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UNITE February/March 2012

Ed Chilungu on Prayer Collective

Renowned author, John C. Maxwell, Hosting Over 1,000 Global Christian leaders at first-time International Event for EQUIP Leadership, Feb. 6-8

Atlanta, GA, USA, January 24, 2012—While some famed US leaders and public figures are choosing which Presidential candidates they will endorse in 2012, bestselling leadership author, John C. Maxwell, is bringing together over 1,000 influential Christian leaders from over 100 countries for a three-day event in West Palm Beach, Florida. After investing in training these leaders within their countries over the last 15 years through his non-profit, EQUIP Leadership, he is now taking it to another level by selecting top leaders to attend this exclusive conference with successful business and ministry speakers including Willow Creek Church founder, Bill Hybels, famed Australian worship leader, Darlene Zschech, inspirational speaker, Brenda McNeil, and Chick-fil-A President & COO, Dan Cathy.

On February 6, Christ Fellowship Church, a church with over 30,000 in attendance each week and led by second generation Senior Pastor Todd Mullins, will host the first-time event, Global 2020. Global 2020 is a gathering Maxwell has been hoping to host with the non-profit since EQUIP Leadership surpassed its goal of training one million international leaders back in 2007.

"It's been my dream for years to see all of our EQUIP Leadership family worldwide coming together and sitting in one room, celebrating the last 15 years of partnering together to successfully train over five million leaders," said John C. Maxwell. "I get so excited just thinking about having our top 1,000 leaders from over 100 countries finally meeting one another and having all of those amazing minds in one place to dream about how we can impact leaders all over the globe over the next 10 years!"
EQUIP Leadership, founded by Maxwell in 1996, set out to accomplish the vision of seeing effective leaders fulfill the Great Commission in every nation by equipping international Christians to effectively serve the growing Body of Christ around the world. After seeing the great need for leadership training in so many countries, EQUIP knew that training thousands was not enough, and began an initiative called Million Leaders Mandate in 2003, setting its eyes on seeing one million leaders trained around the globe. Now, nearly 10 years later, EQUIP stopped counting after training five million leaders from over 150 countries.

For the first time in its history, EQUIP Leadership will see their country coordinators, donors, associate trainers, and partners all come together to encourage one another, build relationships, study best practices, and plot the future for EQUIP well into the next decade. This event will be only the first of five gatherings; they will convene again in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

This may look like just another leadership event or conference to those on the outside, but in reality, these 1,000 leaders will impact the world for generations to come. The next US President would do well to keep his eye on these leaders. He might meet them face-to-face one day.

Christ Fellowship's Founding Pastor, Tom Mullins, and EQUIP's CEO, John Hull, will emcee the event.

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Giving Like God

By Dr. Melody Barclay

You probably have heard many in the church arena talk about living like God, loving like God or forgiving like God. But what about giving like God?

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” While we could never really comprehend God's unending, unfailing and immeasurable love for us, we can understand that He gave to us out of love. God gave His very best to us because of His love for us. It only behooves us to give our very best to Him any time that we give. As Jesus Christ was a sacrifice for our sins, sickness, and eternal life, even so there are times when we need to make sacrifices for the work of the ministry and for the sake or needs of others.

GIVING OUT OF LOVE

In the wee hours of the morning some years ago, I heard in my sleep emphatically “God loves a cheerful giver.” Waking up, I asked the Lord ”Lord why do you love a cheerful giver?” The Lord responded saying “Because a cheerful giver gives like I gave my Son Jesus. He gives willingly and sacrificially.” My giving then took on a new meaning, and became motivated by my love for God. I wanted to show Him a willingness in my giving, and made sacrifices in my giving that I might be loved by Him as a “cheerful giver.” Giving is one of the greatest acts of love towards God besides obedience to Him.

As the Christmas season is approaching, many will be making sacrifices to buy gifts, decorate their home and holiday festivities, despite the world’s economy, unemployment, etc. But there is one type of giving and one type of sacrifice that will capture the heart and attention of God. And not only will it capture the heart and attention of God, but it will result in you being rewarded, blessed, and reaping in innumerable ways in multiplied measure. Maybe you may feel that you only have a little or not enough to give. Well there is a story about the widow who only had a mite, which was less than a penny's worth. She gave her last or all that she had, and the Lord took notice of her, as having given more than all who had given out of their abundance. (Mark 12:43) Giving out of your lack or giving out of your need is a sure sign of your faith in God and that you trust Him to give you provision for your greater needs. God will give you a return and harvest for your sacrificial seed, that will come by the favor and supernatural working of God in your life. Open your hand to give, that it may be open for you to receive. Luke 6:38 says “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that you give, it will be given back unto you.”


GIVING FOR KINGDOM PURPOSES

When you give and sow into the kingdom of God financially, you help ministries to help and serve others. Whether it's getting the gospel to the masses, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the homeless, helping to dig wells for clean water or providing medical services to the sick, it all takes money to provide this kind of help or services. God's word plainly tells us to love in deed and in truth. To say that we love and not give is not loving in deed and not loving in truth. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:18) Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-45, that when we feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit those who are sick or imprisoned, we do it as unto Him, and we shall inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world. So when we give, we really give unto Him.

Winter Jam This Friday

"WINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR 2012”— is coming to the PA this January--the largest Christian music tour in the country. The 47-city tour hits all over the US within a three month period… and the musical line-up is something you won't want to miss with several thousand attending each show.
      Skillet headlining band this year along with other popular favorites including Sanctus Real, Peter Furler (his first touring outing since leaving newsboys), Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew and hosts Newsong. The One Verse Pre-Jam Party will feature new Word artists Dara Maclean and For King & Country as well as new hard rock outfit, We As Human, currently on tour with Skillet.
In addition to a stellar line-up, speaker Nick Hall will bring the gospel message each night, while illusionist Brock Gill will provide additional entertainment. Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales will also make special appearances!
      “With one of the most powerful line-ups of Christian music’s top artists in Winter Jam history, we are thrilled to announce what promises to be our biggest tour yet,” said NEWSONG founding member and Winter Jam creator Eddie Carswell.  “After seeing more than 90,000 people make decisions for Christ during last year’s tour, we enter Winter Jam’s 17th year of ministry excited to begin the adventure of what God has in store for us, and audiences around the country.”
     Family Life will be at Winter Jam on January 27at Bryce Jordan Center (Penn State) in State College. Winter Jam is only $10 at the door – no tickets required. For more information on "WINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR" and tour dates, visit www.jamtour.com.

Resource Review: Love Begins

Love Begins is the story of Clark Davis falling in love with his wife, Ellen. Clark and his best friend are passing through Trinity on their way to collect their fortune of gold in the West. Working on a run-down farm, Clark meets the sassy Ellen and her sister. Their father has recently passed away and the farm is too much for the two of them. Clark slowly begins to fall in love with Ellen. Will he give up his dreams of gold in the West or settle down on the farm with Ellen? Watch to find out. 

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Billy

Most of us know Billy Graham as the self-assured and charismatic preacher who became one of the most important figures of 20th Century Christianity. Now, with the release of Billy: The Early Years, we meet Billy as the earnest promising young man at the crossroads of faith and doubt, ultimately facing the moment of decision that launched one of history's most powerful evangelistic careers.

 Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Newsboys

The latest release from Newsboys, their first worship album since 2004 features 3 original worship songs including The King Is Coming and Here We Stand plus 9 new covers like Your Love Never Fails.

Resource Review: Hymns and Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash

Former Sixpence None the Richer vocalist Leigh Nash offers an exceptional set of classic hymns,          re-written with fresh new melodies and modern      arrangements. Hymns and Sacred Songs includes "Blessed Redeemer," "Be Still My Soul," "Power of The Cross," and more.

Resource Review: Jesus Culture Awakening

"Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago"    reveals the significance that took place at Jesus Culture's first arena gathering. A generation was marked by the power and presence of God during this 3-day event as believers joined together to passionately worship Jesus. As a ministry, Jesus Culture wanted to capture the sound of a generation giving themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus.

Resource Review: Hailee

     For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin, roaming the Cincinnati streets trying to keep food in the mouths of her two younger brothers and herself. This often meant thieving, which landed her in the Sanctuary of Hope, a home for delinquent youngsters. There, her life changed, thanks to her patient, loving teachers. Now, at eighteen, she pursues a dream to become a teacher herself and bravely accepts a position in Montana. She still has faith that she'll find her brothers again someday, but for now, she's ready to put the past behind her.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Forgotten God by Francis Chan

Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives.

     In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living      witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today’s church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.

     Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church’s power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we’ve ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan’s invitation to stop and remember the One we’ve forgotten, the Spirit of God.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: The Story

"THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD" IS MORE THAN JUST A CLICHÉ. God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people.
     That is what The Story is all about—the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity.
     Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel.

     And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true! From the foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: “This book tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time: the story of a true God who loves his children, who established for them a way of salvation and provided a route to eternity. Each story in these 31 chapters reveals the God of grace—the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for his people culminated in his sacrifice of Jesus, his only Son, to atone for the sins of humanity.”

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Elephant Room Is On the 25th

On January 25 you are invited to a simulcast of The Elephant Room at Journey Christian Church in Rochester. Hosted by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill and James MacDonald this is a must see event and thanks to Journey Christian Church it is happening right in our back yard

Eagles' Wings Announces Spring Conference

Joseph Garlington will be speaking at "Sound of the Kingdom this April at the Tabernacle hosted by Eagles' Wings. Photo by gospelflava.com

Calling all worshippers!  From April 12-14, join Dr. Robert Stearns of Eagles’ Wings and Bishop Tommy Reid of The Tabernacle for “Sound of the Kingdom!”  This three day assembly will include prophetic worship, dance and intercession that will draw you into the depths of God.  You will experience foundational biblical teaching that will align your life with heaven’s perspective and refreshing fellowship with believers in the region.  Special guests ministering will include Joseph Garlington, Aimee Reid-Sych, Tony Sutherland, Leon Timbo, and Nathan Salter.  The conference will be held at The Tabernacle, 3210 Southwestern Blvd. , Orchard Park , NY 14127 .  To register or for more information, call 1-800-51-WINGS or visit www.eagleswings.to! 

Resource Review: Outlaw by John Eldredge

In Beautiful Outlaw, John Eldredge removes the religious varnish to help readers discover stunning new insights into the personality of    Jesus. Jesus was accused of breaking the law, keeping bad company and heavy drinking. Of being the devil himself. He was so compelling and dangerous they had to kill him. But others loved him passionately. He had a sense of humor. His generosity was scandalous. His anger made enemies tremble. He'd say the most outrageous things. He was definitely not the Jesus of the stained glass.
     In the author's winsome, narrative approach, he breaks Jesus out of the typical stereotypes. By uncovering the real Jesus, readers are welcomed into the rich emotional life of Christ. Eldredge goes on to show readers how they can experience this Jesus in their lives every day. Beautiful Outlaw will quicken readers' worship, and deepen their intimacy with our incomparable Lord and Savior. 

Resource Review sponsored by Bender's 

Celebrating Jesus in 2012

By Dr. Robert Stearns
As we approach this time of the year when the festivities of the Holiday Season come upon us once again, it is a joyous time to remember what our Savior did for us in coming to this earth, to a literal place called Israel – to Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem – over 2,000 years ago. As we recently entered the season of the Holy Days on the Hebrew, Biblical calendar (beginning with the New Year Rosh Hashanah), I felt the Lord impressing a word on my heart… I pray it is an encouragement to you. May it serve as a reminder that this season ahead of us is all about Jesus and His coming to the world.
Jesus Christ wasn’t just the answer a couple millennia ago – He is the answer now for a world that is lost in darkness. Though many may try to hide the light of God’s truth, saying that truth is only relative and is merely the sum total of any person’s particular viewpoint or spin on the world, we know that Truth exists and it is found in the person of Jesus Christ. When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the Christ who came near to us when we were lost in the sea of our own sinfulness.
Many times these days we hear that it is not politically or socially correct to talk about why we celebrate Christmas. But I am here to tell you today that a remnant that knows God’s truth is arising in the land…

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.
Unseen, unrecognized, they know Whose they are and have died to this present world's ambitions. They want nothing of a consumer Christianity, where God exists for their earthly pleasure. They have caught a whiff of Heaven’s fragrant food, and just the smell has satisfied them more than the sweetest delicacies of this passing age, and motivates them to remember that they are just passing through.

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.
They will not be bought or sold with position or money. They are remembering why they “got into this” in the first place – for the Lamb. For Jesus Christ's honor, for the sake of His worthy name. Their backbones are being steeled in the furnace of affliction, and purified of contemporary dross. They are old-school, hard-core Jesus freaks, and they are not apologizing for it. The remnant is not ashamed!

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.
They are blood-bought, and fiercely committed to the Word – the Logos and the Rhema. Something within them stirs because they know they are here on a kairos assignment. They realize that they may have forgotten that for a moment, been diverted off the path for some years, but like soldiers who remember drills from long ago, they are coming to attention and position and awareness. They are here on purpose. They are necessary to Heaven’s narrative. They are not bystanders. They are the players on the stage of His-story.

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.
This army is realizing they never should have eaten Babylon’s food in the first place, even if it was served in halls decorated to look like a cheap imitation of Zion. They would rather be pilgrims than settle. They would rather be fools for Christ than wise in the world's eyes. They would rather be known in Heaven and feared in Hell than recognized on earth. Whatever happens to them in the world really doesn't matter. They have locked gazes with the Lamb’s eyes,
and locked step with the cadence of Heaven’s march. His remnant understand that this is the Final Act and there is no turning back now.

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.
 They are nowhere to be seen and everywhere to be found. There are very few of them chosen, and a great host of them who will emerge.  It’s going to be very, very intense, for the sword they carry is stained with the blood of their lesser desires and their crucified carnality. They’ve had their battles, faced their own personal Valleys of Decision, and made their choice. I have Decided. To Follow Jesus. No Turning Back. We have decided. Have you decided?
Ready or not, here they come.
In the hustle and bustle – and even more importantly, in the age of widespread moral relativism that we live in – let’s remember that this season really is all about Jesus. Only His Name has the power to save… He is the reason that we celebrate.

Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, an international relational network of believers, churches, and ministries committed to the lifestyle of biblical spirituality, the unity of the Body of Christ, and God’s enduring covenant with Israel.  Robert’s ministry flows out of deep passion for Jesus characterized by a distinct prophetic edge. He has ministered in 30 nations around the world and maintains a significant burden for the Eastern United States and Israel. Robert also serves as co-chairman of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, and Publisher of KAIROS Magazine. Robert and his three sons live in New York, and spend a great deal of time in Jerusalem, Israel.