After a time of preparation, the team set out to a local shopping area to Treasure Hunt.
We encountered warfare to begin, we just kept on moving forward and later a lot of people were ministered to!
If you allow discouragement or resistance to define your ministry, break through will continue to remain just outside of your grasp!
We split up into a couple teams. One team carried a large camera to video tape encounters. After watching the effect it had people, we put it away and named it the spoiler! It was intimidating to folks, get a new plan, not sure how Todd White does it......
One team ventured into a vitamin store. The owner matched a clue, he allowed us to pray for him, felt the Spirit rest on him. He (a believer needing encouragement) hugged us, was grateful, he knew God had heard his earlier, he blessed what we were out doing.
Two women matching clues were approached resisted any and all conversation. Move on....
One believer in a watch shop (wrist watch having been a clue) was eager to receive a blessing over the business!
Another couple was approached who matched a clue, identified a relative in the Philippines needing prayer, accepted prayer in front of the department store....
A woman matching a very specific clue received ministry, felt the Holy Spirit minister to her, cried some, received, Yeah God!
The team packed up and moved over to the other side of the busy intersection towards shops matching our location clues.
At this point it is hard to describe all that occurred simply because the team paired up into several teams and ministered to many people!
A man was found wearing suspenders...talked to him a bit, blessed him quickly, reinforced that Jesus sent us to find him.
A young woman matching one of the clues received prayer along with her mother in front of a pet store.
Another individual walking a white dog, (one of the clues) was found and ministered to.
A man sitting in front of a sign which matched a clue (fish fry) received prayer ministry, his grand parent had just passed.
A woman wearing a head covering appearing to have lost her hair was approached, asked if she was battling cancer. She replied yes and allowed us to pray...during which my cell phone rang, the ringtone an excerpt of a Jonathan David Helser song. The Words? "healing power is coming down...." How timely! Declared that a sign from the Lord that indeed healing was happening!
Another team member bumped into an old friend and asked "do you know someone who is bedridden?" (one of the clues) "Yes" the young women replied. She agreed to prayer for herself and her mother. We prophesied over her life, she was touched by the HS and encouraged.
By the way, I had just put this ring tone on my phone, not anticipating it would ring during moments like these!
Several team members joined together and headed over to the bikes in a department store. We approached a young woman standing there. She was in a hurry to make a purchase and get out to her waiting grand mother, but received a quick blessing. Her name? A Russian version of one of the names on our clue list! She was an intended Treasure! Sometimes a lot of ministry occurs, sometimes seeds are planted, we call all of it good!
Almost as soon as Y. left the isle, another woman approached with two girls. We engaged her in conversation. She turned out to be Spirit filled and was joyful over the opportunity to receive blessing, but asked if we could pray for the mother of one of her daughters classmates. As she was describing who we'd be praying for, my cell phone rang again. "Healing power is coming down..." We all took that as a sign of confirmation, held hands and began to pray. We asked her young daughter to pray, who has an obvious healing anointing. The young girl prayed and the power of the HS fell!
I bent down and asked the girl if she sees angels, she said yes. Then I asked her to describe them, she held her hands up to her face and said "really bright" using her hands to emphasis the radiance coming off their faces. Two of us bent down and asked if she would pray for us to see them like her. She prayed and the power fell again!
One woman employee was approached due to a clue she matched, interesting that as the team found her, she was walking past a particular fragrance which was another clue! She received prayer. Interesting to note, she had bumped into one of our team members earlier who once worked at the same store. Seems like a set up for later ministry. God knows what He is doing, it is important to allow Him to lead!
On the way out of the department store, I noticed a man matching a clue, then realized we had found him and his wife several weeks before several miles away at another venue. We approached him and declare, "you are our treasure for the second time!" He was purchasing bikes which was another clue. With a smile, he tried to diminish what we were up to, though he greeted us warmly. He is an evangelical who is skeptical of ministry led by the HS. He also happens to be a neighbor to one of our team members. HMMM. I think God is reaching out to stir something new in this fellow. His wife said, "we do not normally come to this store" she understood that God had arranged the meeting!
Many people were reached during out reach today, there are more stories, though I cannot recite them all since we formed multiple teams.
The team was having so much fun at the end, we did not want to stop hanging out with each other. We opted to drive over to a restaurant, which happened to be one of our location clues. When we arrived, we found a man sitting on a bench who matched three clues. He received prayer for his cancer. A couple of us got a little emotional since the compassion of the Lord began to rest on us as we prayed.
It was a great day of fellowship and comradeship, team work and friendship!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Downtown, Not Many Around, Just Those We're Meant To Meet
The team gathered yesterday, preparing much the same way we've become accustomed. We headed out to the market place after talking through our location clues.
God sent us into an area that becomes quiet just about the time we arrived! That can make one feel insecure, or question, did we discern the clues correctly?
Only 10 minutes out of the cars, we found one of our treasures. A poor man collecting cans, a Vet. who walked with a cane. We approached him, explained our mission, at first he was hesitant. Then he let us pray for him. Pain left his back, which turned out to be one of the clues as well.
The team spread out in a few directions. One group prayed with four men who lived in a nearby half way house. One was noticeably touched by the HS as he received prayer.
Another team met up with yet another in a music store which happened to be one of the location clues. We did not find customers inside the music store, then one team member noticed a word painted on a brick wall inside, "Risk", so R. did just that, he approached the store owners who stood their ground and did not want "Christian" activity going on in their public store. More team members gathered. One owner explained that they are believers but live so their lives are a testimony, but do not endorse witnessing.
It could have turned into an uncomfortable discussion, which we intentionally avoid. There has been enough debating, smashing in the name of Jesus. We kept the conversation light, actually, one of the store owners recognized me, which broke the way to a light blessing which they were initially unwilling to receive. (I once sold product in a store next to theirs, M. recognized me as familiar, interesting the result, God uses all things for good...)
Once outside the store we walked the lonely street towards another clue location. At this point we are questioning once again, "did we hear correctly?" It was getting dark.
On our way to the clock store I noticed a detail shop with a few men standing idle. I called out to the team, "let's go, these are the only people standing around the next location clue."
We went up the the three men and began sharing our mission. Each responded in various ways, then the owner came out of his office and everything shifted. Turns out he is muslim. A couple of us engaged him in conversation. He was firm in his beliefs, especially with regard to his view of Jesus, who he believes is a minor prophet, not the Son of God. Two of us managed to talk with him, he was on his way to prayer, which was an opportunity to challenge him to ask Jesus to reveal himself more. A couple of our team members interceded and could feel the HS fall powerfully as they prayed. I have no doubt we were meant to speak to these men. Did we seal any "deals" as once taught in evangelism classes? No. No one accepted the Lord as a result of our encounter. However, we gave testimony about Jesus, seeds were planted, the HS was present. In God's time, some one else will no doubt come along to water those seeds.
After talking with these men, we turned back on our route and noticed three of our clues in a store front next to the detail shop. More confirmation we were meant to speak with these men.
We headed towards the main street through the downtown area, it was dark. We passed a couple on a park bench. We walked past. Then I felt the HS pull me back. I turned, engaged them in conversation.
This led to praying with a young woman who had stopped to rest on a bench due to pain in her knee. She's scheduled for surgery on Monday, was freaked out, hurting after walking, resting for a few in the arms of her boyfriend.
We asked if we could pray for her, she was eager to receive. First we prayed off the anxiety attack, she felt peace, then we prayed for the knee, which she said felt better when she stood up and tested the leg. She hugged us and explained that earlier in the day she questioned God, "Why me?" Then we come along and minister His love and healing power. Her boyfriend received prayer as well. They identified as believers, yet there was opportunity to encourage them, disciple if you will in the power of Jesus, His Kingdom.
Two people came out of the bar we were standing in front of, they were curious about the gathering and activity. Someone in the bar actually locked the door! Very interesting.
A few individuals were spoken with, more seeds planted. One fellow had passed us earlier, and here he came again past our group. R. took the opportunity to say something quickly to him.
We parted from the young couple, turned towards our cars. On the way we saw two young women window shopping. I approached them and asked outright if they needed any miracles in their lives! One giggled, the other observed and smiled. Turns out they are believers who attend a conservative church. One allowed us to pray over her talents. I noticed some of her gifting in the Spirit and called it out. Initially she did not own up to it, then did so, but explained that there was another gifting she was pursuing, one I am familiar with. She allowed me to pray for her while her friend watched. We chatted a bit and went on our way.
Just yards from our cars, out of the dark, comes a young man wearing a yellow jacket, one of the clues. We stopped him, engaged him in conversation, explained what we were doing. B. said he was not a believer, but had pain and coldness in his feet. We prayed and he said his feet got warmer, some pain left. R. explained the gospel quickly which he politely listened to. R. hugged him and off B. went. Healed, but not ready to make a decision, seeds planted. Lord send the water!
All in all, we ministered to many people. The out reach was different, began with a lot of warfare, which began earlier in the day, evident as soon as we got out of our cars. We managed to press through and saw God move upon many people!
We walk in a simple trust that however much or little God gives favor and anointing to accomplish is good. We only want to do what the Father is doing.......
We talked with one
God sent us into an area that becomes quiet just about the time we arrived! That can make one feel insecure, or question, did we discern the clues correctly?
Only 10 minutes out of the cars, we found one of our treasures. A poor man collecting cans, a Vet. who walked with a cane. We approached him, explained our mission, at first he was hesitant. Then he let us pray for him. Pain left his back, which turned out to be one of the clues as well.
The team spread out in a few directions. One group prayed with four men who lived in a nearby half way house. One was noticeably touched by the HS as he received prayer.
Another team met up with yet another in a music store which happened to be one of the location clues. We did not find customers inside the music store, then one team member noticed a word painted on a brick wall inside, "Risk", so R. did just that, he approached the store owners who stood their ground and did not want "Christian" activity going on in their public store. More team members gathered. One owner explained that they are believers but live so their lives are a testimony, but do not endorse witnessing.
It could have turned into an uncomfortable discussion, which we intentionally avoid. There has been enough debating, smashing in the name of Jesus. We kept the conversation light, actually, one of the store owners recognized me, which broke the way to a light blessing which they were initially unwilling to receive. (I once sold product in a store next to theirs, M. recognized me as familiar, interesting the result, God uses all things for good...)
Once outside the store we walked the lonely street towards another clue location. At this point we are questioning once again, "did we hear correctly?" It was getting dark.
On our way to the clock store I noticed a detail shop with a few men standing idle. I called out to the team, "let's go, these are the only people standing around the next location clue."
We went up the the three men and began sharing our mission. Each responded in various ways, then the owner came out of his office and everything shifted. Turns out he is muslim. A couple of us engaged him in conversation. He was firm in his beliefs, especially with regard to his view of Jesus, who he believes is a minor prophet, not the Son of God. Two of us managed to talk with him, he was on his way to prayer, which was an opportunity to challenge him to ask Jesus to reveal himself more. A couple of our team members interceded and could feel the HS fall powerfully as they prayed. I have no doubt we were meant to speak to these men. Did we seal any "deals" as once taught in evangelism classes? No. No one accepted the Lord as a result of our encounter. However, we gave testimony about Jesus, seeds were planted, the HS was present. In God's time, some one else will no doubt come along to water those seeds.
After talking with these men, we turned back on our route and noticed three of our clues in a store front next to the detail shop. More confirmation we were meant to speak with these men.
We headed towards the main street through the downtown area, it was dark. We passed a couple on a park bench. We walked past. Then I felt the HS pull me back. I turned, engaged them in conversation.
This led to praying with a young woman who had stopped to rest on a bench due to pain in her knee. She's scheduled for surgery on Monday, was freaked out, hurting after walking, resting for a few in the arms of her boyfriend.
We asked if we could pray for her, she was eager to receive. First we prayed off the anxiety attack, she felt peace, then we prayed for the knee, which she said felt better when she stood up and tested the leg. She hugged us and explained that earlier in the day she questioned God, "Why me?" Then we come along and minister His love and healing power. Her boyfriend received prayer as well. They identified as believers, yet there was opportunity to encourage them, disciple if you will in the power of Jesus, His Kingdom.
Two people came out of the bar we were standing in front of, they were curious about the gathering and activity. Someone in the bar actually locked the door! Very interesting.
A few individuals were spoken with, more seeds planted. One fellow had passed us earlier, and here he came again past our group. R. took the opportunity to say something quickly to him.
We parted from the young couple, turned towards our cars. On the way we saw two young women window shopping. I approached them and asked outright if they needed any miracles in their lives! One giggled, the other observed and smiled. Turns out they are believers who attend a conservative church. One allowed us to pray over her talents. I noticed some of her gifting in the Spirit and called it out. Initially she did not own up to it, then did so, but explained that there was another gifting she was pursuing, one I am familiar with. She allowed me to pray for her while her friend watched. We chatted a bit and went on our way.
Just yards from our cars, out of the dark, comes a young man wearing a yellow jacket, one of the clues. We stopped him, engaged him in conversation, explained what we were doing. B. said he was not a believer, but had pain and coldness in his feet. We prayed and he said his feet got warmer, some pain left. R. explained the gospel quickly which he politely listened to. R. hugged him and off B. went. Healed, but not ready to make a decision, seeds planted. Lord send the water!
All in all, we ministered to many people. The out reach was different, began with a lot of warfare, which began earlier in the day, evident as soon as we got out of our cars. We managed to press through and saw God move upon many people!
We walk in a simple trust that however much or little God gives favor and anointing to accomplish is good. We only want to do what the Father is doing.......
We talked with one
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Testimonies From November 7th
Three of us headed to a local busy venue, parking was hard to find at first, then one opened up right in front of us! Yeah, favor!
Almost immediately we saw a woman walking with a cane, which fit one of the clues. We approached her and talked with her, explained that we were on a treasure hunt and that she was the treasure we were looking for! It turned out she is muslim but allowed us to pray for her. We spoke into her life for as long as the "door" remained open, we blessed them and went our way.
We headed towards a juice bar and on the way noticed a young man wearing shoes with blue shoe laces. One of the team members walked quickly behind him for quite a ways finally catching up with him. The team member explained that we were on a treasure hunt and that he matched the clue. J. thought it was cool that he matched the clue, so did his friend. They explained that the night before they had been drunk and were talking about Jesus. Now how fun is it that Jesus followed up their conversation by sending us to find them the next day. It was discerned that one had a gifting/talent which was spoken, then prayed over the young man. Another word was spoken then prayed over his friend. The two young men were quite receptive, seeds were planted! Yeah God!
Next we headed back towards to juice bar which we eventually went into to see if any treasures were inside. No one immediately matched a clue, however we talked with one woman K. who was asked if her name happened to match any on our list. This led to a conversation about Jesus who she declared she is not ready to consider. She asked what we were doing which we explained, we pointed to our circled clues which represented "treasures" we'd already found. I told her that we were really hoping to find the person missing a tooth which initiated more conversation. I told her that if she found the person, she should explain that he/she was the subject of our search and that Jesus was wanting him/her to be found. She said that if indeed, she found that person, she would know what we were up to was God. We prayed she would indeed see the person with the missing tooth as a demonstration of the kingdom that she would herself believe in Jesus!
We left the juice bar and walked a ways to a coffee store which matched another clue. We sat at the tables watching people pass by. One team member called out a name as a woman passed, she turned her head, alas, her name was similar, not the name were looking for. Then another woman passed with a blue scarf, a clue we were looking to find. She was not interested in talking, oh well, it happens.
We decided to walk again, however we turned back after a few minutes towards the coffee store where we saw a woman sitting who was wearing shoes with blue laces. The second person with blue laces!
A team member approached her. She was quite open to talking. We explained that she is God's treasure and that we wanted to bless her in some way. She said her life was coming together, pointing to the man across from her, further explaining she was happy with the wonderful things going on in her life. We turned towards M. who was intrigued by the whole conversation. He identified with the back pain clue, received prayer, felt the pain leave! Then we spoke into his life which caused him to become teary. One of the team members apologized to him for difficulties experienced with a previous leader. M was touched. We talked with L. again who long story short ended up making a decision to give her life to Jesus!!!!!!!!! She felt something happen in her body as she prayed the prayer of salvation! They shared with us that they had been talking the week before about going to church, hm, I think the Lord was following up that declaration with a personal invite to a church in Costa Mesa! Jesus is amazing.
Jesus brought some Sozo ministry to this couple and the man's son all due to a clue received back at the church before leaving for out reach. Too fun!
We did find another man who matched a very specific clue. Black long sleeved shirt, jeans, and running shoes. He turned out to be Buddhist, he was carrying his friends child, the friend is a believer. Q. allowed us to talk with him a bit, we shared what we could, trusted that seeds were planted or watered.
In an hour and a half we were able to minister to 8 people. One became born again. One felt pain leave his body, admitted he had been talking with his girlfriend about going back to church, ministered to a Buddhist, a Muslim and two Catholics who had been talking about Jesus the night before while drinking the wine of the world, may they find the true wine of the Spirit!
Great Day! Yeah God!
Almost immediately we saw a woman walking with a cane, which fit one of the clues. We approached her and talked with her, explained that we were on a treasure hunt and that she was the treasure we were looking for! It turned out she is muslim but allowed us to pray for her. We spoke into her life for as long as the "door" remained open, we blessed them and went our way.
We headed towards a juice bar and on the way noticed a young man wearing shoes with blue shoe laces. One of the team members walked quickly behind him for quite a ways finally catching up with him. The team member explained that we were on a treasure hunt and that he matched the clue. J. thought it was cool that he matched the clue, so did his friend. They explained that the night before they had been drunk and were talking about Jesus. Now how fun is it that Jesus followed up their conversation by sending us to find them the next day. It was discerned that one had a gifting/talent which was spoken, then prayed over the young man. Another word was spoken then prayed over his friend. The two young men were quite receptive, seeds were planted! Yeah God!
Next we headed back towards to juice bar which we eventually went into to see if any treasures were inside. No one immediately matched a clue, however we talked with one woman K. who was asked if her name happened to match any on our list. This led to a conversation about Jesus who she declared she is not ready to consider. She asked what we were doing which we explained, we pointed to our circled clues which represented "treasures" we'd already found. I told her that we were really hoping to find the person missing a tooth which initiated more conversation. I told her that if she found the person, she should explain that he/she was the subject of our search and that Jesus was wanting him/her to be found. She said that if indeed, she found that person, she would know what we were up to was God. We prayed she would indeed see the person with the missing tooth as a demonstration of the kingdom that she would herself believe in Jesus!
We left the juice bar and walked a ways to a coffee store which matched another clue. We sat at the tables watching people pass by. One team member called out a name as a woman passed, she turned her head, alas, her name was similar, not the name were looking for. Then another woman passed with a blue scarf, a clue we were looking to find. She was not interested in talking, oh well, it happens.
We decided to walk again, however we turned back after a few minutes towards the coffee store where we saw a woman sitting who was wearing shoes with blue laces. The second person with blue laces!
A team member approached her. She was quite open to talking. We explained that she is God's treasure and that we wanted to bless her in some way. She said her life was coming together, pointing to the man across from her, further explaining she was happy with the wonderful things going on in her life. We turned towards M. who was intrigued by the whole conversation. He identified with the back pain clue, received prayer, felt the pain leave! Then we spoke into his life which caused him to become teary. One of the team members apologized to him for difficulties experienced with a previous leader. M was touched. We talked with L. again who long story short ended up making a decision to give her life to Jesus!!!!!!!!! She felt something happen in her body as she prayed the prayer of salvation! They shared with us that they had been talking the week before about going to church, hm, I think the Lord was following up that declaration with a personal invite to a church in Costa Mesa! Jesus is amazing.
Jesus brought some Sozo ministry to this couple and the man's son all due to a clue received back at the church before leaving for out reach. Too fun!
We did find another man who matched a very specific clue. Black long sleeved shirt, jeans, and running shoes. He turned out to be Buddhist, he was carrying his friends child, the friend is a believer. Q. allowed us to talk with him a bit, we shared what we could, trusted that seeds were planted or watered.
In an hour and a half we were able to minister to 8 people. One became born again. One felt pain leave his body, admitted he had been talking with his girlfriend about going back to church, ministered to a Buddhist, a Muslim and two Catholics who had been talking about Jesus the night before while drinking the wine of the world, may they find the true wine of the Spirit!
Great Day! Yeah God!
Streams Unite, Head Out Into The Market Place
Today our Saturday team of Treasure Hunters traveled to Costa Mesa to impart our break through to a couple churches hungry for market place ministry.
Wow. What a fun day!
Following some simple training, we presented a skit depicting a typical market place encounter, then we got almost all involved in praying for one another. We handed all a 3 x 5 card and asked them to write down the first word/impression they received. We collected the cards and read them out loud. Those who identified were asked to stand for prayer, the rest were told to pray for those standing as though it was a market place encounter.
Following lab time, we soaked in worship music while some went around the room and prayed over those soaking.
Finally we handed out clue sheets and asked people to write down any impressions, words of knowledge they received. Then we broke into teams who were assigned the task of figuring out the location God was highlighting through the clues.
The teams talked over their clues while eating lunch, which led to impartation accomplished through a fire/prophetic tunnel. Wow.
The teams recovered from their journey through the tunnel and loaded into cars for the market place!
A couple hours later we reconvened at the church to share stories.
I would estimate that we managed to minister to roughly 75 people who were told they are God's treasure. Many accepted prayer and blessing.
There were so many great stories, I am trying to recall some of them as I type.
One team included a woman who worked in one of the clue locations, so she did not go into the store. However, she was able to identify one of the employees who matched two clues. The woman was found by another employee, she had been working in the storeroom. She was called out by name and by the condition she was suffering. She was uneasy receiving prayer while working, but was assured by the team they would be praying for her.
One team found three sets of people in one isle that matched clues, they hit the jack pot!
Another person was found through a name clue, he was a ticket taker at a venue the team was sent to.
Another woman was found in a pet shop due to location clues, and appearance clues. She received prayer/prophetic ministry.
another man was found through a clue and was eager for he and his son to be blessed in prayer by team members.
There were several more stories told...need to get team members to send in testimonies.
Stay tuned......
Wow. What a fun day!
Following some simple training, we presented a skit depicting a typical market place encounter, then we got almost all involved in praying for one another. We handed all a 3 x 5 card and asked them to write down the first word/impression they received. We collected the cards and read them out loud. Those who identified were asked to stand for prayer, the rest were told to pray for those standing as though it was a market place encounter.
Following lab time, we soaked in worship music while some went around the room and prayed over those soaking.
Finally we handed out clue sheets and asked people to write down any impressions, words of knowledge they received. Then we broke into teams who were assigned the task of figuring out the location God was highlighting through the clues.
The teams talked over their clues while eating lunch, which led to impartation accomplished through a fire/prophetic tunnel. Wow.
The teams recovered from their journey through the tunnel and loaded into cars for the market place!
A couple hours later we reconvened at the church to share stories.
I would estimate that we managed to minister to roughly 75 people who were told they are God's treasure. Many accepted prayer and blessing.
There were so many great stories, I am trying to recall some of them as I type.
One team included a woman who worked in one of the clue locations, so she did not go into the store. However, she was able to identify one of the employees who matched two clues. The woman was found by another employee, she had been working in the storeroom. She was called out by name and by the condition she was suffering. She was uneasy receiving prayer while working, but was assured by the team they would be praying for her.
One team found three sets of people in one isle that matched clues, they hit the jack pot!
Another person was found through a name clue, he was a ticket taker at a venue the team was sent to.
Another woman was found in a pet shop due to location clues, and appearance clues. She received prayer/prophetic ministry.
another man was found through a clue and was eager for he and his son to be blessed in prayer by team members.
There were several more stories told...need to get team members to send in testimonies.
Stay tuned......
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