Revitalize Your Church

John Wesley was only five years old when he was literally saved from a burning building. The fire nearly caused Wesley his life, but by God's grace, he was rescued from an upstairs window seconds before the building collapsed. Throughout his life, Wesley often referred to himself as "brand plucked from the fire". God surely had plans for John Wesley who eventually went into the ministry.  Another kind of “fire” strangely warmed Wesley's heart and consumed his life, sparking the fire of a great spiritual awakening that spread throughout the entire world.  This fire from God could not be quenched and came with a zeal that nothing could contain. He spread the gospel throughout the land just as a wildfire consumes a forest.  Set ablaze for God, Wesley knew he could not just “live off of the smoke” but needed to keep the fire of holiness burning in his heart.  John Wesley was a man on a mission from God who had no other desire but to spread scriptural holin...

Congratulations to Dr. Wesley Duewel and his new bride, Hilda, who were married at the end of December. Dr. Duewel , 92, is an amazing man of faith and prayer. His inspiring writings have blessed people all over the world. 1.7 million of his books are now in circulation in 61 languages. My favorite, Ablaze for God , has had a tremendous impact on my life, personally, as well as our congregation. It is the best book in my personal library besides the Bible. We were honored to have Dr. Duewel as our special guest at Hayward Wesleyan Church last November. (I blogged about it here and here .) During the process, I became acquainted with Hilda. She is a special lady, full of grace and love for the Lord. For many years, she has served as Dr. Duewel's capable administrative assistant. Now, she stands beside him as his wife! Both Dr. Duewel and Hilda lost their first companion by death. I am so happy that God drew them to each other for this special chapter in their lives. Congratulation...

The flu bug declared war on our house during the last few days -- five of the six Wilson soldiers fell. Only one strong warrior remained unscathed - Cathy. One of my kids came into the room where I was resting and said, "Tag, you're it!" The UPS man arrived late morning with three wonderful books from Amazon. I tore the box open and dug right in to Craig Groeschel's IT: How Churches and Leaders can Get It and Keep It. Awesome book! I couldn't put it down! Page after page, I kept saying, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" The bottom line is having a true heart full of love for God and others. It's a great follow-up to Ablaze for God -- and written for today. I want all my leaders to have IT! By the way, Life Church, where Groeschel pastors, is one of the most innovative churches in the country. They have made many of their creative resources available to other church leaders for FREE! Good stuff Available Here.

Yesterday morning, I dropped Dr. Duewel off at the airport for his return trip to Indiana. We drove to Minneapolis the aftermoon before, so we could break up his trip, and have some special time together. I was wondering how we were going to pass the time in the evening. I was fairly certain Dr. Duewel wouldn't be too interested in watching Monday Night Football or some crime drama. It was about 7:00 p.m. -- three hours until bedtime. Do you know how we spent it? We prayed and sang hymns together. He went through his normal prayer routine, and I was invited to hover at the edges where the glory spilled over. It was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. As he prayed through his daily prayer list, he would often stop and ask me about the person he was praying for. . . Do you know Leith Anderson? He has such responsibility! I've only met him a couple of times, but I pray for him every day! Do you know John Maxwell? A few years ago, the Lord laid a heavy burden on ...

We had a wonderful day at church with Dr. Wesley Duewel.(Author of Ablaze for God.) Dr. Duewel is a true saint of God. In his life, there is a thin veil between earth and heaven. He has walked with God so long and so deeply, that he lives the spiritual realm as naturally (even more so perhaps) than the physical realm. Our people were deeply touched by his total dedication to the Savior, his fervent prayer, and his overflowing love. Tomorrow morning, we're hosting a meeting for pastors in the area -- and I'm going to turn Dr. Duewel loose on them!!

You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame. - William Booth

Was deeply moved this past week by two powerful little books -- How to Pray by R. A. Torrey The Revival We Need by Oswald Smith They reveal the leanness in my own soul -- and kindle a strong desire to pray deeper and love God more fully. Our people have been praying around the clock, now, for three weeks. Yesterday morning, we saw fruit for the labor. At the end of the services, several came forward to pray concerning spiritual needs. There was a glorious outpouring of the Lord's presence, as we sought Him together. Significant victories were gained! Transformation! Praise the Lord! Last Wednesday night, I saw the fulfillment of Joel 2 -- "our songs and your daughters shall prophesy." Two young ladies from our congregation, Saskia and Meghan, organized a prayer event at the high school football field. The bleachers were full of young people singing praises to the Lord. Then, a half dozen or so young people stood before the crowd and shared testimonies of God'...

My cup is running over!! Yesterday, I had a wonderful phone conversation with Dr. Wesley Duewel, author of Ablaze for God. This precious 92 year old saint invested almost an hour with me. He shared some of his powerful poems. We discussed the need for revival and spiritual renewal in our land -- and then, I was blessed to have him pray for me and our church. He is planning to travel to Hayward and speak for us on November 9. I know God is going to give him something special to share with us. Wow and Amen!!

Hayward Wesleyan Church is literally praying around the clock during our Ablaze for God series! There are 168 hours in a week -- people have signed up for every hour -- except two on Saturday (1 and 4 pm) -- and we'll get those filled too! Just think -- at every hour of every day, someone is on prayer watch. Someone is lifting up our families, church, community, nation and world. Wow!! The 24 -7 prayer will continue through the month of October! I am so happy to see my people rising up to the prayer challenge. You can't go wrong by praying!! Things happen when people pray. Psalm 16:8 says, "I have se the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

A powerful revival song by William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army: Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! Thy blood bought gift today we claim, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! Look down and see this waiting host, Give us the promised Holy Ghost; We want another Pentecost, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To burn up every trace of sin, To bring the light and glory in, The revolution now begin, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! ’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! For strength to ever do the right, For grace to conquer in the fight, For power to walk the world in white, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To make our we...

Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God. -- Samuel Chadwick

Over many a Christian leader's record could be stamped these words: LACKS POWER. Why do so many ministers and lay leaders have a vague restless awareness that something is lacking in their leadership? -- Wesley Duewel, Ablaze for God, p. 78 perhaps the greatest lack in most Christian leadership and ministry is this divine bestowal, the Spirit's empowerment. . . . Perhaps the greatest, and most revolutionary change that could happen to your leadership would be for you to receive and continually experience the divine dimension. Once you receive it and experience the difference it makes, you will not want to minister without it . -- Duewel, Ablaze, p. 79

We launched our Ablaze for God series yesterday. There is a beautiful spirit of expectancy in our people, and a deepened commitment to prayer. It's exciting. Those who have just been "going along for the ride" are a bit uncomfortable, but I remember my daddy saying that Spirit-led ministry will: 1) comfort the disturbed and 2) disturb the comfortable. You can follow what we're doing at the Ablaze for God Blog

In Scripture, fire is often a symbol of God's presence and power. 1. First command -- "Let there be light" -- and there was light. God's radiant light. (Gen 1) 2. Abraham -- God appeared as a blazing torch (Gen 15) 3. Moses -- the burning bush (Ex. 3) 4. Children of Israel -- Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire (Ex. 13) 5. Mt. Sinai -- smoke, lightening, fire (Ex. 19 & 24) 6. Priests ordered to never let the holy flame go out (Lev. 6:12) 7. Elijah -- called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18) 8. Isaiah -- in temple glory of Lord filled it -- smoke, fire (Isa 6) 9. John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize with Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16) 10. In the upper room, filled with Holy Spirit, flames of fire came upon their heads (Acts 2) 11. Our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)

An e-mail sent to my congregation Dear Hayward Wesleyan Church Family, In all my years of ministry, I have never more eagerly anticipated the coming weeks than now! God is up to something wonderful. Let's join Him! Thank you to all who participated in the unusual prayer services last Sunday. Literally hundreds of prayers went up before the Lord. Together, we sought His face. I know this was pleasing to Him. We've had several reports of significant spiritual breakthroughs as a direct result of what we did on Sunday. I'm certainly glad we followed the prompting. This Sunday, we are officially launching the Ablaze for God series. I ask you to pause right now and pray for our church. Pray that we will all sense the presence of God in fullness, and that our hearts will turn towards Him. Pray that needs will be met, new commitments will be made, hearts will be set right and lives will be transformed. God moves in answer to prayer! He moves US! Our Ablaze for God Series will inclu...

Last Sunday, we devoted the whole morning to prayer -- no sermon, no announcements, no praise band -- only prayer. Jesus said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer." So, this past week, that's exactly what we did. The services flowed like a river -- one into another -- each one with it's own prayer focus. We set up several prayer stations in the sanctuary to engage the congregation in the prayer effort (rather than them being passive.) Designated music leaders in each service prayed about what songs we should sing. . . and the congretation sang them as prayers. It was beautiful. Hundreds of people actively participated. Many people received spiritual help. I've heard some beautiful reports of significant breakthroughs. I personally prayed with at least 20 people -- and the other pastors and prayer workers reported a similar morning of intercession. Prayer stations included: * Forgiveness (write grievance on rock with washable marker, then dip in water.) * C...

Our church is launching a special series called "Ablaze for God" It's a time to focus on prayer, renewal and deepening our spiritual commitment to the Lord, based loosely on a powerful little book by Dr. Wesley Duewel entitled, "Ablaze for God." Themes include: Your Life Aflame, Your Power, Your Love, Your Prayer, Your Accountability, Your Anointing, Your Integrity and Your Infilling. Starting September 14, this special series will continue through the first week of November This will, of course, be our emphasis on Sunday mornings. On Monday evenings, we will gather again for a deeper teaching on the same subject. (Sort of like a spiritual Monday Night Football!) Also on Mondays, at the conclusion of the teaching, we will break into small groups to discuss the theme of the day. This is a great place to ask questions, share your insights, or to merely listen in. There will be a daily devotional, launching September 15. We will have it in booklet form at the churc...