What is an Intercessory Missionary?
We are all familiar with missionaries who focus on preaching or mercy deeds (providing food, medical care, etc.). But the Lord is also calling forth a new type of missionary that is essential to completing the Great Commission. The foundational example of this type of missionary is found in Luke 2:36-38:
“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38 NKJV)
Anna prayed night and day in the temple with fasting for over sixty years just prior to the First Coming of Jesus. Anna was the first evangelist that we see in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is raising up those like Anna once again to pray, fast and preach prior to Jesus’ Second Coming. This “Anna Anointing” transcends gender and age, where men and women, young and old live as intercessory missionaries laboring for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Intercession and worship is the means that God has chosen to establish His kingdom on the earth. Prayer changes the spiritual atmosphere over cities and nations (Matthew 6:10, Psalm 149). Prayer brings us into agreement with God’s heart, and from that place of full agreement and partnership God’s kingdom breaks in to the earth.
An intercessory missionary is one who has been divinely “set” on a wall of intercession (Isaiah 62:6-7) as one who would give the Lord no rest in prayer until His desires are fully brought forth on the earth. This intercessory mission calling is entirely selfless by definition – it is a giving of oneself wholeheartedly for one Man’s agenda, with the knowledge that His plan and purpose is far greater than anything man could possibly devise. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Joel 2:17).
Jesus’ desire was that the kingdom and the will of God would be completely manifest on the earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Jesus won’t do this “in a vacuum”, apart from men and women doing it in partnership with Him. He chose seemingly foolish means to bring this to pass, because He longed to do it in intimate relationship to human beings. Jesus said that His kingdom would not come not by human force or might and not by human intellect or wisdom, but by Godly wisdom – simply by saying back to God in prayer what He told us to tell Him. It is as the church all over the globe and these “set”, full-time watchmen like myself ask the Lord persistently and cry out day and night (Luke 11, Luke 18:7-8), He promises to release speedy justice and establish the kingdom of God on the earth.
This was taken from http://www.joshuahawkins.com/about/intercessorymissionary.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
I WAS JUST THINKING...
WHY JESUS JUNKIE?
A group of us were sitting around thinking about possible nick names, and this is what I came up with for myself. JESUS JUNKIE
junk·ie means: An enthusiastic follower; fan; devotee
One who has an insatiable interest or devotion:
Someone who is so fervently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction
After looking up this definition I knew I had picked the right name!
A group of us were sitting around thinking about possible nick names, and this is what I came up with for myself. JESUS JUNKIE
junk·ie means: An enthusiastic follower; fan; devotee
One who has an insatiable interest or devotion:
Someone who is so fervently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction
After looking up this definition I knew I had picked the right name!
Monday, July 7, 2008
I WAS JUST THINKING...
WHY THE HOUSE OF PRAYER?
The house of prayer saved my life, so to the house of prayer I want to give my life.
A few years ago, I found myself in a state of mind like The Prodigal Son found himself in Luke 15:11-32. I thought that the world had more to offer me than my Heavenly Father. I tried everything the world had to offer, but I still was empty. Finally I found myself sitting in a house of prayer in Ann Arbor, Michigan empty, alone, and confused. As I sat there watching the people in the room encountering God I became jealous. I missed fellowship with the Lord, I missed Him revealing and whispering secrets to me, and I missed Hearing Him sing over me. I continued to come back to the house of prayer week after week, until something began to stir within me. That something was passion, desire, and hope. I began to once again see the benefits of being part of my Fathers house. The word of God says in Romans 14:17 that the kingdom isn't a matter of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The intercessors praying were so full of life. I missed that life (the God kind of living) I knew that I had believed a lie, but I was ready to come back to my place in God.
At the front of the room there was a bowl that was full of prayer requests. I wrote my name, and what I was believing God for on a piece of folded paper and dropped it in the bowl. After a few more weeks I eventually began to talk to God myself. I cried out for forgiveness, and ran back to His embrace. I stepped up to the microphone and prayed publicly for the first time in years, and like a fire hydrant my spirit gushed forth. This started my healing, deliverance, and restoration process. I haven't been the same since.
I feel like me stepping into the house of prayer that day was intervention. Some have to go to rehab, or treatment centers but I ended up in the HOUSE OF PRAYER!
The house of prayer saved my life, so to the house of prayer I want to give my life.
A few years ago, I found myself in a state of mind like The Prodigal Son found himself in Luke 15:11-32. I thought that the world had more to offer me than my Heavenly Father. I tried everything the world had to offer, but I still was empty. Finally I found myself sitting in a house of prayer in Ann Arbor, Michigan empty, alone, and confused. As I sat there watching the people in the room encountering God I became jealous. I missed fellowship with the Lord, I missed Him revealing and whispering secrets to me, and I missed Hearing Him sing over me. I continued to come back to the house of prayer week after week, until something began to stir within me. That something was passion, desire, and hope. I began to once again see the benefits of being part of my Fathers house. The word of God says in Romans 14:17 that the kingdom isn't a matter of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The intercessors praying were so full of life. I missed that life (the God kind of living) I knew that I had believed a lie, but I was ready to come back to my place in God.
At the front of the room there was a bowl that was full of prayer requests. I wrote my name, and what I was believing God for on a piece of folded paper and dropped it in the bowl. After a few more weeks I eventually began to talk to God myself. I cried out for forgiveness, and ran back to His embrace. I stepped up to the microphone and prayed publicly for the first time in years, and like a fire hydrant my spirit gushed forth. This started my healing, deliverance, and restoration process. I haven't been the same since.
I feel like me stepping into the house of prayer that day was intervention. Some have to go to rehab, or treatment centers but I ended up in the HOUSE OF PRAYER!
Support Letter
Hello Friends and Family!
Praise Him! The Lord is doing an awesome work in our lives! For those of you who have not heard, my family and I have decided to stay in the metro-Detroit area! After much soul-searching, praying, fasting and seeking wise council, we have chosen to stay in ministry partnership with Oasis House of Prayer (OHOP) and Bethesda Bible Church. These are very exciting times and we are blessed to have an opportunity to be a part of what is going on here. On a personal level, we are learning so much about God’s Word, prayer, fasting, intercession and ministry. We know God is calling us to stay here for a season to sit before Him and learn from His Spirit. Our desire is to be firmly rooted in His love, in prayer and in His Word before we are sent out to what He calls us to next.
I (Jerome) am going to be on staff with OHOP as co-director of the ministry. I will be a full-time intercessory missionary helping to lay a solid Biblical foundation for OHOP, as well as, partner with the Lord to raise up others who have a desire to see 24/7 worship and prayer established in the metro-Detroit area. I will also continue to come alongside of Pastor Rachel Rodriguez and Bethesda Bible Church to fuel the fire of worship and intercession at my home church in Ypsilanti. Hilda will continue to serve the Lord in the marketplace and use her musical gifting to reach the lost in our area. Zion will begin first grade in the fall and she, too, will be using her talents and anointing to further the Kingdom. We are excited to move forward together as a unified family under the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
If each person who I have communicated this to would consider giving either a one time gift or partnering with us monthly for ONE YEAR , the cost of finding a two bedroom apartment in Canton and general living expenses would be covered. Since not everyone will be able to give financially, would those who have the means please prayerfully consider donating a larger gift to cover for those who can't afford a gift at this time? I am also asking that those who are unable to provide financial support please consider joining me in prayer and fasting. In particular, I am setting aside Thursdays to fast and pray for the Lord's direction and provision in our lives.
I have included a response card with this letter so we can accurately keep track of your contributions and remain in good contact with you while we are serving the Lord at OHOP and Bethesda Bible Church. Also, please visit my website regularly for updates at www.jeromebernard.blogspot.com.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this need. We are looking forward to hearing from you by July 31st. May the Lord bless you richly for your partnership with Him on our behalf.
God's Best,
Jerome, Hilda and Zion Bernard
Praise Him! The Lord is doing an awesome work in our lives! For those of you who have not heard, my family and I have decided to stay in the metro-Detroit area! After much soul-searching, praying, fasting and seeking wise council, we have chosen to stay in ministry partnership with Oasis House of Prayer (OHOP) and Bethesda Bible Church. These are very exciting times and we are blessed to have an opportunity to be a part of what is going on here. On a personal level, we are learning so much about God’s Word, prayer, fasting, intercession and ministry. We know God is calling us to stay here for a season to sit before Him and learn from His Spirit. Our desire is to be firmly rooted in His love, in prayer and in His Word before we are sent out to what He calls us to next.
I (Jerome) am going to be on staff with OHOP as co-director of the ministry. I will be a full-time intercessory missionary helping to lay a solid Biblical foundation for OHOP, as well as, partner with the Lord to raise up others who have a desire to see 24/7 worship and prayer established in the metro-Detroit area. I will also continue to come alongside of Pastor Rachel Rodriguez and Bethesda Bible Church to fuel the fire of worship and intercession at my home church in Ypsilanti. Hilda will continue to serve the Lord in the marketplace and use her musical gifting to reach the lost in our area. Zion will begin first grade in the fall and she, too, will be using her talents and anointing to further the Kingdom. We are excited to move forward together as a unified family under the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
If each person who I have communicated this to would consider giving either a one time gift or partnering with us monthly for ONE YEAR , the cost of finding a two bedroom apartment in Canton and general living expenses would be covered. Since not everyone will be able to give financially, would those who have the means please prayerfully consider donating a larger gift to cover for those who can't afford a gift at this time? I am also asking that those who are unable to provide financial support please consider joining me in prayer and fasting. In particular, I am setting aside Thursdays to fast and pray for the Lord's direction and provision in our lives.
I have included a response card with this letter so we can accurately keep track of your contributions and remain in good contact with you while we are serving the Lord at OHOP and Bethesda Bible Church. Also, please visit my website regularly for updates at www.jeromebernard.blogspot.com.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this need. We are looking forward to hearing from you by July 31st. May the Lord bless you richly for your partnership with Him on our behalf.
God's Best,
Jerome, Hilda and Zion Bernard
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