Anointed Impulsiveness: 2019, its time to go to the roof! (Mark 2: 1:12)

2019: It’s time to go to the roof! (Mark 2: 1-12)

Anointed impulsiveness

The word 'impulsive' refers to actions done or commitments made quickly with very little thought or planning behind them. In such cases there is almost no time gap between when an idea occurs and the point at which you carry it out.

Most people learn as they mature that their first impressions are not always right, their strongest instincts cannot always be trusted, and their deepest passions must not always be followed. It’s a kind of healthy self-distrust. However we must never allow our maturity and self-assessment to make us dull or mundane and remove the racial wonder and action of anointed impulsiveness.  

Haste is generally bad practice. When you always have to act immediately, you reveal an illusion that everything depends upon you. "If I don't act soon, my whole life will fall apart. If I don't move now, I lose everything.” This is often faith in yourself and your ideas not in God’s ability to deliver. 

The opposite of impulsiveness is to consider: To consider is defined as: 'to think carefully about something, typically before making a decision.’ Jesus said, "What king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" (Luke 14:31). This is good advice!

The most important lessons from my M.A. studies was (and i’ll use the fancy term): Critical Theological Reflection. In other words, don’t be reckless and hasty but rather consider, reflect, speak with others…just wait out for a wee bit. Let some time pass. Don’t act immediately. In Crown Jesus Ministries when an important decision is to be made I will often say, let’s sleep on it…give it 24 hours. 

Now I’ve put those paragraphs in place at the start so that my thoughts for 2019 will not be understood as poor advice. 

As I read through stories of revival, miracles, supernatural works of God and multitudes coming to faith in Christ, I see people who are deeply connected with the Holy Spirit and willing to be more than predictable. They are not prepared to wait any longer for the committee to pass the request to another committee. They are not reckless, they simply have an anointed impulsiveness and they know it is time to go beyond the walls of buildings and beyond the walls of our thinking and go to the roof!

When the four men brought their disabled friend to Jesus the house was full but they were not satisfied to simply take him to a meeting, they wanted to bring him to Jesus. They had an unction and an urgency that said ‘This is our time, this is our season’ and the Holy Spirit quickened them into anointed impulsiveness. When Jesus saw their impulsiveness he considered it an act of faith and from it flowed forgiveness, healing and a supernatural witness.

For 2019 may God give us all wisdom, great courage and the ability to move into action. To move from un-anointed impassiveness to anointed impulsiveness.

Note:

So how can you know when to move and when to wait? 
That is inexplicably linked to your intimacy with the Holy Spirit thought prayer, fellowship, bible study, accountability and your daily public witness. check that list before you climb. 


Bible Text:

Mark 2 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”



8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Gods Chosen Vessel: A prophetic picture of hope in times of brokenness. Smithereens.

The smithereens prayer. (God's Chosen Vessel)

A picture and word placed upon my heart for  2019/20

I was praying, when I sensed the Lord give me a picture: 

It was a stunning glass vase at the centre of a living room, light went into it in one direction and sprayed out from it, illuminating the whole room.

The glass vessel was crimson red with a mix of deep blue:  it looked like Italian Murano glass. 

As I looked closer I could see that it was made up from tiny bits of glass that had been put back together like a mosaic. Around the floor where other broken pieces in different coloured glass. 

In my vision I asked the Lord what is that made of?

And I heard these words

‘Smithereens: Our best pieces are made of smithereens. Before light can shine though them, these vessels must first be smashed to smithereens. It is a painful moment and a slow process to rebuild them but it is the way of the cross, the way we choose for our light to be carried into the darkness. The glue, the crimson and blue colours; they represent us.’

That is all I heard. 

I  spent weeks marinating in these words, thoughts, the picture and what it means:

With limited editing skills I tried to recreate the picture for everyone to get the idea. But my picture doesn’t do it justice. the light was shining out was much brighter 

This is what I understand from the words and picture:

Here is a great mystery; our mistakes, suffering, chaos and pain can all be used for His glory and purpose. Nothing is wasted, like the fragments of bread gathered into baskets after the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus is illustrating that he wastes nothing. 

We are free to live as broken pieces on the floor, damaged with guilt, sorrow, fear, deep heavy burdens, the unknown, our minds playing over and over the things we could have done differently, the things we wish we had never said, the relationship we could have handled better, the moments we failed… or we can give them over to Father God, invite his healing and chose to see those broken moments as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to recover, and to evolve into something that radiates Christ. 

We are broken, we hurt, we cry, we bleed, we suffer but in doing so God creates endless possibilities for us to shine for him. 

What are you walking through?

Bereavement
Fear

Pain

Sickness

Failure

Shame

In these moments you must give the broken pieces to Jesus. He can not only heal but shape and transform and bring his light to the world.

Truth: 

You are never gonna look like yesterday again. You must choose:

You can either stay broken on the floor or be rebuilt

You can either shut down or let Jesus in

You can remain a shattered dream or become a vessel of light and hope for others. 

As I look at those who have had the greatest influence on my life they are made of the same thing: It’s not steel but tiny little fragments of broken glass that have been masterfully shaped by God.

The finest vessels in the world are merely smithereens placed in the Father's hands. 

My prayer:

That this will make some sense to you and that you will be encouraged and healed. May the light of Christ shine thought you today.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Whenever God means to make a man great, He always breaks him in pieces first.”

Mitch 

Some words from the apostle Paul to consider:

2 Cor 11: 

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever.

Phil 3: 

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Christmas lessons on grief and suffering from my mum.

Two days ago I was at a funeral. Two days from now and it is Christmas day… and right now I’m feeling the tension of both. 

Yesterday I was with a lady who lost her son this year. She just wants to stay in bed on Christmas day and wake up in the new year when it's all over. 

I get that, I feel her pain. 

My mum was a widow, in her late 40’s with three teenagers. I was 14 and facing my first Christmas without dad. That shouldn’t happen.

For many Christmas is not a red sack of surprises and joy but an unstoppable black locomotive train. Hurtling down the track and loaded with a cargo filled with sorry, pain, grief, regret, fear, anxiety and despair.

How did my mum manage? 

I was too young to appreciate it back then…but there are three things that stand out:

1, She celebrated what she had. 

Suffering has a way of altering the trajectory of our lives; gut wrenching, traumatic moments that rob us of tomorrows plans and force us to recalibrate what we have. Mum loved her boys and that first Christmas without dad she poured her life energy into the three of us. We opened our presents, went to church, she cooked the dinner, watched T.V and found some time to laugh and smile. She stood like a superhero against that locomotive and invested her day into her family. She fought the sadness… I remember her crying in the kitchen and I’m sure in private she cried a lot more but she would not allow grief to overcome her and more importantly her boys. She kept focus on us. 

2, She invested her life into helping others who also suffered. 

This was her life-song. She would get the bus to visit someone in hospital, walking to a sick neighbour’s home, go shopping for an elderly relative. She would sit with broken people, listen and love them. Pain and suffering unite people in a unique way. Group meetings like GriefShare.org are special places where you are reminded that you are not alone. A room full of strangers and one word like ‘cancer’ galvanises people into deep communities that you only find through pain. There is always someone you can bless: your pain, your suffering is a curse but it can also be a kind of gift to others. 

3, She found God in the brokenness. 

Not immediately, but in time… God began to answer her prayers and she began to hear his voice and find His hand in hers. The locomotive never stopped pulling up at her station but she learned not to unload it and wallow in it. She suffered in many ways in her short life but in every circumstance she began to know his presence in ways I have yet to experience. Mum found God in a valley of grief and pain that makes my mountain top moments superficial in comparison. He is ‘God with us’ in every situation, every place and everyday including Christmas. 

C.S Lewis put it like this: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

What is the picture? 

The picture is of a native American rug. 

Traditionally the weaver leaves a blemish, a few strands lose at one corner. They do this because they believe that it is in the blemish that the spirit enters. 

I like that thought. 

And so my prayer for you all this Christmas:

Be thankful for what you have, find someone to bless and be open to The Holy Spirit invading your life through the blemish of pain and grief. 

‘Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call Him Immanuel.’ Which is translated ‘God with us’ Matt 1:23 

Mitch

I am not a Christian

I am not Christian

🧐

I am not a Christian because it makes my life easy; if you want easy stick to lazy Sunday’s and  nights at home with the family. Christianity is NOT easy. 

I am not a Christian because it works for me, it often doesn’t. I pray and nothing happens. I see innocent people suffer, have lost parents, have family with disabilities and suffer with constant tinnitus and hearing loss. Why does God not answer my prayer? 

I am not a Christian because I am weak. I can hold my own, if you know me you know that. I would be earning more money and have more time to work out, cycle and play golf if I wasn’t a Christian. 

I am not a Christian because I need a safe place like church to hide in. Are you kidding me? lol. Church has a lot of wolves as well as sheep. I’ve experienced as much disappointment and conflict in the church as anywhere else. 

I am not a Christian because I am unscientific, I have an HND related to the sciences a shelf full of National Geographic etc. Truth I LOVE science. 

I am not a Christian because I am deluded, lacking logic and reason. I’ve spend 25 years studying Christianity and it’s opponents. I build my defence not on blind faith built on evidence that demands a verdict. 

So why am I a Christian?

I am a Christian because it is true.

I want to live in a way that reflects truth. 

I am absolutely convinced that:

1,  There is a creator

2, Jesus is the son of God

3, Jesus died on the cross

4, He was resurrected from the dead 

5, That the Holy Spirit is active on the earth today bringing love, joy, hope, peace and purpose. 

If you have questions private message me. Also a good place to start can be The Alpha Course checkout details at a local church.

World Cup thought for the day: Servant leadership: Three cheers for Didier Deschamps and the ‘water carriers’

World Cup thought for the day: Servant leadership: 

Three cheers for Didier Deschamps and the ‘water carriers’

It was a cold night when we arrived at Stamford bridge in November 1999 and I quickly picked up a commemorative scarf to keep the wind chill off my chest. That night Chelsea strolled past Hertha Berlin into the group stages of the Champions League. This was before the billionaire arrived and people are quick to forget we had a great team which already had remarkable international talent including Spanish right back Ferrer, the Italian wizard Zola and three world cup winning stars from 1998: Desailly, Leboeuf and Didier Deschamps. 

Just 9 mins into the game, Deschamps wins the ball in midfield, takes a touch to push the ball to the right side of his body away from danger and from 25 yards, lets fly with a screamer that beats the keeper with pace, swerve and attitude. Standing on what is now the West Stand, we jumped and danced in celebration, not just at the quality of the goal or the occasion, but the scorer. Didier Deschamps was the original ‘water carrier’ who rarely put the ball in the net, wasn’t interested in the limelight but absolutely devoted himself to serving others and hard work.

At 5ft 7inch Deschamps was a holding midfielder who rarely scored yet managed to captain Marseille to four straight French championships and a 1993 Champions League title before leading the French national team to world cup victory in 1998 and European Champions in 2000. 

If all goes well tonight, he will become only the third person ever to captain and manage his country to world cup success. 

Back in September 1996 Deschamps was playing for Juventus who were hosting Manchester United in a Champions League game. The outspoken United genius Eric Cantona had just returned from an 8-month ban and was more than a little wounded that he was not selected for the French national team ahead of Deschamps. In the build up to the game La Gazzetta interviewed Cantona and asked about Deschamps. He told the reporter that players like this can be found ‘on every street corner’, he was a ‘limited’ footballer whose entire job was to feed the ball to better players. The best thing one might say about him was he was a porteur d’eau; A water carrier. 

Juventus went on to win 1-0 and Deschamps had the opportunity before a crowded press room to humiliate Cantona; instead he chose to calmly responded to his comments saying ‘I don’t mind being called a water carrier.’ He was free to devote himself to working hard and serving others. 

On the French national team, Deschamps primary focus was to put the ball at the feet of Zinedine Zidane. “For every 10 balls I play I gave 9 to him”, Deschamps said. On the team he said, “you can’t only have architects, you also need bricklayers.” To Deschamps, carrying water was servant leadership, the sort most football fans don’t appreciate. Chelsea have had the privilege of having three of the best water carriers in world football who all happened to be French: Deschamps, MaKelele and Kante. 

Claude Makelele, is now a footballing legend but when he arrived at Chelsea he was only known as another water carrier. It was under Mourinho’s 4-3-3 formation that saw a role on the pitch now named after him and he helped change English football’s traditional 4-4-2 mindset forever. 

Makelele’s sale from Real Madrid to Chelsea had left the footballing world with two quotes that have been circulated since. Here is one from Florentino Perez after the sale of the Frenchman.

“We will not miss Makélelé. His technique is average, he lacks the speed and skill to take the ball past opponents, and ninety percent of his distribution either goes backwards or sideways. He wasn't a header of the ball and he rarely passed the ball more than three metres. Younger players will arrive who will cause Makélelé to be forgotten.”

The next quote is Zinedine Zidane’s disagreement with the transfer. The playmaker referred to the signing of David Beckham whilst responding with a creative comment. “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?”

It was no surprise that the sale of Claude Makelele began the downfall of Real Madrid which led to a consecutive run of six years where the team failed to make it beyond the last 16 of the Champions League. It also began the rise of Chelsea Football Club as a title contender, en route to winning their first domestic league title for 50 years.

N’Golo Kante is the current ‘porteur d’eau’ extraordinaire. In 2012-13 season at age 21 he was playing 3rd Division French football. For many people he was too limited and too small to make it as a serious professional. Fast forward 6 years and he has two premier league winners medals with Leicester and Chelsea, PFA player of the year, nominated for the Ballon d’Or, player of the year award at Chelsea, is on the verge of a possible dream move to Barcelona (let’s hope not!)  and tonight will play in the World Cup final under the watchful eye of the original water carrier. His work ethic and servant leadership on the pitch is phenomenal and helped him pick up the nick name ‘the man with the three lungs.’ 

Conclusion: 

What kind of leader do you aspire to be in school, business, sport, church etc?

Deschamps once said ‘I knew I couldn’t make a difference with a single move; but over the long run, through hundreds of small acts of service and management, I was able to balance things out.’ 

What can you do today to be a water carrier?

The greatest leaders are often not the most talented and skilful. Indeed the best way to lead is to serve with an extreme level of doggedness leaving everyone in no doubt: they are giving everything they’ve got. 

Jesus said: ’Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all.’ Mark 9:35 

That's pretty good advice!

Work hard, serve hard, love what you do. 

Allez Les Bleus

It's Friday but Sundays coming

It’s Friday but Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday, Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the disciples are hiding, Peter is denying, Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, those six trials by night have been a sham, and the king of Glory is tired and weary.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spat upon. His beard is torn from his face.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the Son of Gods stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. A scarlet robe placed upon has torn back as they mock the King of King.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, see Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, see those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and wrists of my Lord. The agony is beyond words yet he cried out, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross dying next to criminals.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry…
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday and at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it…
But Sunday’s a comin'
It’s Friday, the earth trembles, the sky grows dark as Jesus absorbs the punishment for the sins of the world.
But Sunday’s comin’.
Jesus breathes his last and dies upon the cross…
But Sundays comin’
It’s Friday, hope is lost, death has won and Satan’s just laughin’.
But he doesn’t know…Sundays comin’
It’s Friday, Jesus is buried in a tomb, the stone is rolled over the entrance and two soldiers stand guard.
But Sunday’s comin’.
The disciples are running the women are weeping the crowds are leaving, but its only Friday.
It is only Friday.
Sunday is a comin’!
It’s Friday…
But let me tell you something Sunday’s comin’
Today is Friday and many people will go on with their busy lives, they will accept the holidays from work, the chocolate eggs and party invites yet they will pay little or no attention to Jesus death on the cross. They will shrug their shoulders at his death; perhaps it has no relevance to them, maybe they will accuse him of being a mythical figure, a delusional Jewish boy or merely a good man or prophet. Some will just avoid the truth that they know deep inside because they are afraid to face the reality that will demand a change; they might as well be made of the same chocolate they enjoy eating...
What about you? Show some courage today. Just stop for a moment to read and reflect upon the most significant three days in the history of the world. No politician, army, nation or religious leader has affected the world like Jesus. The very date on your phone and newspaper points to his life, death burial and resurrection. Jesus is the son of God and you cannot ignore him any longer. He deserves more.

You will never understand the significance of Friday until you embrace the power of Sunday. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then our faith, our hope is lost. So let me remind you… Sunday’s comin’. Show up at a bible believing church and discover the peace, the joy, the glory, the liberty, the hope, the love, the power of Sunday.

The Evangelist who led me to Jesus: Roger Carswell

On the 5th October 1992, in Albertbridge Congregational Church, Phil Mitchell (my brother) and Steven Baxter shared their testimony. Evangelist Roger Carswell then preached a message: ‘You must be born again’.

I was 19 years of age and sitting towards the back of the church. I knew what I needed to do...

That night I took a little booklet entitled The Journey in Life by Norman Warren and prayed asimple prayer inviting Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord.
My life was transformed.

Today it was great to meet up again with Roger Carswell the evangelist who pointed me to Jesus. (I’m holding the poster used in 1992 to advertise the week long mission I attended.)

Thank you Roger Carswell MBE
(Mighty Bold Evangelist)

Below is the text from the prayer I prayed that night.
You could pray the same prayer now and invite Jesus to save you.
Why? Because you must be born again.

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I have sinned in my thoughts, words and actions.

There are so many good things I have not done.
There are so many sinful things I have done.

I am sorry for my sins and turn from everything I know to be wrong.

You gave your life upon the cross for me.
Gratefully I give my life back to you.

Now I ask you to come into my life.

Come in as my Saviour to cleanse me.
Come in as my Lord to control me.
And I will serve you all the remaining years of my life in complete obedience.

Amen.

Prayer of St Patrick

☘️Wishing you all a very happy and blessed #StPatricksDay ☘️





Prayer of #StPatrick
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Evangelist Steve Hill and the birth of Crown Jesus Ministries

I never get tired of telling the story of how Crown Jesus began and today on the anniversary of Steve Hill’s death it seems fitting to reflect and share it one more time.

He has been one of the most influential preachers in my life.

Maybe for some of you this will be the first time reading the story of how Crown Jesus began. My heart is that you will catch the fire of the story and vision that unfolded. 

In May 1999 I was in my 2nd year at Belfast Bible College studying part-time. Steven Thompson and Pip Kerr were in their first year as full-time students at the same college. 

We all had a heart for evangelism but at that time it looked like Steven would probably go on to be an Elim Pastor and Pip would follow in the footsteps of his mum and dad in overseas mission. 

I had been following the Brownsville Revival with much interest and often sat up late at night watching the Revival meetings led by Steve Hill on God TV (in truth I think in general most of what is on God TV is rubbish and a distortion of the Gospel but I must thank them for their broadcasts from Brownsville). Steve was a former drug addict who came through the Teen Challenge programme. He was the primary preacher and influencer in the Brownsville revival which witnessed hundreds of thousands come to faith in Jesus. 

Steve Hill, along with Reinhard Bonnke, were the most influential preachers in my life at that time. Bonnke, a native of Germany witnessed millions of people come to Christ in Africa. In the 13 years from 1987 until the end of 1999, more than 42 million people attended CFAN’s Great Gospel Campaigns. Ten million of them made a decision for Jesus Christ. I had heard Bonnke preach in Birmingham, Kenya and Belfast and I recall him preaching and praying over me in the Spires Conference Centre, Belfast, during the minus to plus campaign. 

A prayer letter came from CFAN (Reinard Bonnke’s ministry), highlighting a European Fire Conference taking place in Germany, and both Reinhard and Steve Hill would be speaking at it. I suggested to Steven and Pip we should attend and as I was the only one in full-time employment (then a firefighter), I offered to cover the cost of the flights.

On a sunny evening in Barcelona, as Manchester United achieved the impossible win over Bayern Munich in the Champions league final, we had just landed in Germany. I had a ticket to the game and gave it away for free to a United Supporter (Ian Crow)...a greater Miracle, however, was about to unfold in Germany.

On the 28th May 1999 Steve Hill stood in a Leisure Complex in the town of Boblingen Germany and preached from Revelations 3:11: ‘Hold fast to what you now have that no man may take your crown.’ 

Whatever the anointing is…he had it. I have never heard preaching like it. I cried through much of the preach. They had to find another interpreter as he collapsed weeping on the stage. 

At the end Steve made an alter call and hundreds ran to the front to give their lives to Jesus. I almost gave my life Jesus again. Such was the holiness and fire mix I wondered if I was even saved at all before that meeting! 

That night Steven, Pip and I walked back to the hotel knowing God had lit a fuse within us. We stayed up late and talked, dreamed and prayed. 

The following night on 29th May, Reinhard preached and called upon people to get into groups representing their native country as he wanted to commission us and lay hands on us in the hope that God would use us to change our nations. There was a group and flag for the UK and there was one for Ireland. In our hearts, minds and spirit there was only one island and nation to align ourselves with, God didn’t see the border and so when they called out Ireland, three young men walked forward. Although thousands of people had gathered from across Europe there was no one else representing Ireland. 

That night at the back of the hall we huddled together and prayed.  I cried like a baby knowing my life would never be the same again.

A vision was birthed to reach Ireland, the whole island, with the Gospel. The next day we began to put some plans into action but we really didn’t know what we were doing. We had a vision and calling but God had not dowloaded a guidebook and maps.

How did we end up with the name? 

It was quite simple, Steven wanted to call the ministry Crown ministries or Crown Him ministries after Steve's preach. I wanted to call it ‘Jesus ministries’ as Reinhard had preached ‘Only Jesus’. And as Pip refereed the debate (he would often step in between us and do this) we agreed on a name: Crown Jesus Ministries. 

Back home we shared the vision with our pastors, leaders, friends, Bible College Principal etc and set the wheels in motion to appoint a board of directors. The first ten months we took four bookings; Finaghy youth Club and Bangor Elim (J Zone) being two of them. 

The rest as they say is history…

Evan Roberts during the Welsh revival of 1905 prayed over George Jeffries. George Jeffries prayed over Reinhard Bonnke, Reinard Bonnke prayer over me... now listen, i’m not arrogant enough to put my name alongside these Generals, I'm not sure what theology you have on this (i’m not sure what theology I have on it!), but I live with a vision and a calling birthed that weekend in Germany.… will you join me and our team? ‘To see the people of Ireland Crown Jesus Lord of their lives.’

Since 17th November 2017, (in less than four months) we have recorded 267 people responding to the Gospel through the ministry of Crown Jesus. 

Thank you Steve Hill and Reinhard Bonnke for your faithfulness to the Gospel.

Below is a link to Steve Hills preach, titled 'The Crown; You Cant Have It' (it was the same message he preached in Germany). I used to have the VHS cassette of the original Germany preach but I literally played it so many times I broke it. 

I’d love you to find the time to watch it…we look forward to his wife Jeri coming to visit us in June for a week of ministry. I’m hoping she will bring the Crown with her. 

I give thanks today for the life and ministry of Steve Hill. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYZan5wbKds