X Factors from the book of Acts

We are on a Journey to the End of the Earth as we plant Pointway Church in Brainerd/Baxter, MN. This Saturday I will begin Leadership Training with our Launch Team. One of the things that we will be doing as a part of this is studying the book of Acts.

In August I attended the Christian and Missionary Alliances sXt (strategic multiplication training). While there we looked at the key biblical multiplication factors that lead to the explosion of the Christian Church.

As we work through them as a Launch Team I will share them with you for your edification. One conviction that I hold very deeply is that the contemporary Christian church needs to rediscover its identity. The book of Acts is the best church planting manual I know of and understanding what the Christian church was in the very beginning is the first step in rediscovering who we truly are as followers of the risen and exalted LORD Jesus Christ.

Key Biblical X Factors

(X equals Multiplication)

“And the LORD added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

1. Wait for the Holy Spirit’s Power

2. Trust God to Provide

3. Anticipate Victories Emerging from God’s Control

4. Expect and Discern Divine Appointments

5. Observe and Join what God is Doing

6. Stand Strong Even in the Face of Opposition

7. Praise First In and Out of Adversity

8. Build Bridges to the People

9. Empower and Release Your Best People

10. Relentlessly Focus on Bringing People to Christ and His Kingdom

The first four behaviors (wait, trust, anticipate, discern) are consistently found in multipliers. These four behaviors are all about becoming aligned for God to do His work.

Behaviors five through seven (observe and join, stand strong, praise first) begin the transition into horizontal activity while maintaining a clear eye on God.

The final three behaviors (build bridges, empower and release, relentlessly focus) are deliberate, focused activities resulting in fulfilling God’s purpose and Commission to be His multipliers all over the world.

Take a look at StAn!!!

Take a look at StAn Again!!!

Lion Hunting

Trevor Tobin = Jeremiah Lamphier?

On Monday February 4, 2008 Trevor Tobin will begin a Businessperson's Prayer Gathering in his office in Brainerd/Baxter, MN. Will Edgewood Drive become the next Fulton Street? Will Trevor Tobin become the next Jeremiah Lamphier?

In 1857 New York City was rocked by Revival. Jeremiah Lamphier, a businessman, was appointed by the Dutch Reformed Church as a missionary to the central business district. He organized a weekly prayer meeting in the city.

As the first meeting began Lamphier prayed alone. A half hour passed and five other men joined him. The next week 20 men joined him. The next week it was 40 and they moved to a daily prayer meeting.

Within six months 10,000 people were gathering to pray in over 15o prayer meetings. This prayer meeting is pointed to as the beginning of the Second Great Awakening where it is reported that one million people came to saving faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

Can it happen again?

Let's find out!!!

Read more about Jeremiah Lamphier HERE.

Storming the Gates of Hell

I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
~Matthew 16:18

The LORD Jesus Christ is building Pointway Church and the gates of hell are being stormed by the army of Kingdom Warriors the King is raising up. I continue to be in awe of the way the LORD is working in our midst. I am absolutely astounded by his grace and his glory.

We are feeling the hot breath of the roaring lion who prowls around looking for someone to devour. We do not fear traveling in lion country because we wear the full armor of the Living God.

It is pure joy to walk on this battlefield as a warrior of the Kingdom of God. I can not think of one other thing that I would rather do with my life than to live in this place, at this time engaging the enemy and bringing the gospel to the walking dead.

May God be glorified in this work and may his name be feared by all.

Soli Deo Gloria

StAn Update

StAn is making his/her presence known.
He/She weighs in at: 0.25 ounces
and measures in at: 1.61 inches

Way to go StAn, keep up the good work!!!

We praise God for your life and we pray for you every day.
We can't wait to meet you!

This is Why I am a Church Planter!!!

This morning I was praying and asking God to give me an "open door" for the gospel. I pray this prayer almost every day and the LORD is good to grant me my request. This morning I also asked the LORD to let me see his salvation come upon someone.

Tonight our community group met and one of our flock, who has been a Christian for only a few months, brought two new friends to the group. He soon got a call from a friend whose car had broken down and was asking for a ride. So he and one of his friends went to help the friend and they left Charlie all alone with us.

We could tell he was a little uncomfortable and we tried to put him at ease. He was eager to be there and we proceeded with our time in the word. Knowing that Charlie was not a follower of Christ we changed our regular format and read our passage and I asked if anyone had any questions about the passage.

Someone asked why Jesus had to suffer and that opened up an opportunity to talk straight forwardly about the gospel. We challenged Charlie with regard to his sin and asked him if he would like to receive the forgiveness that is found in Jesus Christ alone. The Spirit of God was moving powerfully among us and Charlie indicated that he wanted to repent of his sins and commit his life to following Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!!! The angels are rejoicing in heaven!

Please pray for Charlie. Pray that the LORD would give him new life and that the Holy Spirit would take up residence in his soul.

Praise the LORD! This is Why I am a Church Planter!!!

Mr. Cool

Introducing Ramsey

My brother and sister-in-law just adopted this sweet little boy from Ethiopia. His name is Ramsey and he is a great blessing to our family. We praise God for him and pray that the LORD will set him apart as a warrior for the Kingdom of God!

If the Shirt Fits...

Asher does indeed do all his own stunts, and he likes to talk to his Nana on the phone.

Asher's Adventures

Chuck Norris says, "buy these jeans or else"

These are a must have Bryan!!!

Resolved:

It is that time of year when you look back on the past and look forward to the future. It is a time to reflect back and dream forward. Many resolutions will be made and most will probably be broken before the first month of the year is over.

Real and enduring life transforming resolutions cannot be kept in the power of the flesh. They may only be kept as we abide in Jesus Christ, the true giver and sustainer of life.

Jonathan Edwards is well-known for his Resolutions. He knew that he could not keep his resolutions in his own power. He wrote,

"BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE."

In the wisdom of Jonathan Edwards and the power of the Holy Spirit I resolve to feed my appetite for God alone. May all other my other appetites fall in submission to my hunger for intimacy with the Almighty.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." ~ Matthew 5:6

Deliver Us