Key Questions Chicken Evangelists Use

August 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment

 

 

3 Key Questions

Three Key Questions for Chicken Evangelism

Key questions open hearts’ doors. Chicken evangelists (and those wanting to be) are experimenting with these key questions. At the same time we are making friends, making disciples, and reaping souls for Christ.

At an auto repair shop I asked the owner, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” The man replied, “Yes, I have.” We talked about his faith for a moment. Then it turned out he needed healing for his knees. I asked, “May I pray for your knees”? With his permission I laid my hand on his shoulder and prayed. (He experienced a reduction in pain, but not a full healing.)

The next time I saw this man he made a most interesting statement: “Now that we are friends . . . “ Chicken evangelism means “Bring up Christ before you chicken out.” Chicken evangelism opens doors to hearts. It’s a great way to make friends.

Key Questions to Get Started

Chicken evangelists use various key questions. “Have you given your life to Jesus Christ?” is a good starter. My wife starts the Christ conversation with “Do you love Jesus?” or “What could I pray for you?” Some soul winners in the Church of the Living Water ask, “Do you have Jesus in your heart?”

Chicken evangelism is not a method, not a formula, not a canned approach. It’s a way to get started in the faith conversation. (Remember, Chicken Evangelism simply means to bring Christ into the conversation before you chicken out.) As a result, sometimes people give their life to Christ, sometimes we encourage people, and sometimes we help people move along in the discipleship process. Often we make a new friend. Invariably, we find people love to talk about their faith.

Incidentally, one of the key questions I avoid is “What church do you attend?” That question gets the conversation off track.

Key Questions to People Who Have Heard Your Gospel Presentation

“Is there any reason you would not want to receive Jesus Christ into your life right now?” After hearing the gospel, some folks are ready to accept Christ on the spot. After all, Jesus stated, “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor” (John 4:38).

“What’s keeping you from giving your life to Jesus Christ?” That question that may help a person identify his or her roadblock to receiving Christ as Savior.

Key Questions for the Person Who has Previously Accepted Christ

If someone responds affirmatively to my initial question, I often say something like “Great! How did it happen for you?” This gives the person a chance to tell their story. Or I may say “Great! I have too! What difference has He made in your life?” Or “Wonderful! Are you following Him?” And I often ask those who have previously accepted Christ, “Are you reading your Bible?”

Again, these key questions are helpful, but every person needs to find what works for himself. No formula here, just some key questions to help. I support all legitimate forms of evangelism. We want to see as many as possible saved from eternity in hell.

If you are already leading people to salvation in Christ–Praise God! Keep doing what you’re doing. If on the other hand you want to get better at personal evangelism, give Chicken Evangelism a try. Eternity awaits the good news!

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry

China Cry

August 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Read the Story of a Girl's "China Cry" for Jesus

Read the Story of a Girl’s “China Cry” for Jesus

Heaven hears China cry. I’m not speaking of the 1990 movie China Cry, the biographical film of Nora Lam’s courageous life and escape from China during the rise of communism in China. I’m speaking of the heart hunger for God that many Chinese nationals experience today.

Here’s One Girl’s Story–A “China Cry” from the Heart

My wife and I were visiting China a few years ago. Like so many other tourists we visited the famous Pearl Mart in Beijing. While Kari examined the goods in one pearl booth, I struck up a conversation with the proprietress of a neighboring booth.

Penny* was young, perhaps twenty or so. She spoke fairly good English so we could communicate well. Like nearly all Chinese she was courteous and polite.

After several rounds of chit-chat I asked Penny, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” “No,” came her simple reply. The quizzical look on her face and the tone of her voice indicated she was open to talk about Jesus. I could hear a “China cry” for something more.

Briefly, I explained the Four Spiritual Laws to her.

Number One

The first of the Four Spiritual Laws is, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” John 10:10 gives us the reason that Jesus came, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” What is blocking us from God’s love? What is preventing us from having an abundant life?

Number Two

The second of the Four Spiritual Laws is, “Humanity is tainted by sin and is therefore separated from God. As a result, we cannot know God’s wonderful plan for our lives.” Romans 3:23 affirms this information, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We have ruined the relationship with Him that God intended us to have. What is the solution?

Number Three

The third of the Four Spiritual Laws is, “Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven and restore a right relationship with God.” Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 informs us of what we need to know and believe in order to be saved, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” Jesus Himself declares that He is the only way of salvation in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” How can I receive this wonderful gift of salvation?

Number Four

The Fourth of the Four Spiritual Laws is, “We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and know God’s wonderful plan for our lives.” John 1:12 describes this for us, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Penny listened attentively, absorbing everything. I could tell her hunger—this “China cry”—was real and growing.

I asked, “Would you like to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior right now?”

“Yes, I would,” she replied. I explained that we could pray right there and no one would know we were even talking with God.

After finishing her private prayer, I asked God to “seal” her faith and noted, “God is now inside you.”

I will never forget her next statement, “Now I can do anything!” Clearly she had a supernatural experience. God Himself had entered in. She was ecstatic. Frankly, I didn’t know what to say or think about her statement. I did not want to dull her enthusiasm, so I decided to let the God Who was now inside  deal with her in His own way and time.

Like so many that Jesus Himself healed and never saw again, I left her to the One Who said, “I will build My church.”

Have You Led Someone to Salvation Through Jesus Christ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry

Have You Received Jesus Christ into Your Life?

August 5, 2014 by 3 Comments

young man

My lack in evangelism embarrassed me. Though I was a Spirit-filled pastor, I had gone months, sometimes years without leading anyone to Christ outside of church services.

One night God impressed me, “Lift up your eyes and see the fields, that they are white for harvest.” (John 4:35) Weeks passed until I finally thought, “If God said that, I better test it out.”

I Asked a Simple Question

So when a man came to buy a lamb I had raised, I asked him straight out, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?”

“No,” he replied.

“But you’d like to, wouldn’t you?” I asked.

He paused pensively for a moment and then stated, “Yes, I would.”

I gave him a brief gospel lesson, “Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead.” “Would you pray to receive Jesus Christ right now?” I asked.

“Yes, but I don’t know how,” he said with fright in his face. I led him in a simple prayer, which he repeated after me. After prayer, he looked up with the sweetest words and expressions of gratitude.

The next day I brought a Bible to his house. He was cutting down a tree, so I took the axe and helped. When his wife came out, I introduced myself and asked her, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” She replied “No,” but added that she wanted to. I gave her the same gospel message. She wanted to pray silently, so I acknowledged her wish.

This began a series of encounters with people I met in everyday life. I’ve been able to lead a girl to Christ at a flower shop, a young man at Wal-Mart and a fellow at an auto repair shop. Not everyone receives Christ on the spot, of course. Recently, while waiting for someone, a college girl named Cassie was in the same room. After chit-chat, I asked her, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” Unlike most, she couldn’t say yes or no although she admitted she was searching. This opened the door to give her a Josh McDowell booklet to help answer her quest and boost her along the road to discipleship.

Evangelism Adds Zest to Life

I’m still learning. Here’s what I’m discovering. Evangelism is a lot of fun.

Jesus is right—the harvest is ripe. People are ready; they just need to be shown how to receive Christ.

Surprisingly, this key question, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” does not seem to offend people; rather, they welcome the opportunity to talk about their faith. Almost everyone—more than 9 out of 10–answers the question yes or no.

The great commission is best translated, “As you go . . . make disciples.” I’m able to begin this discipleship process in the normal course of life without going out of my way.

A Simple Question

This simple question is a great opener, but more than a starter. It leads to salvation. We are called to reap, not just sow or water. (John 4:37) If appropriate I often ask, “Is there any reason why you wouldn’t want to receive Jesus Christ into your life right now?” Some people are prepared and waiting. Other Christians have already done the legwork with them. We come along and follow up on their labor. Jesus gave this principle about evangelism, “One sows and another reaps.” Jesus said, “I have called you to reap.” (John 4:37-38)

A Simple Gospel

There is power in the gospel. Invariably, I give a clear gospel summary according to I Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus Christ died for our sins. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. Get a handle on this one if you can! Use the simple gospel. Use the name of Jesus. The gospel is the only power of God for eternal salvation. When I started stating the gospel clearly, people started getting saved!

Jesus didn’t follow up everyone. If He didn’t try, why should we? Let the Spirit lead.

When I’m filled with the Holy Spirit and have vision for people (seeing the fields), evangelism comes more naturally. The risk is still breath-taking–but what an adventure!

I have made a decision not to criticize but rather be supportive of various forms of evangelism. There’s a lot of variety. “Different spokes for different folks.” What works for one may not work for another. Find a style that works for you and use it.

The world is waiting. We’re winning not just “souls”. It’s Judy or Jim or Megan or Brett who are going to hell. We turn them around by caring enough to ask simple questions and giving the simple gospel.

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry

How Hannah Received Jesus as Her Saviour

July 29, 2014 by 1 Comment

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 How Hannah Received Jesus

While visiting some friends in Priest lake, Idaho, I got the opportunity to watch their 10 year old daughter, Hannah.  I had met Hannah one time before when she was a baby. She had grown to become a quiet and reflective girl with a jovial side that sometimes popped out. 

 

We were watching television and talking. This was our first alone time together.  

 

I took the time to share with her about Jesus.  I shared about how each person sins regardless of who they are. 

 

I explained, “Sin is doing the things that causes us to do something wrong like lying or stealing.  Sometimes we don’t mean to do it, but we do it anyway.  Most of the time for kids, it is the stuff your parents scold you about.  Anyway, sin is what will keep us out of heaven and away from God.  

 

 “God loves each of us and wants us to have a relationship, a friendship with Him, but sin gets in the way.  

 

 “So what God did God do to fix things?” Hannah was all ears, listening attentively and thinking about what I was saying.

 

So I continued, “God sent Jesus here to earth. Jesus lived here for a while and then he died on the cross for us. His dying on the cross was for our sins. What he did was make a bridge for us. The Bridge makes us able to reach God.  Now our mistakes and sins don’t keep us from God any more.   

 

“All we have to do is ask Jesus to come into our hearts and take our sins away.  After we ask Jesus into our hearts, he writes our names down in the Book of Life and that literally, we are in the spirit world changed from being on the side with the devil to the side with God.  

 

“Do you want to pray with me or do you want to pray to ask Jesus into your heart by yourself?”

 

“I want to do it by myself.” 

 

“OK,” I said, and that ended our conversation about Jesus for the evening.

 

The next day we were fixing lunch together. I asked Hannah, “Did you pray to let Jesus into her heart?”

 

She said, “Yes!” 

 

I cheered, “Yeah!!!!” and smiled, of course.

Publisher’s note: Shelly Stalker teaches music and dance (and does the laundry!) at Casa Hogar, a children’s home for disabled children in Oaxaca, Mexico. She is commissioned as a missionary and sent out from The Church of Living Water in Muscatine, Iowa.

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry

Are You Called As an Apostle?

July 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Are You Called As An Apostle?

Are You Called As An Apostle?

God is infinite and the precious call to any form of ministry may come with infinite variety. Are you called as an apostle?

The physical Lord Jesus directly called Peter, “Follow Me.” He was later named as one of the apostles (Mat 10:2, Lk 6:13). Christ appeared to Paul as an intensely bright light, commissioned him with an apostolic job description through Ananias, and then left him to figure things out in the desert of Arabia. Timothy? Paul recognized his young helper’s apostolic calling and put him to the task.

Callings differ, yet one constant remains. An apostle must actually do the work of an apostle. Above all, function determines who is an apostle and who is not. In other words, there is a difference between apostolic calling and actually being an apostle. As an illustration, consider pastors. Some are called to pastor, or even trained, but never actually function as a pastor. Or consider Jonah. Jonah was called as an “evangelist” to go to Nineveh, but rather sailed the opposite direction to Tarshish. Later, of  course, he repented and actually preached in Nineveh. Was he called as an evangelist at the first? Yes. But was he an evangelist? No, not until he went and preached.

Some are called by God as apostles, but are not yet apostles because the time is not yet, or for whatever reason, they have not yet entered into apostolic work.

Are You Doing the Work of an Apostle?

This is the key question.

So what do apostles do? My book Local Churches Global Apostles: How Churches Related to Apostles in the New Testament Era and Why It Matters Now answers this question and many others. For right now, however, this quote from the book will give us a short answer.

For the purposes of this study the term “apostle” is not used in the general sense of “one sent forth with the gospel.” In this book the word is used in the specific sense of one called to the five-fold ministry office of apostle listed in Ephesians 4:11.

I define “apostle” as a Christian leader called and supernaturally gifted by God to open new spiritual or geographical territory for the gospel; lay foundations; equip believers; and serve as catalyst and coordinator for churches and ministries.

Is God confirming you and your work as an apostle? If the calling is valid and you are entering in, you can expect God will confirm your work with supernatural results such as salvations, healings, breakthroughs in prayer, and opening new vistas for the gospel.

Must one see the Lord physically in order to qualify as an apostle? No, Christ appeared to Paul four times, but apparently not “in the flesh.” The young Timothy was most likely not even born until after the crucifixion of Christ. In either case, any “seeing” of the Lord had to be spiritual.

What About Character?

The fact of the matter is that some have genuine apostolic calling yet exhibit character flaws. Paul was a true apostle, yet showed vicious anger (Gal 5:12). Peter was an apostle, yet allowed the sins of hypocrisy and legalism to compromise his behavior (Gal 2:11-14). Yet both are still universally recognized as apostles.

In the same way, some pastors exhibit various sins, yet they are still pastors. What is needed is true calling plus true character. But character by itself does not determine calling. This leads to a third question.

Are You Recognized (Confirmed) as an Apostle by Peers or Elders in the Five-Fold Ministry?

There is no such thing as self-appointed apostles. The principle is “Called by Christ, confirmed by men.” A man may see himself as a major league outfielder, but until his organization promotes him to the major leagues, he never gets a chance to bat or shag a fly. Or consider King David. He was selected by God (1 Sam 16:1) and anointed through Samuel, but did not reign one minute until the men of Judah came and anointed him king over Judah (2 Sam 2:4).

Are You Called As An Apostle?

These three questions may help answer.

Has God called you as an apostle? Are you doing the work of an apostle? Have you proven yourself to such an extent that men recognize this ministry in your life?

Want to get more info? Go to www.churchesandapostles.com to buy Local Churches Global Apostles. Or you can go to amazon and purchase directly.

Want to talk about this? Contact me at BMarkAnderson.com with your email or phone number and I’ll get in touch with you.

May God richly bless you.

Filed Under: Local Churches Global Apostles, Ministry

Supernatural Apostle Tells His Story

July 15, 2014 by 2 Comments

Publishers note. Supernatural events surround Dr. Serosh, a modern day apostle and evangelist. His story is printed just as he wrote it with only minor editing.

When my father was a single man (not married), God spoke to him in the vision. God said, ”I will give you a first born son, his name will be Noaman (Naaman as in the Bible) and he will be my servant.”

I was born on December 29, 1967 in Lahore, Pakistan (2nd largest city in Pakistan).

We are actually former Sikh. My great great grandfather accepted Christ who was a descendant of the former rulers from Kashmir in India.

When I just was a baby born boy, father’s Aunt brought a dust from the grave of the witch doctor from India. This dust was mixed with the blood of an owl. She threw this dust on me. It was a death spell cast over me. Now this lady was waiting for the news of my death at her home. I was supposed to die on the same day but nothing happened. I didn’t die because of the supernatural divine protection under the blood of Jesus.

Once when I was 5 five years old, I drank one and a half big bottle of the cough syrup. This syrup was a good in taste like honey but it was too much sedative. I liked the taste, so I took these 2 bottles and hid myself under the bed and drank. Then after few minutes I lost my senses. We didn’t have phone at that time. Only the very rich people had phones.

My father was teaching at the Bible College and my mother couldn’t contact him or to do anything. After the break in the class, which was for only 15 minutes, my father heard a voice saying, “Go home–there is a problem.” Then the voice came 2nd and then 3rd times. My father spoke to the principal and came home. He was on his bicycle. It was 5 or 6 miles distance, but he came home just in few minutes. It was a supernatural ride. When he came home, he saw that many people were around me and my mother was just crying because she thought that there was no hope. My father took me to the hospital (United Christian Hospital). The doctor at the emergency said to my dad, “Pastor Serosh, if you were just 30 minutes late, your son’s heart would burst.” God again saved my life supernaturally.

I belong to the family where almost everyone plays music or sings. My father (Pastor Dr. Hizkiel Serosh) has written and composed more than 600 Christian songs. I started playing drums on the choir and became very famous drummer in the country.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior in 1980 in the children’s service. Somehow, some way I felt the call upon my heart even when I was a child, but I didn’t want to become a preacher. I always wanted to become a professor. I thought it is just fine for me to live a good Christian life, playing music on the choir.

In our city we have an annual United Christian Convention every year in the month of October. It was October 1986. There was a preacher from Australia. He was praying for the people in the end. This preacher called me on the stage after he prayed for the people. He said to me, “When you were coming in the tent, the Lord told me that He was going to use you in the ministry.” Since I didn’t want to be in the ministry, I told the preacher that I didn’t want that. He tried to convince me but that made me even more upset.

I came home, didn’t tell anyone what had happened to me, why I was upset. I didn’t even eat that day. But I was so restless. Whenever we disobey God we become restless. After this incidence, God started speaking to me. God spoke to me 6 times that made me real tired. Now I finally opened my mouth and said to God, “Since you spoke to me 6 times, I will put you into the tests 6 times. If you win then I will be in the ministry and would serve you but if you fail even in one test, then I will have every right to escape.” In every test God was winning and I was losing. That was scaring me even more and making me upset.

I came home, didn’t tell anyone what had happened to me, why I was upset. I didn’t even eat that day. But I was so restless. Whenever we disobey God we become restless. After this incidence, God started speaking to me. God spoke to me 6 times that made me real tired. Now I finally opened my mouth and said to God, “Since you spoke to me 6 times, I will put you into the tests 6 times. If you win then I will be in the ministry and would serve you but if you fail even in one test, then I will have every right to escape.” In every test God was winning and I was losing. That was scaring me even more and making me upset.

It was April 14, 1989 on Friday. God had already won 5 times. I said to God, “If you baptize me with the Holy Spirit in 2 days then I will be in the ministry.” This time I was sure that God would fail in this last test. I said in my heart that I was saved in 1980.  The Lord was not able to baptize me with the Holy Spirit in 9 years, so He won’t succeed in 2 days.

Then I played a trick. I stopped praying and stopped reading the Bible for 2 days. Because I thought, “If I pray or read the Bible, maybe the Holy Spirit would come upon me.” It was not my desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This time I was really confident that I would definitely escape from the ministry.

Then April 16 came which was a Sunday. That really scared me because I was playing drums on the choir and I had to be in the Church for the Sunday service. But nothing happened. That relieved me a bit. But I was very restless in my spirit because I knew that I was disobeying God.

On the same Sunday on April 16 when my eyes were fixed on the wall clock to see 12 midnight. It was 9 PM, I was just standing by the wall, I still don’t know what happened. All of a sudden a great light and fire came in that room where I was standing. I just started speaking in tongues. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I came onto the floor and spoke in tongues for a couple of hours.

The pressure and restlessness were gone. I was lighter than a pin. But I was very grieved that I disobeyed God. I said to God, “God, I am so disobedient, I don’t deserve to be called your minister, take me home.” God must have laughed in His heart that if He wanted to kill me, He would have done that long time ago. That was His grace that I am in the ministry.

I married to a beautiful lady named Sadaqat (Hebrew name that means righteousness).  Sadaqat Serosh is a school teacher and a Gospel singer. God has blessed us with 3 sons. Eshban Serosh (23 years), Bethshan Serosh (21 years) and Shayan Serosh (14 years). Our middle and the youngest are good singers also.

On July 6, 1999 God blessed us with 3rd son. One doctor started C-Section and just in few minutes the whole team of the doctors was there. They were facing a big problem in the operation theatre. Whenever I asked the doctors about my wife, they would tell me, “You better pray, she is in a bad condition.” But we were praying outside the operation theatre. I was believing in the supernatural power of my God. I knew that God was already in the operation theatre. Doctors gave my wife 4.5 units blood but it didn’t help my wife. They tried everything but my wife was already collapsed and expired.

At last the doctors gave up. Now they were wrapping the dead body in the cloth, and were putting cotton in her ears and nostrils. Suddenly the power of God came upon my dead wife and the dead body started moving. The doctors and the nurses started shouting,“She is back, she is back, she is back!” The biggest miracle happened in that Muslim hospital that day and God raised my wife from the dead. The power of death was broken by the supernatural power of my Jesus Christ.

Next morning the chief of the doctors by the name of Doctor Bushra Zaida at Fatima Memorial Hospital called me in her office. She was also very excited. She said to me, ”This case has created a great history in our hospital.” I said to the doctor, “But the credit goes to my Jesus.” She said, “Yes, I know that you Christians have great faith. But there are still some dangers for your wife, she can have paralysis any time, she can lose any part of her body. “I said to the doctor, “If my Jesus can raise my wife from the dead then nothing is going to harm her.” And exactly nothing happened.

My wife is a good Gospel singer and preacher of the Word of God. She is one of the best school teachers in Pakistan. In 2009, she was awarded as the best teacher of the year in the whole country.

I strongly believe in the supernatural power of my God. God raised 3 dead people in my ministry so far. My life is full with the supernatural works of God. And I am believing to see more miracles like this.

My father started this Church with one man and now we have over 5000 people as congregation. God has always been merciful and faithful. I worked as a pastor but I was also having crusades in all the corners of Pakistan. Some were even big crusades with 50,000 or even more. I always enjoyed preaching and saving souls for Christ. I studied in America, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Pakistan. I earned my PHD in 2008 in Ministry. God opened many doors for me to teach at the Bible colleges and Bible schools.

My life has always been on risk. I had so many threats on my life by the terrorists in the country. But God always saved my life. Once I was coming home with my wife and sons from a wedding.  It was night and I stopped my van at the bakery to buy bread, eggs and milk for the breakfast. I went in the bakery and bought what we needed. My family was still sitting in the van. When I came out of the bakery I saw two guys on the motorbikes with guns in their hands. They were ready to attack us. I thought to sit in the van quietly because I didn’t want to tell my family and also didn’t want them to cry or panic.

So I started praying in my heart and asked the Lord to show His glory at this time of great trouble. When I sat in the van, I saw from the rear and side mirrors that two huge guards came out of bakery (I didn’t see them in the bakery at all). They were in their blue uniforms and carrying guns in their hands. When these two terrorists saw these two huge guards they ran away. I came down from the van to thank these guards for helping us, but they just disappeared from my eyes. I still came in the bakery and asked the manager for those two guards and the manager told me that they didn’t have any guards. Then I realized that these were the angels, sent by God to protect us. We praised God for his divine protection.

In 2012, I and my wife were in Europe, America and Canada for 2 and a half months. When we went back to Pakistan in the month of August, things got worse and worse against me. The Muslims tried to kill me four times. Once they came with fuel to burn me and my house alive. I went to the police many times but every time the police disappointed me. The police told me every time that they couldn’t help me because these terrorists were above the law and everything. The police asked me even to leave the country because my life was in danger.

Then I started asking God for help. God said to me clearly, “I told you to move from Pakistan but you did not, and now move.” I really didn’t want to move from the country because I really was enjoying my ministry in Pakistan. Then I asked God for the direction. I really wanted to go to Europe, South Africa or Canada but God said, “NO.” Then I asked where? God said, “Go to the US.”

I spoke to my friends in the US and they were excited to have me. I booked my ticket for December 12, 2012 to come to the US. The deputy superintendent of Police was from our Church. He came to me on December 2, 2012 in the morning and asked me to leave the country that same day because of the threats on my life. I then had to change the date on my ticket. The police came to my house on December 2, 2012. They were carrying my luggage, my passport and my ticket to go to the airport. The police wanted to make sure that I left the country safe and sound.

It was not a comfortable time to say goodbye to my family this time because I didn’t know when I would see them. But on other hand I was excited that I was fulfilling the will of God.

When I was in the plane, I was praying and asking God for His supernatural protection for my family and guidance for me in the US. When the pilot announced that we would land after one hour at JFK NY then I asked God for one more confirmation at the airport. I said, “God, if it is really from you then do 2 things to me at the airport. 1- The immigration officer should not ask me more than one question. 2- The immigration officer should not send me for the second immigration. I really wanted to be sure to know the will of God. Because every time when I and my wife come to the US, the immigration officers always ask us many questions because if you’re holding a Pakistani passport then they really want to know who you are. And they always sent us for the second immigration at the airport.

So then I was standing in the line and waiting for my turn. This immigration officer was asking so many questions to everyone and sending every one for the second immigration [interview].  When my turn came, the officer asked me, ”Sir what is your purpose for this time to be in the US?” I did not speak but I gave him the letter that my friend sent me from the US. The officer didn’t read the letter, he just saw the letter and gave it back to me. He grabbed his stamp and punched on my passport and said,“God bless you, enjoy your stay.”

My friends from NY came to pick me. When I was sitting in their car, I heard a voice. The voice said to me, “I have given you the trumpet to blow over this nation.” Since that time I am trying my best to blow the trumpet.

When I came to Rocky Mount, NC to my friend Howard Jackson, after few days he took me to the attorney in Raleigh NC to speak to her for my asylum case. After just few minutes this attorney said to me, “I will help you to get asylum and will not charge any fee.” That was really a supernatural work of God because I didn’t have any money with me at all.

I am still under asylum but now I have work permit, social security card, ID and the driving license. I can move and work in any capacity at any place. I believe that very shorty my asylum will be approved and my family will be here with me in the US. Every day I feel His supernatural presence with me to show His glory through me.

Pastor Dr. Noaman Serosh

Cell Phone #: 215-954-5974

To learn more about supernatural apostles in the Bible as well as modern day apostles, click here.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Local Churches Global Apostles, Ministry

Precious Seed (by Debbie Kerr)

July 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment

 

 

Every word of a gospel witness is a precious seed. What happens when someone rejects the word?

Read on to find out. . .

I was at my girlfriend’s house for prayer and lunch. After we ate, we sat down to talk. My friend seemed upset. She began to tell me her frustration. She was deeply concerned about her sister-in-law, who she had been trying to witness to. This woman would not have anything to do with God. In fact, she was adamantly opposed to even hearing anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was strongly against any witness almost to the point of violence with anger.

My friend said she felt that her words were hitting a brick wall.

Suddenly, I saw it!

Debbie Kerr Intercessor

When the precious seed bounced off the wall, I saw a flock of white doves fly in and catch the seed in mid air. Not one of the precious seeds hit the ground!

In the Spirit I could see a very high cement block wall and the seed being thrown at the wall. When the precious seed bounced off the wall, I saw a flock of white doves fly in and catch the seed in mid air. Not one of the precious seeds hit the ground!

In the vision I was watching as one or two doves carried the seed up and over the wall, just dropping precious seed on the other side. Other doves glided in, caught some seed and flew away with it in their beaks. Nothing was wasted, not the gospel, not my friend’s witness, nor even her time. I realized every word from God returns to the Father and bears fruit.

 

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Later, this sister-in-law who was so firmly opposed to the gospel came to the Lord through other circumstances and the witness of another believer.

 

Publisher’s note. Debbie Kerr, pictured here dancing with her son Shaun at his wedding, “gets things” from God. She is a gifted intercessor with a heart for God Himself. She lives with her husband Dave in Muscatine, Iowa. Together they serve God as members of the Church of the Living Water.

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry

What is an Apostle in the Bible?

July 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Dr Noaman Serosh Answers “What is an Apostle in the Bible?

What is an Apostle in the Bible?

(Gk. apostolos). Envoy, ambassador, or messenger commissioned to carry out the instructions of the commissioning agent.

Pre-Christian Use of the Term “Apostle”

Pre-Christian use of apostolos in the sense of messenger is rare. More common is the verb apostello, referring to the sending of a fleet or an embassy. Only in Herodotus (1.21; 5.38) is it used of a personal envoy. Josephus employs it once (Antiquities17.11.1) in the classical sense of an embassy. Epictetus (Discourse 3.22) speaks of the ideal Cynic teacher as one “sent by Zeus” to be a messenger of the gods and an “overseer” of human affairs.

What is an Apostle in the Bible (Septuagint)?

The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses apostello or exapostello some seven hundred times to translate the Hebrew salah (“stretch out,” “send”). More than the act of sending, this word includes the idea of the authorization of a messenger.

The noun apostolos is found only in 1 Kings 14:6, where the commissioning and empowering of the prophet is clearly in mind. Thus, the Septuagint uses the apostello word-group to denote the authorization of an individual to fulfill a particular function, with emphasis on the one who sends, not on the one who is sent.

What is an Apostle in the Bible (New Testament)?

The word “apostle” appears seventy-nine times in the New Testament (ten in the Gospels; twenty-eight in Acts; thirty-eight in the Epistles; and three in Revelation). The majority of these occurrences are found in Luke-Acts (thirty-four) and in the Pauline epistles (thirty-four), and refer to those appointed by Christ for a special function in the church.
In the New Testament apostolos is applied to Jesus as the Sent One of God (Hebrews 3:1), to those sent by God to preach to Israel (Luke 11:49), and to those appointed by the resurrected Christ to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Click here for a two minute YouTube video about modern day apostles.
The expression “all the apostles” in 1 Corinthians 15:7 seems to include more than the twelve referred to in verse 5. James (the half-brother of Jesus) is considered here and in Galatians 1:19 to be an apostle. Barnabas is referred to as an apostle in Acts 14:14. Paul calls Andronicus and Junias apostles in Romans 16:7.

 

Publisher’s Note: Thanks to Dr Noaman Serosh for his answer to the oft-asked question “What is an apostle in the Bible?”  For a thorough discussion of the question check out our book Local Churches Global Apostles: How Churches in the New Testament Era Related to Apostles and Why It Matters Now.

 

Filed Under: Local Churches Global Apostles, Ministry

Fred Herzog Evangelizes Woman

June 24, 2014 by 1 Comment

Publisher’s note. Fred Herzog travels in the supernatural realm. He has led many to salvation and deliverance in Christ. Here he relates one experience.

 I was looking in the mirror one morning and I realized, “Fred, you need a haircut. “ So I answered,”OK, Lord, where do You want me to get a haircut and what is your divine purpose?”

I went over to a barber shop here in Northfield. After I sat down in the barber chair I started telling the stylist God stories. She looked at me and said, “You gave me goose pimples all over.”

“Would you like me to take you for coffee after my haircut?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Okay, when would you like to go?”

She stopped right there and went to ask her manager if she could go to coffee with this gentleman. The manager said, “Yes, you may.”

I said, “Please finish my haircut first!”

Then we went to coffee. As soon as she sat down she began telling her story. “Have you heard about the car accident that occurred last year? The one when a car rolled over into the Cannon River and one of the people drowned. I answered, “Yes, I did” and wondered what had happened.

“She—the one who drowned—was in my car. I have a question why am I still alive. I have been in three car accidents and I should have died in each one of them. I was in the backseat with my boyfriend and the other couple was in the front. We had a picnic and we stayed too long. It got dark. Then it became important for us to leave and the driver was not able to see the big tree where you turn to go back up on the main road. We missed the road and rammed the car into a four foot embankment which turned the car into the river upside down.

“The car started filling up with water. I had my seat belt on and my window was open about three inches. Somehow or another something sucked me out of the car through that window into the water and I got to the shore. My boyfriend got out by breaking the window. The driver got out and the girl in the front also was able to get out.

“My boyfriend made it to shore, but what about his girlfriend? Could she find her way? I heard her making noise in trying to get to shore. She finally got close and I got a hold of her hand. But the embankment was so high and her hand was so wet and dirty from the muddy river that as I tried to pull her to shore her hand slipped and she let go. We found her body downriver.

“Because of that incident I have become so fearful that I won’t let my boyfriend out of my sight. I’m afraid to leave the house that he and I had bought together.”

I spoke aloud to her, “Jesus, I want You to come on her side. Lady, you’ve been on the wrong side all your life. By asking Jesus to forgive you for your sins you can come onto His side.”

She did that and asked Jesus Christ to come into her life and forgive her for her sins. Immediately a ton of weight lifted off of her as she became a new person in Jesus Christ.

There was more. She continued, “I think you should know that every night when I go to bed there is a visitor that comes into my room and I am so afraid.”

I replied, “I think the visitor is from the other side.” She agreed.

“I’m going to take authority and tell that visitor in Jesus name he can never come back.”

The next morning she texted me: “The visitor is gone! Thank you very much. Its changing my whole life!”

Soon she informed me, “Something very special happened. My boyfriend asked me to marry him and we are engaged to be married!”

Publisher’s note: Fred Herzog is an apostle and church planter. Find out more about him. 

Tell the World How You have Led Someone to Salvation in Christ

Use the contact form below. You will encourage others by telling your story.

 

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Local Churches Global Apostles, Ministry

Mercy Philip: Tribute to a “Chicken Evangelist”

June 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

 

Mercy Philip: Tribute to a "Chicken Evangelist"

Mercy Philip: Tribute to a “Chicken Evangelist”

 

Publisher’s Note: Mercy Philip was born on February 25, 1955 and passed away on Monday, May 26, 2014. God used her to bring many people to know Christ Jesus as Savior and friend.

A Chicken Evangelist is one who brings up Christ before he “chickens out.” Is it fair to call Mercy a Chicken Evangelist? Maybe not; it seems there was not a fearful bone in her body.

The following story by Lee Wonten is only one of her many witnesses. Mercy knew well the Law of First Encounter and approached many with love and the saving truth of the gospel.

My name is Lee Wonten. This is my testimony of how I came to know the late Mercy Philip.

When I moved to the United States of America in 2012, I started working at the Muscatine Community YMCA as a janitor. When I went to work one evening, I was sitting in a chair waiting for my supervisor to come have me get started with work.

Mercy was one of the cashiers at the Muscatine community YMCA. She came and tapped me on the shoulder with a smile, greeted me and asked me, “Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and  Savior?”

As confident and conscious I am about my salvation in Christ Jesus, I responded to her question with an easy smile. “Yes! I am a born again Christian.” She gave me a warm hug and said, “You’re my brother in Christ”. It was from that time I started to know Mercy Philip.

During that same week we were having a revival service at our Church, Chapel Of Praise. I invited her. I also invited her to come over to our house so we can all have devotions together. She came and we had a wonder time fellowshipping together as Christian family. She began to tell me about how she came to the United States, how she went to school, bought her first house, how much God has blessed her and has caused people to favor her.

She gave me advice that is still at the back of my mind today.

As you are still in high school and will soon be starting your college education, life will bring you some challenging situations that will sometimes appear to be impossible to overcome.

 

But I want you to have this in your head, that no matter wherever you finf yourself, know that we serve a miracle working God. He will open strange doors of breakthroughs for his people anywhere and anytime. So stay connected to Jesus and know that He is God.

Mercy encouraged me a lot to walk in obedience and righteousness with the Lord. It is sad that she’s now passed away. But her words of encouragement still live in my head today. And it is my sincere prayer that God will give me the grace to walk right with him and that nothing will distract my attention from his presence.

lee wonten

Publisher’s comment: Thanks to Lee Wonten for sharing his report. Chicken Evangelism opens the door to friendship and discipleship as we see in Lee’s testimony. Jesus accomplished most of His outreach on the first encounter with strangers. Click here to learn more.

If you wish to publish your own story of personal evangelism, use this form.

 

Filed Under: Chicken Evangelism, Ministry