Marketplace Ministry: A Mobile Outreach Focused Ekklesia

By Joseph Mattera

As we examine the New Testament, we see that Jesus called for the formation of the ekklesia in Matthew 16:18. In Greek culture an ekklesia was the ruling body that governed the polis or city state. Thus Jesus didn’t create a new word but borrowed from a common political word to describe His goal for those who would be His disciples: that they would represent His kingdom will on earth with binding and loosing powers that would govern the heavenly principalities (Ephesians 3:8-10, 6:10-18) and thus transform earthly communities where each ekklesia was established. This is a great difference in function from the typical congregational idea of simply assembling together as found in Hebrews 10:25.

The idea of conversion was not merely meant to fill seats for church growth on Sundays but to nurture disciples who would turn the world order upside down (Acts 17:6). Since the late 19th century the idea of church as a ruling ekklesia has largely been lost and replaced with rescuing sinners from this world and living secluded pietistic lives to make it to heaven. We went from changing the world to resisting the world, from engaging the world to protecting ourselves from the world.

This is totally contrary to the original Greek meaning of the word ekklesia, which means being called to engage the world and govern it. Now, pastors are happy to have a lot of people show up on Sundays, whether they affect the culture or not. Thus, church attendance in this nation is at an all-time high but cultural effectiveness is at an all-time low!

If the church is going to recapture its cultural commission of discipling nations and having global influence, as found in Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28:19, it has to learn the difference between building an ekklesia and a mere congregation that assembles together.

This also explains why God has had to raise up some parachurch ministries that function more like “special forces” with a call to reach cities. It may not be a pure New Testament model, but until local churches stop being inwardly focused and effectively reach their cities, God will continue to call special forces out of its ranks.

This also explains why sometimes a smaller-sized church can have more cultural influence than a megachurch that compromises the gospel. Many megachurches are not ekklesias but are merely gathering places that have very limited influence in the heavenly and earthly realms.

Furthermore, this also explains why some churches experience more strategic-level spiritual warfare and others don’t; mere congregations have lower-level spiritual warfare than those that function as the ekklesias of communities.

The following are some of the contrasts between the two concepts: 

§ The ekklesia challenges the status quo; the congregation assembles to find peace in the midst of the cultural environment.

§ The ekklesia demands a commitment that involves the vocational calling of all its members to represent the kingdom in all of life; the congregation demands a commitment that involves Sunday ministry and church programs.

§ The ekklesia trains people for all of life; the congregation trains people for church life.

§ The ekklesia effects change in the surrounding community; the congregation only affects change in individual souls.

§ The ekklesia is at war against demonic entities in the heavenly spheres; the congregation is at war to have church growth and bring deliverance to some individual members.

§ The ekklesia sends out people to serve their communities; the congregation calls for their communities to attend their Sunday worship experiences.

§ The ekklesia is only satisfied with bringing the kingdom on earth; the congregation is satisfied if their members have joy in their hearts.

§ The ekklesia expands kingdom influence by converting people to be Christ-following disciples; the congregation appeals to the felt needs of people so they will continually depend on a 90 minute Sunday worship experience to feel good about themselves.

§ The ekklesia is outwardly focused on stewarding the earth; the congregation is focused on making it to heaven.

§ The ekklesia engages in Spirit-empowered humanitarianism; the congregation on Spirit-empowered pietism.

§ Those in an ekklesia know they have been sanctified to serve others; those in a congregation believe they are saved for the sake of sanctification.

§ The ekklesia embraces God’s sovereign human design for the saints since their physical birth (Ephesians 1:4); the congregation only honors what God has done in saints spiritually from the time they were “born again.”

§ The ekklesia preaches Jesus rose from the dead to “fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10); the congregation preaches Jesus rose from the dead merely to save individuals from hell.

§ The ekklesia believes in a divine cosmic plan that includes this present earth; the congregation believes in a (postponed) cosmic plan that (largely) excludes this present earth.

§ The ekklesia disciples whole nations (Matthew 28:19); the congregation disciples individual ethnic people groups.

§ The ekklesia has a vision for the whole community; the assembly for their whole congregation.

§ The ekklesia aspires to influence each of the seven cultural mountains of society; the congregation aspires to function only in the mountain of “religion.”

A Relevant Conference for Today’s Christian Woman Blogger and Writer

Relevant Conference co-founders Sarah Mae, Jessica Heights and Dana Adams

By Lisa Littlewood

For a Blogging and writing conference only two years young, The Relevant Conference, hosted at the Sheraton Hotel in Harrisburg, P.A. October 27th-29th, has made waves in a high energy, high intensity social media culture, as one of “the” conferences to attend for Christian women who are interested in writing and connecting through social media outlets. While this year’s gathering was only the second since its inception in October 2010, the event was completely sold out and carried a wait list of hundreds of women hoping to find tickets.
     Started last year by co-founders Sarah Mae, Jessica Heights and Dana Adams, the event has already attracted the attention and involvement of big name Christian sponsors such as Zondervan, Focus on the Family, Operation Christmas Child and (in)Courage Online (a division of DaySpring).
Mae, Heights and Adams met at a conference for “mom” bloggers in 2010. While they were inspired and encouraged by the event, the three women felt the need for a space in which Christian women interested in writing and blogging could come together. By the time they returned home, they were not just planning new blog posts, but an entirely new blogging conference (which they pulled off in just a few short months!).

     This year’s event boasted well known speakers such as New York Times acclaimed author Ann Voskamp (author of One Thousand Gifts) and Tsh Oxenreider, author of Organized Simplicity and founder of SimpleMom.Net a popular site with more than 35,000 followers. In addition to Voskamp and Oxenreider, attendees heard from a number of other women who have found a sphere of online influence through their own blogs (you can read more about the speakers here) and writing ventures.
Despite the surprise of heavy snow outside, threatening to deter flights and trips home (and offering quite a shock to women from places like California and Texas) the atmosphere was warm, energetic and enthusiastic.
      In the words of Cyndi Spivey, blogger, conference attender and pastor’s wife from Kentucky, “Snow in October. Uggh! Thankfully we were nice and toasty inside and I don’t think we missed a beat. In case you don’t know, The Relevant Conference, is a women’s conference for bloggers who have a heart for Jesus. Not all of them blog about Him specifically but we all have Him as our common thread. We eat lots of chocolate and drink lots of coffee…...heaven!”
     And, in the words of the conference organizers, “Relevant is the proverbial comfy chair in which we meet, tell, listen, and love deeply for a weekend as our souls are refreshed and our mission renewed.

October Snow in Harrisburg, PA ( photo taken by Cindy Spivey)

     Our goal at Relevant is to minister to the woman, the blogger, the story teller. We want to love you well, encourage you, and spur you on; we desire to see your soul refreshed among kindred spirits.”
The organizers of Relevant are incredibly encouraged by the way the conference has transpired. “It’s been a wild ride,” said Mae.
      They are already beginning planning for next year’s event which they hope to host in a larger venue and be able to offer more tickets (only 200 were available this year), while still keeping to their desires to create an encouraging and intimate space.
     For more information check out their website at www.therelevantconference.com.

Lisa Littlewood is a local freelance writer and mother to two energetic girls. She blogs about her adventures in writing and motherhood at www.littlewritermomma.com

The Growth of the Church

Here is a look at the growth of the American Mega-Church produced by Column Five Media with GOOD

Buffalo United Rise Event Attracts 17 Churches

Corey Coogan from Elmwood Drive led worship at Buffalo United's Rise Event Friday Night

The group of worshippers behind Buffalo United and their first annual event "Rise" held Friday November 11 at Resurrection Life Church in Cheektowaga attracted an estimated 17 churches and over 200 people, another sign of collaboration and unity within evangelical churches in Western New York. Led by organizer and drummer Matt Crouch with Corey Coogan from the band Elmwood Drive leading the hour and a half of worship, the event attracted a diverse age group of attendees including many youth. Kyle Patterson, UNITE Magazine Editor spoke at the event encouraging attendees to pour out their lives before the Lord referencing the life of Mary of Bethany who poured out her time at Jesus' feet and broke her expensive bottle of perfume anointing the Lord for burial. Patterson stated, "I can't think of a better way for the Church in WNY to unite than through prayer and worship, like what is happening here tonight."

Bills Night Out Photos Posted

UNITE contributing photographer Troy Teague captured the moment Friday night at The Buffalo Christian Center. See the full album and like our page here.

600 Strings in Unison

Father Bill Quinlivan and Blessed Sacrement Church are hosting 600 Strings Friday November 11

"It's really like pick-up baseball in the neighborhood playground! Whomever comes can play and sing," explained Father Bill Quinlivan of Blessed Sacrement Church in Tonawanda about his annual event 600 Strings happening tonight. "Pastor Mike Failla (who coordinates the Kingdom Bound Worship Tent) co-hosts this with me. Last time we had about 8 electric guitarists, many of them young/teens. The youth started playing half an hour before we began and then kept strumming for about half an hour after we finished," continued Quinlivan. The event is scheduled to last about 2 hours and includes a song list with songs THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS,  OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART and THE HEART OF WORSHIP and others.

The event is open to any Christian musician with a heart to play in unity and all believers with a heart to worship. The hope is all denominations of the Christian faith will attend bringing a sacrifice of praise before the Lord and an opportunity for Christian unity. The group will also be singing the BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC with a guitar beat in honor of Veteran's Day....and a mix of other songs, some older some new. The event is hoping to attract 100 musicians to come out and worship. The group will meet for a brief rehearsal at 6:30 and go live at 7. All are welcome.

Bills Night Out Tonight

Chris Kelsay will be one of the Buffalo Bills interviewed tonight at Buffalo Bills Night Out

Ten Buffalo Bills players and seven of their wives will join Athletes in Action and The Buffalo Christian Center tonight from 7-9PM as Bills players including Chris Kelsay, Jarius Byrd, Scott Chandler, Andra Davis and others share personal testimony. The players will be interviewed and asked to share about their faith walk and maintaining integrity on and off the field. A now annual event in Buffalo and a popular event for kids, the Christian Center located on Pearl Street in downtown Buffalo is once again the host.

The players will share from their hearts what their walk of faith looks like and inspire attendees to follow Christ. Players will be signing autographs after the event and door prizes will be raffled off.

Buffalo Christian Center Director Jim Swearington reported that they have given out over 1000 tickets and usually have many salvations at the event. The players are interviewed for an hour followed by autographed and meet and greet. They will be giving out autographed books with the players favorite verse on the books to the kids.

Door prizes for tonight's event include tickets to the Tennessee Titans game, autographed footballs and more. Doors open at 6:30. Athletes in Action in Buffalo is led by Fred and Kathy Raines who serve as Chaplains with the Buffalo Bills and host weekly Bible study with Bills players mentoring and discipling them in the Lord.

Buffalo United Announces "Rise"

A multi-denominational event geared towards the success of the Church in the Buffalo/WNY area is hosting their first annual event this Friday- 11/11/11 at Resurrection Life Church located at 2145 Old Union Rd. in Cheektowaga. The event is for Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, AG, Church of God, non-denominations, Calvinists, Arminians and all Christ-believing churches to worship, pray and minister together as a unified body of Christ. Founded by Buffalo native Matt Crouch, Buffalo United is made up of a diverse group of believers who have been planning "Rise" for over a year including a time of worship at the event with Corey Coogan of Elmwood Drive & a multi-denominational Buffalo United worship team, and a message from the Word of God.
     Buffalo United invited close to 200 churches to be a part of the event meant to bring together the Body of Christ and spread unity through the region. Crouch explained, "We invited about 188 churches so far and have gotten a pretty positive response for it being our first year. Again, the mission is to see the Church of buffalo praying, worshiping and ministering together regardless of our theological differences, to take in part of what Jesus prayed in John chapter 17."
     Their website goes further stating, "Just as Jesus prayed in John chapter 17, we want to see the Church (His bride) of the WNY area united together regardless of our diverse theological or denominational beliefs.
     Worshiping together, praying together and ministering together… as ONE Unified Body of Christ. “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” -Micah 7:8 Rise is the first of many themes for the Buffalo United. We will focus on unity and rise up against the challenges we face in our region."
     The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6, the event starts at 7 and lasts until 9.  More information or contact details for the ministry can be found at www.buffalo-united.com

Standing United for Israel

Christians and Jews may not agree on all aspects of faith but for at least one night they put aside their differences as a diverse collection of Christian churches, ministries and members of the Jewish community came together Sunday night for Buffalo Celebrates Israel!-- an annual event and time of honor, celebration and offering of love to the Jewish Community of Western New York. This year's event, the 2nd annual, was hosted at Zion Dominion Global Ministries in Amherst. Eagles' Wings and Executive Director Robert Stearns spearheaded the effort that brought together over 25 churches, ministries and Christian media ministries to show love and support for the faith's roots--Israel and the Jewish community. The event was hosted by Pastor Roderick Hennings of Zion Dominion Global Ministries and entertained numerous significant leaders from the Christian community, Jewish community and political leaders including The Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo and Executive Director Michael D. Wise, Congressman Brian Higgins, Council for Public Affairs at Consulate General of Israel in New York Gil Lainer, Rabbi Perry Netter of Temple Beth Tzedek in Amherst and Christian leaders including Pastor Tommy Reid, Jerry Gillis and Pat Jones--pastors of significant Christian congregations in Western New York.
     The event, mostly celebratory with song, dance and drama also addressed some of the growing concerns for both the Jewish and Christian community including the growing threat of terrorism, Islam, Iran and secular humanism. Consul Gil Lainer reminded the gathering of nearly 2,000 that Israel is the only nation in the Middle East that shares democratic values with the United States. Robert Stearns, who stunned the gathering with his solo of Israel's national anthem--Hatikv stated, "We are here on purpose and by divine appointment." Stearns stated three reasons why Christians need to stand in support of Israel, 1) Gratitude for our common faith roots 2) Repentant for past sins against the Jewish race 3) Similar rising threats against our faiths. Stearns also called upon Congressman Brian Higgins to take the message back to Washington. Brian Higgins (D-NY) commented on Israel's contribution to the world economy through various exports and technological innovations and contributions to the world, stating that, "We must stand for Israel," and "A better way of life can't be accomplished through terrorism." Michael D. Price, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo commented, "Israel is about shared values between the United States and Israel. This is not a republican or democratic issue."
     A special love offering was also taken raising over $10,000 for the poor in Israel. Stearns reminded attendees that this really isn't a one night a year event, but what he calls an "ongoing awakening" of love for the Jewish people, something attendees of the event hope will continue. For more information on other pro-Israel events visit www.eagleswings.to

Doing Business God’s Way

 “Unless the Lord builds the house, [and your business], its builders

labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

By Ryan Loos

Conventional wisdom will tell you there is a specific formula to establishing a solid, successful business. For those of us in Christ, we know that the Lord works mostly in “unconventional” ways; therefore it is necessary that we first acknowledge and seek wisdom from the Author of Life, Himself, before we pursue any type of business or ministry endeavor: “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

     When we humbly submit ourselves and our plans to the Lord, not only are we seeking God’s blessing, but we are confessing that we cannot accomplish the task without His Counsel.

     If you are unsure as to whether or not the Lord is leading you to start your own business, consider the following:

1. Have you prayed about it?

2. Do you have the support of your immediate family?

3. Does your business relate to the Spiritual Gifts the Lord has given you?

4. Have other people confirmed your gifting?

5. Have you researched the current market in your area for your type of business?

Do you have the financial resources necessary to start your business without going into debt?

     If you answered ‘no’ to any of the preceding questions, then I urge you to wait on the Lord and continue praying for His wisdom and direction. For eight years, I waited, (though with much frustration), for the Lord to direct my path. In the end, God’s timing was perfect and He used those years of waiting to prepare me for the journey ahead.

     Once you are certain that God has called you to a particular business endeavor, it is critical that you and, depending on your situation, your spouse and/or business partner(s) establish and record your vision, mission statement and short and long-term goals. You know you have God’s blessing to begin, now make certain that the foundation of your business is built on His biblical principles. Business, as most of you know, has its own ebb and flow, but when our faith in Christ is constant, our emotions and decision making skills are not affected by numbers, but rather on the will of God, with confidence in His timely counsel and provision.

     We all know the phrase: “Slow and steady win the race.” Often times we are quick to respond to any positive response from clientele and expand our staff and resources beyond our capability. As I work through a company’s  business plan, I try to help them see areas that quickly need to be chaffed before the company burns.

     Initially, it is important to “test the waters” before committing yourself completely. 

When we started RKL Financial, I continued to work full time and rented office space from local churches before I was able to build up enough clientele to quite my job and rent our own office space.

     As your business grows and you begin to see God working through your company, you will receive the blessing of what your have sown. Knowing that you have made a difference in the life of someone else, for the Kingdom…there is no greater reward!

     When money or time invested causes you to compromise your faith, integrity and/or time with your family, that is a sure sign to redirect back to The Word of God. Remember King Solomon’s revelation from the Lord: “ Meaningless! Meaningless!...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:2a, 2:10-11.

     No matter what your occupation or business, God has a purpose for you. Not only to carry out your duties with excellence unto the Lord, but also to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. If we compromise our faith; if we do not uphold to the biblical standards we preach, and if we do not openly operate under the Name of Jesus, then everything we do is in vain- a chasing after the wind.

     What God has called you to do, do it with all your might for the Glory of God our Father. He will bless you and while your business may not “succeed” as the world measures, your reward awaits you in heaven. 

Ryan Loos is founder of RKL Financial. RKL Financial provides personalized business coaching, career coaching and financial coaching. We also offer accounting services, tax preparation services and seminars. All of the services that RKL Financial offers are based on time-tested financial principles, with an emphasis on budgeting, cash flow management, tax planning, and debt reduction. We are endorsed and certified for our financial coaching & counseling by nationally recognized financial guru Dave Ramsey.

Live Like a King and a Priest

By Pastor Stephen Andzel

A lot of times people get caught up with labels. “Oh I’m a Republican.” “I’m a Democrat.” “I’m a socialist.” “I’m a capitalist.” Do you know what I tell people when they ask me? I tell them I’m a Christian. In God’s kingdom, Jesus said we’re kings and priests. This means we have to stop thinking like the world, always trying to solve our problems by figuring things out, arguing our point of view and passing the blame.  Washington is broke, busted, and out of ideas. The only thing you ever hear about on the news is who is at fault; nobody seems to be providing real  answers.  God hasn’t called believers to think our way out of problems, He’s called us to believe.  He has made us a nation of kings and priests (Revelation 1:6).  As kings and priests, we are not subject to the circumstances holding this world back. We have been given power to reign in this life and establish God’s kingdom on the earth.

     God created Adam with dominion. He spoke; Adam obeyed; things got done. When Adam sinned he gave up his dominion and death reigned. The devil became the god of this world and set up a system governed by natural law (2 Corinthians 4:4). If you stay subject to the devil’s kingdom, then he’ll use you, abuse you, destroy you and when he’s done with you, drag you to hell. But if you change your mind and choose to believe in Jesus and receive His free gift of righteousness, He’ll make you a king in His kingdom (Romans 5:17). The choice seems pretty clear to me; I know which kingdom I want to be a part of.

     Just because it doesn’t look like you are reigning as a king, doesn’t mean you’re not one. If you’re in Christ, then you’re in the King.  You can’t be anything but a king in the King!  The Bible calls us “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means Christ’s inheritance is our inheritance and we have access to the same power given to Him by God and we reign together with Him in His kingdom.  Being a king doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.  Kings and priests have duties and responsibilities.  If you’re not doing what you’re supposed to, you’re not going to see the results kings see.  You can’t behave like an unbeliever and get kingdom results.  God won’t respond to you if you’re operating in the Babylonian system; He will only respond when you operate in His kingdom.  Just like in the Old Testament, if a king or priest failed to do his duties, not only did he suffer, but the entire nation suffered.  If you fail to carry out the purposes God has created you for, not only will you suffer, the church will suffer.  Your duties as a king and priest are to use the gifts, talents and anointing God has given you to build up His kingdom.  They are not given to us to serve the world, but to serve one another.  God’s kingdom is always about serving others, not ourselves.  In the world, it’s all about survival and self-preservation.  This mentality causes people to be hoarders, afraid of losing what they have. “Will I lose my job? Will I lose my house? How will I feed my family?"

     Our nation is in a downward spiral without any end in sight because our leaders have been trying to think their way to a solution.  The world’s system will always fail because the problems are too great for our minds to solve.  God never intended man to think his way through life. As believers we are called to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).  We have to   renew our minds.  When we get out of the “thinking realm” and move over into the “faith realm” God’s supernatural power can go to work and solve the problems we could never figure out.  This is thinking like a king and priest in God’s kingdom. 

     Washington can’t figure out how to solve its money problems. Their only solution to the debt crisis is to throw more of your money at it and go deeper into debt.  This kind of thinking just doesn’t work.  Heaven isn’t broke. God’s economy always has a surplus and is ever-increasing.  God’s system is based on sowing seed.  Sow a seed, and have faith that God will meet your need.  Simple. No supercomputers are needed to solve complicated financial equations like in the world’s system.  Hear God’s word and do it and you’ll start living like a king and priest.

Stephen J. Andzel is the Founder and Pastor of New Creation Fellowship of Buffalo, New York. Pastor Andzel was born in New York on the West Side of Buffalo. He served as a Gunner in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and in 1968 was honorably discharged. He accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior and was filled with the Holy Ghost in 1972. He then attended a local Bible college and served as an associate minister.
     Pastor Andzel was ordained by the late Dr. Lester Sumrall, and recently by Bishop Keith Butler of Word of Faith International Christian Center, Southfield MI. He currently belongs to Bishop Butler's Ministerial Association. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the ministry of Dr. Jerry Savelle. He is a member of the International Convention of Faith Ministries, Inc., as well as partners with Dr. Creflo Dollar and Reverend Kenneth Copeland.

COMMUNITY: Creating a Comm-unity of Prayer and Worship

By Chris Hoisington

A few months ago I was able to connect with Zenzo Matoga. He is the director of Boston night of Worship. BNOW is an annual night of prayer and song that takes place inside Boston College’s basketball arena. Many folks attend this event well into the thousands. He shared with me how the whole thing got started, and how God used him to make this event a reality. Zenzo and I were connecting because I too have a desire to go into other cities, to serve and inspire the people living there.
     I shared with Zenzo different stories of how I and many of my friends have seen lives changed right here on the streets of Buffalo. I told him that I want to go to other places like Boston, and spend not just one but multiple nights reaching there city as well. Working alongside their churches to do prayer walks and outreach projects. He was open to the idea and shared how BNOW is trying to become more than just nights of prayer and song. They want to take the event ‘to the streets ‘this year, so to speak. It was a perfectly fitted conversation and we inspired each other.
     One thing Zenzo said that got me thinking was when he shared that during BNOW over 100 worship leaders gather on one stage to sing and pray. He spoke of the unity that is taking place in Boston, and it got me thinking about Buffalo. I would love for something similar to take place in our hometown. If you have spent time in downtown Buffalo one thing you realize is that the area is not so much dead as it is disappointed, we are not the city we hoped to become. When you walk the streets it tends to feel lonely and empty, almost like a ghost town haunted by the ghosts of the past. I feel like God is going to use this weak city to lead the strong, this forgotten city that time has left behind. I know a lot of pastors in our area are coming together to partnership, but what about the worshippers of song and prayer? When will we start living the songs and prayers we are singing and writing together?
     My prayer is not for more events calling unity to happen, as much as to start living that community of worship that we sing and talk so much about. I pray for a time when all of us will pray and seek God together, to find out how He would use us to do a unique work in our city. I’m not speaking anything new but a word that echoes in every worshippers head and heart all over WNY. It’s time worshippers for us to re-member one another in our hearts and minds. It’s time for us to use our gifts of song and prayer together as one. To hopefully fix, with God’s help the dis-membered community of worshippers in our hometown. We all are one membership in Christ! Let’s do as N.T. Wright says, “Invite listeners into a new world, and encourage them to see there ordinary world from now on through this lens.” People often ask me why I don’t move to Nashville to further my musical career. Friends who know me well hear my reply…because God is starting a new thing in Buffalo and I want to be part of it! I’m holding out for what I hear whispered to me every time I lead worship in downtown Buffalo and other parts of Western New York. I feel like that whisper is the Holy Spirit telling me to hold on and be strong! I hear “Start becoming the answer to your prayers and call the worshippers together, that I may strengthen the song in all your hearts and that I may use you as one voice to wash away the brokenness of this city.”
     Stay tuned for worship comm-unity part 2 to find out how we as worshippers of prayer and song can come together in the days ahead.

Chris Hoisington serves as worship leader for Brothers McClurg (formerly Relevant Worship) and is also involved in ministry at local churches including Lafayette Presbyterian Church in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village.

Buffalo Celebrates Israel: November 6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Christians from churches across Western New York will come together for Buffalo Celebrates Israel!, a powerful night of solidarity with the Jewish people, and a wonderful celebration of the nation of Israel.

U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Brian Higgins will be a special guest at this celebration hosted by Pastor Roderick Hennings at Zion Dominion Global Ministries, 895 North Forest Road, Amherst, NY 14221.

Israel is facing many challenges in the world right now, and as a community of faith in the Greater Buffalo region churches and leaders will join together on November 6 at 6:00 pm to declare our love and support for Israel and the Jewish People.

In this moment in Israel’s history, this opportunity allows you to add your voice to those of others in this region expressing our love and support for Israel and the Jewish people.

Promised to be an exciting night, with many leaders and members of the Jewish Community present as special guests, all are invited to attend, no admission fee charged. Speakers and guests will include representatives from Israel, as well as civic leaders from the region. The evening is free and open to the public, and a special offering will be taken for Israel.

Make sure your church is participating! For more information call 716-759-1058.

Date: Sunday, November 6, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm (Doors will open at 5:00 pm)
Location: Zion Dominion Global Ministries, 895 North Forest Road, Amherst, NY 14221

Michael Derrick: Saving Wild Horses

Michael Derrick isn’t your typical 38 year old. The fact is he is doing what some would only dream of. As a restaurateur and owner of Tim Horton’s franchises, Michael and his wife Jennifer could have sat back and enjoyed the success of their business, but God had other plans. In the height of their success, God began pulling at Michael’s heart to do work for a Kingdom purpose.
At the pinnacle of worldly success, Michael knew there was more. After receiving the call to ministry in 2005 and seeking God’s direction, God began to resurrect the love Michael had since he was a boy—horses. Michael had grown up loving and caring for horses since the age of five and an opportunity presented itself to adopt troubled wild mustangs. This opportunity coupled together with his faith and desire to reach out led Michael to establish a growing ministry in 2006 that simultaneously accomplishes two purposes—reaches young people for Christ and rescues wild mustangs from the ravages of death. The ministry, based out of West Falls (just south of Orchard Park), titled Saving Wild Horses Through Grace Ministries has enabled him to reach and lead many people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When God says he uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, Saving Wild Horses embodies that truth. Michael explains, “God made horses to be relational creatures. God uses horses within our ministry to build relationship with the youth and adults we work with. This gives opportunity for us to have an open door to share the message of the Gospel with these broken souls.”
After all, explaining how God uses wild horses to reveal His character is somewhat out of the ordinary. Yet, Michael’s experience confirms what the Bible teaches— God can and will use anything to accomplish His purposes, including animals. The ministry’s work with troubled teens, inner city youth and various outreaches have led hundreds of people to Christ while at the same time restoring beautiful mustangs to usefulness as trained riding horses. The ministry reveals how God uses our passions, gifting and past to be used for his glory while also showing what obedience can and will do.
As is usually the case, the call of God is not without sacrifice. To accommodate the vision of building a first class horse ranch with proper facilities and land, Michael was led to sell his 5,000 square foot Executive Estate and downsized considerably in order to devote more time to the ministry. The other demand is caring for the nearly 20 horses within the ministry’s care. As more people get involved, the ministry is able to reach more children for Christ and save more horses, a combination

that attracts visitors to the ministry’s headquarters each year for their annual fall outreach, summer Riding Into Revival and numerous other events the ministry hosts. The annual harvest event and outreach draws hundreds of visitors to attractions like wagon rides, kid’s games and a clear presentation of the gospel through music, drama and clown ministry. The ministry depends on individual and corporate donors who believe in the vision of restoration as well as individuals who want to “adopt” a horse or sponsor a child, helping to underwrite the increasing costs of caring for horses and conducting effective outreach events, provided free by the ministry. Additionally opportunities are available for horse sponsorships to those who may want to own one of the horses yet may not have the space or facilities to keep the horse on their own property. In the end, through it all, it is the ministry’s desire to serve as many and reach as many people for Christ as possible while serving the community.