Rescue
Atlanta Church led by pastors Mel and
4. A ‘Servolution’ in Louisiana own culture, you’re blind to the lostness Teresa Rolls has services twice a week, on
Dino Rizzo has a clear ministry goal: of people,” he says. “When you go some- Sundays and at midweek. But that’s where
to start a revolution of service in churches where that’s not your own culture, you see the similarities end.
worldwide. He’s starting in Louisiana, where things as they are. ... And I just said,‘We’ve Roughly 70 percent of Rescue Atlan-
he and his wife, DeLynn, are meeting the got to reach people, we’ve got to go.’” ta’s members are homeless and another
needs of the poor and hurting through The Today he nudges the members of his 25 percent are from troubled inner-city
Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge. 5,000-member church to engage people neighborhoods. A hot breakfast is served
The 7,000-member church has 10 outside the church walls through dozens of before Sunday services and a warm lunch
campuses, including two Dream Cen- outreach efforts Manna Church leads.“We before midweek Bible study. In addition to
ters that provide food, clothing and other have a global strategy—if there are unsaved a food pantry, the church has laundry and
needs in some of the poorest areas of their people in your home, it goes from the head shower facilities, as well as a clothes closet
city. Church members also regularly mow next to you on the pillow at night right and medical clinic.
lawns, help neighbors move and give away “I really believe the success of what
water on the local college campus as part of we’ve done in the 21 years we’ve been
an outreach initiative influenced by pastor doing this is that we get into their lives
Steve Sjogren’s book Conspiracy of Kind- to where we earn the right to speak into
ness. When temperatures dipped below their lives,” says Mel Rolls, an Assemblies of
freezing last January, Healing Place gave God minister.“They see we’re their friends.
away dozens of space heaters. We’re not trying to herd them into church.
“We were not serving to grow a We want them to trust us, then trust the
church,” says Rizzo, who released his message, then they follow.”
book, Servolution, last year. “We were Despite the unique makeup of Rescue
serving because of the cause of Christ in Atlanta, the Rollses encourage church
our hearts. We felt like that was the best members to serve others. They support
tool to reach people who Jesus died for missionaries worldwide and members
MANNA CHURCH
in our community. As it caught fire and have been sponsoring children in Haiti
people got a hold of that, it just began to since long before the January earthquake.
blossom and take off .” After flooding wreaked havoc in Georgia
Rizzo’s vision to see a “servolution”
comes closer to reality each year.The min-
istry has two campuses in Africa, and in » Manna Church pastor Michael Fletcher
March it hosted Servolution 2010, when
churches worldwide led 10 days of com- around the globe,” Fletcher says.
munity outreach in the run-up to Easter. That passion to reach the lost also
influences Grace Churches International,
a ministry network that has grown from 27
5. Reaching the World congregations when Fletcher took over in
From North Carolina 2001 to more than 400 in 69 nations today.
R E S C U E AT L A N TA
During a missions trip in the 1980s, “When we talk about ministry partners,
pastor Michael Fletcher of Manna it isn’t just send money, it’s hands-on, be
Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina,
had what effectively amounts to an awak- » Though most of its members are homeless,
ening. “Sometimes when you’re in your Rescue Atlanta still helps others in need.

Gospel Pub 1p.indd 1 3/2/10 4:32:14 PM
last September, teams of homeless men
from Rescue Atlanta helped families who
had lost everything. “The congregation
is amazing,” Rolls says. “They give. We
receive an offering every time we have a
RICHMOND GIBBS
service. No one feels like they have to give,
but they do give.”
7. A Florida Church That

Left the Building—Literally
In 2003, pastor Byron Bledsoe was » Byron Bledsoe’s Florida congregation sold its church campus to use its resources to reach the city.
leading a growing Southern Baptist church
in Orlando, Florida, that was drawing radical moves. He phased out the choir for a of the 600 people who attend services
1,500 people each week. Its denomina- worship band and transitioned the Sunday each week were previously unchurched.
tion had even recognized the ministry as school into home-based cell groups. But And the congregation has become ethni-
a top evangelistic congregation. the biggest change came in 2007, when the cally diverse, just like the city. 3
But instead of being excited by the church sold its campus and started holding
commendation, Bledsoe was troubled. He services in a movie theater, losing 1,400 of ADRIENNE S. GAINES is the news editor for
knew that only about 10 percent of the its 1,500 members in the process. Charisma magazine.
people the church reached each year had Now known as C3 Church, the min-
been previously unchurched.“If we didn’t istry spends “every extra dime” on outreach SEE THEM IN ACTION
exist anymore, nobody in the community projects such as feeding needy families See some of these innovative churches in
would even care,” Bledsoe says. and providing backpacks for students. action at trendsetters.charismamag.com. Also
That nagging discontent led him on a Bledsoe says the strategy, though painful, tell us about churches in your city that are
two-year journey that culminated in some has yielded some unexpected fruit. Most finding creative ways to reach the lost.
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Kids in Ministry 1p.indd 1 3/3/10 3:57:43 PM
» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E P R I O R I T I E S
10 Things I
Wish I’d Known
When I Was 21
B Y M A R K R U T L A N D
You might think you’re smart when

you get out of college, but I suggest
that the real education is
only just beginning.
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / J O E C I C A K ; V I O R I K A
Rutland-When I Was 21 CM 4-10.in52 52 3/5/10 5:26:33 PM

n an Amish kitchen in Bird-in- there is a shortage of mercy among the I wish I had known at 21 how
I
Hand, Pennsylvania, in the heart followers of Christ, who blessed the hollow is all that outward stuff. I wish
of Dutch country, I saw a sign merciful in His most famous message, I had known that caring, not being
I’ll never forget: “Too soon old, the Sermon on the Mount. Were I 21 cared for, is what Christ had in mind.
too late smart.”When I saw it, I again, I would learn and practice mercy, I wish I had changed more diapers
thought it was memorable but knowing that later I would need it. instead of leaving that to my wife. I
hardly meaningful. I was 21. Now the Churches, boards, denominations wish I had served more meals, car-
words are meaningful, but I can barely and individual believers who hanker ried more bags, held more doors and
remember the farmhouse. I am 62. for justice when a colleague stumbles lightened more burdens.
Sometimes I have the fantasy that may be planting for a bitter harvest. 5. Brokenness is the
I will sit up on my deathbed and cry They gloat over the sins of others, doorway to wholeness. This
out, “Oh, I get it,” and lie down again humiliate the fallen and demand their mysterious paradox was hidden from
and die. The Amish have it right. administrative pound of flesh. me at 21. I feared brokenness. I ran
Recently a friend said he wished Competitiveness and legalism are from it, and when it got too close
he were 21 again. The thought held the death of mercy. Mercy makes love fought it off with all my might.
little interest for me, but he made real, acceptance and understanding a If I had but known brokenness was
an intriguing counteroffer: What if practice, and tenderness a way of life. the key to my healing, it would have
you could be 21 and know what you 3. Kindness is better than lifted such fear from me. I thought it
know now? being right. Just before my friend would maim me at least and maybe
That held more allure, but it begged Jamie Buckingham died, I asked him even kill me. Now I know that there
a question:What, if anything, do I now for a word of wisdom. He said, “It is is very little real wholeness that does
know that I wish I had known at 21? better to be kind than to be right.” not emerge from real brokenness.
I came up with 10 things, none of At 21, I advocated my positions 6. Truth is liberating and
which I think I would have placed on too aggressively. I argued with an eye devastating. Jesus said, “You shall
my priority list at age 21. toward winning, unconcerned about know the truth, and the truth will make
1. Inner healing is greater the heart of my “adversary,” who may you free.” My friend Jamie tacked on,
than outward success. It is not have been adversarial at all. I made “But first it will make you miserable.”
probably impossible to arrive at 21, debate a contact sport. In preaching How true. There is a phrase pop-
let alone 62, without wounds in the I let the bad dog off the chain, to the ular among many young adults that I
inner person—deep wounds that applause of the gallery. quite like despite my usual distaste for
need God’s healing grace. The more Should time travel be mine and pop jingoes. It is, “Keep it real.” I am
I see of inner healing and the more were I to be back in the land of 21, I not sure of all that is meant by it, but
I face up to my own inner wounds, would be kinder and less concerned I know what I mean by it.
the more I wish I had let Messiah with being right. Too many young I wish I had known not to fear
touch my deepest hurts earlier in life. adults give little thought to kindness. the truth about myself. I wish I had
That childhood hurt, that hidden TheyTwitter hurtful words like poi- known that the temporary misery of
outrage, that long-suppressed horrific sonous birds.Their humor is mocking, the truth was worth going through to
memory can lurk like a monster in acidic and unkind. And they are more find the freedom that it brings.
the basement waiting for years, even concerned with being thought clever 7. Learning is greater than
decades, to rise and wreak havoc. than with being kind. The value of education. I am a university presi-
Hiding the monster, denying gentleness has declined on the world dent, and Oral Roberts University
that it’s down there, is a dangerous market; if I were 21 again I would wish (ORU) is a great university. I am not
game. The temptation is to create an to know the worth of a kind word. saying that higher education is unim-
alternative reality where success and 4. Serving is better than portant. What I am saying is, I hated
accomplishment and appearances being served. Encircled by getting educated.
seem so very real and the monster but their entourages, the “success” mer- At 21, I was a miserable college
a mirage. If I were 21 again I would chants of modern Christianity place senior. I was a miserable student from
bore down into the inner world of high dividends on being catered to. the first grade right through high
me and find Christ’s healing touch in When I was a pastor, the church I school and on through three degrees.
the darkness under the floorboards. led invited a singing group to come I was miserable because I did not
2. Mercy is greater than minister.Their list of special demands, understand the connection between
justice. I have found that many in including a particular type of orange education and learning.
the church want the wayward to “get cut into equal fourths (I kid you not),
what’s coming to them.” Too often, was five pages long. We canceled. S E E 1 0 T H I N G S O N P. 6 1 »
Rutland-When I Was 21 CM 4-10.in53 53 3/9/10 11:14:11 AM

» N E X T G E N E R AT I O N : T H E F O U N DAT I O N
God’s
Strength FOR
THIS
Generation Originally written 20 years
ago, a pioneer’s message on
our need for the Holy Spirit’s
power is just as relevant–
and prophetic–today.
B Y D E N N I S BENNET T
I S T O C K P H O T O. C O M / I M A G I N E G O L F
Bennett-Gods Strength CM 4-10_FL54 54 3/17/10 4:00:44 PM

D
ennis Bennett was a Pentecostal movement is a most striking to be the drivetrain by which the power
phenomenon of modern church history. of the Spirit travels from the engine to
priest in the Episcopal
In my personal Pentecost, the joy and the wheels.
Church who became glory of God broke in upon me in 1960. Evangelism starts the engine, but
known as the father of I recognized it as the same kind of expe- without the drivetrain the people of God
rience I had when I accepted Jesus, only do not move very far, and soon begin to
the modern charismatic movement after much more vivid and constant. wonder when Jesus is going to come and
he proclaimed from his pulpit on April 3, It didn’t seem to matter whether I take them away from a world they obvi-
1960, that he had been baptized in the was awake or asleep—or what was going ously are unequipped to cope with!
on—the new awareness of God stayed Acts 8:14-17 clearly tells how Peter
Holy Spirit.Within weeks he was asked with me. It was an incredible new dimen- and John prayed with the Samaritans to
to resign his pastorate at thriving St. sion in my spiritual life. I had been trying receive the Holy Spirit after their con-
hard to become more aware of God; now, version and baptism with water through
Mark’s Episcopal Church in Van Nuys,
all of a sudden, He was with me without Philip the evangelist. Jesus made receiving
California. He continued his ministry, my having to seek Him. the baptism in the Spirit mandatory—
moving into the pastorate at St. Luke’s I had no precedent for this experi- and for a very good reason, since it is
ence. It was not the fulfillment of any what makes the power of God available
Episcopal Church in Seattle, where he expectations that had been implanted in through the individual believer to the
stayed until 1981. In 1968 he founded my mind. I had never attended a Pente- needy world.
Christian Renewal Association with his In those early days in Van Nuys we
experienced what it was like to be “early
wife, Rita, who is its president today. Christians,” both from the excitement
Dennis died on November 1, 1991, of discovering how real it all was and
from finding out how quickly one could
a year after he wrote this article, which
become unpopular! We found out for
is adapted with permission from Mis- ourselves why people in the first century
C H R I S T I A N R E N E WA L A S S O C I AT I O N
sion & Ministry, then the magazine of were willing to risk their lives to belong
to the fellowship of Jesus of Nazareth.
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in None of us may have literally risked
Ambridge, Pennsylvania. It is a reminder our lives, but we did risk our reputations,
that, in any era, the foundation for min- our jobs, our friends. I saw the amazing
fellowship and love with which people
istering to the world isn’t us alone, but were drawn together after they had been
the Holy Spirit, who works through us set free in the Spirit, and to me it was
worth the challenges.
to change people’s lives.
I soon found, though, that there was
I had a vivid experience of receiving » Rev. Dennis Bennett in the 1980s much in me that could quench my new
the Lord Jesus as my Savior when I was awareness of the Holy Spirit. He never
11 years old. I found He was alive and costal church and had no notion what leaves us, but I would lose my awareness
wonderful beyond belief but afterward they taught or believed. Moreover, I did of Him if I did not follow His leading.
spent much time looking for what came not receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit During these last 30 years I have been
next. I tried to find that first, careless in a church setting, but in a private home, learning how to continue to respond to the
rapture of my conversion over again. At praying with two Episcopal laypeople. Holy Spirit in me, so His joy and power
times I would sense that the Lord was still True, I had done a good deal of research and freedom can continue to flow in and
very much with me, but my awareness of over several months while I was looking from me. I have certainly failed far more
Him was limited, although my intellec- into it all, but the friends who witnessed often than I have succeeded, but the Lord is
tual belief was strong. to me simply told me faithfully what had patient.The main desire of my life is still to
You who have been brought up in happened to them and then prayed with enjoy more of what I knew at the first.
this age of awareness of the Holy Spirit me. After that I didn’t have a great deal of So, in retrospect, my concern is still to
cannot imagine how blank we were on further contact with them. keep that first fire burning—not to lose my
this topic back in the 1940s and 1950s It concerns me that so many Christians first love.Yet I have learned that He doesn’t
and even later. Kenneth Scott Latourette nowadays seem not to grasp, or perhaps forsake me. It is always I who forsake Him,
in his masterful two-volume history have not even had a chance to grasp, what or at least make my environment distasteful
of the Christian church, which covers happened back there 2,000 years ago and and untenable for Him, so that He has to
church history up to 1976, does not can continue to happen today as people retire into the depths of my spirit, where
even mention the Pentecostal revival! receive the same Pentecostal experience. my soul is not aware of Him for a time.
Yet without question the growth of the I believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit It has been a difficult three decades,

but I would not go back to the time Christian history, so He can begin to be charismatic. It must manifest the gifts
before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit make Christians what they are supposed and fruit of the Spirit, for they are the
for anything in heaven or earth. There is to be: centers of power and joy for the continuing signs that Jesus is alive and
no nightmare I can imagine that would refreshing and healing of the world. ready to bless people now.
be more devastating than to lose this Evangelism is the initial offering People are weary of talk about religion,
awareness of the reality of God. and proclamation of forgiveness of sins whether by semi-believing intellectuals
Now what about the look ahead? I hear through Jesus Christ, and the receiving or arrogant fundamentalists, and they are
today that the charismatic movement is of new birth in the Holy Spirit. After especially weary of ill-natured Christians
dying down. Some say the Pentecostal and this has happened Jesus commands us to who condemn everything and everyone,
charismatic movements have both passed receive the freedom and power of the including one another. (This includes the
their prime and are to be replaced by a Spirit, to release the Holy Spirit who has so-called liberals who use social concerns
“third wave” of the Spirit that, however, come to live in us, so that He can bless us to bring people under condemnation.)
denies there is any experience of a baptism and work through us (see Acts 1:4-5). But if people see the glory of the
in the Holy Spirit after salvation and claims We can be so near to seeing this truth indwelling Spirit in their friends and
it all happens when we accept Jesus. It also and yet so dangerously far away.The Holy neighbors and experience His fruit and
maintains that it is not necessary to speak in Spirit comes to live in us when we receive gifts pouring out of God’s people to heal
tongues to be baptized in the Spirit. Jesus as Savior, that is absolutely true; but body, mind and spirit, they will be drawn
to the love of Jesus, and they will indeed
receive His complete healing. Jesus did
good works, healings and deliverances,
and these are what showed people the
kingdom of God was “at hand”—that is,
right here and now.
He tells us to do the same. It isn’t any
different today. If people see Jesus doing
Either of these lines of thought show we do not necessarily receive Him, that these things through His followers, how
that the purveyors thereof have not grasped is, allow Him to rule in our lives. can they refuse to accept Him?
what this Pentecostal or charismatic renewal Through the baptism in the Holy Evangelism brings people to receive
was and is all about.This is mainly and usu- Spirit, the Spirit of God is allowed to Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit can come
ally because people have not themselves extend His influence over our outward and live in them.The baptism in the Holy
received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, lives—our will, intellect, emotions and Spirit is letting the power of the Spirit
and therefore are sympathetic and well- bodies. Not surprisingly He begins with flow out to bless, first of all, the individual
meaning brothers and sisters commenting our speech, and begins to tame the unruly and then the world around.
on something they have not entered into. member, to make it usable by our Lord When Peter was challenged by the other
Many have the impression that the so He can give us words to adequately apostles and brethren because he had min-
charismatic renewal is simply one among express our praise and love to God in istered to the Roman centurion, Cornelius,
several programs for strengthening the “words which are not in our power to and his household, Peter responded: “As I
church. But the charismatic renewal say” (Rom. 8:26, Basic English Version). began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon
isn’t one choice among several. It is the Thus we can pray and intercede for them as upon us at the beginning. Then I
renewal of the experience of Pente- ourselves and others in words that pre- remembered the word of the Lord, how
cost as people respond to Jesus Christ’s cisely express God’s will. This taming of He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water,
instructions to all His followers that they the tongue also makes it possible for God but you shall be baptized with the Holy
are to be empowered before they go out to speak through us to His people, in pro- Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same
to the world with the good news. phetic utterances and also in gifts of tongues, gift as He gave us when we believed on the
The charismatic renewal is not an evan- which are then understood through the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could
gelical revival; although more than anything companion gift of interpretation. withstand God?” (Acts 11:15-17, NKJV).
else it has fueled the current interest in I haven’t changed my essential con- This is what Jesus promised at the
evangelism. It is highly important that we victions about all this. I’m still saying the first. Let us not be found with those who
see the difference between revivals—which same things I did 30 years ago, although, withstand God but with those who will
are occasional and short-lived upsurges of I hope, with much more understanding stand with God so that this great response
response to God—and this global renewal of what it all means. to His love and grace in the Holy Spirit
of the experience of Pentecost, which has What is happening to people today can continue unhindered in our day. 3
been going on with increasing momentum when they receive the freedom of the
for nearly a hundred years. Spirit is just the same as at the first, except T H E S TO RY CO N T I N U E S
This is the breaking forth of the Holy that now we understand much more Read our May 1980 cover story detailing
Spirit from the religious prison in which about it. The church is not primarily a Dennis Bennett’s extraordinary life at
He has been confined through much of preaching or teaching institution. It must Bennett.charismamag.com.

Narrow Way 1p.indd 1 3/4/10 12:13:03 PM
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» The Buzz
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS
NOT FOR SALE
By J. Lee Grady, Chosen, softcover,
224 pages, $14.99. the church has been and sets the stage for
understanding its future.
Longtime readers of Charisma will recognize some of the —DEBORAH L. DELK
past stories and material from J. Lee Grady’s “Fire in my Bones”
columns that appear in his latest book. Echoing calls already SHOULD WE FIRE GOD?
made in this magazine, he urges charismatics to develop dis- By Jim Pace, FaithWords, hardcover,
cernment and turn away from heresies that have given the 272 pages, $19.99.
movement a bad name. Whether taking prosperity theology
to extremes, engaging in adultery or demanding huge hono- Pastor Jim Pace sat in a
rariums, many leaders have disgraced Christ’s name. It isn’t coffee shop just a few
just these charlatans—some of whom he names—that Grady blocks from the Virginia
rebukes; it’s those with “itching ears” who give them plat- Tech campus in 2007
forms. He also offers guidance with succinct teachings on such when a gunman went
topics as protecting oneself from imposters, recovering moral on a shooting rampage
character and reclaiming relational Christianity. Readers will and killed 32 people. In
draw inspiration from his first-person accounts of witnessing the following weeks and
in the inner city and observing humble servants helping the months, he and many
desperately poor in Mumbai and other Third World outposts. others would ask the same questions: Where
In some corners of the church Grady won’t be too popular for was God and why did He allow this to
urging that we embrace God’s ways instead of popular, man- happen? They are questions often pondered
centered methods. But then, neither was Jeremiah. when people see the evil and horror that
—Ken Walker seem to run unchecked around the world.
In his new book, Should We Fire God? Finding
Hope in God When We Don’t Understand, Pace
examines the question that if God is so loving
[B O O K S ] and good, why doesn’t He stop these things?
He digs deeper and examines the possible
AN EYEWITNESS REMEMBERS THE reasons for God’s seeming inaction. Giving
C E N T U R Y O F T H E H O LY S P I R I T solid biblical answers and real-life examples
By Vinson Synan, Chosen, hardcover, 208 pages, $17.99. that help reveal God’s responses in times of
turmoil and distress, Pace explains why God
Author and historian Vinson Synan always should most definitely never hear the words:
produces interesting and informative mate- “You’re fired!” —JEFF FRIEND
rials for understanding the modern-day
church. He takes a more personal approach in GREEN LIKE GOD
this book, adding observations and reactions By Jonathan Merritt, FaithWords,
to these events, making the material come hardcover, 192 pages, $16.99.
alive. Anyone who has been involved in the
Pentecostal-charismatic movement in the last The founder of the Southern Baptist
century will feel as if they must have crossed Environment and Climate Initiative is on
paths with Synan at some point. Faithful to cover the wide a mission to depolarize and depoliticize
spectrum and diversity of this century, he covers events leading environmentalism. Instead of wrangling
up to Azusa Street and the birth of modern-day Pentecostalism; over left-right issues, Jonathan Merritt
the Latter Rain and Healing Revivals; charismatic mainline approaches the topic from a theological
denominations, both Protestant and Catholic; the controversies perspective, exploring Scriptures that dem-
surrounding the prosperity gospel; racial reconciliation; and onstrate God’s concern for His creation.
the more recent revivals of the 1990s and the new millennium. He will make some squirm with his adept
Synan summarizes brilliantly so the reader understands where observations of how America’s materialistic
The Buzz CM 4-10.indd 58 3/5/10 11:43:53 AM

lifestyle is a leading
cause of environmental
damage. Writing in an
approachable, persua-
sive style, he also argues
that Christians are cap-
tive to faulty biblical
interpretations.Among
words Jesus spoke from the cross and how
they have changed lives from that day to
the present. Although each chapter high-
lights a particular individual or phrase, the
overall focus throughout the book never
strays from the most important character
who is at the center of each of the life-
changing experiences: Jesus Christ.
» Fiction
[CONTEMPORARY] +
Y E S T E R D AY ’S P R O M I S E
By Vanessa Miller,Whitaker House,
softcover, 400 pages, $9.99.
Melinda Johnson always
felt called to the ministry
and naturally thought she
would replace her father
as pastor when he retired.
But instead he appoints
Steven Marks, who is
against female pastors
the errors he cites are —JEFF FRIEND and is Melinda’s ex-fiancé.
turning the Genesis “dominion” mandate She is discouraged but continues to work
into an exercise in human-centric behavior, [MUSIC] at the church. Eventually their working
and using end-times theology as an excuse together reignites feelings. Can they set
to shrug off Earth stewardship. Merritt F O R T H O S E W H O WA I T aside their differences and love again?
has a sense of humor, too, exploring how By Fireflight, Flicker Records.
trendy environmentalism often stems from [HISTORICAL]
a self-centered, boasting frame of mind. Fireflight’s third album, W I L D F LO W E R S O F T E R E Z I N
Christians should wince over his retelling For Those Who Wait, By Robert Elmer, Abingdon Press,
of the vitriolic attacks he faced from fellow continues to offer their softcover, 352 pages, $13.99.
believers when he raised the idea of caring signature rocking, lyri- When Steffen Petersen
for the environment. The fact that Mer- cally compelling songs. helps young Jewish nurse
ritt bases his approach on Scripture should Lead singer Dawn Hanne Abrahamsen
lay to rest the idea that only liberal tree- Michele says this album was influenced by rescue Denmark’s Jews
huggers can be active in this arena. personal stories: “It’s our lives, our hearts from a Nazi prison camp,
—KEN WALKER and our pain just poured out.” The title the pastor discovers the
track is a rousing reminder that in those meaning of true faith. As
T H E D AY T H AT times when God might seem distant there is his conviction strengthens
CHANGED FOREVER a purpose. “Desperate” is an emotional cry and his affection for Hanne
By Tim Roehl, Regal, softcover, to God for help. It’s a refreshing admission grows, he becomes more directly involved,
224 pages, $14.99. for those tired of cliché answers and empty never anticipating the danger or the cost.
promises that things will be OK, yet it’s also
The day Jesus was a song of faith that God is our hope and [ROMANCE]
crucified undoubt- we can trust Him despite how things seem. D I S A S T E R S TAT U S
edly was the most Michele flawlessly delivers the rousing rock By Candace Calvert,Tyndale,
important day in his- songs with passion, while her vocal diver- softcover, 352 pages, $12.99.
tory, and mankind was sity is highlighted on the ballads “Recovery A rush of ER patients with
forever impacted. But Begins” and the tender and soft “Name,” life-threatening symp-
Jim Roehl focuses which will capture audiences’ hearts with toms brings charge nurse
on the mark that day the chorus:“He sees you / He’s near you / Erin Quinn to work on
left on specific people He knows your face / He knows your pain her day off. The staff soon
who became witnesses and participants / He sees you / And He loves you / He realizes this is a mass poi-
as events unfolded. Roehl considers the knows your name.” Fireflight’s transparency soning. When the media
possible thoughts of Pontius Pilate, the will assure listeners that they are not alone learns of the possible
centurion, Barabbas,Annas, Peter and sev- and will encourage them to keep trusting health hazard, the fire
eral others. Whether a minor character and waiting. For Those Who Wait is an album department helps bring order. Instantly,
or a main figure, each had a different but of personal music that is sure to appeal to Erin and fire chief Scott McKenna feel a
revealing perspective that combined to believers and unbelievers alike. connection. But will they let their troubled
give unique insights into the significance —LEIGH DEVORE pasts keep them apart?
of Jesus’ death. Roehl also discusses the continued
The Buzz CM 4-10.indd 59 3/5/10 11:44:03 AM

» The Buzz
THE GOLDEN RULE “The Golden Rule, We are constantly pursuing God upward,
By Above the Golden State, to love God and your serving God within our community and
Sparrow Records. neighbor as yourself, going into the world to share His mes-
is a commandment sage.”The title track and its catchy melody
Above the Golden State’s sophomore we’ve all been given,” remind listeners of this principle. Many will
release, The Golden Rule, is a collection of frontman Michael be encouraged with “I Am Loved,” which
songs by the pop-rock band that explores Watson says. “We want to encourage the declares that even when it doesn’t seem like
the fundamental truths of Christianity. church to return to that fundamental truth. it, God is with us.This album also addresses
the hard realities of life.“Tragedy” reminds
us that in the midst of loss and heartache
we can find our strength and hope in Jesus.
Although this CD has a short song list, the
TAP INTO THE

music and truth-packed lyrics are better
than some albums twice as long. Listeners
FIRE & POWER

will focus again on what Christianity is
truly about, and they will be encouraged
to put their faith into action.
—LEIGH DEVORE
OF YOUR FAITH UNSHAKABLE

By Deluge, Integrity Music.
& TURN YOUR Deluge’s sophomore

release, Unshakable, was
inspired by a season of
LIFE AROUND! profound joy and loss.

Jonathan Stockstill,
frontman and worship
pastor at Bethany World Prayer Center, had
In Reinvent Your Life, his first child.Yet within months his young
sister-in-law died from cancer, while his
gospel artist Alvin Slaughter
brother, youth pastor Joel, continued to
uses his inspiring story as a fight a lifelong battle with kidney disease.
backdrop to show you how “The songs speak of where we’ve been
to overcome your troubles and how we’re pressing through,” Jona-
than Stockstill says.The title track especially
and live your life with the
ISBN: 978-1-59979-608-6 • $12.99
connects with the church, he says. Deluge

kind of passion that makes a rocks out this request for God to solidify
difference in the lives of others. our faith. “Power” declares our need for
Him to help us live like Jesus and move in
the supernatural.“Refuge” is a statement of
Learn how your choices faith that when we experience trials, God
today can bring you won’t allow us to be overtaken.“Come Into
POWER, PEACE, and My Courts” was inspired by a divine vision
Joel had when his wife, Amy, died: “Come
TRUE SUCCESS! in My courts / Won’t you run to Me? /
Won’t you come to Me?”Album highlight
“Let’s Worship,” with guest vocalist Kari
Jobe, will lead listeners to reflect on Christ
and who He is in their lives. Unshakable
AVA I L A B L E W H E R E F I N E C H R IS T I A N B O OKS A R E S O L D. rejoices in the power, safety and strength
we have in God.And believers in all seasons
www.StrangBookGroup.com
of life will be encouraged as they worship
DA10AOCM with the band. —LEIGH DEVORE
60 C hari sma / A pr i l 2 0 10
The Buzz CM 4-10_DIG.indd 60 3/17/10 5:01:54 PM

» 10 Things cont’d. from p.53
If I were 21 again, I would still go to
sive speech could have made a difference.
If I were 21 again, I would spend more
time talking with God and less (far less)
are the things I would want to know and
the things I would want to believe. 3
college. But this time I would go to learn persuading others to do what I want. MARK RUTLAND is the president of Oral
not just to graduate. I would unleash my I wish I had known more than I did at Roberts University and author of 13 books.
curiosity, embrace the process, worry less 21. I might have considered one or two He also leads a missions and church-planting
about my grades and enjoy learning. of these truths, but I doubt I would have organization, Global Servants.
How strange that I love to learn at the fully appreciated their value.
age I am now. I read voraciously—any I do not think I want to be 21 again. YOU R TU R N
subject. I want to know, to understand, But if I had to, if some evil genie made To share what you wish you had known
to go deeper. If I were 21 again I would me go back and live it all over, then these at age 21, go to 10things.charismamag.com.
take that to college.
8. Giving is sweeter than
gaining. I believe in the laws of the
harvest. If there is any place in the world
that understands “seed faith” it is ORU.
Seed faith is not a new idea to me. I
believed it at 21. I practiced it and am
blessed today because it is real.
Yet I wish that at 21 I had known
the sheer joy of giving. I know God will
bless us when we give, and sometimes we
have made this merely a method to gain.
I wish I had realized the joy of generosity.
I would have given more and delighted
more in the good that giving does and
less in the returns it provides.
9. Forgiveness doesn’t fix
everything. Not the happiest truth I
wish I had known, but it’s among the
most sobering. Had I known this I might
have been less callous, less reckless and
more mindful of the cost.
There are things, relationships and
hearts that once broken cannot be fully
“fixed” by forgiveness. The wound, the
uncaring and insensitive word—they may
be forgiven, but the damage from them
may never quite be right again.
When I was 21 I just wanted to be
forgiven. I wish I had known to do less
damage.
10. Prayer is more powerful
than persuasion. In all of life, at
every age, conflict is an inescapable reality.
I wish I had known younger that in con-
flict and crisis talking to God works better
than talking to people. At 21, due perhaps
to youthful arrogance, I thought that I
could talk my way through everything.
Self-sufficiency, a dangerous habit, With FaithWeaver®, there’s always
breeds prayerlessness. The older I get I something to talk about.
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Rutland-When I Was 21 CM 4-10.in61 61 3/9/10 11:15:30 AM

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» FeedBack continued from page 8
with tattoos, it’s the sinful pride in which December). I think people want to be gays prefer their lifestyle then they have
we typically seek them—not some evil blessed, but they want it on their terms excluded themselves from the church.The
spirit that mystically comes with the ink. instead of God’s. That would be like a question they must answer is,“Which do I
Art Thomas person saying I want to work for an love more: my lifestyle or God?”
via e-mail employer but I don’t want to abide by the Edward Hornbaker
company standards. That is plumb silly.Yet Holcomb, Kansas
How can the writer say, “Anyone who people treat God the same way.
pierces anything but the earlobes needs to Ryan Kempf We must remember that America is
repent”? How does that make sense? It’s via e-mail not a theocracy, regardless of whether the
either no piercings or piercings anywhere country was founded on Christian prin-
you want. Because he doesn’t understand M A R R I AG E U N D E R F I R E ciples. Gay people are going to continue
tattoos and body piercings, he just changes to form relationships with one another,
the Word of God to support his belief. The church is not obligated to appease whatever we believe the Bible may say
Where does the Bible say you can pierce or accommodate the world to attract about them. The issue is not whether
your ears but not the rest your body? members (“Groups Say Marriage Battle Is these relationships should be given the
Matt Schimmelpenningh Not Over” by Steve Rabey, February). If title of marriage or not; it is whether the
via e-mail gays genuinely want to become a member people in these relationships should be
of the body of Christ, then they must leave granted all the same civil rights as het-
CHURCH DROPOUTS their sin at the door. The church, in one erosexuals. The answer is yes. Civil rights
sense is inclusive, in that the gospel mes- are not the kind of thing that should be
I agree with John Bliten, who wrote a sage is proclaimed to all men. On the put up for popular vote.
letter in February Feedback about “The other hand, it is exclusive for only those Elijah Seymore
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with Adam when I was in the Galápagos When was the last time you asked God to
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must have been like before the fall.
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DIGITAL EDITIO
nature. Those are things many of an attempt to
us desire in our relationship with incor porate
God. politically cor-
We hunger for simplicity. We rect ideas into
want to approach God in childlike the church but
faith, wonder and awe.We long for as a manifesta-
more than just spiritual life; we tion of God’s
want spiritual health—whereby love toward all
our souls are not just renewed and His children.
restored but become a source of Pentecost was
refreshment for others. And we a multiethnic,
want to be close to nature, not mu l t i l i n g u a l
mountain ridges and shorelines, as exper ience.
much as God’s nature worked in American
and through us. Christianity is not. That’s about to
Such a God-infused lifestyle change.
requires us to step away from any For too long the church in
Margaret
Feinberg insta-grow shortcuts or formula- America has embraced de facto seg-
based beliefs and dig deep into the regation whereby we define the
8. A CRY FOR INTIMACY soils of spiritual formation only church not only by its denomina-
WITH GOD found in God. In this place, our tional affiliation but even more so
By Margaret Feinberg intimacy with God springs to life. by its racial and ethnic composi-
I’m part of a generation that Many of us have come to the tion. This emerging generation is
privy to a powerful truth: Only
hungers to know God. We want place in our spiritual journeys
a multiethnic kingdom culture
a real relationship with Him—the where we want to know a God
who in all His fullness allows us to can repudiate the spirits of Herod,
kind that’s filled with laughter,
know Him just as He is, stripped as Absalom, Jezebel, and Sodom and
tears and honesty even when it
much as possible of any false per- Gomorrah.
hurts. We want a relationship with
ceptions. We want to know God. Racial diversity may very
God that isn’t tampered with, one
MARGARET FEINBERG is a speaker well save American Christianity.
without artificial additives that Historically, white evangelical
and author of The Organic God and
promise to make it sweeter, sourer Scouting the Divine (margaretfein believers focused on righteous-
or tastier than it really is. We want berg.com). ness or vertical issues such as abor-
an organic relationship with God. tion and marriage while ethnic
Why organic? 9. A CRY FOR RACIAL believers channeled resources into
Though it’s a word usually asso- DIVERSITY the horizontal issues of justice,
ciated with food grown without By Samuel Rodriguez poverty and equality. Next Gen-
chemical-based fertilizers or pes- The greatest mosaic of all is eration believers will converge at
ticides, “organic” also describes a the kingdom of God. Diversity the nexus of the gospel message—
lifestyle: simple, healthful, close to and multiethnicity exist not as where John 3:16 meets Matthew
D I G I TA L E D I T I O N E XC LU S I V E C harisma / A pr i l 2 0 1 0
Various-We Cry Out CM DigExclsv 2 2 3/17/10 3:10:03 PM

ION EXCLUSIVE
integrity has an anemic history impurity should be marked by:
in the contemporary church. By 1. Rediscovering the founda-
contrast, a nonstop, toxic mix of tions and fundamentals of our
eroticism coupled with the flesh’s faith and what they are intended
rebellious nature has comman- to accomplish in your life.
deered our attention with little to 2. Rebuilding the breaches in
no intervention. your life using spiritual and rela-
Thus, our only hope now is to tional processes.
cry out and pursue purity. The 3. Recreating your desires
yearning is deep and passionate; through strategy. You must have
however, deep and passionate more than just a desire to live sex-
Samuel yearning simply doesn’t rise to the
Rodriguez ually pure. Desire must conjugate
level of resolution. into holy pragmatism.
25; where righteousness marries During the last 14 years that I’ve
The most important lesson I’ve
justice while moral relativism, ministered sexual wholeness to
learned and continue to teach is an
cultural decay and spiritual apathy mostly young adults I’ve become
old one: Prevention is much better
simultaneously acquiesce before a familiar with that cry. It’s anxious,
robe of many colors. than a cure. Sometimes progres-
urgent and deeply personal.
In other words, American evan- sive thinking should never evolve
And it isn’t just confined to
gelicalism will be less segregated, beyond proven truths.
young, single Christians. Sexual
more integrated and more com- purity isn’t synonymous with celi- D.L. FOSTER is founder of Atlanta-
mitted to authentic community based Witness Freedom Ministries,
bacy. If the goal is indeed sexual
which declares that freedom from
outreach. Be advised—our young purity that pleases Christ, then the gay lifestyle is a reality in Christ
people have no interest in sitting the progressive path out of sexual (witnessfortheworld.org). 3
in the pews of a church that is
entirely white, black or Hispanic.
They desire diversity, not in the
context of political correctness,
but in the Spirit of Pentecost.
SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ is president
of the National Hispanic Christian
Leadership Conference and the His-
panic National Association of Evan-
gelicals (nhclc.org).
10. A CRY FOR PURITY

By D.L. Foster
Let’s get the bad news out of the
way: Practical, balanced teaching on
sexual purity and living it out with
A p r i l 2010 / C harisma
D I G I TA L E D I T I O N E XC LU S I V E
D.L. Foster
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» FireInMyBones by J. Lee Grady
Passing the Torch

IF YOU HAD TOLD ME SEVEN YEARS AGO that I Since the new year began I have focused all my reading on
the journeys of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, mainly because these
would resign my job at Charisma in 2010 and make a shift patriarchs pioneered this thing we call faith. Their life lessons
provide a framework for our own adventures with God.
toward public ministry, I would have asked if you were smoking One thing I have noticed about these pioneers is how God
was so faithful to renew His promise to each subsequent genera-
an illegal plant. I liked my paycheck and my benefits. And in tion. Abraham’s faith did not die with him. The God who met
Abraham on the mountain of Moriah also met Isaac at the well of
2004 I was trying to figure out how I would put four kids Rehoboth.Years later, God met Jacob in very personal ways.
Isaac didn’t live off just his father’s experience. God appeared
]
to him and promised His presence (see Gen. 26:24). Jacob didn’t
I am thrilled to live off the afterglow of his dad’s encounter alone—God showed
him opened heavens at Bethel and wrestled with Him at Peniel.
hand over the reins After Jacob received a life-altering limp in that place, he said, “I
have seen God face to face” (Gen. 32:30, NKJV).
of Charisma to We serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—a God who
transcends time and bridges generation gaps. God is not static.
a gifted editor. He’s always on the move. When He entrusts His truth to us, it
is never His plan for it to die with us; He opens the heavens
afresh and gives revelation to our sons and daughters.
through college when I had no extra money in the bank. I stepped down from my role as editor of Charisma earlier this
Fast forward to 2010, in the middle of the Great Recession. year because I recognize the younger generation must carry the
They say the economy is improving but I don’t see this in torch. What we once called the charismatic renewal movement
Florida, where the foreclosure rate is still one of the nation’s has ended. Something new and dynamic is taking its place. And
highest. Yet right in the middle of these uncertain times I I am thrilled to see it.
sensed God directing me to make a career change. I was swept into the charismatic movement at age 18. Today
Everything in my flesh screamed: No! Please, God! No! Yet I’m 51, and God is moving in unique ways with my children’s
I knew I was facing one of those “Peter, get out of the boat generation. I still have a role to play as a mentor and a spiritual
and walk on the water” moments. Because I have been in father, but older leaders must step aside so younger Isaacs and
one place for 17 years, the thought of change was terrifying. Jacobs can lead the way. Things tend to get stale and religious
I didn’t even want to look over the side of the boat, much less when people hold on to power and position.
stick my foot in the waves and try to walk. I am thrilled to hand over the reins of Charisma to Marcus
But at the end of January I put my toes in the water. Like Yoars, a gifted writer and editor who has worked with me for
Peter, I have wavered a few times since then. The sound of the almost three years. He has the values and spiritual fire of the
crashing surf is scary, and I’ve looked back at the boat more previous season, yet he also carries the creativity and passion of a
than once. But I know that I know that I know this faith- new spiritual awakening that is stirring in our nation.
stretching exercise is going to end well. We don’t even know what to call this new movement of the
What has carried me through this season of transition is Holy Spirit yet.Whatever historians name it, I believe Charisma
the comfort I receive each day from reading my Bible. I don’t will be a tool to help fuel its fire.
read it just because Christians are supposed to have a nice And even though I am passing this torch, I intend to keep
devotional life. I read it for survival. running this race of faith while I cheer for the younger team.
» J. LEE GRADY was editor of Charisma for 11 years. He now serves as contributing editor while devoting more time to ministry. You can
find him on the Web at themordecaiproject.com. His new book, The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale (Chosen), releases this month.
c-Grady CM 4-10.indd 66 3/5/10 10:23:19 AM

Harvard Divinity School
Renowned scholars. Experienced leaders. Vibrant, interfaith religious life.
ministry, chaplaincy, social justice

Diversity and Explorations Program:
Exploring Opportunities in Ministry and
Graduate Theological Studies
Fall 2010
“HDS has given me a clearer idea of how theory

and action are enmeshed. Because of my courses
at HDS, my outlook of theology is defined by
doctrine and practice. What I learn in the HDS
classroom is doctrine (the “why?”). However,
social justice gives me the action of practice (the
“how”). For me, the WHY and the HOW are
inseparable.”
—Julia Sierra Wilkinson, MDiv 2011,
Diversity and Explorations alumnus 2007
For information about Harvard Divinity School or the Diversity and Explorations
Program please visit the Office of Admissions website at www.hds.harvard.edu/afa, email
admissions@hds.harvard.edu, or call us at 617.495.5796. Applications for the 2010 Diversity
and Explorations Program will be available after June 1, 2010.
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Charisma April 2010 PDF

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April 2010

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Brotherhood Mutual 1p.indd 1 11/21/08 1:15:53 PM

Charismatic renewal marks

Meet the new generation of Spirit-empowered leaders

Young Christian leaders today crave authentic c

Dream Center pairs new generation. » ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: mentors.charismamag.com

Persecution Watch / 23 52 10 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Was 21

c har i s m a m a g.com A pr i l 2 0 1 0 / Charisma 5

TOC CM 4-10_DIG.indd 5 3/17/10 3:48:05 PM

The the “older folks” resigned to

Generational generation gap in today’s church?

Elephant in Charisma held a roundtable

the Room talk about the generation gap

Creative Churches What Are You Chasing?

Leaders Predict Where the

So where is the church

about where the

Avoid the ‘Wouldas’ and ‘Couldas’

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Inheritance Transfer But let me remind my fellow emergents

We bring out your best

46 Undergraduate Degree Programs

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» StraightTalk by Joyce Meyer

Start to Do Good Jesus is a true king, and He is good,

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When God Says Yes by Julia Loren

Available at chosenbooks.com, your local bookstore, or by calling 1-866-241-6733.

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» Gospel artist Yolanda Adams

< S P O T L I G H T > With the charismatic movement

Contagious Joy marking its 50th anniversary

this month, many Christians are

Y olanda Adams is a Grammy-winning gospel

As charismatic leaders gather

at Empowered21 April 8-10 to

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Adults under age 30

project.“God put this Haiti project on my heart, but

says. The 12-by-8 wood frame structures can sleep

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« The late Dennis Bennett is considered the

Episcopal Church in Seattle. He served as

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including Empowered21: Global Congress

tionally Free seminar July 19-24. ■ Boo

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couple thousand the Blessed Earth event will not address

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[ Sid Roth is mailing a book of testimonies from Messianic

Minister Leads Jewish

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EUROPEAN COURT RULES AGAINST TURKEY’S RELIGION ID

ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS IN KARNATAKA, INDIA, FREQUENT AND FURIOUS

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T.D. JAKES PROTÉGÉ TAKES OVER

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» “I WILL PRAISE you, Lord,

There’s More Down the Road