Dear Crosswalkers,
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus said, "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing..." In its entirety, this verse is controversial. At least this first part indicates that the Kingdom of Heaven is advancing on earth in a forceful way against the powers of darkness. The powers of darkness oppose God's Kingdom in a host of ways: Political opposition, cultural antagonism, religious hostility, demonic oppression, relational intimidation, unbiblical prioritizing, inner fears, etc. Honestly, the list goes on and on. Yet in spite of opposition, Jesus says the Kingdom is forcefully advancing!
As promised, here are two exciting mission updates. First, you may recall that last May Crosswalk sponsored an International Leadership training event for pastors from Bhutan and northeast India. The focus was on the Bhutanese pastors, who live in an officially Buddhist country that is closed to Christian witness. Open expressions of Christianity are illegal, while private worship is allowed. Yesterday, I received an email from K.C. (initials only), one of the leaders who attended the training event, asking for prayer for the first ever National Youth Conference in Bhutan. This will take place over the next two days - January 20 and 21. Here is his request:
We are focusing on praying for Bhutan, King and the people. Please pray that there will be revival and out pouring of God's Spirit. We also pray that God will bring a breakthrough in our Nation. On this 2 days of conference youth from all Bhutan will join together and intercede for our nation. Few of our full sessions are focused on praying and outpouring of God's Heart in our Nation. Also pray that there will be unity and oneness in the Churches in Bhutan.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR THIS EVENT OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS! This is an exciting and forceful advancement of God's Kingdom in a closed country in which Crosswalk has had a powerful influence! Additionally, missionary Peter Pereira has invited us to return this year for another training event for even more Bhutanese pastors! The first event was such a success that now more pastors are clamoring for another one! Please pray that God would provide for us to respond to this awesome opportunity!!
A second forceful advance of the kingdom is occurring in prisons in Paraguay. God blessed our time there with several teaching opportunities. In addition to teaching on Christian Leadership among the leaders of the Christian prisoners in Tacumbu prison, Angel Hernandez and I were able to have some powerful interviews with key prisoners who shared their testimonies. I hope to share some of these over the next couple of Sundays. The kingdom is forcefully advancing! That means there is spiritual warfare and collateral damage. No one ever said the mission of Jesus would be easy. However it is, praise God, richly rewarding. It has results that will reverberate through generations and last through all eternity! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PART IN HELPING CROSSWALK ADVANCE GOD'S KINGDOM!
Blessings,
Pastor John
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