The Global Gathering - Munich

Olympia Park, Munchen Germany

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10  

As I embark on a trans-Atlantic journey I am reminded of the words of Isaiah declaring that the nations will rally to the Root of Jesse, the Son of Man, the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophetic word sounds a signal for the gathering of God’s people in Munich, Germany. Deborah and I are joining thousands of other like-minded leaders from dozens of nations. We and our team will partner in birthing a shaking and awakening on the European continent. This is NOT a conference. This is a move of the Holy Spirit birthed in Asia and now entering the global sphere of influence through the gateway of Munich, Germany. From 2009 until now each of these worship gatherings was named for the nation hosting it, a specific nation coming into alignment with the Lord’s end time move. However the Munich gathering is called the ‘Global Gathering’ declaring the next level of influence for this day and hour. It is interesting that the Apostle Paul pioneered the spread of the Gospel of the Kingdom in Asia. He was happy with that and would have continued in that direction. But suddenly, he took a sharp left turn on the map toward Europe. He was called by the Holy Spirit to Europe. So it is today.

In my spirit I sense a shaking in Europe. We’ve seen the historic decline of the church, the massive influx of Islamic immigrants, the elevation of intellect and knowledge over faith and spirituality, and the lack of national will to contend against evil. As Bret Stephens recently wrote, ‘It’s not that Europe stands for nothing. It stands for shallow things shallowly.’

While 65% of Germany is nominally Christian, only 2% is evangelical. The institutional church in Europe is dead.  But there is a remnant; flaming fires of faith, contending for the Kingdom on that continent. In Germany house churches are springing up, Christian publications are expanding, and new streams of worship are flowing toward heaven. These fires of faith are vibrant and visionary; not intimidated by the darkness around them. It is from this remnant we see the banner of the Root of Jesse waving over the nation. I believe a remnant in the nations of Europe will rally in unity to Him.  Watch and pray for the gathering in Munich to fan the flame and raise the banner! 

You can access live streaming and video recording of this epic event beginning Sunday October 25 at www.watchmen.org.  

Want to know more about this global move of the Holy Spirit?  Read Harvey's post regarding the Gathering in Japan 2015.

Contending With Our Culture - A Message of Hope

The Prophet Jeremiah knew what it was like to be opposed in his own country. He lamented his frustration with Israel when he said I am ‘a man with whom the whole land strives and contends’ (Jere. 15:10).  Jeremiah spoke forth warnings and declarations of what would happen if the Hebrew people did not return to God. Israel’s response to Jeremiah’s ministry was annoyance and rejection. They had so mixed their faith and identity with the surrounding cultures and religions that they no longer responded to the ministry of the prophets. They turned their hearts toward other gods and immersed themselves in the economic and religious systems of that day. They strived and contended against him. Jeremiah was a small, but loud, remnant voice amidst a majority culture. Despite his lamenting, Jeremiah did not silence his voice or end his ministry. He moved forward contending against the culture embraced by his own people. 

The word ‘contend’ implies the presence of tension; a lack of agreement on some issue. For Jeremiah it was Israel’s complete lack of agreement on Truth, the Law of Moses, the first covenant between God and man. We live under a better covenant than Jeremiah and we are called to advance the kingdom of that covenant. We carry the message of Jesus Christ, salvation for all who believe, abundant life in His kingdom, and eternal life through His resurrection. 

Today many in leadership in the 21^st century church find themselves in a position of contending against what seems like the ‘whole land’ of America. The land (culture, government, systems, and beliefs) strives and contends against us and the message we carry. Our message runs counter to the culture. Many embrace the idea that all religions are the same, that no one belief system has the Truth, that all beliefs must be treated with tolerance...except the belief that Jesus is the ONLY WAY. That is the one thing that cannot be tolerated. 

Even as I write this I find myself encouraged by the persecuted believers in Islamic countries who have endured, persevered, and in some cases prospered for centuries under far more oppressive opposition. They contended for the faith amidst oppressive cultures and beliefs without discarding Truth. I am encouraged by Paul who told the persecuted believers at Philippi to ‘contend as one man for the faith of the gospel’ (Phil. 1:28). Paul understood how to contend. The church at Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, and across the Middle East understood the meaning of contending for the faith. It is time for the church in America to contend for the faith, something most of us have yet to fully understand. But we will endure. We will persevere. We will overcome. As we contend we will be led in triumphant victory according to Paul’s words to the church in Corinth (2 Cor. 2:14). What that victory looks like here on earth remains to be seen, but it will be victory!