I came across an interesting article in which the question was asked, “Is the West Missing the Harvest?” I spent some time pondering the question. For those of us who live in the West, unless we have contact with some knowledgeable people who are involved in overseas Christian ministries, we may not even be aware how explosive the harvest of souls is today—especially since the turn of the millennium. The extraordinary growth in Christianity and the amazing miracles being evidenced all around the world in the last few years are absolutely stunning.
But one of the things that troubles me and many others is the absence of the West from much of this massive harvest. Reports from many places around the world tell of enormous numbers of people humbling themselves, repenting of their sins, and asking Jesus to become their Lord and Savior. Tens of thousands of people are coming to the Lord every single day. This explosion has been going on all around the world—except in much of the West, including America and Europe.
We know we are in the last days—the days of great Harvest, right before the very end. Current events from all around the world easily confirm the fact. But, knowing this, and recognizing what the true Church of Jesus Christ is experiencing today, is the West actually missing the Harvest? Is it the rich, comfortable and materialistic nations who are last—or may not experience it in its fullness as most of the rest of the world?
It has been said that Christianity today is not seen as being the fastest-growing faith in the world because most surveys look at the traditional Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church while ignoring Christian believers who have no part of either. Today, there are millions of true disciples of Jesus belonging to a category of Christians that cross theological lines and have no interest in belonging to any man-made corporate religious structure. These Christians are simply not associated with the institutional churches at all. They meet in homes. They meet in tents. They meet in caves. They meet in groves of trees. They meet in burned out, bomb damaged buildings. They meet in secret.
What drives this last day’s movement? I believe there are several things. Hope for eternity. Assurance of forgiveness. And, MIRACLES. I have had emails over the years, questioning the reality of the miracles I’ve reported happening through the ministry of the House of Blessing. How could these things possibly be true? Why has no news agency picked up on these extraordinary events? And so on…
These things have of course been happening all over the world. I, however, have had the privilege to tell the stories connected to the House of Blessing; stories of countless miracles that prove what the Scriptures promised would happen throughout the Church Age, especially right at the End of the Age. Miracles such as people being instantly healed of shattered bones caused by gunshots. The blind can see and the deaf can hear. Many reports of the dead being raised. These are not people who had near death experiences but people who were dead, dead, dead! Some had been dead for days! Is it so hard to believe, when Jesus said that these things would be happening through the power of His Spirit? The Church in the West finds it hard to believe whereas the Church in the 3rd World lives in expectation of God’s miraculous interventions every day. Might it be because they have no “Plan B’?
After the Apostle Peter preached the sermon on the Day of Pentecost, this is how the people responded and these were the results:
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
For whom was the promise of the Holy Spirit? For those that heard Peter’s message, their children, and to all who are afar off. That’s us!
Now, on to the House of Blessing…
Over several of the latest Mideast Updates, I’ve written about several groups of Islamic militants who had been badly injured in gun battles with other insurgents, and then God’s intervention in their lives through the ministry of HOB missionaries.
The last group of these men was taken in by Suleiman and his group of new followers of Jesus (all of them having left behind the life as ISIS militants) for instruction and training in the ways of Jesus Christ while recuperating from their wounds. It did not take long for these men to connect Suleiman with four other ISIS (Daesh) leaders, their wives, and their children. After Suleiman shared his own story and testimony to these men of how he found Jesus and how his life had changed, each one of them, along with their entire families, became believers and followers of Jesus Christ as well, and were baptized. They were then encouraged to move their tents into the area where Suleiman and those with him belonging to the HOB community of believers had their tents. This is what they have all done and are now experiencing the love of God shared by the community of believers they are now part of.
This was such a joyous time that Suleiman took two of his own goats and prepared a feast of celebration. Rice was provided with the goat meat and many people were able to share in the meal. In fact, the more food that was consumed, the more God multiplied it. As more and more food appeared, more people came to eat. The goodness of God was evident, not only to those who were believers, but also those who happened on the celebration who were not believers! Praise God!
Suleiman was able to raise enough funds a few days ago for another truckload of wheat. This wheat was then given to several missionary teams who distributed the wheat to those most in need. Although many of the HOB missionaries are still resting from the grueling schedule they kept during Ramadan, there are still plenty of HOB missionaries who are active. These missionaries have been taking wheat, Oregano tea mixture, and the Gospel story, sharing with each tent they visit. The visits usually last half hour to one hour each.
Between those who have reported in, at least 400 families were blessed with something to eat physically and something to digest spiritually. Many were healed of sickness as the missionaries shared the tea mixture with them and also through prayer. A great harvest of souls continues to be brought into the Kingdom of God!
Pastor R continues to have struggles with his health. Some days he’s better, others not so much. It seems to go back and forth, but God continues to keep him going. He continues meeting with his leadership and daily prays with as many people as come to see him.
The HOB School of Ministry is continuing its intense daily schedule. Four hundred men are donating one dollar a day to help with the cost of feeding each of the students two meals a day. In a few weeks there will be a brand new group of School of Ministry graduates. These will then join others who are well established in their walk with God and able to mentor them as they step out in faith, joining the ranks of the HOB missionaries.
I’d like to share one more passage of Scripture. We live in difficult days, as things continue to deteriorate in our world. All of what we are seeing is leading directly to the imminent return of our Messiah. No matter where you live, God is more than sufficient for your needs. We serve a holy God and it is due to His grace and forgiveness through the power of Jesus’ blood that we can be called His people. This is a time when we need to stay humble before Him and trust Him in all things. He is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Ever-Present. He is well able to take care of us. Maybe it’s a good time to set aside our own Plan B?
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Forever in His Service,
Jake