Growing in sharing the Gospel and baptizing

On Wednesday evening, Shaun and Realene came over, and we debriefed and processed the events on Tuesday.

One of the things that I realize now is very important before inviting people into faith in Jesus is a frank and personal conversation about sin and repentance.  I have also come to see that baptism is more than a symbol; it is the Red Sea in which the enemy's attacks are crushed.  I have also come to realize that we need to cross the Jordan into fullness by being baptized in the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus.

Wednesday evening, Shaun also showed me an engaging Gospel presentation method using about a dozen cards with conceptual images on them (produced by TLR), telling the story starting from the Garden, sin, Israel, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the disciples waking in the fullness.

I had the opportunity to practice that presentation with Santos and Rene yesterday afternoon after our gathering.  After going through the presentation, I asked Santos where he was in that story, and he said that he was baptized, but he hadn't been filled with the Spirit.  Brandi and I shared our experiences, and then I asked him if he wanted that.  He said yes, so we all gathered around, and he was filled and spoke in tongues a little bit!

While I was presenting to Santos, i could see that Rene was tracking, so after we praise for Santos, I asked Rene where he was in the story.  He said that he has know that he needs to be baptized for seven years.  So, we encouraged him, and Derek read several Scriptures with him, and he decided to go ahead and be baptized.  So, we rinsed out an empty fish pond in the back yard, filled it up with a garden hose and added some boiling water, and we baptized him and prayed for him to be filled with the Spirit!

Father, thank you for these Brothers and Sisters who have encouraged us to walk like Jesus.  I believe that Jesus is the prototype, and as your son, filled with your Spirit, I want to walk in the fullness that Jesus demonstrated.  Jesus, thank you for your example and for making a way for us to die with you through baptism and receive the powerful anointing of your Spirit.  Holy Spirit, you make me glad.  I love you.

TLR in El Paso

Last night, Torben Sondergaard and a team from TLR stopped in El Paso on their way back east for a one-noght kickstart.  

Torben shared his story of putting his faith in Jesus but being unsatisfied with the typical church-atrendance model.  He even became a pastor of a typical church, but he was still frustrated that his life didn't look more like the stories we read in the New Testament.

After that, we had the opportunity to pray for people, and I prayed for an older gentleman who had hip pain.  A pastor who knew him was delighted to see him walking around without as much pain.

Later, people were given opportunity to respond by repenting, believing, being baptized, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Brandi and I participated in assisting a number of the baptisms, commanding demons to leave them, and inviting the Holy Spirit to fill them.  It was amazing to see the power of God flow.  And I look forward to hearing testimonies of their transformed lives and multigenerational discipleship.

Father, thank you for the opportunity to experience a kickstart.  Jesus, thank you for your example for us to follow.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power and leading us in making disciples.  I love you.