Rick Shepherd, Prayer/Spiritual Awakening Team Strategist for the Florida Baptist Convention, testifies to God's response to the cries of His people during days of prayer called by spiritual and political leaders. Calls to prayer about wildfires, drought, hurricanes, and the Gulf oil spill have been issued in recent years. God has responded with mercy. He said, "God gets our attention to focus our attention so we will pay attention."
To download a guide click: Praying... About the Weather
A missionary working in the slums of Lima, Peru, gave me this copy of Experiencing God (Spanish). The owner had been beaten by her husband as he burned this book and her Bible. He threatened to kill her if she ever went back to church. She brought this book to the missionary and asked for a new copy to continue the study. I yearn for that kind of hunger for God and His Word.
Last December (2010) I had the privilege of interviewing David Franklin about God's activity in Bartow County, Georgia, that is transforming lives, churches, and the community. God is working in such encouraging ways that I've become a "prisoner of hope" (See Zechariah 9:12.). I pray that God will find pastors and churches all over the nation who will surrender to His use and purposes to see a similar work in their communities.
To watch other videos about God's work in the county see my Vimeo Album at:
God is using the stories of His work in Lynch, Kentucky, to stir many others to respond to His invitations that require a walk of faith. In Part 1 you will hear of Lonnie & Belinda's call to minister to mountain. You will hear about a "hedge clipping ministry, the Freedom Center clothing ministry, Hair & Nail Day, a back to school ministry, and God's provision for remodeling a theater for Christian community programs. These testimonies come from the DVDs in "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King. They are used by permission from LifeWay Christian Resources. Go to www.Lifeway.com for more information about Experiencing God and two books co-authored by Lonnie: "By Faith" and "Miracle in the Mountains."
You can watch and/or download all five segments or one clip that includes all 55 minutes at my Vimeo Album at: www.vimeo.com/23652961
In a church running 70-80 one year prior, God visited Fellowship Baptist Church of Cartersville, Georgia (Bartow County) with a special sense of His presence. Since that Experiencing God Launch Weekend they've seen about 110 baptisms. Pastor Jeff Duvall explains: "That was where God began to reveal that He was tired of us playing church or just going through the motions, but He had something real for us." The key to what God is doing? "We've stayed on our face before God seeking Him." Jeff challenges his folks to "Brag on Jesus.... The presence of God is in the house!"
God has used the message of Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God to deeply impact individuals, families, and churches. An Experiencing God Weekend is one way churches introduce the message and invite members to experience God as they walk through the Bible study together.
Bartow County, GA-3 from Claude V King on Vimeo.
In transformation people become more like Jesus. Here's a brief testimony (3 of 3) of some of what God is doing in the lives of people in Bartow County, GA. (Produced by LifeWay Productions, Dec. 2010)
Bartow County, GA-2 from Claude V King on Vimeo.
In transformation Churches act more like the body of Christ. Here's a brief testimony (2 of 3) of some of what God is doing among the churches in Bartow County, GA. (Produced by LifeWay Productions, Dec. 2010)
Bartow County, GA-1 from Claude V King on Vimeo.
In transformation communities begin to reflect Christ's Kingdom rule. Here's a brief testimony (1 of 3) of some of what God is doing in Bartow County, GA. (Produced by LifeWay Productions, Dec. 2010)
Avery Willis's Final Testimony from Claude V King on Vimeo.
Just prior to his death on July 30, 2010, Avery Willis gave a final personal testimony on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Say, "Yes, Lord, Yes!" Author of MasterLife and many other discipleship resources, Avery has profoundly impacted lives for Christ. He set an example for us of what a life surrendered to Christ looks like. He finished his race well. Let's pray for God to continue raising up a new generation of spiritual leaders who will finish the task of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
A Church From Near Death to Life from Claude V King on Vimeo.
I was asked to help a church that was about to die due to sin and conflict among its members. When asked to prepare for and celebrate the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner, the members began to deal seriously with their sin. When we came to the Lord's Table, we experienced joy and refreshing from the Holy Spirit. Over the next year, God brought this congregation from near death to life and vitality.
As a result of this experience...
