I hope the information below can give some perspective. Enjoy.
We have not been cataloging testimonies arising from the outpouring, but so many have been shared that we are asking anyone who has been touched by these meetings to please send us testimonies of your experiences. If you have a testimony, please send it ccclife@gmail.com .
THE NEWNAN GLORY OUTPOURING
DAY 32
Greetings…
Just yesterday I finished reading an article from Journal of Evangelical Theological Society (JETS) regarding the “The Four Faces of Self-Love in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards” (Bruce W. Davidson). Dr. Randy Colver, my friend and a bona-fide five-fold teacher, passed the article to me a week or so ago. Upon reading it I was stunned at the insight Edwards had into challenges the church now faces. I immediately made ten copies of the article but soon found myself asking the question, “Who will read this?” It is pretty academic, especially in the first few pages…but the nuggets later on are so worth it! Edwards sheds light on what may be the most important obstacle to revival in America…understanding that the ultimate purpose of everything is the glorification of God [not us]. Well, I have ten copies hot off the press if you would like one.
I mention the glory of God because we are continuing our “Glory Outpouring” meetings. We will go as usual (nightly @ 7p.m.) through Thursday, July 3 and then take a break July 4-7. Tuesday, July 8, we will begin again with our Monday-Saturday evening meetings (7 p.m.). “Glory” is a complicated concept but suffice to say that God is “shining” forth is these meetings and people continue to be touched in many different manifestations of this Glory. Tuesday night (Jul 1), four people were born again and well over 20 rededicated their lives to the Lord. God is waking up the dead! Every night we continue to pray for the sick, discouraged, ignorant, rebellious, etc.
On July 8 we are urging everyone to bring an unsaved person to the meeting. This is a daunting prospect to many as the average American Christian has NEVER led anyone to the Lord. We will be giving a very clear presentation of the Gospel on this night and expect many to repent and be saved.
Again, we are so thankful for all the help we have received from the broader community of churches, especially in the area worship teams. Thanks! And remember, we would welcome leaders who are accustomed to ministering is such settings to join us.
DAY 30…WE PRESS ON TO GLORY…NOW IT’S GETTING TO BE FUN!
We will host our 30th meeting tonight. The testimonies we have heard in the past four days have been stunning. Although almost all of our meetings have been so inspiring, something significant happened beginning Tuesday. I have speculated in my mind what could have changed. Is it perseverance? A sovereign release of faith? Did we discover the sound of heaven? Was it Frank Seamster returning from Lakeland after being prayed for by Todd over five times as well as spending hours with the likes of Peter Wagner, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner and other apostolic leaders? Whatever has happened, it has happened and the revival we have been witnessing has resulted in my giving up on trying to explain it. While sensing this breakthrough, we are also convinced that this is only the beginning. How can we say we are only beginning after almost 30 days? It’s just where we are in the process of experiencing the Glory and discovering where we go from here. After a short break from July 4-7, we will begin nightly meetings on Tuesday, July 8. In leading up to July 8, we are encouraging everyone to pray and about and pursue bringing one unsaved person to the meeting on July 8. We are also encouraging everyone to rest and refresh physically as we get ready for the next chapter of revival.
It is understandably difficult for those who have only experienced a few of the meetings to fully appreciate what has taken place. A number of us have attended virtually every minute of every meeting and thank God for the grace to do this. However, as we go forward I want to stress to everyone to ask God for a strategy that will work for the long run. We all need to plan for rest. Of course this will mean we will rely on the help of many people both within CCC and the broader church community. We have been so blessed by so many of our fellow “revivalists.” One area, among so many, that has been critical has been that of worship. We continue to be humbled by so many area musicians and singers from other churches who have helped during the meetings. Thank you!
On Saturday, June 28, 2008, the Newnan Times Herald ran a very informative and objective article on the outpouring. I was blessed by the straightforward manner in which Winston Skinner of the Times-Herald presented the story. I hope you can get a copy and read the story.
Finally, we covet your continued prayers for the glory to fall on our community and beyond. Revival fires are truly sparking across the country and around the world. Thanks to all who have truly believed God can move here as he has in other places.
Newnan Glory Outpouring Update: June 23, 2008
Revival: a renewal of interest in something that results in its becoming popular once more; the process of bringing somebody back to life, consciousness, or full strength
This past Sunday morning a man gave testimony of what the revival has meant to him. He shared that he had been attending the meetings since day 18 and this was day 23. When he came Thursday night he said his back was against the back wall and his “butt was on the bar” (the bar that opens the door). He said he was a former pastor who had quit the ministry eight years ago and had been “dead” ever since regarding his relationship with God. As the service started, he said to himself, “Here we go again…” “Phony” was one word he used to explain what he expected to find. However, as the service and worship progressed, his heart began to melt and he realized that “the only thing the people wanted was for Jesus to come.” He then related a conversation he had with the Lord during this process whereby the Lord reminded him that the Lord had never let him down nor been unfaithful…never! Soon the man was drawn to the front of the church to lose himself in unrestrained worship of his Lord and Savior. His testimony was a stunning reminder of why we are making our lives and facilities available to the Lord for this outpouring. We have heard so many similar testimonies over the past 23 days. We expect many more as we press on. We will continue to pray for the sick and minister in whatever expression the Holy Spirit desires. We ask that everyone PLEASE lift us up in prayer. As exhilarating as this outpouring continues to be, there is no denying the wear and tear that accompanies the many blessings. The strain on people, equipment (our electric drums are in hospice care) and facilities is a challenge that we need constant grace for. Pray for grace, grace, grace. We don’t want to do anything in our own strength and therefore are blessed to live beyond the ragged edge of our own abilities. Pray!
"Compel them to come in."—Luke 14:23.
Newnan Glory Outpouring Update: June 11, 2008
Can you imagine singing “How Great is Our God” at full tilt for over forty minutes. And that following “And the Glory Came Down” for a long, long time. This was worship like I have NEVER experienced. I know the angels were in awe at “how we worshipped HIM.” During “How Great…” many fell on the altar weeping and repenting. I will never forget such scenes. The GLORY came down! We then marched seven times around the room, shouted, and passed through a symbolic Glory Tunnel. We then heard a powerful word from Dr. Randy Colver regarding the ruinous consequences of revival. Wow! We fully expect a fresh move Wednesday night!
Newnan Glory Outpouring Update: June 10, 2008
Ten days and continuing. God told us to expect this last year. One can’t expect this. Three to four days of meetings is manageable, even fun. Indefinite meetings are another universe.
Every day I can’t wait to get in the corporate Presence of God. I am beginning to groove. New pathways in my brain are being developed. Could it be that after twenty-one days of this we will have a new “habit?” Revival habit? Will we need a 28 day rehab? How will we ever go back to “normal?” What will be normal?
Revival is “reaping”
Most folks have no idea what is going on at 310 Millard Farmer Industrial Blvd. (that would be CCC). People live day-to-day. Eat. Sleep. Work. Play. Go to church. Homeostasis. We live in a big world with lots of things to do. Regardless, something is going on. A reaping has begun.
A number of church’s and individuals in our community have sown for years the seeds of intercession regarding revival coming to this community. We remember taking prayer meetings to two new churches each month for over two years and asking God to bless and move in these churches. Baptist churches, Methodist churches, Pentecostal churches. I remember vividly one pastor at a church we were praying at weeping and holding me as he confessed that his church had never had a real prayer meeting where everyone truly cried out to God. I was so moved. That church still does not have corporate prayer meetings as the pastor recovered from his brief emotional outburst. Others recall the many “In His Presence” Saturday morning worship and intercession meetings at various churches asking God to come. We’re not “all that.” But to a degree, we have not wearied in well doing and have begun to taste reward. We have a long way to go but are enjoying a sweet spot on the long road to transformation.
I have also reaped recently…the crushing realization of how my actions as a pastor can quench the Holy Spirit. During the Atlanta meetings I was horrified on one occasion when I witnessed what I thought was a complete quenching of the Spirit when the meeting facilitator took the meeting in a completely different direction than the Holy Spirit (and, of course, I) was intending to go. It was like a huge wet blanket was placed over 3000 people. Droves bolted for the doors. I was angry as I talked to myself and anyone else who would listen. How could anyone be so oblivious to what God was doing? The next night’s crowd was way down…not surprising to me. I was pretty unforgiving in my assessment as I forgot that the most important dynamic in revival is the Presence of God and the Holy Spirit is so able to bring adjustment. My reaping occurred on the third night of our meetings when I prematurely cut off worship at a critical point in the meeting. I wonder if my evaluators had the same amount of compassion toward me as I did in Atlanta. Hope not. Thankfully the ministry of the Word on this night saved the day.
Many mistakenly have or will conclude that we have simply manufactured this revival. Well, we have not. We have, on the contrary, decided to make our facility and our lives available to God every day until he tells us to stop. We pray many will come and experience the benefits of revival…a fresh touch, a new wind, a re-ordering by the Holy Spirit…all in preparation for a great move of God in this nation and indeed the world.
What has happened
Prior to the eighth meeting, we decided to keep meeting daily until the Lord says stop. June 8, 2008 was our eighth meeting. Eight is the number of resurrection or new beginnings. This is a new beginning for all of us. I have been in every meeting, start to finish. Here is what I have observed:
1. A foundation of repentance was laid from day one. Clean hands, pure hearts and honest speech must be in place for the King of glory to come. True revival is a call to holiness. Change must take place. From the prophetic songs (“turn us inside out and upside down’) to the preaching, holiness has been key. It was prophesied that 7 words would release this revival…
Holiness (Personal repentance and commitment to permanent change)
Seek (The world must see a church that is continuously seeking God)
Press (Strain in to the promises and purpose of God)
Obedience (in presenting complete description of the nature and character of God)
Ascend (the remnant and heathen will be drawn by a worshipping church)
Breakthrough (Saturday night, June 7, something snapped in the Spirit…go for it!)
New Territory (We are going somewhere new to all of us).
These words may be adjusted as time goes by.
2. Hunger and anticipation. Every meeting has been characterized by an unmistakable anticipation and hunger for God to move. All such meetings have the few “charismatic camp followers” who go from one event to another seeing if they can be “moved”. However these meetings have enjoyed a high proportion of participants vs. spectators. Praise God for those who have come with open hearts and eager spirits! These meetings have not been “miracle shows” but gatherings of saints who are eager for the Presence and all HIS accompanying benefits.
3. Although the meetings have had wonderful moments of healing, thus far the most striking feature seems to be the strong focus upon repentance and true revival in the lives of so many individuals. The dead are truly coming back to life! We have prayed for years that the hidden, hurting, discarded, discouraged, sidelined, etc., would return to a passionate pursuit of God. This has happened to so many. The remnant…and then the rest. First the church, then the world!
4. Worship has been and continues to be key. Revival must contain worship and Word. Worship brings the Presence and the Presence releases the Word. Worshipful hearts are ready to receive the seed of the Word. Another inspiring testimony regarding worship has been the involvement of many different churches in the worship teams. Wow! CCC cannot, nor do we desire to, do this alone. We thank God for the worshippers!
5. There have been many altar calls for many different reasons as the Lord prepares his house for harvest. On day nine there was a huge response to the altar to deal with anything competing with God in our lives. Enthusiasm for manifestation has not trumped the need for the cleansing of hearts.
6. Testimonies of deep conviction, repentance and rededication have been plentiful. This is revival.
7. Unity and service among a number of churches has helped ease the load of practical ministry. Child care, cleaning, parking, etc., are all tasks that take much effort and sacrifice. We have been so blessed by the help we have received thus far and pray it keeps going.
Where to?
As we go forward, mistakes will be made and the Holy Spirit will bring correction. Some adjustments will be easy to see and occur quickly. Others will take time, further conviction and instruction as we proceed with open and tender hearts. This is why we are in it for the long run…well beyond the daily meetings.
As I mentioned above, we will continue meeting daily until the Lord tells us to stop. I want to thank everyone at CCC and in the broader church community for supporting these meetings and pray God’s richest blessings on everyone as we continue to pursue the One who loves us most.
Newnan Glory Outpouring Update: June 8, 2008
So…what are we doing? This is a fair question.
After holding seven days of revival meetings beginning June 1, 2008, the Holy Spirit has prompted us to continue daily meetings indefinitely for the benefit of our community. We were prompted one year ago during a regular yearly visit by Evangelist Frank Seamster to consider holding extending our meetings this year as he sensed many of the same dynamics present in our community as he had experienced in other communities where revival has erupted. Frank is on the apostolic board of the Ignited Church in Lakeland Florida where revival broke forth on April 2, 2008 and has since affected the entire world through God.TV. Additionally, one of our worship leaders, Catherine Mullins, was ministering on the worship team when the Lakeland move began. She has since led worship at the Atlanta Outpouring as well. We do not believe such connections are coincidental.
We have made the decision to allow this encounter with the Lord to ruin us. Our schedules and budgets have been trashed and our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. Our principle focus has been and continues to be the nurture and stewardship of this move of God. We have been so blessed by the help and support afforded us by other churches and individuals from our community. From child care to cleaning and parking, many have come forward to help with this huge task. Although we could mention many by name, Shiloh Chinese Christian Church has humbled us by their help with video support as well as other needs. We are grateful to all who have assisted in this undertaking.
Our meetings thus far have been characterized by many altar calls and much repentance as the Lord first prepares his Church for revival. Holiness; repentance; pressing; seeking the Lord; obedience; and worship have all received much emphasis from the Holy Spirit. There has been a great balance between the Spirit and the Word during these meetings. Although we have experienced healing miracles, the greatest emphasis has been on personal repentance and renewal of faith. Many have been propelled to the altar to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them to renewed purity of heart, mind and soul.
We have not been nor are we now interested in copying any other move of God and this has disappointed some who have come expecting a repeat of other outpourings. Revival principles are eternal but each outpouring must find its unique expression. Each day has been evidenced by a fresh emphasis from heaven. As with any outpouring, we have made mistakes with our emphasis and interpretation of what God wants us to do. For sure, zeal has at times overtaken knowledge, but, on the whole, we have experienced powerful and humbling times in the Presence of the Lord.
When all is said and done, we are simply obeying what we believe to be a prompting from the Lord to make our facilities and lives available to any and all who desire an encounter with the love, forgiveness, salvation and empowerment of the only true God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We hope you will spread the word… for all who are thirsty to come.
Newnan Glory Outpouring Update: June 6, 2008
Breakthrough...Thursday Night
Status: Our community outpouring meetings will continue through Friday night, June 6, 2008. As we here from the Lord, we will announce continuation of the meetings. We would like announce a longer term for the meetings, but the Lord is requiring us to live day-to-day at this time.
Breakthrough Thursday Night: Something happened during worship Thursday evening. At a particular point while singing the "Revelation" song, something in the our spirit realm "snapped". Something "shifted". For those who have only been able to attend one or two meetings, it may be hard to appreciate this change in the atmosphere so I urge you to do your best to focus your life on what God is doing in these meetings. It is challenging to everyone as we balance the responsibilities of daily life while trying not to miss this important moment in the Lord.
As the meeting went on into the evening, more and more people came. By the end of the night, spontaneous worship took over and people just would not leave the Presence of God. The last left around midnight after basking in the sweet Presence of Jesus for hours.
It has been prophesied by Teacher (Dr.) Randy Colver that our meetings would be characterized by 7 words that the Lord would release through the ministry of Evangelist Frank Seamster. Thus far the following "words" have been identified:
Holiness
Seek
Press
Obey (the prophetic mandate of the church to present the full presentation of the nature and character of God)
Ascend (through worship)
Breakthrough
Please note in the column to the left the emphasis arising from Thursday's meeting.
Prophetic Emphasis from Thursday Night
1. New Territory: Our meetings entered "new territory" for all those gathered last night. Individually, corporately and for our community. This was truly a "first" for us as we entered extended, truly Spirit-led meetings. Jesus is inviting us to go where we have not gone before...trusting Him each day. No models other than that of seeking the Lord and crying out that He come and inhabit our worship.
2. Friday Night: Regarding Friday night's meeting, everyone had been asking me if we were going to go ahead and meet. I just did not know. As the Thursday meeting progressed into serious worship, the Lord spoke clearly to me as He asked me a simple question and made a simple statement...."What are you doing Friday night? I would like to spend some time with you." It felt like the Lord was asking us to go on a date with him! Saints, something is going on.
3. Honor this move of God: Now this is where it gets interesting and sobering. As we were worshipping Thursday night, the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit and said, "Honor this revival." Right during the middle of worship, I knew I was to take out my wallet and toss whatever cash I had on the alter...immediately without hesitation. I had recently been given a personal offering that I thought was very timely in that Sharon and I have been "raiding" all of our personal "funds" in order to sow into all the revival meetings we have been attending over the past few months. But the prompting for the Holy Spirit was unmistakable..."Honor the Revival!" The Lord then charged me to urge everyone in the meeting to contact their spiritual leaders and urge them to "honor" these meetings in whatever form that might mean. Do not ignore what God is doing.
4. Addictions and Depression: Friday night will be a night for the healing of addictions and emotional torment evidenced by depression and other related issues. It will be a night of deliverance. Please plan to bring anyone you know of who needs to be set free of such afflictions. Jesus is here to set the captive free!
