Category Archives: Church Growth

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Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2018

It's coming to America

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We in America have not had to face this YET—but it may come to our homes someday: persecution because of our faith in Jesus and what the Bible says.

This Sunday we will focus on the annual Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  We have not idea what they are going through—even American’s who live in lands hostile to the Gospel.

It is more than coincidence that I just received this email from an old friend who was a missionary in Papua New Guinea ( PNG).

“I was just texting a friend named who is in PNG ( Papua New Guinea) for a few weeks, and who is a former PNG translator. While we were texting at around 10:30 her time a message arrived from her daughter who lives in a “sensitive” country with her husband. The daughter said that 12 police had just come and taken her husband, Bob, saying they would bring in back in the morning. So at this moment Bob is in their hands.

Thank you for praying.”

Pray for Bob. Pray for those you know who are living in such places. This is going on in great numbers in China right now. The government there is trying to rid China of all foreign missionaries—just as they did in the 50’s. China’s church grew exponentially as a result, of course. 🙂

Pray that you will not be afraid to take your stand with them for the Gospel when called upon even here in America. 

Radical, fundamental Islam is plotting now to take over America—as they have almost accomplished in Europe. In about 25 years, the takeover will be complete. Only a huge miracle can save Europe now. If yo do not believe that, I encourage you to watch this movie on Youtube.

This movie, made by a Muslim doctor, reveals what many of our American and European leaders do not want to admit:The Third Jihad.   Here is that movie on Youtube.   I believe the facts the movie states are spot on, accurate and probably understated. 

Please do not let this movie frighten you. God knows all this and He has a plane to deal with this real threat to western civilization and Christianity & Judaism in particular. Instead, let this real threat encourage you to draw near to God, use your life glorify God and spread the Gospel as much as you can. Millions of Christians have lived under such threats for centuries. If we must face it here, God will give us the grace to endure and triumph over it spiritually and perhaps physically.

Also, do not hate Muslims. We must love them. God commands us to do that. Pray for their salvation. Our church does every second Sunday in the worship service.

Muslims are the greatest victims of the false god, Allah and his warlike Koran. The Allah of the Koran is NOT our God. The Jesus of the Koran is NOT our Jesus, by the way. Most Muslims just want a peaceful life. Unfortunately, about 200 million radical Muslims speak for them and act for them most often around the world.

These are sobering thoughts. This is the age we live in and God plans to use our faith and love—even for our enemies—to bring many people to Jesus. This is what happens when persecution comes to God’s people: the Church is purified and grows. What the devil means for evil, God means for good! (Gen. 50:20).

We are honored to represent God in these times. Jesus is our example.  We follow a suffering, persecuted Savior Who calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him.

Following Jesus with you,

Pastor Bob Fox

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Free Church Growth Conference: Thursday, October 4 at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church

Free to All

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The Bridge Leadership Conference

Thursday, October 4 at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church

4392 Virginia Beach Blvd. 23462

 

 

Dinner: 6pm ($6, pay at door) Large Group: 6:30pm Sessions begin: 6:50pm Deadline to Register: Tuesday, October 2

This Conference is open to everyone. You do not have to be a partnering church to attend this Conference

If you had signed up for the Conference on its original date, please contact the office (admin@thebridgenet.org or 757-938-9793) to confirm you will be attending the October 4 Conference.
Thank you!

Session Topics: (choose two)

How to Lead Change When Change is Hard; led by Lynn Hardaway

Building a Multi-cultural Church; led by Charlie Brown
Getting People in the Door; led by David Foote
Owning Your Gospel Story; led by Ken Pruitt

Small Group Leadership (2nd session only); led by Nate Hogan Family Systems; led by William Colvin

Spiritual Health of the Church and Its Men; led by LeRoy Hill, Jr.

Creating a Ministry for those with Special Needs; led by Jason Hutcheson
Discipline with Special Needs Students; led by Vince Kornegay

Crucial Conversa9ons (1st session only); led by Kim Jessie

Teaching the ‘Google’ Genera9on; Vicky Faircloth

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Did You Learn to Love?

Bob Jones Reports on His After-Death Experience in Heaven

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Word spoken by Bob Jones in 2006. Full article here.
I was in pain on the earth and blood was shooting out of my mouth like a geyser.
And all of a sudden I wasn’t in pain anymore. This Man, the Parakleet (1) stood by my side, the Holy Spirit, we started walking. And as we walked, I saw a Man who was white light. (2) All white light was around Him, but He was the whitest of all white lights. He had His hands out. As I came into that white light, there came a feeling over me like I had never known before. I asked the Man beside me, “What is that?”

The Man (Holy Spirit) said, “It is the love of God.” I said, “It’s just so wonderful, it’s so glorious.” And He said, “That’s what it is, it’s the glory of God.” I said, “How can it be both?” It’s in John 17. The love I had with the Father, the glory I had with the Father. So that was the greatest experience I have ever had. Just enveloped in His glorious love. That’s possible down here. The glory of God is coming and it is going to be in His glorious love.

I noticed another group of people on my left side and they had like a conveyor belt underneath them. And they were wrapped up in all different kinds of things. And I looked at them and I asked this Man, “Why are they wrapped up that way?” And He said, “They were wrapped up in the earth with their gods. It’s the gods they worshiped on the earth, that followed them into death. They were on their way to Hell with their gods. I saw a man wrapped up in dollar bills. I saw a man wrapped up in his sod or grass; his yard was his god. I saw a man that had no body, he was just one big head. He was an atheist, he worshiped himself; he was his own god and going to Hell with it.

Well, I worshiped the Lord and I am going to spend eternity with Him. But these others that don’t are going to spend eternity in total darkness with their god. And their gods will be their tormentors, not a hundred thousand years, but eternity.

So I looked at that line. It was so horrible, and everyone, when they came there, they recognized Him. Their eyes got big, and everyone that is going to Hell has had a witness in one way or another that there is a God. And every one of them willingly denied Him. For each 2 in the line that I was in, there was 98 in the other line.

Bob’s book on Amazon

I watched the Lord speak to people that were coming there. And He asked them only one question: “Did you learn to love?” He’s not going to ask you what you did. If you learn to love, you are going to do that which is right. Did you learn to love? (3) He would ask them that question and they would say, “Yes Lord,” and He would kiss them right on the lips and embrace them and the double doors of His heart would open and they would go right on in.

As I came close to the Lord, I was thinking, “I learned to love. I’m OK, I’m going home.” As I did, He held His hand up to me and said, “No I want you to go back.” I told Him, “It was too hard to get here. I don’t want to because I wasn’t doing any good there.” He said, “You are a liar, because you spoke My Words and My Words will always bring it to pass.” I said, “Well nobody was believing it and it was painful.” He said, “Yes, and you have a cowardly nature too. [Up there, it’s the truth.] (5) But you love. You had a heart for souls. I want you to go back. If you look at that line over there and then tell me you want to come in, I will bring you in.”

I looked at that line and looked at their faces and said I would go back for one…I’m sending you back to wake up the Church because I am going to bring a billion youth to Myself. In one of the greatest waves of all times. I’m going to honor Myself beyond anything that man can imagine. I want you to go back and touch the Church and speak to the Church of what I am going to do in these last days.” So I told Him I would come back

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The Fires of Revival in 2018

The Holy Spirit Is Bubbling Up Across Mid-America!

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God’s Spirit is continuing to fall on the United States of America and the fires of revival are spreading!

At the time of this article, the Greeneville Awakening is now going into its twentieth week, with no signs of stopping. In fact, on Friday night, the last night of week nineteen, when I was there, D.R. said “We are just getting started!” Over 600 people have given their lives to Christ under the tent. At least 30 states have been represented, coming from all over the country.

Up until a few weeks ago, these states were all states in the East. However, within the last few weeks, the revival fires have burned so bright that those from the West have made the trip, Utah and Washington now being represented under the tent! In addition to these states, over 300 churches have come together, churches spanning all denominations! The revival is now on the radio, broadcast all over the world, and the first day of the radio program, 27 different countries tuned in. It is estimated between 2,000-5,000 people gave their lives to Christ as a result of that one night, and it will be on the radio every night from now on!

Christ’s Fellowship in Georgia has been experiencing revival since February. It is not uncommon for more than 40 people to walk to the front and be baptized. For the past six months, physical healings, deliverance, and more than 500 baptisms have taken place during the Sunday night services. According to the pastor, “We had one woman come to pick up her sister from the service. She walked into the door, and she fell under the conviction and got baptized. It was amazing.” People have come from hundreds of miles away to experience what God is going in this congregation.

Around 100,000 people in Southern California gathered for the 29th annual SoCal Harvest from August 17-19.  Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie spoke each night, placing special emphasis on California’s, and our nation’s, need for revival. More than 10,000 people responded to the nightly invitations to make a commitment to Christ.

A U.S. Army chaplain describes a revival that is occurring on a military base in Missouri. In one post, he writes, “Today, 380 soldiers came to salvation in Christ once and for all. Since March 11, 2018, we have seen 1,839 soldiers coming to Christ. God’s doing an unbelievable work through our military at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.”

A church in Corpus, Christi, Texas has seen an incredible move of God this summer. They planned four consecutive Wednesday meetings in July, and from the beginning it was obvious God was moving. The first Wednesday, over 100 people gave their lives to Christ and then the second Wednesday, an additional 100+ people came forward. “The following Wednesday, 200 people responded—many actually running to the altar.”

One thread to each one of these revivals is a hunger for God. The revival in Texas “first started when senior Pastor Mike Fehlauer developed a deep hunger to see more of God’s presence.” The staff joined with him in prayer that an awakening would take place. The revival in Georgia was birthed out of a 21-day church fast. Shortly after this fast, the pastor noted “God sat down in our building and rocked our world.” Prayer has also been a major part of Greeneville.

One of the things I learned when I was in Greeneville is that the property where the tent is has been heavily prayed over. A lady used to walk all over the property, praying that God would send revival. Not only did God answer that prayer, but God answered it right on that very property! The service we attended began with probably a thirty-minute season of prayer. This was not a perfunctory opening prayer, but a time when people from all over the congregation came to the front and were pleading for the presence of God. Later in the service, as D.R. was still preaching, people were walking up to the front, kneeling in prayer. I could hear groans and cries being uttered (Romans 8:26), people desperate to encounter God. By the end of the message, countless people were up front, crying out to God. Each night after the services, at 11:00, the men meet for prayer. In the morning, the women meet for prayer. This praying, this fasting, this desperation is a key to seeing God move and as the body of Christ in America cultivates this desperation, God is on the move!

~~~Written by Pastor Ryan Martin of Lycoming Christian Church in PA. with infor from Charisma Media

Also:

Revival Broke Out Near Historic Cane Ridge, KY on Pentecost Sunday 2018

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How to Welcome Your Church Guests Better

"16 Quick Adjustments for Reaching More People Seminar"

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The Bridge Network of Churches invites you and your leaders to this FREE event
Thom Rainer is the President of Lifeway Resources and is recognized as one of the top influencers in the nation regarding church health and growth.
Tuesday, May 15 6:30pm – 8:30pm 
The Bridge Network Offices
Chesapeake, VA 23320
THESE SMALL, SIMPLE ADJUSTMENTS CAN LEAD TO MORE PEOPLE ATTENDING YOUR CHURCH
This video training course includes:
  • Nearly two hours of step-by-step training & instruction
  • Notebook, practical examples, audio files, and related bonus content
  • 7 PDF adjustment papers
  • 4 MP3 adjustment audio downloads
  • Simple and immediate steps you can take to see more guests connect with your church
Here are some of the bonus materials you will receive for attending:
·      BONUS: Church signage checklist
·      BONUS: Secret guest survey
·      BONUS: Guest readiness checklist
·      BONUS: Church website checklist
·      BONUS: Church social media checklist
·      BONUS: Church health inventory
·      BONUS: Outreach and evangelism inventory
·      BONUS: Church community involvement checklist
PLUS: Pastors will receive a copy of Dr. Rainer’s two newest books: “Becoming a Welcoming Church” and “You Are Welcome Here.”
Your church does not have to be a partner church of The Bridge Network of Churches for you and your leaders to participate!

Register here.