Kingdom Building Through Unity.

Kingdom Building Through Unity. 

John 17.20-23 Jesus Talked about unity, Churches talk about unity.
BUT...
The world sees the church and thinks - factions, fractured, confusion.

Have we got unity because we talk about it.?
Have we got unity because we believe in it?

The only way we can develop unity is to DO something about it.
I'm NOT talking about ECUNEMICALISM.
(everybody getting together and trying to agree)
They tried that with language ESPERANTO, it didn’t work.

There is something deeper, stronger, more binding than mere agreement, it is brotherhood. It's OK for you to worship different to me, practise your faith different to me, have a different view of end times to me, in fact most things are not mandatory that we do in our religion, but, there's the problem, religion - it divides, but Christ brings together. When I see you as my brother in Christ instead of my competitor or misinformed or a backslider or apostate, only then can we walk together in unity.

When we see and act together as brothers in Christ, only then do we have a chance at unity like Jesus prayed for.
"That they may be one as we are one."
What do you think ???
How well do you know your brother minister down the road?

How will you develop unity with other believers outside your church?
Let's develop a maturity for unity!!!

Jesus taught deep profound truths - Hidden mysteries of the kingdom that cannot be discovered with human intellect.
So human reasoning is not going to bring us unity.
There needs to be a spiritual connection.

Jesus refers to the church amongst other things as:-
A Field
A Building
A Body
These all signify one not many.
How many churches does Jesus have?

Jesus said "I will build my church..."
he did NOT say:-
I will start churchES across the world, or
He and a few others would build the church or
Apostles, churchplanters or whatever would build their church.

Lets be clear:-
It is His church, not ours (pastor, its not your church);
He will build it, your job is to preach the gospel & make disciples;
There is only one church, you are either in it or you're not (some might be surprised),
Jesus is coming back for HIS church, it will be one without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

So the question we should be asking ourselves is:-
Is what I am doing in line with what Jesus commanded me?
(Am I doing the job to prepare such a church?).
Food for thought!!! 

UNITY IS ACHIEVABLE if the desire and willingness is there.
Let me make it clear, I'm talking about Unity NOT Uniformity.

There is One God, One Lord Jesus Christ.
He is among the different churches but doing different things in each. There is beauty in diversity.
There are many local churches mentioned in the New Testament, they are all different.

As pastors and leaders we can easily get so concerned about our little flock (even if there are thousands in your church it is still little), that we forget the bigger picture that Jesus is looking at; millions around the world.

When we are self focussed we think about :-
• Protecting what WE have accumulated,
• What OUR ministry is doing,
• What outreaches OUR church is doing,
• How important WE look in the eyes of OUR people.

Friends, we don’t have any people.
Its HIS church not our church.

When we are Kingdom focused we:-
• Look at what Jesus is doing elsewhere & rejoice in it.
• Rejoice with other ministries & share with them; we are here for you, not us.
• Release people to have a ministry themselves separate from our local church because we don’t control them.
• If we have to control their every move we are of all people insecure and don’t know that Christ has made us free from law and placed us under grace.

When we are big enough to release people, God will grow us.
While we have to control people, we stay a small person.
Selah 

How to build unity

Know your local pastors.

• Get together to pray for each other and share ministry concerns.
• Pray for common issues in your area, city, nation.  
• Co-operate on some special events together.  

When a church can’t miss a service because:-

We won’t get the offering which we need for wages, building costs, loans, programs etc

We’ve missed the point of church.

We have organised unity OUT of the church by OUR commitments and OUR projects.

Is it possible that all this time we have not been preaching the same gospel as Jesus?

Matt 13.10-17  it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven

There are mysteries that the dull of hearing will not get.

Backbone of the religious church has been studying about the God of the Bible (Theology) –

an intellectual exercise in futility that cannot either personally know God or His kingdom.

Backbone of the relational church is intimately relating to God & hearing Him by His Spirit.

The purpose of meeting together in groups is not to learn about Him, -  but to know Him, experience intimate relationship.

The Church in this Kingdom age is returning to the reality of hearing and following the voice of God.

John 10.27  Hearing from God involves the Holy Spirit.

Jesus waited until the Holy Spirit came on Him before demonstrating the miracles of the kingdom, before bringing heaven to earth.

He taught us to pray like this:- "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...."

What will you DO to ensure that it is? 

BFTF Unity conferences southern Africa late 2018

Australian ministers/leaders interested in joining the BFTF team register here https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/1293265677401646/

African leaders, find out more, stay connected, network for unity, join over 3000 leaders concerned for the gospel in Africa, join Africa Network BFTF here http://bftfafricanetwork.ning.com/ 

Rev Dr Howard Sands is the International Director of Beautiful Feet Task Force, is available as a speaker for churches, outreaches, business & missions.

INTERESTED IN INVITING HOWARD SANDS 
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"There are only two things, God & Violet Crumble."

I heard an interesting statement in church today, 
"There are only two things, God & Violet Crumble."

Now that is not what Pastor Ian said, its what I heard. He said, "There's only God and nothing else matters."  My involvement in advertising for so many years took that slogan that Violet Crumble made famous "Nothing else matt...." and interpreted it in my brain to the Violet Crumble product in Ps Ian's statement, (maybe it had something to do with winning a Picnic bar in answering a question in one of Ps Ian's famous church quizzes). Therefore there is not just one thing, there is God and then if nothing else matters there is Violet Crumble.  Video ad

How our brain works is a fascinating thing, word / product / image association.
What is the image that comes to your mind when I say Africa.
Well that depends on what things to do with Africa have made an indelible impression on your mind, let me not put images into your mind of what it may be in your mind (we're all different), but allow me to share with you an image, impression and concern in mine when I hear of or think of Africa. (I have already done 6 missions trips to 4 African countries)

I think of thousands of ministers passionate for the gospel message of Jesus Christ that saves to the uttermost even the worst of sinners, I think of some difficult situations from rural villages  to major cities,  I think of humungous gatherings of people hungry for the gospel truth, I think of leaders crying out for help on how to teach their congregations that Jesus has already won their victory. For most, they know it but they don't know it. I mean they have heard it, they even give a mental assent to the truth of it but they themselves don't know how to live in it so how can they impart the revelation of truth of it to the congregations. They are hungry for revelation knowledge of the word that will sustain them.

On the other hand I also think of many churches where the pastors are almost worshiped, they adore adulation, sitting mightily on throne like chairs before their congregations and having their members do everything for them; gaining at least three titles is tantamount to dictatorial rule and as a consequence substantial financial gain, these doctrinally shallow leaders keep their people in the same shallowness so that their position in the pecking order is not disturbed, it just too good being adored and having everything materially conceivable even through many of their congregations are often struggling to put food in their children's mouths.

Whilst there are people in every country and from every walk of life that abuse privilege Jesus showed us a form of leadership not like the world, he demonstrated and taught servant leadership. Paul the apostle of Bible writings was first of all a persecutor of the church than an advocate of it. He received revelation of who we (the church) were in Christ, that other disciples who were disciples before him said, "some of Paul's teachings are hard to understand." Yes they are, for they are not to be understood with the soul/mind but with the spirit. Paul said these things are spiritually discerned.

My heart and passion is to help people become spiritually minded enough to receive the revelation of who they are in Christ, that they know how to live in it daily, that they don't need to be lording it over others but can in true humility help believers to have the confidence in Christ for every situation that He intended for us. When you mention Africa to me, the picture I see is of thousands of leaders receiving understanding of what Christ has done for them and how to both appropriate it themselves and release others into the freedom it brings for them.

To this end Beautiful Feet Task Force is again ministering in Africa the revelation of Jesus Christ to hundreds of pastors and leaders. I expect there will be all types there, some there for good intent and others for selfish. Some there who are healthy strong servant leaders and others who have not yet realised that releasing people into their destiny actually releases you into yours.

I'd like to take you on this journey with me, sadly for this trip you can only come in prayer, in giving and virtually, (we will be posting to facebook as much as possible during the trip - Follow here)

From 23 October 2015 Ps Howard will be heading to Bamende, Cameroon as one of many guest speakers of Dr Bernard Etta at the '40th Anniversary Global Convocation' along with guests from many parts of the world.

Then its on to Cape Town, South Africa for the jointly organised 'Kingdom Advancement Leadership Summit,' hundreds of leaders from Southern Africa particularly are expected to attend.

After this, BFTF with the Pheonix Ministers Fraternal are hosting 'Leading Without Limits' in Durban, South Africa.

During these programs and many local church functions Ps Howard will be (with others) helping many hundreds of leaders lift their revelation of who Christ is in them, what He has done for them and what He wants to do through them.

The church in Africa is growing much faster than the western church and yet the need for sound teaching and revelation of who we are in Christ has become greater than ever because of rampant poor, shallow and wrong teaching that has kept many bound in law and limited knowledge of the freedom found in Christ.

Will you help bring freedom to thousands through supporting hundreds of leaders across Africa with revelation knowledge.



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Another BFTF Living Water Well project

Another faith venture of Beautiful Feet Task Force 

draws close to completion. 

Well Progress at Gitugi, Kenya and Preparations for Opening Ceremony.
See the launch details here. 

The drilling rig has arrived on site and commenced drilling for water.
 


The report from Bishop Gerishon is that at 130m deep they have hit water but not of sufficient quality for drinking and will continue drilling, it is expected that they will probably have to drill up to 200m or more.

    

The arrival of the drilling rig creates quite stir in the Gitugi community. 

• The recommendations of the Hydrogeological report.  

8.0 Conclusions and recommendations:
The summarized conclusions and recommendations from the hydro geological investigations undertaken within Gitugi area are described in the following sections.

8.1 Localized Hydrogeology of Investigated Area

1. The area is situated in a zone with moderate groundwater potential: The study concludes that based on geological evidence, groundwater prospects for medium-scale abstractions are good.
2. The available data indicates that shallow water strikes often occur between 54 and 159metres, within the fractured Basalts.
3. The Targeted main deep aquifer in this study which is more productive is found at depths greater than 96 m within the fractured volcanic rocks.

Location of Gitugi BFTF Living Water Well 
   
View Larger Map

WHATS NEXT ?
Sending International Director of BFTF Ps Howard Sands and his wife Joy to inaugurate the well and conduct the Living Water Crusade at the site to share the life giving word of God with the 7000 locals of Gitugi township and also conduct ministers training and a Womens conference.

Already, Bishop Gerishon of Wings of Life Churches has been to the site and shared with the locals the profound impact this well is going to have on their community and the reason that BFTF  wants to invest in water wells in Kenya. 

  

Bishop Gerishon takes advantage of the moment to share the Gospel

BFTF believes that life giving water wells strategically located is likened to the gospel and changes lives; therefore water wells are placed on cooperating churches property where they can bring life giving water to many villagers where they would normally have to walk long distances to get clean water. This way the churches  (who charge a minimal amount for the water) are able to maintain and repair the well continually, rather than let them decay from disuse because no one has collected sufficient funds to maintain the well; as happens in many places with large charity projects. The church is seen as benefiting its community and then becomes a focal point for the community.

PLANS FOR JANUARY 2014

On 1 January it is expected to officially open the well and start a 3 day Living Water crusade in the area. 

BFTF has been conducting evangelistic crusades in developing nations for over 30 years and expects to bring many to make a decision for Christ, see them healed, delivered and set free. 

Water well costs, bank transfer fees and local costs have not yet been fully met and we are believing the balance of $2,000 Australian dollars will be realised before Christmas to conclude the well on time. 

Donations for water water wells do not cover travel and evangelistic costs and  BFTF is still looking for the remaining $5,200 to cover airfares, land costs, crusade and ministry costs. 

Two ways to contribute

direct deposit to 

Beautiful Feet Task Force
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB 062 614
Account number 0094 0442

PAYPAL OPTION

UPDATE 

To see the video on the trip to inspect the water well progress mentioned above, (Jan 2014), view our YouTube account here. 

The God of Provision

Thank God that He provides.
Today we have finalised the payment process and sent the money for the downpayment on the first BFTF Living Water Well for Kenya.

Through some difficulties of administration  earlier this year we have emerged with a new partner for the Living Water Well projects and are pleased to announce that the funds for the basic well to drill up to 110 metres at Gitugi, Muranga, Kenya have been received and sent. Over the next month or so we should be able to post some progress pictures.

We want to thank all those that have contributed, stood with us, believed in the ability to make a difference and been a part of this ministry and our lives. Today we begin a new chapter in changing lives for good in Kenya.

The village of Gitugi with a population of about 7000 has many needs, amongst them the need for fresh clean water. Let Bishop Gerishon tell the story of the need here in his own words.

Dear Pastor Howard,

I write to request you to consider digging a water well at our church in Gitugi, Muranga..

The Wings of Life Gospel Church International, Gitugi Branch is situated on Gitugi -Nyangiti, Road. It is in Muranga County, Gtugi Division. The population of this village is about 7,000 people translating to about 1330 families .

Kenya's people are, according to the United Nations, one of the most struggling populations in the world. With a population of approximately 36.6 million and an annual population growth of approximately 2.6%, the country's poverty index has also continued to steadily rise.

Water scarcity in Kenya has been an issue for decades, as only a small percentage of the country's land is optimal for agriculture, and the year-round climate is predominantly arid.

Water shortage in Gitugi,Muranga  means that a large population of women and children spend up to one-third of their day fetching water in the hot sun from the nearest fresh water source. This backbreaking work leaves roughly half of the  inhabitants vulnerable to serious dangers. In addition to exposure to the elements and risk of attack by predators, the primary water gatherers are also the most susceptible to water-borne diseases.

Water pathogens are a huge health problem here, as the people have been left unprotected against sporadic epidemics such as cholera and parasitic worms. The rate of exposure is extremely high because the water is not only contaminated at the basins and pumps where water is collected but the containers are almost always "found," second-hand objects, often previously used for oil, fertilizer or wastes.

Location of BFTF Living Water Well to be constructed on
Wings of Life Church at Gitugi ,Kenya

The land where the church stands wholly owned by Wings of Life Gospel Church International and has a freehold title deed. The property is solely use for church affairs.

This property is within a semi arid area where there is scarcity rainfall and getting clean water for human consumptions and for livestock is a tall order. Women and school going children walk for many miles to fact the rare commodity. The nearest clean water river is over 20km from this area Many families depend on harvested rain water which is do not last for long as many families can not afford to buy water tanks due to poverty levels. Women's, life in this area is defined by the burden of collecting water. For the old and the young, the sick and the healthy, it is a chore with no relief. Even when pregnant, women must trek over long distances in order to provide their families with water.

The strain of this arduous task has terrible health consequences for women. Often alone, some give birth on the journey to or from water points

It is women ’s duty to fetch water using their back even when pregnant

About 66 percent of Africa is arid or semi-arid dry lands like Gitugi, Muranga. More than 70 percent of people living in these dry lands suffer with water insecurity – meaning that they have less than 1,000 m3 per capita and do not have a reliable source of clean water close to home.

For women and children this mean walking up to 19 km carrying 20kg of water on their back each day. It is estimated that more than 152 million hours of women and girls’ time is consumed every day in the same way — collecting water to meet their families’ basic needs. Because of this, millions of women are inhibited from accomplishing little more than survival.

If by the grace of God this well is sunk here, l believe it will be a beg blessing to the surrounding community at large and mostly the church for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hoping this project will go through soon.

Bishop Gerishon K, Njoroge

WINGS OF LIFE GOSPEL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

Other costs will be involved and if you would like to contribute to this project please consider
direct deposit to Beautiful Feet Task Force
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB 062 614
Account number 0094 0442

Ps Howard Sands at official opening of
BFTF Living Water Well in Tanzania 2012


UPDATES ON THIS PROJECT

or by Paypal to assist BFTF International Director Ps Howard Sands to conduct an evangelistic crusade there with the opening of the well to share the message of the Living Water spoken about by Jesus, bringing life to those dry and thirsty souls.

ONE MAN OR WOMAN CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!

ONE MAN OR WOMAN

CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30, KJV).

In 1858, a Boston Sunday School teacher named Kimball began visiting one of his students at the shoe store where he worked as a clerk. Eventually he led him to Christ. That student's name was D.L. Moody.  

Twenty-one years later, Moody, now an evangelist, visited London, and a great spiritual awakening took place. F. B. Meyer, a local Pastor, went to hear Moody, and his life was transformed.

Later Meyer went to America to preach, and in one of his meetings a student named J. Wilbur Chapman got saved.

Chapman became active in the YMCA, where he met and discipled a former baseball player called Billy Sunday. Sunday became a great revivalist, and in one of his crusades in Charlotte, a group of businessmen came to Christ.

A year later they decided that their city needed another crusade, so they invited Mordecai Hamm to be their speaker.

After 3 weeks Hamm left town, discouraged because he'd only had one convert ~ a 12 year-old boy called Billy Graham!

One Sunday school teacher started it all! One brother, Andrew, led another brother called Peter to Christ (John 1:39-42); and Peter brought multitudes.

One woman, whose name he still doesn't know, led David Yonggi Cho, Pastor of the world's largest church (800,000 members), to Christ.

One person ~ just one ~ can make all the difference. 

You can be that one!    
– Author Unknown.