Impacting Our World
By Gordon Mallory
After reading a documentary about Wal-Mart a few weeks ago, I found something very interesting about its founder, Sam Walton. He had one vision, one goal, and that was to capture the consumer market of America. He opened his first Wal-Mart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. By 1967, he had twenty-four stores in Arkansas. The sales that year reached $12.6 million dollars. By 2005 sales had reached $312 billion dollars with 3,200 stores in America, and just as many around the world.
Sam’s vision did not just happen. He had a plan. It took hard work, team effort, and long hours, but just look at the results. Nearly everyone reading this article has shopped at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s vision has now changed. They now want to capture the consumer market of the world.
God also has a vision. God intends for His church to grow, and He has a plan. He has a strategy for church growth: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, 10, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19).
What do you suppose filtered into the minds of the disciples as they tarried together in Jerusalem for those few days following the Lord’s ascension? Do you think they discussed the commission? Do you think Peter or John might have begun to wonder how they were to set about carrying it out?
Jesus had it all planned, and the beginning of His strategy was spectacu1ar: He filled them with the Holy Ghost and endued them with power from on high to be witnesses of His saving name throughout the entire world.
In 1982 the Home Missions Division published a book entitled, Lets Have Revival. One of the writers said that during Jesus’ time there were 250 million people in the world. Historians say that at the end of the apostolic age the early church had approximately 30,000,000 believers, or 12 percent of the world’s population. Other historians estimate that in the city of Jerusalem, five years after the Day of Pentecost, that 100,000 people, in that city of 250,000, were baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit. Could we believe God for a proportionate revival in 2008? This may sound like foolishness to some, but the apostolic message, accompanied by apostolic power, makes it absolutely possible! A tithe of your city, province or state, and country is a reachable goal. If the early church did it, so can we!
How did it happen back then? They devoted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine, and to fellowship, and to breaking of bread, and to prayer. Here is the inside look at the genesis of Christian fellowship. Here is the foundation of Christian discipleship. Here is the original design. It all comes down to unity and cooperation. When we are unified, we will fulfill the great commission … together!
Disunity produces weakness and vulnerability to the enemy. Satan’s subtle objective is to divide and conquer. The secret of power is no secret; it is simply joining with singleness of thought, purpose, objective, goals and ambitions, and working together. Never doubt that a small group of unified, thoughtful, and committed people can change the world. There is great wisdom in unity. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. Even when wild geese are flying in the right formation, the lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of any bird flying alone.
Consider the snowflakes. They are one of nature’s most fragile things. But look what they can do when they stick together. You cannot even feel one small snowflake. It does not weigh anything. Yet together, they will break tree branches, stop traffic, and even stop a locomotive. Which flake did it? It was the combination of thousands of snowflakes sticking together. And yet we are told there are no two snowflakes alike.
Often we have to work through misunderstandings and differences because of individual personalities. However, there is strength in diversity, not in disunity. Diversity without unity is like having eggs, flour, shortening, and sugar on a plate and calling it a cake. All the ingredients for a cake are present, but until they are properly blended and baked, you do not have a cake. When we accept the differences in others, our diversity creates unity. The ability to work together under pressure determines the strength of a relationship. Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success.
We approach our finest hour prayerfully, loving the truth, loving one another in true harmony as we, the “watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion” (Isaiah 5:28).
We will impact our world … together.
Our Destiny
By Bruce A. Howell
The terms “foreign missions” and “global impact” are two peas in a pod. Excuse the aged cliche, but the phrases were meant for each other and are inseparable. I consulted Google and asked, “What is the world population today?” Immediately, I was met with a string of results. By the time I was able to jot down 6,759,239,322, the number kept increasing. Last year overseas, 110,278 received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and 91,671 were baptized in the saving name of Jesus Christ. Before you break into praise and a dance, let me remind you that this is merely a drop in the bucket when compared to those who are dying lost each day.
The theme of our General Conference Foreign Missions service was “More:’ We need more men and women, with more passion and vision, to reach more of the world. Brother Haney and the Global Impact coordinator, Jack Cunningham, unveiled a bold new effort with Global Impact. It is truly the decade to double in every way.
What can be expected from this union between Foreign Missions and Global Impact? Now, it is time for us to put our money where our mouth is. Our actions must speak louder than our words. This is why I announce that the entire Foreign Missions Division-in six regions in 177 nations with 23, 298 churches and preaching points, with 19,214 preachers, and 1,684,813 constituents-joins hands with the North American church on the quest for Global Impact. We are behind you!
I have already informed our overseas constituency of the Global Impact vision, have discussed it with our administrative staff, and have set faith-based goals. Just imagine, during January and February 2008, people from almost every tribe, nation, and tongue will be lifting their voices, hearts, and prayers during thirty days of focused prayer and fasting.
We project doubling the number of those who are baptized in Jesus’ name and who receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We envision doubling our churches, number of ministers, and finances. We need more men and women for the mission. Therefore, we are storming heaven, asking the Lord of the harvest to double our missionary force. Paper preachers-the printed page-will also be doubled.
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. We have tracked our growth. over the past three years and we are ahead of our goals. This means we will double our constituency in less than ten years. We are stepping through every open door to ensure all countries are reached within seven years.
We cannot do it alone. By pitching in together multiplied thousands will be reached. Brothers and sisters across the globe, joining hands and forces, will accomplish the task with the help of our mighty God. We can take the whole gospel to the whole world, by the whole church. It is our destiny!
The Evangelist and Global Impact
By Greg Godwin
”And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
It is with anticipation and excitement that the evangelists of the United Pentecostal Church International embrace the global vision of our general superintendent, Kenneth Haney, and the General Board. More than 6.5 billion people in our world deserve a church that is focused on saving their souls.
The God-called evangelists, as they move from one church to another, will bring with them great desire, passion, and vision equal to the tremendous potential of the upcoming revival. They will come with apostolic authority, pastoral covering, and the anointing of the Spirit. Deplorable habits, evil spirits, and abominable sins will be eradicated, and multitudes will receive the Holy Ghost and be baptized in Jesus’ name. In addition, there is no doubt that God will provide financial miracles to ensure that revival is a success.
Ephesians 4:13 reveals the powerful position and giftedness of the evangelist which will impact the globe. The evangelist is a vital part of the five-fold ministry which is called of God to work in tandem with other ministries to cultivate the church and bring maturity. For Global Impact to function with optimum effectiveness, this gifted ministry must be utilized in harmony with all other ministries. We must be submitted one to another as well as work together with the local pastor. The devil cannot stop a submitted ministry!
Even in the Old Testament we see the cooperation of the various ministries God placed in Israel. There is a story of three kings who found themselves in a desert place expecting water but finding none. They responded to this dilemma by calling for the prophet Elisha. Before the prophet prophesied, he called for a minstrel, who then began to play. As the minstrel played, Elisha began to prophesy. This is an example of the operation of the Spirit through a unified ministry.
The five-fold ministry can be understood as a hand. A hand is most effective when all five fingers are in operation and working together. In like manner, the ministry only operates in fullness if we are functioning and flowing with spiritual collaboration.
Reports of great revival are disseminating across the country. This is due, in large part, to anointed evangelists who are being used of God to literally impart the spirit of evangelism in the hearts of the saints. As this article is being written, I received a report that forty people have received the Holy Ghost in one day at one church. To God be the glory! I want to admonish every evangelist to become an integral part of Global Impact for the good of the kingdom of God.
