Thoughts for Life: #60 Gary Greenwald's Team

C. Peter Wagner tells us that "God frequently empowers ministry through a team of intercessors.

Gary Greenwald, pastor of the Eagle's Nest church in Irvine, California, had been conducting annual evangelistic crusades in Hawaii.

Attendance had grown to 2,000 after several years.

As they prayed about it they decided to step out in faith one year and rent the Hilton Hawaiian ballroom, which seats 4,000.

It cost thousands of dollars, and they would need large crowds to pay their bill.

They sent a team of intercessors from their church in Irvine to stay in the Hilton Hawaiian one week before the crusade for fasting and prayer.

The spiritual warfare was intense that week.

The leader of the team suffered so much anxiety during the nights that he almost capitulated and returned home.

Several of the team were afflicted with sicknesses of one kind or another. But they persisted and felt they were winning the battle.

A big question was; Would they ever fill the ballroom?

The first 3 nights of the crusade they drew 3,000 people. The final 2 nights saw the ballroom packed out at 4,000.

It was one of the most powerful crusades they had ever conducted. Many conversions and healing miracles took place, such as a severed Achilles tendon being completely healed.

The spiritual warfare had been done and the crusade itself was easy.

They rented the ballroom the following year. But sending the intercessory team for that week had been very expensive so they decided not to do it again.

Hawaii usually has an open atmosphere for preaching, but this year the crusade was a disaster!

The highest attendance was only 1,800. Divisions occurred among the leadership. Serious problems occurred over the worship leaders. It was a financial wipeout.

Gary Greenwald learned about the value of teams of intercessors the hard way that year."

Today’s post -#60 Gary Greenwald's Team, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines.
(pgs. 121,122) by Regal Books

Let’s pray:

Father, may we never forget the power of prayer in our small groups.

Cause us to realize that You are in the midst of us, as we pray for our church leaders.

I want to be effective in my praying, Father, so I ask for Your help in participating in prayer groups for particular situations, and for the needs of folks we know.

Help me remember that Your Holy Spirit is there with us, as we support our leaders in their efforts to follow Your leading in the ministry You've given them.

In the Lovely Name of our Savior, Jesus, we ask this. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 123:1 "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens."

Today’s quotes: Ralph Waldo Emerson - “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”

George M. Adams - “There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else.

Some thoughts today: Where you live, and what you speak, has an affect on others. Live powerfully for Your God!

- We have Divine assignments everyday. Look for them! Do what God says, and you'll be doing His will for you. It may very well be a common task, but then, it may be an amazing one...

- Reflect on the promises you've been given while reading God's Word. Ask for refreshment, so you can be ready for the greatest challenges that come your way.

7th- Friday’s post: Are You Afraid of Losing Your Salvation?
Michael Brooks (This post comes today, as I'll leave for a ladies retreat in Canada this afternoon.)

9th- Sunday's post: When God is Silent Dr. Charles Stanley

Evening's post: The Discipline of Waiting David Roper

11th- Tuesday's post: #61 Personal Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

13th- Thursday's post: #62 1-3 Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Lord, I Want to Know You On GodVine
"You've been my Lord for many years, and I love You so much,
I yearn to get so near to You that I can feel Your touch."