ARC News

ARC Leaders Invited to Ethiopia for Missions and Theolgoical Conference

2012-05-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Be aware. Divine appointments. Atmospheric shifting keynote message. Personal prayer and prophetic ministry. Creating and nurturing relationships. Impromptu preaching opportunities. All this and more made up a recent trip to Ethiopia for ARC leaders Graeme Sellers and Mike Bradley. Mike and Graeme were invited to attend the 2012 Missions Conference and Theological Convention (pictured above) for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). Mekane Yesus (the house or place of God) is a network of 5.8 million charismatic Lutherans. Most of what God did during the trip was not on the published schedule, but was on God’s schedule.

In the weeks prior to leaving for Ethiopia, Graeme, Mike, and a team of intercessors were praying for the trip. Two things in particular stood out during these prayer times. First, there was a word to be aware of divine appointments not merely during the events in Ethiopia, but also as we traveled. The second turned out to be a prophetic picture come to life.

It began the first night as we flew to In Washington D.C. We met Yalda, a non-practicing Muslim who was our waitress at a restaurant we stopped in for a meal. As we visited with her we asked if we could pray for her and she immediately told us about her mother, Nazifa, suffering from uterine cancer. She welcomed prayer for her Mom and for herself right there, right then. We continue to pray for Yalda and Nazifa, that God’s purposes might be accomplished in their lives.

Our first day in Ethiopia included a trip to the grounds of the EECMY seminary where we met and were asked to pray over the team that was organizing the missions conference. The event would attract more than 12,000 attendees over the next two days, with many people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. As we prayed, God gave prophetic words through us to the five conference organizers; words which had a visible impact on each of them

At a dinner hosted by the Speaker of the House of the Ethiopian Parliament, we shared a meal with a young pastor and his wife whose church, part of the new apostolic reformation movement, is making serious inroads with young adults. God gave life-breathing words to this couple through Mike and Graeme, and as a result they were invited to minister at the 2,000 member church the following Sunday.

At the theological and missions convocation, the Lord gave us more prophetic words for some of the Ethiopian pastors and leaders in attendance—including for a pastor who had told God the night before, “If I don’t hear from you, I don’t know if I can keep going”— and on the final day Mike brought a message (pictured left) that God used to utterly shift the atmosphere. The message was based on the prophetic picture God had given us during our times of intercession for the trip.

Then there was Eulalia, a Jamaican nurse and university professor who was in Addis Ababa to speak at the World Health Organization’s annual international gathering. We met her at dinner one night, and as He had done consistently on the trip, God released more prophetic insight. God spoke through us to this woman’s dreams and aspirations and affirmed her abiding worth in the Father’s eyes. She wept openly as the heart of God was expressed to her and she heard how dear to Him she is.

All of this supernatural communication accords with a word that we received from another ARC pastor by email just after arriving in Africa. This pastor assured them, “God is the word in your mouth.” And God was. With person after person and situation after situation, God was the word in our mouths as we spoke what He said. It was a confirmation of God’s promise in Scripture, “I am the Lordyour God…Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” (Ps. 81:10)

We returned home with some new relationships, and with some already existing relationships having been deepened for us personally, and for the ARC and MI organizationally. God created some new relationships for us with leaders in the EECMY, and in the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), which was represented by Bishop John Bradosky, and General Secretary Mark Chavez. We enjoyed our time with both of them as well as with other pastors from the NALC in attendance. We were also blessed to spend time with Mark Vander Tuig, Kip Tyler, John Waak (pictured above praying with Graeme), and other leaders from Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

Be aware. Divine appointments. Personal prayer and prophetic ministry. Atmospheric shifting keynote message. Creating and nurturing relationships. This was our trip to Ethiopia. Thank you all for your prayers. Let’s continue to pray and see how God might use this trip and these relationships in carrying out His purposes for the ARC and MI.

Hotel Information for the 2012 ARC Southwest Gathering

2012-05-10T07:48:00.002-07:00

1. Hotel Huntington Beach – (3 Miles)
$89 +Tax · Indoor Pool · Free Internet · Simple Continental Breakfast · Shuttle Services to the Pier · Close to Food, Shopping, Movies
Reservation must be made by June 8th to get the “ARC12” group rate
714-891-0123 · 7667 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 www.hotelhb.com

2. Extended Stay America – (0.7 Miles)

$89.99 + Tax · Full Kitchen · Grab & Go Breakfast · Free Internet · Free Parking

Reservation must be made by July 1^st to get the “ARC Gathering” group rate
714.799.4887 · 5050 Skylab Road, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 www.extendedstayamerica.com

3. Travel Lodge Sunset Beach - Sunset Beach (3.8 Miles)

$169 +Tax · Ocean View · Balcony · Free Internet · Free Continental Breakfast · Close to Food & Shopping

714-840-2431· 17205 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach, CA 90742
There is no group rate at this hotel, prices are subject to change
($139 + Tax for non-ocean view) · www.oceanfrontbeachotel.com

ARC Pastors on the Radio

2012-05-08T09:43:00.001-07:00

Three Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC) pastors are having the opportunity to influence people in their communities through hosting local radio shows.

Pastor Bob Blayter of Wonderful Mercy Church in Gilbert, AZ (the Phoenix area) host a show called The Money Team. Its on www.blogtalkradio.comon Wednesdays from 9 to 9:30 AM Pacific Time. Bob discusses financial issues from a biblical and practical perspective. He also mentions where he will be doing his Financially Free Seminars and other speaking engagements. Bob has been doing a radio show for over 6 months and recently switched to blog talk radio.

Dave Housholder of Robinwood Church in Huntington Beach, CA co-hosts a show with Roger Marsh called The Bottom Line on KBRT, am 740, in Los Angeles. They discuss a wide range of current events from a Christian perspective and interact with people who call in. The show is aired 3-5 p.m. Pacific time, 5-7 p.m. Central time. Dave and Roger reach approximately 17 million listeners in Southern California alone. Worldwide streaming of their radio show can be accessed at hhttp:/kbrt740.com.

Mark Herringshaw, formerly with North Heights Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN hosts a radio show on KNOF, Minneapolis. Mark’s show is on Monday through Friday, 3-7 p.m. Central time. The format is contemporary praise and worship with brief spoken clips (prayer, scripture, devotional quotes, and short stories) between every other song.

Its exciting to know ARC leaders are having the opportunity to influence such a broad spectrum of people through their involvement in radio. Please keep Bob, Dave, and Mark in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit might use them to speak messages of life to the hearts of listeners.

Schedule for the 2012 ARC Southwest Gathering: People Under the Word

2012-05-04T06:46:00.001-07:00

Thursday, July 12

6 p.m. Registration at Robinwood Church

7 p.m. Opening Session

Opening Song

Opening Comments – Mike Bradley, ARC Director

Worship and Prayer – Joel Bidderman and Friends

Message: “People Under the Word” - Graeme Sellers, ARC National Leadership Team member; Lead Pastor, Wonderful Mercy Church, Phoenix, AZ; and Faculty member, The Master’s Institute Seminary

Worship and Prayer Ministry

Friday, July 13

***Note: The Youth have their own schedule during the days and will join us for our evening sessions

10 a.m. Adult Morning Session

Opening Song

Welcome and Announcements

Worship – Hope Community Worship Band

Message: Maintaining Biblical Authority in a Postmodern World – Dave Glesne, ARC Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fridley, MN and Faculty Member, The Master’s Institute Seminary

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Free and Fun Time with Dinner on our Own

1:00 p.m. Prophetic and Soaking Prayer Appointments

7:00 p.m. Evening Session

Opening Song

Announcements and Offering

Worship – Robinwood Worship Band

Message: Saturated for Transformation and Mission, Mike Bradley, Director, The Alliance of Renewal Churches

Prayer Ministry and Worship

Saturday, July 15

9:00 a.m. Adult Morning Session - Soaking Worship and Ministry –

Joel Bidderman and Friends

10:45 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. Workshops

Nathan Hoff The Holy Habit of a Daily Devotional Life
Heidi McClure The Power of a Word of Testimony
David Housholder Teaching the Bible

12:45 p.m. General Lunch

12:45 p.m. Pastors and Spouses Lunch ‘N Life Together

2:00 p.m. Workshops

Jeremy King Rules of the Game
Bill Gautiere Lectio Divina: Connecting to the Word of God with Heart and Head
Tom Brashears Trusting God’s Promises in His Word
Dave Housholder Reaching Non-Christians with the Word of God

3:30 p.m. Free and Fun Time – Dinner on our Own

7 p.m. Evening Session

                                Opening Song

                    Announcements and Offering

   Worship – Joel Bidderman and Friends

               Message: Responsibly Ministering the Word of God – Kevin McClure, ARC
                  Pastor, Family Room Church; Dean of Students, The Masters Institute Seminary

Worship and Prayer Ministry

Keynote and Break Out Sessions for Southwest Gathering

2012-05-04T06:28:00.002-07:00

Keynote Sessions

Thursday Evening Main Session: A Home for the Word

Graeme Sellers

The Apostle Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This is an important exhortation as we live at a time when, as one ARC leader puts it, “a war is being waged for our hearts and our minds.” Being a “people under the word” is a key to victory in this war. In this opening session, ARC National Leadership Team member, Graeme Sellers, will cast the vision of what it means to be a people under the word who are letting the word of Christ dwell in them richly; and call us to be a people who are making a home for the Word, knowing that whatever fills us, controls us. This message is an important one if we are to be known as a network where God’s people are making a home for the Word and living under the Word.

Friday Morning Main Session: Biblical Authority in a Postmodern Era

Dave Glesne, ARC Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN

A new religious pluralism defines the modern religious world; and in this world truth is viewed as being relative, with each individual holding the authority to determine what is or is not, truth. In this context we do not want to be arrogant or ignorant or ethnocentric or neurotic or even be seen as such, and yet we believe that somehow, the Bible is our final authority. What do we mean by biblical authority? Why is it important for life and ministry? What do we need to know about the postmodern world in relation to maintaining biblical authority that will enable us to bring God’s healing combination of grace and truth to bear on peoples’ lives? In this session, Dr. David Glesne will show us there is a confident way and place to stand in our day that we all might experience the reality of Jesus’ words, “You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

Friday Evening Main Session: Saturated for Transformation and Mission

Mike Bradley, Director for The Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC)

We are living in a time in which we often read more books about God’s Word than we read God’s Word itself. The result can be a growth in knowledge about God, but not necessarily growing to be more like Him. In short, we can be spiritually dehydrated and thus hindered in growing in our relationship with the Lord, and in partnering more effectively in His mission in the world. In this session Mike Bradley, Director of the ARC, will share his passion that the Lord make the ARC a soul winning and discipleship making network, and how this is connected to being a “people under the word.” He will exhort and encourage us individually and corporately to be saturated in the Word of God for transformation and mission. Mike will call us to be followers of Jesus Christ who are being so saturated in the Word of God that we are being transformed to think, speak, and act more like the living Word; and be empowered for every member ministry in the world, wherever God sends us.

Saturday Morning Main Session: Soaking in Worship and the Word

Joel Bidderman and Friends

It is always exciting to hear what God says and see what He does when we commit ourselves to gather in the same place at the same time in the presence of the Lord. In this session, Joel Bidderman and Friends will lead us in a refreshing time of soaking together in the presence of the Lord, ministering to Him and worshipping Him even as Paul, Barnabas and others did in Acts 13. What a privilege it is to minister to the Lord. How refreshing it is to soak in His presence. How encouraging it is when we hear Him speak a fresh word of direction or hope. How reviving it is when we experience a fresh touch of His freedom and love. Come join us as we soak in worship and the word.

Saturday Evening Main Session: Responsibly Ministering the Word of God

Kevin McClure, ARC Pastor, Family Room Church, St. Paul, MN

The Apostle Paul speaks often of the power of God working through His Word, and exhorts us to be men and women who rightly handle the Word of God. In this session, ARC Pastor, Kevin McClure, will provide us with wise counsel which can help us be individuals and a network who are known for ministering the Word of God in responsible ways which impart hope, healing, and freedom.

Break Out Sessions

The Holy Habit of Daily Devotions

Nathan Hoff, ARC Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church-San Pedro, CA

What could you learn from someone who has earned "Epic Fail" on his personal devotions report card for most his life? How about a "recovering Pharisee"? Come find out by making an appointment with grace! In this workshop, ARC Pastor, Nathan Hoff, will use the first Psalm, Martin Luther's letter to his barber and the Lord's Prayer to help rescue us Epic Failures and Recovering Pharisees. Nathan will draw from these resources, the Word of God, and his own daily devotional life to help impart practical insights and ideas which will breath a fresh breathe of life into our own practice of the holy habit of daily devotions.

Lectio Divina

Bill Gaultiere, Director, Soul Shepherding, Irvine, CA

The word of God is living and active. It restores broken souls, it renews tired spirits, it guides us in God’s good path -- if we listen with soft hearts and live it out. Sadly, we often read the Bible too quickly, trying to get through it or get our sermon finished. In this workshop Bill will mentor us in Lectio Divina, an ancient art and discipline for praying a Bible passage to hear God’s voice. Come to learn the Biblical foundation for Lectio Divina and to get a vision for how you can use this practice in sermon preparation or leading groups in your church. Come to be refreshed by an experience of the Word of God breathing life into your soul.

Rules of the Game

Jeremy King, ARC Pastor, Radiant Church-Garden Grove, CA

Reading the Bible is essential for following Jesus. Most Christians would agree on that. However, unless we consider howwe read the Bible, we may find ourselves ill-equipped for engaging with real people in the real world. How we read and talk about the Holy Scriptures will deeply affect how we represent Jesus to our friends, neighbors, and family. In this workshop we will discover, and practice together, practical tools for reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible in a responsible manner. We will also work on a foundational understanding of the origins of the Scriptures, how to evaluate and select bible translations, and how to appropriately read and apply from each of the literary genres found in the Bible.

Trusting God’s Promises in His Word

Tom Brashears, Lead Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Irvine, CA; and Board Member for The Master’s Institute

We go through challenging seasons in life in which knowing the promises of God and how to responsibility appropriate those promises would be such a great help. In this workshop, Tom Brashears will speak to us out of his own passion for trusting in and appropriating the promises of God in life. Tom will help us learn how to discover what these promises are, how to responsibly appropriate them in our lives and grow in our trust not only in the promises, but in the Lord of the promises.

The Power of a Word of Testimony

Heidi McClure, ARC Administrator and MI School of Ministry Assistant

Our testimonies are one of the most powerful things about us. Although people can try to argue about the authenticity of Christianity’s claims, no one can argue with what Christ has done on a personal level in someone’s life. An anonymous person once said, “A man with a testimony is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.” Testimonies are a great way to reach the lost, the broken, and the hurting. In this workshop we will learn more about why it is on God’s heart for us to be sharing our testimonies, how to effectively write and share a testimony, and how to incorporate testimonies into your ministry.

Teaching the Bible

Dave Housholder, ARC Pastor, Robinwood Church, Huntington Beach, CA

People don't bring their Bibles! They don't read them daily! Biblical illiteracy is on the rise! This seminar will give you clear steps on how to solve these and other problems. In this workshop, Dave will help us focus on creating a Bible culture in our churches through modeling and promotion. We will also focus on which kinds of Bible teaching lead to a more participatory Bible culture. Be sure to bring your Bible to the session.

Reaching Non-Christians with the Word of God

Dave Housholder, ARC Pastor, Robinwood Church, Huntington Beach, CA

We want the ARC to be known as a network God is using as a soul-winning, discipleship-making network. So, its important for us to ask questions such as: What intentional efforts are we making at reaching non-Christians? How many teen and adult baptisms did we have last year? Many of you may have tried the Alpha Course, but it can be hard to maintain a critical mass in a smaller church. Pastor Dave Housholder and the team at Robinwood Church have developed The Blackberry Bush as one strategy for reaching out to non-Christians. They have five tables full of participants every semester and have been able to assimilate dozens of new people into the congregation: socially, spiritually, and catechetically. Come hear what it is all about in this breakout session and see if it might not be of help to you in your cultural context, or, spur some fresh ideas which you can take home and work with you team to develop strategies which uniquely fit your context and geographic region.

The ARC Welcomes Family Room Church

2012-03-12T10:25:00.003-07:00

As Director for the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC), I’m (Mike Bradley) happy to announce that Family Room Church in Roseville, MN has joined the ARC. Family Room Church is a church plant, led by Pastor Kevin McClure (pictured right). Kevin is a long-time member of the ARC and also serves as the Dean of Students for The Master’s Institute Seminary. As Director for the ARC, I’m excited that Family Room Church has joined for a number of reasons, one of them being that most of those who attend are twenty-somethings. When I asked Kevin if he’d like to tell us why FRC joined the ARC, he wrote the following:

“The short answer is the Alliance of Renewal Churches is a picture of kingdom life. It’s a relationally based, biblically grounded and Spirit-empowered partnership of people who don’t want to get bogged down in institutional bureaucracy and want to do the stuff of the kingdom of God.

ARC gatherings (I’ve been attending since the earliest days of ARC and my previous church plant was one of the charter members of ARC) are celebrations where attendees receive healing, encouragement, strategic guidance and hope.

Family Room Church is a house church. It’s unusual if there are fewer than 30 in attendance who are in the twenty-something generation. We have a kickin’ band (acoustic guitar, violin, trumpet, upright base, djembe and sometimes a keyboard, harmonica and mandolin) and we love to worship, pray, study God’s Word, eat, and hang out together.

Our vision is to connect people to God and each other using the theological framework of the Great Commandments. We feel that if we are successful at helping people do the thing Jesus said matters most, we will fulfill the Great Commission. After all, how can you love your neighbor as yourself and not be a “kiss from Jesus” to them? We hope to duplicate what we are doing in other homes. To learn more about your new family member see www.familyroomchurch.com.”

Welcome to the ARC, Family Room Church. We’re honored to chose to join our network!

ARC Ministry Teams Making A Difference

2011-11-28T05:46:00.000-08:00

The mission of the Alliance of Renewal Churches is to be a network committed to creating and sustaining an atmosphere beneficial for kingdom relationships, transformation, and mission. One of the strategic initiatives we use to help carry out this mission is to put together ministry teams of ARC leaders and send them into congregations on teaching and ministry assignments. Recently the ARC partnered with The Master’s Institute Seminary, sending ARC leaders Joe Johnson and Kevin McClure, to Roanoke, Virginia to teach a class on Inner Healing.

One of the ways we can create and sustain the atmosphere we desire in the lives of ARC leaders and congregations is by experiencing God setting us free through healing inner healing prayer. As we experience God’s healing touch in this way we are enabled to grow more whole emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. One person blessed by the presence of this ARC/MI team of Joe Johnson and Kevin McClure was ARC member, Corey Paxton (pictured right with wife Danielle, and their daughters). The following is Corey’s testimony of what God did for him, his wife, Danielle, and many others who attend the class Joe taught. Corey writes:

“Two weeks ago, our church was blessed to receive training in inner healing prayer from Dr. Joe Johnson, a leader in the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC) and a faculty member for The Master’s Institute Seminary. At the recent LCMC conference in October, some other pastors heard Joe was coming to Roanoke and they told me that I should “be ready to cry.” Although I thought they were being a bit over-dramatic and felt a little guarded about being somehow emotionally manipulated, I figured out what they were talking about the first night of the seminar. The Lord used Joe as a wrecking ball of love in our lives as he humbly taught us about the “orphaned heart” and helped us face our inner “sacred wounds.” Joe didn’t push, force, or manipulate anything; he created a safe, judgment-free atmosphere where we could bring our whole selves before the throne of Jesus.

God worked profoundly in my life during those three days. Since my wife, Danielle, and I were married eight years ago, we have been blessed with a number of counselors and mentors who have helped us to become more emotionally healthy and aware of our issues. We’ve been able to look honestly at much of our pain and brokenness, and find peace with the Lord through silence, solitude, and Scripture. However, I’ve never heard that we could find healing beyond self-awareness, communion with God through spiritual disciplines, and the Spirit producing His fruit in us.

During our prayer time with Joe, I experienced the power of God working through inner healing prayer. Joe led us through a prayer journey of inviting Jesus to be present with us in memories from our childhood. My wife has a much more visual memory than I do, so she was actually able to see herself as a little girl in different experiences. I was able to put myself in different time periods and recognize the feelings that I had. As the Lord became present in those places, we recognized that He was present before we even knew Him. We were safe to look honestly at the pain, hurt, sin, and un-forgiveness that we carried around inside. The Lord spoke specific things to us, revealed things about our situations, and helped us to experience His love there. Joe then invited us to give over to Jesus the emotional baggage we picked up—that we could trust Jesus to deliver us from our burdens.

In one specific memory, I came face to face with anger and resentment. I’ve seen how these would spill out at odd times in my life, but overall I’ve managed to keep things pretty well under-control. During the prayer time, the Lord revealed to me the roots of my anger. Joe invited me to give over my shame, insecurity, and fear to Him, and then to forgive the people who were connected to that anger and resentment—including myself. I can’t fully describe the freedom that invitation to forgive brought into my life.

Before Joe’s visit, I would have celebrated inner healing and deliverance ministry, but I honestly didn’t really think it was for me. Although I believe in the reality of demons, spiritual warfare, and pray for others, I have never been equipped to see people healed and delivered from specific demons. My only impression of this ministry was like a loud, dramatic Hollywood-style fight that was a bit freaky. But, as Joe moved from inner healing to casting out the demons, I felt at ease. He modeled a direct, humble, and powerful method of deliverance. We had no reason to be afraid as the Lord got rid of these spirits that lurked in dark corners of our lives and feasted on our emotional baggage. They were just rats that fled in the light of Jesus.

After experiencing this ministry, our hearts are healed in greater ways, yet further broken. I have been given new eyes to see people’s struggles….and the struggles of the Church. People are carrying around weights and burdens, deep pain and anger, and our Lord wants us to receive healing, forgiveness, and freedom. Denying or repressing the pain we’ve experience cannot lead to freedom. Only Jesus’ healing, loving presence leads to freedom. He is the way, the truth, and the life. With Him, we can look back at our past and not be afraid. This gives us joy in the present and hope for the future. When we remain unresolved to our past, we will not be fully alive in the present and can remain scared of our future. There are people all around us who could be blessed and delivered through this ministry. This is heart-breaking and hopeful. In the mist of the immense brokenness in our families, churches, and communities, I believe the ministry of inner healing and deliverance is a powerful means of grace and way of engaging in the heavenly fight for people’s souls.

As spiritual leaders, I want to encourage you to consider investing in this ministry for the future of your church. Joe is currently part-time so he can travel, pray for and with leaders, and equip the church for inner healing and deliverance ministry. Could God be leading you to connect with what God is doing in Joe’s ministry? Is there anyone in your community that God could be calling to become equipped to bring people into the healing presence of Jesus? Who in your church is the Lord raising up for future leadership training at the Master’s Institute? I am so thankful for the surprise of this ministry in our lives. Why wouldn’t we want others to experience more of the love, healing, and freedom that Jesus wants to bring?”

If you’d like an ARC Ministry Team to come to your congregation to conduct a teaching/ministry seminar, contact ARC Director, Mike Bradley at: safeplacemb@gmail.com

If you’d like to contact Joe Johnson on teaching and ministering on Inner Healing at your church, you can connect with him at: jjohnson@gracehb.org, cell 714-756-0088

The ARC Welcomes Redeemer Lutheran

2011-11-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

As Director for the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC) and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley and Coon Rapids, MN, I (Mike Bradley) am very excited to announce that my home church has recently joined the ARC. Debi and I love being members of this church and greatly appreciate the leadership of senior pastor, Dave Glesne and his leadership team (pictured left to right): Harley Scmidt, John Niewald, Grace McClure (a pastoral intern from The Master’s Institute Seminary), Dave, Jason Deshaw, and Eric McIntyre.

Dave writes: “We are living in an historical moment when God seems to be shaking His Church. There are realignments taking place in the American Lutheran landscape of which Redeemer is a part. In this time of shaking and realignments, I think it important that Redeemer align itself with new networks and associations for mutual support and partnership in God’s mission in the world. We see an association with ARC as just such a support and partnership.”

Furthermore, I’m excited to announce that our 2012 ARC Midwest Gathering, “People Under the Word,” will be held at Redeemer-Fridley next Nov 1-3. Welcome aboard the ARC, Redeemer!

Kevin Vogt Installed as Lead Pastor for Community of Hope-Hastings

2011-10-29T07:16:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, October 23^rd, Pastor Kevin Vogt was installed as lead pastor for Community of Hope in Hastings, MN. Kevin writes the following:

“It seems God is serious about life-long transformation - at least for me anyway. Just when I ‘settle in’ and get comfortable hitting my stride in ministry, God has a way of rearranging my furniture. Let me explain: For the past three years I have been involved in a life-changing ministry called Centershot where we use the life-skill of archery to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It has been a remarkable journey that has allowed me to train hundreds of church leaders around the country (soon to be the world) to use this tool. Through that we have heard many stories about people coming to saving faith in Jesus! It has been a challenging, exciting, laborious, and joyful experience as God continues to mold and shape me as His son and as a leader.

But apparently He isn’t finished. After several conversations with Rev. Per Nilsen (ARC member and senior pastor at North Heights Lutheran Church and Community of Hope - Rosemount, I realized that God was about to use me in another way. Community of Hope planted a second campus in October 2010 in Hastings, MN, which has been led by Rev. Ryan Kowlessar (Ryan and I attended seminary together and graduated in 2005 from The Master’s Institute). For the past several months Ryan was feeling like he had done what had been needed and felt a change in leadership was best for this young church. To make a long story short, on October 16^th we celebrated Ryan’s ministry and on October 23^rd I was installed as the new campus pastor of Community of Hope-Hastings. Ryan has worked diligently over the past two years and I have inherited an amazing core group of leaders. I also have the honor of once again working with a great partner and another fellow Master’s Institute alum, Scott Boecker as he and his wife DeAnn lead the Children’s Ministry team.

Community of Hope’s vision is to bring the Good News of Jesus to 1,000,000 unchurched people every 20 years and our goal will be to continue to push that vision out into the Hastings community by investing in the lives of people in the name of our Savior.”

Congratulations to Kevin, and his family, as they embark on this new adventure in their lives! Great to have you in the ARC, Kevin!

Community of Hope Joins the ARC

2011-10-12T16:18:00.001-07:00

We are excited to welcome Community of Hope and both of its sites in Rosemount, MN and Hastings, MN to membership in the Alliance of Renewal Churches Pictured are Pastor Jason Lovold (pictured left, and a graduate of The Master's Institute Seminary) and Pastor Jason Miller.

The ARC was formed to provide a network of leaders and churches who are intentional in creating and sustaining an atmosphere beneficial for Kingdom relationships, transformation and ministry. Our hope is that as a network we can encourage and connect leaders and churches to network for kingdom purposes. Community of Hope founding pastor, Per Nilsen, writes, ""Community of Hope and North Heights are already functioning in a manner that ARC membership encourages. The movement into the ARC was natural from that perspective. More importantly, we see this move as adding relational value to Community of Hope's ministry."

We are excited to welcome both sites of Community of Hope to the ARC. Welcome aboard gang!

Saving Money on Ministry Trips in the U.S. and Overseas!

2011-09-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

Does your church send missions teams overseas? Or send staff members on ministry trips within the US? As Director for the ARC and President of The Master's Institute, I have to travel a great deal both with the United States and overseas. Because I want to be the best steward of our finances I can be, I'm always looking to get the best deal I can on travel; as I'm sure you do when you have to travel.

So let me recommend a good friend of mine who is helping make my travel arrangements much easier to set up, and saving me money in the process!

Diane Snyder is the newest staff member of Riverside Travel which has specialized in missions and group travel for over twenty years. Diane is passionate about bringing the love of Christ to a hurting world, whether it’s to a remote location in Africa, or simply across the street.

“Working for Riverside Travel is really a great fit for me,” says Diane. “I’ve always loved to travel, and I wanted my vocation to serve kingdom purposes.” Hearing her clients’ testimonies adds fulfillment to her job. “I remember hearing my very first clients tell about their re-building efforts in Japan. I hung up the phone and realized that was why I took this job."

Diane is no stranger to the ARC. She worked at The Master’s Institute and Lutheran Renewal when the ARC was being formed so was involved with various aspects before it officially began. She has also served on the staffs of North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minnesota, along with ARC pastors Eric Bluhm, Bob Burmeister, and Marcus Haug; and Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro, California, with Paul Anderson, founding pastor of the ARC.

Diane is currently on the leadership teams of Lutheran Evangelistic Movement and Life Together Churches with ARC pastors Peter Churness, Bob Mabry, and Tom Hilpert. As a member of North Heights Lutheran Church, Diane is involved with launching missional communities.

For more information, check out www.rivertrav.com. Or you can contact Diane directly at diane@rivertrav.com, or 651.251.9372.

Growing Our Leaders

2011-09-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

By Benjamin Bradley

Your plane has landed. Nairobi, Kenya.

The sky is overcast. It’s crowded. The air smells of car exhaust. You have been traveling for the last twenty-four hours, half-way across the earth. And while you’d like nothing more than to lie down and sleep, the leadership conference you’ll be teaching at is set to begin in only a few hours. My advice for you?
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Have faith.

Faith that you will say the right words to people who call the slums “home.” Faith that you will have the strength and endurance for vigorous leadership sessions. And, of course, faith that your driver will deliver you safely through the utter chaos that is Nairobi’s rush hour traffic.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.

***

In August, the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC) had enough faith to send a few of its leaders to Africa. And while the main objective was to teach on leadership and invest in the lives of young leaders along on the trip, the team came prepared to learn from their hosts.

“I want to equip future leaders with the ability to distinguish what the essence of the Christian faith is,” said ARC leader Michael Bradley (young ARC leader, Heidi McClure pictured on left, praying with Kenyan women). “[The Kenyan people] have been living out a Christian life, facing challenges we can’t even dream of. So we have a lot to learn from them, in order to go back home as leaders and do a better job of Christian mission in our own culture.”

The team began their trip by speaking at the 2011 Soaring Again Conference, which was held in Kabiria, one of Nairobi’s many slums. Hosted by Rev. Emmanuel Kisemei (pictured below, right) at his church, Life Changing Sanctuary, ARC leaders spoke on a variety of leadership-related topics, including community outreach, growing in genuine leadership, and evangelism (pictured left with children from Kabiria are team members Debi Bradley and Tara Mabry). Kisemei, whose church is part of a broader organization called the Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK), then led the team south to a town called Loitokitok, where the FPFK Leadership Gathering was held. Throughout the trip the team built numerous relationships with local leaders, and along the way they encountered several troubled individuals who came to faith in Christ, receiving them as new members of the church.

The team, representing several organizations and churches, included leader Dawn Lundgren, an ARC pastor (pictured left with Pastor Kisemei, praying with a man to receive Christ as Savior and Lord); ARC Administrative Assistant, Heidi McClure; ARC pastor Bob Mabry and his wife, Tara; Jan Erickson and Marcy Braman; and ARC Director Michael Bradley, his wife, Debi, and their son, Benjamin.

The lessons learned are certainly difficult to articulate.

Each day was met with the confrontation of a new reality that few Americans can truly comprehend. In Kabiria the houses are nothing more than tin shacks, packed shoulder to shoulder. According to IRIN, a global humanitarian news service, the population density of Nairobi’s slums can reach alarming numbers, with around 2,000 people per hectare (roughly two and a half acres). Trenches are dug along the side of the crowded streets to be filled with human waste and garbage. For many, basic necessities like water must be obtained from boreholes or purchased by water trucks at an inflated price. Although a liter of water can cost only a few cents, every purchase is trying for families whose net income is around thirty dollars a month.

Braman, who has been on several mission trips and four times to Kabiria, paused when asked about the emotional changes she underwent before and after her first trip. “I don’t think we have the capacity to even ask the right questions…coming back, we don’t even understand,” she said. “Maybe it would be better to ask my husband or my family what the difference is [when I came back].”

Yet, while the people of Kabira face many hardships they are not without hope. Kisemei, who lives in Kabiria with his family, stands a true example of leadership. He lives in Kabiria by choice, experiencing the same conditions as his congregation, and does not see escape as the answer. Instead, he has worked with the community of Kabiria to improve the conditions of the slum. Currently in his eleventh year as lead pastor for Life Changing Sanctuary, Kisemei has seen change come slowly but surely. Last December he connected Norwegian Pastor Anita Nystrand and her church, The Way, to build a much needed water well, which now supplies the community with clean, free water.

By the end of their stay in Kabiria, the ARC team had the privilege of seeing the foundations of a new church building being constructed. Kisemei hopes to raise the rest of the funds needed to finish the project and make room for new members. As the church continues to grow there may be a need for more land as well. The going rate for an acre in their neighborhood is 3.5—4 million Kenya shillings (roughly $43,300 U.S. dollars). In the meantime, his church continues to be a cornerstone of support for the community of Kabiria—a community that is not waiting for the aid of others, but building.

This encouraging image was needed before traveling south, where the team’s work grew more demanding. In the dusty town of Loitokitok, located at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the team only took breaks for their meals. Teaching sessions doubled. Evenings included speaking at crusades, where ARC leaders would preach on stage to the general public, with people coming to faith in Christ each evening. And when the sun had gone, the team would return to the Loitokitok church for one final session before getting some well-deserved sleep. Then they would wake up to do it all over again.

The ARC speakers taught on lessons ranging anywhere from Lundgren’s “You have an appointment with God,” to Mabry’s “You have beautiful feet” (see Isaiah 52:7) (ARC Pastor Bob Mabry pictured on left with Kenyan interpreter and pastor, James). Powerful, striking, and at times particularly quirky, each lesson helped break down cultural barriers and impart important insights on leadership.

Bradley discussed the importance of such cultural validation later, saying that “Unless what you’re teaching can be taught in every culture in the world, it’s not truly Kingdom of God teaching, it’s cultural teaching.” Such opportunities, he said, allow leaders to better understand the core strength of their lessons and build upon them as they return home.

Bradley (pictured left with his son and team member, Ben Bradley and ARC pastor, Bob Mabry) especially understands how such experience is invaluable to the ARC organization, as it seeks to develop young leaders. “Trips such as these will help us be very intentional about investing in and developing the growing number of young leaders in the ARC,” said Bradley. One such leader, Heidi McClure, proved to be more than a capable. McClure not only taught at both conferences, but spoke at two evening crusades—preaching in a town square where locals set aside their daily routines and listened to her message.

Later, McClure would meet with Bradley to discuss her experiences. “Leaders are not built in a classroom, leaders are built in the context of relationships with experienced leaders,” said Bradley. “Much of leadership is learned in the context of being ‘with’ someone who is a safe place; someone who is whole and healthy enough to share their life experiences of victory and failures…to spend time helping a young leader process and integrate all they’re learning.”

Next year the ARC will be preparing for trips to South Africa, Brazil, and Kenya, where it hopes to continue to offer younger leaders a chance to broaden their global perspective. According to Bradley, these trips “Expand the world view of young leaders,” and lead individuals away from a westernized perspective by bringing them closer to a “biblical worldview.”

Throughout their journey the team had many powerful encounters. They prayed over orphaned children. They received several individuals who were troubled by alcoholism and drug abuse as new members to the church (ARC Director Mike Bradley and Kenyan Pastor, Daniel pray with man to receive Christ as Savior at open air crusade). In one particular case, a woman came forward bearing a rope. She was prepared to kill herself. But after listening to the message that morning at church, she had found God. Her hands still shaking after the service, she handed the rope to over to Lundgren.

***

Exhale. Open your eyes.

On the last Sunday service of your trip the clouded sky finally clears. The sun shines down on your shoulders. A cool breeze travels across your neck. And while the church comfortably seats a hundred the service must be held outside. There are simply too many people. Wood columns hold up a make-shift tarp roof, made up of flour bags that are stitched together. A new church is under construction to meet the demands of a growing congregation, the second church you’ve seen being built in two weeks. Nothing looks so promising as the piles of red earth that have been dug up to lay a cement foundation.

And as the lead pastor of the Loitokitok church thanks you and says goodbye, he leaves you with this message from 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

What Happened at the ARC Southwest Gathering?

2011-07-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

What happened at the ARC Southwest Gathering on July 13th-15th? Well, not much, except…Five people received Christ as Savior and Lord; many received a filling of the Holy Spirit; others stood to pray for healing and one man had his knee healed just while we were worshipping together; spot on prophetic ministry that encouraged and set people free; receiving of prayer language and singing in the spirit over others by some; encouragement and ministry to the host (Penasquitos Lutheran) staff and congregation; current relationships renewed and strengthened, new relationships birthed; over 90 teens and young adults gathering together to worship the Lord; a baptism in the ocean of a Midwest teen (yeah, Alex Franta!); challenging and empowering messages from keynote speakers Kristi Graner, Pete Greig, and Mike Bradley; workshops that cast vision and further equipped people for ministry; and more.

All in all we spent 2 ½ days in an atmosphere beneficial for kingdom transformation, relationships, and mission. Listen to the testimonies of some who attended:

• “The 2011 annual Southwest Gathering of the ARC in San Diego was a breath of fresh air for me and the leaders from my church who attended. It was so encouraging to remember that we are part of a spiritual family that is bigger than our own congregation, yet connected by common values, vision, and a genuine concern for one another.”
• “The ARC Gathering (Southwest) was an anointed time in Southern California. The spiritual deposit left at the host congregation (PLC, San Diego) along with the many other leaders and pastors from congregations around the country will, no doubt, fundamentally change ministry for years to come.”
• "What happened here this week was utterly amazing and cannot be put into words; it is something that we've caught and will now need to take away and infect others."
• “Pete Greig's message of getting real with prayer, taking off the masks, and crying out to God was exactly the word I personally needed to hear. The personal ministry I received from not only my colleagues and friends, has renewed and refreshed my spirit.”
• “My husband and I were so encouraged to not give up with our unanswered prayers; encouraged to keep pressing.”
• “I liked how our keynote speaker Friday evening shared then ministered; shared some more ministered again. I was on the edge of my seat, fully engaged because I knew God was in control of the evening.”
• “Pete Grieg was outstanding. I was again very impressed with his humility and transparency.”
• “The opportunity to fellowship with new found friends was paramount.”
• “The speakers were inspiring, the worship was powerful, and the workshops were stimulating.”
• “As a pastor it was so encouraging to have a group of our folks from our congregation at the conference to enjoy the Lord's presence together. I fully expect that we will enter a new season now as the Lord creates us to be a community of prayer.”
• “Highlights for me: Pete Greig's honesty about wrestling with unanswered prayer, remaining in a place of grace and faith even when the Lord seems to be silent. Prophetic words spoken over some of the people who are nearest and dearest to my heart and to see how encouraged they were that God is indeed at work in their lives and has a future and a hope for them. Great conference let's do it again sometime!!”
• “This is the most authentic multigenerational and relational group I have connected with in my 33 years of pastoral life.”

We are very grateful to the staff and congregation of Penasquitos Lutheran Church in San Diego who did such an outstanding job of hosting us!

Join us for The Midwest Gathering on October 26-28 at North Heights Church-Arden Hills in St. Paul, MN. You can register for the gathering and get hotel information by going to our website at: arcusa.org.

See you there!

What Was Wrong with the ARC Southwest Gathering and Why I Can't Wait To Go Back Next Year, by David Hammerslag

2011-07-28T03:11:00.000-07:00

I attended the ARC Southwest Gathering in San Diego this year. It was my first time at an ARC gathering and although there was a huge problem with this one I can’t wait for next year’s gathering.

Having never been at an ARC Gathering I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but since God, with his penchant for the unexpected and counterintuitive, has decided I should be an intercessor and since prayer was the focus of the Gathering, I thought I had better go. The session topics looked pretty good and I might learn something practical.

Holy Spirit had a different idea.

Almost immediately during the Wednesday evening worship God started bringing to light and dealing with some things that were hindering my spiritual maturation. After the worship, Pete Grieg gave a powerful message focusing on moving from prayer as a guilt-inducing “should” to an invitation to be in the presence of God. That served as a personal keynote for the rest of the week.

Thursday morning kicked off with a chapel service where Holy Spirit was leading me through some necessary stuff. It was a profound and liberating time. Seemingly off-hand remarks from speakers would set off new waves of Holy Spirit’s work in me. I had more honest, BS-free conversation with God than I suspected was possible.

With each new speaker and each new topic Holy Spirit was at work dealing with me where I needed it most. It was sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes euphoric but it was always truly awesome. People I did not know prayed for and with me. One had a vision that confirmed to me and reinforced what Holy Spirit had been telling me.

With each new lesson, both from the speakers and from Holy Spirit, my prayer time became more genuine, less pro forma, and more vital and intimate.

Friday dawned with new revelation for someone else that I was able to share and then take to the Lord in a very powerful prayer time. This was amplified by someone ministering to me in prayer while I was praying over the revelation for someone else.

Friday evening the Gathering concluded with an incredibly powerful, Spirit-filled evening of personal testimony, revelation, worship, and the saving and renewing action of the Spirit. I was disappointed to have it end after only three hours.

I went expecting a couple of days of informative teaching. As is often the case with God, when we go seeking, he way over-delivers. I got a two-and-a-half day spiritual retreat and boot camp that changed my relationship with the Father in ways I would not have dared to go after.
If you’ve read this far and if you noticed the title you are probably wondering, “So what was wrong with it?” Here’s what: there were not nearly enough of my brothers and sisters from Wonderful Mercy there to share in the spiritual bounty!

I can’t wait for the chance to go next year. If you don’t go you will surely miss out on something sweet the Father has for you.

Please make your plans now to attend the 2012 Southwest Gathering in Huntington Beach in July. There will special sessions for children, youth, and adults. It promises to be an amazing experience!

Note: David Hammerslag is a member of Wonderful Mercy Church in Gilbert (Phoenix), Arizona.

ARC Author-Pastor Releases New Novel

2011-07-01T05:41:00.000-07:00

From Mike Bradley, ARC Director:
ARC Pastor-Author, Dave Householder, has published a new novel entitled, The Blackberry Bush. I recently read Dave’s new book and really enjoyed the read. In The Blackberry Bush, Dave does a nice job of weaving different periods of history in and out of a story that keeps you engaged and presents characters you’re interested in. The two main characters, Kati and Josh seem destined to cross paths eventually and throughout the novel you follow their search for freedom. The novel is filled with “chance” encounters which don’t seem to be “chance” at all and that’s one of the powerful and relevant messages Dave confronts us with in his book: it’s often the “chance” encounters transform our lives.

As I was reading The Blackberry Bush I “happened” to take it with me when I got my hair cut one day. The young gal who cuts my hair asked me what I was reading and as I shared with her I could see she was interested. After cutting my hair I gave her the book as a gift and I’m looking forward to my next hair cut (I don’t get that many!) to see if she has begun to read it yet and if so, how she’s enjoying it. I’ve now given away over a dozen copies to various people. I encourage you to go on Amazon.com and buy your own copy (in paper or on your kindle). You’ll enjoy the read and just may be encouraged to be more alert than ever to the “chance” encounters God has given you in life, and be on the lookout for the ones He still has coming your way.

Thanks, Dave, for this creative gift you’ve graced us with!

Hosanna Joins the ARC!

2011-07-01T04:27:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that Hosanna Church in Lakeville, MN has joined the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC). Led by pastors Bill Bohline (pictured), Ryan Alexander Mike Swecker, Tim Hatt, and Patricia Moe, Hosanna’s mission is to advance God’s Kingdom everywhere, one person at a time. Hosanna values include intimacy with God, loving relationships, generosity, serving and evangelism.

I (Mike Bradley, ARC Director) recently had lunch with Bill Bohline, Ryan Alexander and Mike Swecker. As we ate together, Bill told me that Hosanna joined the ARC because of so many shared values between Hosanna and the ARC, particularly the non-negotiable value of embracing the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

We are looking forward to discovering how God would have the ARC serve and support Hosanna, and how He gives them revelation regarding their participation in the ARC. Hosanna is one of the latest of a number of churches who have been in process of joining and partnering with the leaders and congregations of the ARC. We look forward to announcing other churches and leaders who have joined the ARC in the coming months as they complete their application processes.

Please be praying for Hosanna and her leaders. Welcome, Hosanna, to the Alliance of Renewal Churches.

Introducing Heart of the Father Ministries By Mike Bradley, ARC Director

2011-01-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

As Director for the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC), I highly commend to you Heart of the Father Ministries, led by ARC pastor, Dr. Joe Johnson (pictured on the right). Joe is a longtime friend of so many of us in the ARC, and literally incarnates the heart of the Father. Joe’s teaching is biblically based, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and transformational in impact.

Heart of the Father’s kingdom purpose is: To connect you to the Father's heart of love for you, the healing power of Jesus and the empowering presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Heart of the Father ministries sponsors a variety of teaching and ministry opportunities throughout the year to equip God’s people to do kingdom ministry and be apprentices of Jesus such as:

• Teaching seminars led by Joe Johnson on topics such as praying for physical and inner healing, and ministering the Father’s love
• Sponsoring men’s retreats – the next one is on April 8-10 at Palomar Mountain Camp near San Diego, CA
• Sponsoring schools of prayer. The next one, “How to Pray for One another in Small Groups and Leadership Teams” will be held March 19 at Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach, CA with guest teacher, Dr. Georgiana Rodiger
• Sponsoring inner healing seminars – the next one features Dr. Chuck Kraft and will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on April 29-30

During the past year, Joe:

• Has traveled overseas to minister in Germany and Norway
• Has held training conferences for Our Saviors Lutheran Church (ARC) in Midland, TX and Community of Hope Lutheran Church (ARC/LCMC) in Tucson, AZ
• Traveled to Sacramento, CA for Courage Be To You ministries, providing prayer appointments, and healing prayer training for their staff and volunteers
• Been a workshop presenter for The Holy Spirit Conference in St. Paul, MN and for both ARC Gatherings in 2010.

I personally, and we as a network, highly trust and commend Joe Johnson to you, and encourage you to consider scheduling him to come teach and minister in your congregation.

In addition to serving as the Director, Heart of the Father Ministries, Joe serves as Community Life Pastor for Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach, CA and as interim Pastor for City on a Hill in Torrance, CA.

To arrange for speaking or ministry with Joe, email jjohnson@gracehb.org

God’s Heart for City-Nation Transformation By ARC Pastor and Church Planter, Dan Clites

2011-01-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

"Do not conform (be shaped) any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good and pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

In my 15-years serving as a pulpit minister, I've experienced two major moments of personal "mind transformation." Both have shaped and moved me to test and approve God's will for my life and labor as a servant of the Lord Jesus!

The first breakthrough came several years ago when I was on the verge of leaving congregational ministry. In the midst of deep discouragement, I was introduced to the movement of Lutheran Renewal, the start of The Master's Institute Seminary and the beginning of the ARC, (Alliance of Renewal Churches). It was at that time the Lord "renewed" my energy and transformed my mind to a new vision of leading and teaching by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My second great moment of transformation came just over a year ago. I wasn't contemplating leaving ministry, but I was feeling flat and fatigued. After working extremely hard for six-years, focused solely at planting a church in Northfield, MN, while seeing the fruit of a healthy and vibrant congregation, I was not witnessing transformation in the over-all area of Northfield. The city and the region seemed quite un-changed.

There was good news and bad news. Good News: pre-believers were coming to faith at Rejoice! Bad News: Northfield was still experiencing terrible corruption at city hall. Good News: Offerings were up at Rejoice! as we prepped for building a facility. Bad News: Northfield was cranking up debt while main street businesses were fighting to stay relevant. Good News: High school youth were choosing to be a part of our growing Rejoice! community ministry. Bad News: the over-all youth culture of Northfield was still making state news with drug and alcohol abuse. Good News: the city's two private colleges, St. Olaf and Carleton were financially stable with plenty of great faculty and students. Bad News: more and more of the college faculty and students were seeing Jesus as just a good guy along with Buddha and Mohammad; rather than as their personal Lord and Savior.

The Lord put two scenarios in my path. I could be happy for Rejoice! and settle for less by adopting a "too bad for the rest of the city" mindset, or, I could start seeing Rejoice! as the igniter-church for a marketplace transformational movement in blessing the whole city.

I have chosen the latter. In doing so, the Lord has transformed my sense of pulpit purpose. Rejoice! is no longer just focusing on congregational growth, but kingdom growth. Obviously it's still hard work, but I am no longer feeling flat and fatigued, but energized with faith! How did this come to be? I'll try to make a long story, short. My purpose is to encourage you as ARC pastors and congregations to seek the Lord's biblical transformation of your own life and ministry--- to better know God's good, pleasing and perfect will for His entire creation.

About four-years ago, I caught word on what the Holy Spirit was doing in Elk River, MN. Pastors were meeting with business owners, government officials and school employees to really dig-in and pray for the city. Unity in Christ for the sake of the city was out-weighing denominational preferences and traditions. The impact of this faithfulness triggered miracles throughout the city! For example, Elk River's teen suicide rate, once the highest per-capita in the nation, fell to nothing. Business, government and the schools began to flourish with greater favor. Christians went from Sunday morning pew sitters to Monday morning marketplace action ministers! Business leaders began opening doors for employees to pray and participate in Bible studies. Now-a-days, the mayor is constantly being asked to speak at various engagements around the world--- more about her faith than about her politics!

The inspiration for this transformational movement came from the world-wide ministry of Ed Silvoso and International Harvest Evangelism. Marketplace miracles, like those in Elk River, are occurring every day all around the world. Focused on Jesus' calling to "make disciples of all nations..." the heart of Harvest Evangelism is birthed from Jesus' instructions in Luke 10. He is instructing his followers how to effectively evangelize a city and a nation with the biblical purposes and principles of God. It doesn't begin with a soap-box and a declaration to "turn or burn." It doesn't start with handing out tracks and inviting people to come to a church program. Instead, Jesus lays-out God's strategy for permanently winning people to His salvation and kingdom purposes for their lives. Luke 10 is a process of patient persistence, making evangelism about God's grace and our daily obedience to serve Him. Here are the four action steps from Luke 10:

ACTion-1: "Bless" others. Speak "God's peace" to people and systems in your spheres of influence, Luke 10:5-6. After I began taking Jesus seriously at his word, it's no more drive-by cursings for me, where I complain to God about a government agency, a school system or even a church mission. Instead, I'm seeking more to bless people, places and things into God's care. The prayer of peace pushes back the kingdom of darkness and breaks forth God's kingdom of light! The ARC knows that!

ACTion-2: "Fellowship" with others. Build relationships with those outside the kingdom of God, Luke 10:7-8. People will trust you as a Christian as you show them you are trust worthy! I'm now intentionally taking the time to speak to more and more people outside my congregation. I'm not trying so much to get them to come to Rejoice!, but seeking to get them to first trust a Christian!

ACTion-3: "Minister" to others. Respond to people's felt needs in the name of Jesus, Luke 10:9a. Once trust is established, people will begin asking you for Godly advice, or healing prayer, or an invitation to your church worship service! After being patiently bold enough to pray and fellowship with others in my community, I am finding growing favor to minister to them as well!

ACTion-4: "Proclaim" to others. Announce the kingdom of God has come near and is available to them through Jesus Christ, Luke 10:9b. People are far more open to hearing how God wants to transform their lives and labor when prayer has taken over the city, leading to fellowship and ministry. I'm learning, even bit-by-bit, that when I trust God's idea for evangelism (Luke 10), rather than my own cleverness, I'm experiencing greater freedom and success as a pastor. Yes, I mean supernatural success!

So, with a new paradigm and a network of like-minded believers around me, I am greatly inspired to believe that God has the same heart for Northfield that He does for Elk River and the whole world. This Romans 12 and Luke 10 paradigm shift has led me to faith ACTion, as I have joined others in establishing a prayer room in downtown Northfield. We are inviting anyone and everyone to use it during all hours of the day...and people have been doing so! I am now networking with Ed Silvoso and Harvest Evangelism, attending both the international and North American conferences. I didn't go by myself, though, instead I have taken dozens from Northfield with me so we can all catch and grow into the vision!

From this core group who share a heart for Northfield, we have invited various other marketplace folks from around town to join us in a Bible study created by Greg Pagh, the lead pastor of Christ Church in Otsego, MN. The study is called "Faith Beyond Belief." I have used it as a small group teaching tool for both my congregation and for local business people, government servants and school officials outside my congregation! Again, I am no longer feeling flat and fatigued, but energized on faith!

Over the last year, the practicing core of Northfield transformation marketplace ministers has grown to over 60 people. We are now gathering weekly for prayer, and meeting monthly for breakfast and testimony sharing. Members are seeing themselves as ministers and their labor as their worship of God!

You'll take great delight in hearing that my whole perspective of ministry has been transformed--- shaped and moved by the Holy Spirit's calling to pastor the public with plenty of marketplace minister assistance! I am no longer just serving a wonderful congregation of 270 worshipping souls, but participating with others to disciple a whole city of 20,000 souls--- believers and pre-believers!

Is it working? Indeed, we are already seeing the fruit of marketplace ministers serving in their various spheres of daily influence. People are getting excited about living their faith like never before. They are establishing and taking responsibility to lead all sorts of new kingdom ministries; everything from prayer walking the neighborhood streets, to building playground equipment on the school grounds, to running for various local government and school leadership offices, to one business owner dedicating his business as a "kingdom company" for the Lord's work. We are believing on God's word like never before!

As a whole, Northfield-Dundas are certainly not "there yet", but with city-wide prayer evangelism, I know the two communities are improving. They have to, because as we are obedient to Jesus' directions in Luke 10, our faith always triggers God's Holy Spirit power of mind transformation-- to know His good, pleasing and perfect will!

Pastor Dan Clites
Rejoice! Lutheran Renewal Church
Northfield-Dundas, MN
www.rejoicenorthfield.org

Kristi Graner to be keynote speaker at 2011 ARC Southwest Gathering

2010-11-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

The Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC) is excited to announce Kristi Graner as another of our keynote speakers for the 2011 ARC Southwest Gathering: Prayer – Ushering in a Kingdom Uprising. She will be speaking on the topics, “I Give You Authority” and “Praying in Power.”

Kristi and her husband Gary currently direct Dare To Believe Ministries, a ministry that focuses on Bible based teaching and mentoring of people to “pay attention to” God’s voice in their lives. Kristi was on the pastoral staff of Hosanna! in Lakeville, MN until 2009. She oversaw Hosanna’s leadership development, prayer ministry, and revelatory and freedom ministries.

Krisit has a passion for equipping and coaching people to discover their spiritual gifts, passions, leadership skills, and life purpose She regularly teaches at Hosanna! and other Christian venues throughout the United States and abroad. Kristi holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and Spiritual Formation. She is a trainer for Streams Ministries International, is a trained speaker and prayer leader for Alpha North America and has been trained at the Bethel School of the Prophets in Redding California. Kristi has been married to Gary Graner since 1983. They have two sons. The Graner’s live in Minnesota.

Pete Greig to Speak at ARC 2011 Southwest Gathering

2010-11-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce that Pete Greig will be one of the keynote speakers at our ARC 2011 Southwest Gathering: Prayer-Ushering in a Kingdom Uprising. Pete Greig is one of the founding champions of the 24-7 Prayer and Missions movement which has spread into more than half the nations on earth. He teaches at St Paul’s Theological College in London and serves as Director of Prayer for Alpha International, a course which has introduced fifteen million people to the gospel.

Pete and his wife Sammy are currently planting their third church, this one in Guildford near London where they live with their two sons and Noodle the Labradoodle. Pete’s books include Red Moon Rising, The Vision and God On Mute – Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer. He aspires to sail and despairs regularly over the woes of Portsmouth Football Club.

The gathering will be held in San Diego, CA on July 13-15, 2011 at Penasquitos Lutheran Church (PLC). Worship leaders will include Vineyard worship leader/pastor and ARC member, Danny Mullins; and the Young Adult worship band from PLC who rocked the house at last year's gathering.

We'll be sending you more details on a regular basis in the months to come, but for now,put the gathering on your calendar now and be sure to add some extra days to enjoy the beauty that is San Diego.

Per Nilsen Installed at North Heights

2010-11-16T13:28:00.001-08:00

ARC member, Per Nilsen, has been installed as the new senior pastor for North Heights Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Per (pictured along with North Heights pastor and ARC National Leadership Team member, Eric Bluhm, left; and ARC Director, Mike Bradley, right) served as lead pastor for Community of Hope Lutheran Church in Rosemount, MN, and as a member of the Board of Directors for The Master’s Institute (MI) Seminary prior to accepting this call to North Heights. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons.

Per shares: “The vision the Lord has placed on my heart is a vision for the Church that the ARC has been working toward since its inception; congregations integrated through vision and values, united in carrying out the work of Jesus Christ. I’m excited about the expanded role that North Heights can bring to the growth and development of the ARC. ”

Please keep Per in prayer for revelation and wisdom, and for the entire staff of North Heights, as they launch into this next season of ministry and adventure with the Lord.

God Encounters at 2010 Southwest Gathering

2010-08-04T05:33:00.000-07:00

Multiple God encounters were experienced at this year’s ARC Southwest Gathering, “The Empowering Presence,” held in late June at Robinwood Church in Huntington Beach, CA. The theme was designed to help us continue sowing an ARC core value in our lives - a radical dependence upon the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit - to the point it is a part of our spiritual DNA and something we live incarnationally, not merely acknowledge theologically.

Leading up to the gathering we were praying for God encounters and that is what we got. Testimonies of God encounters included people who prayed for an assurance of salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit, and inner and physical healing. Others have shared how God met them in the midst of personal challenges in life, speaking prophetic words and words of knowledge to them. ARC Pastor Dave Drum shared that he was blessed with a God encounter before we even officially started the gathering. He writes:

“I came to the ARC very much in need of His empowering presence on a personal level. Before the conference even started, I was invited into a prayer group for the evening's leaders. Truthfully, I didn't feel like I had a whole lot to offer, but I went, and much to my surprise, God had something for me in that time. Within seconds after praying a prayer for myself, I heard someone else with a word of knowledge, praying for and prophesying over me the exact prayers I'd just prayed for myself. That ended up being the theme of the whole conference, songs sung just for me, prophetic words given just for me. I feel bad for everyone else, but sure am grateful for the ways God chose to bless and refresh me!”

The gathering featured wonderful times of worship together. Worship leaders Bob Mabry and Chris Hankins led two of the worship teams and we were blessed again this year to have the young adult worship team from Penasquitos Lutheran Church lead us. There were many wonderful workshops and an early morning chapel time led by Pastor Nathan Hoff that was a highlight for many who attended.

Pastor Brendon Fairley and other youth leaders planned and led a youth track for the gathering, with the teens joining young and older adults for many of the main sessions. Many teens were also subject of God encounters, some giving testimony to being baptized in the Spirit, filled afresh with the Spirit, and experiencing God’s healing touch emotionally and relationally. One testimony of what God was doing in and amongst the teens who joined us comes from Tyler Clark, a member of the Wonderful Mercy (Gilbert, AZ) youth group. Tyler writes:

"I know God was at The ARC Gathering in Southern California this June, but I had a hard time feeling His presence. I know that “where two or more are gathered He is there,” but it felt as if He was a million miles away, like a far-off stranger that no matter how fast I ran towards I couldn’t close the gap between us. In the end, though, He did show up because He is good and faithful. My encounter with God came during the Friday night session. I’ll describe it for you in present tense so you can get a feel for the moment.

I am standing, trying to make it through worship like I had the rest of the week. Then, unexpectedly, I feel an overwhelming pressure on my knee (which I had so badly injured it required surgery a few weeks earlier). I sit down, grit my teeth, and try to bear it, but it’s getting more and more intense. Almost as if someone or something is squeezing it.

Seeing I am in agony, Dirk (WMC youth pastor, Dirk Duhlstine) has Charlie Hayes get me a painkiller while I hobble the kitchen for some cold water. Thinking I’m going to be okay I return back to my seat, but I immediately break out into a sweat and start having a hard time breathing. Finally, Dirk tells me to go upstairs and I take off quicker than I’ve moved since my surgery. He even has to tell me to slow down!

Well, I’m almost in tears by the time I make it to my bed. I lie down, Dirk gets me ice and pillows, and then he leaves. I manage to keep my composure until I hear the door shut at the bottom of the stairs. Then I just let it all out: I cry and scream in pain. I clear my head enough to start praying. But then I just go numb. Fire engulfs me but it doesn’t hurt me, and I can hear other things crying out, being consumed by the fire. This fire is freeing, energizing, and even empowering.

After all this takes place I lie on my bed and all these happy thoughts and memories start going through my head. One sticks out like in bold letters in my head: baptism by fire! After that I could not be the same; I had God with me and I knew it now. I’d have to say this encounter was the most significant appearance He’s ever made to me.

Now, God is too good to let it stop there. Friday and Saturday mornings they had special youth sessions, and it wasn’t the teaching that touched me but what took place at the end. Brendon, the Youth Pastor of the other group that was there, encouraged us to be vulnerable with the people in your group. Of course, God just had to take me out of my comfort zone; He told me to go with people I had never met.

I managed to be obedient for once and went to a group with two guys and three girls: Lindsay, Morgan, McKenzie, Mike, Jonny, and me. Turns out Jonny and I were the only ones who felt safe enough to share deeply the first morning. My heart sensed safety among fellow believers my own age and I told them things I couldn’t even tell my mom. In turn that gave a sense of freedom to the others to share the next day. It gave me this joy that, well, blew my mind in these circumstances!

God is awesome. He knew exactly what I needed and at exactly the right time gave it to me. As I take time to look back on it, I see that God did some amazing things for me. I’m keeping in contact with the people that were in my group because we all have one thing in common: we love God and felt safe enough to share intimate things with one another and not be afraid of being judged.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!"

Keynote speakers Lee Grady and Dave Householder blessed us, and the times of just hanging out and enjoying our relationships with one another was again a highlight for many in attendance. Not only was the time built in for those relationships a highlight but the tenor of the relationships had an impact on many. One person who attended wrote:

The most striking feature of the conference was the humility of all the leadership including Grady. I have been to a zillion conferences and while there is great teaching, you feel that the leadership/speakers are unapproachable. In the case of the ARC conference it was just the opposite. While the teaching was fine, what really blessed me was the people. I felt we were all in something together. It didn't matter that you were a pastor or lay person; it felt like we were all one. This makes the ARC special. This is something I hope and pray we never lose. I believe the ARC is a movement that God has raised up to show true humility and passion for kingdom things while being very relational.

Thanks again to Robinwood Church for doing such a wonderful job of hosting the gathering; particular thanks to Chris Hankins and Julie Ramsey who not only gave leadership to so many of the administrative details in putting this gathering together, but who truly modeled the life and attitude of Jesus for us while doing it.

Be watching your emails and the ARC website for an announcement on next year’s Southwest ARC Gathering to be held on June 22-24: Prayer – Ushering in a Kingdom Uprising.

The Empowering Presence Coming to the Midwest

2010-07-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

ARC Leaders: Bring your spouse, congregational leaders and members, along with Friends of the ARC, to join in the fun and fellowship at:

THE EMPOWERING PRESENCE!
The 2010 Midwest ARC Gatherings

A gathering for all congregational members, leaders and pastors of ARC congregations and for all Friends of the ARC

Purposes:

• To provide a place where ARC members and Friends of the ARC can gather for
restoration and refreshing
• To proclaim and to minister one of the non-negotiables of the ARC: The
Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit.
• To be encouraged, empowered, healed, and set free by encounters with the Holy
Spirit.
• To continue nurturing relationships between ARC members in a climate that is
free to foster authentic relationships.
• To worship the Lord and to bless Him as we gather together - teens, young
adults, and older adults - in the same room at the same time with the same Holy
Spirit.

Dates: Midwest Gathering: October 21-23, 2010

Location: North Heights Lutheran Church – Roseville, MN

Cost: $65 for adults; $40 for teenagers and young adults (under 30 years of
age)

It is for: Pastors, congregational leaders and all members of ARC churches and for
Friends of the ARC

What will those who gather experience?

• Experiential encounters with the Holy Spirit
• Inspiring, intimate and passionate worship
• Personal Prayer Ministry and Soaking Prayer Appointments
• Youth, young adults and older adults participating together
• Relationship building and nurturing between members and Friends of the ARC
• Vision Casting main sessions that impart hope and inspiration for ministry with
the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit
• Hands on experience in ministry with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit
• Workshops that equip us to minister the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit
to others

Who will help lead and speak at this gathering?

• J. Lee Grady, Editor and Author, Charisma Magazine
• Robert Walter, ARC Pastor and Teacher; LeaderSource Ministries
• Mike Bradley, ARC Director and President, The Masters Institute Seminary
• Eric Bluhm, ARC Pastor North Heights Lutheran Church, Arden Hills, MN and
National Leadership Team Member
• Fred Thoni, ARC Pastor , Elmwood E. Free, and National Leadership Team member,
• Nathan Hoff, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, San Pedro, CA
• Midge Wietzma, ARC Pastor, Wonderful Mercy Church, Gilbert, AZ
• Joseph Johnson, ARC Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA
• Bob Mabry, ARC Pastor, Hope Community Lutheran Church, Long Beach, CA
• Peter Churness, ARC Pastor and Director, Lutheran Evangelistic Movement
• Joel and Marissa Bidderman, ARC Member, missionary to Apache Youth, and gifted
worship leaders
• More speakers and workshops to be announced soon

Kevin Piscator Installed at Faith Lutheran

2010-06-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 13th was the day of my installation as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Powell, WY. In one sense, it was the culmination of a journey Mary and I started five years ago when we felt that God was calling me to attend The Master’s Institute Seminary. In another sense, it was just the beginning of a new journey. It was great to have Rev. Michael Bradley and Pastor Kevin and Laura McClure here to do the installation. Kevin and Laura have been a huge blessing to Mary and me over the years and Mike has become a good friend. This journey is helping us to learn that God’s timing is perfect.

I thought that once I graduated God would immediately call us into fulltime ministry. But He knew that I still needed to grow and receive more healing before I was ready.

We started conversations with Faith in the summer of 2008 and made plans to fly out to visit the congregation. When Pastor McClure and I returned from Chicago where we welcomed a church into the ARC, Mary said that she was having problems seeing out of her left eye. An appointment with her ophthalmologist revealed that she had a partially detached retina which required surgery later that day. Part of the surgery included injecting a gas bubble which helped hold the retina in place. This bubble aided the healing, but it also precluded any travel that involved a change in elevation. When Satan was trying to convince Mary that this had thwarted God’s plans, I felt that God was reassuring us saying, “My timing is perfect.” The problem is that even when we hear God speak we don’t take His words to heart.

When you are waiting for God’s perfect timing, you may become resentful that He isn’t moving as fast as you want Him to. I sure did. I started to resent The Master’s Institute for not getting me placed and wanted nothing to do with it. Can you imagine God wanting to inflict that kind of pastor on a congregation? Last summer, Mary wanted to go to the ARC Gathering in Huntington Beach and I reluctantly went with her. That gathering was pivotal in my receiving healing. I felt forgotten. The theme of the gathering was, Not Forgotten. The first day, Robert Walter came over to speak to me. That simple act began a release of feelings that lead to repentance and healing.

Once we accepted the call to Faith, we saw many instances of God’s perfect timing. Our house sold in six weeks. We found a house here in one day. Both the closings and the move went incredibly smooth.

We are starting to see how God has used this time in ways we never expected. Mary will be able to use her Elijah House Prayer Ministry training not only to help individuals but also to assist a member of our congregation in bringing Elijah House training to this area.

Before we arrived, the members of the congregation had to assume many of the duties that are usually reserved for the pastor. My continual goal is to empower them to keep doing many of these things so that we truly are the priesthood of all believers.

Saying that God’s timing is perfect is easy. Living it out is more difficult. We will keep seeking the will of God through the person of the Holy Spirit so that we are in step with God’s perfect timing. If you are waiting for your next kingdom assignment, you can be assured that--God’s timing is perfect.

ARC Ministry Team Goes to Nashville

2010-04-28T14:40:00.001-07:00

An ARC ministry team traveled to the Nashville, TN area to be with ARC Pastor Tom Hilpert and New Joy Fellowship on April 22-24. ARC Leadership Team member, Bob Mabry (Hope Community, Long Beach), and ARC Director, Mike Bradley, spent the weekend with Tom and his family, and the New Joy congregation. Bob, a gifted worship leader as well as pastor, spent time with the New Joy Fellowship worship team, sharing a teaching on leading worship; and then with the team led worship on Sunday morning. Bob and Mike met with leaders for New Joy on Saturday, and then Mike shared a message on Sunday morning entitled, “Don’t Abandon Your Obedience.” Bob and Mike were available for prayer ministry and visiting following the service. The purpose of visits such as this is to encourage and strengthen ARC leaders and their congregations.

Of this visit Pastor Tom Hilpert writes, “We are a small congregation, and we are also a congregation that is geographically isolated from most of the rest of the ARC. There are times we ourselves have felt like ‘forgotten ones.’ Having Mike Bradley and Bob Mabry take time to visit us -- as insignificant in numbers and location as we are -- provided a tremendous infusion of grace for our church. Mike is a ‘connector’ and that is precisely what our congregation was needing at this point in time - a sense of connection to other churches and leaders who share our values and our mission. Bob is an encourager, and that powerful gift was also very valuable to us, not to mention his tremendous gift of leading us in worship. They showed us that the ARC is serious about being a relational network. I anticipate that the blessings from this past weekend will continue for some time afterward.”

If you’d like an ARC ministry team to visit your church, please contact Mike Bradley at: safeplacemb@gmail.com. Pictured in the photo are Pastor Tom Hilpert (left) and Bob Mabry (right). This picture was taken on a hillside behind the 10-acre family farm Tom and Kari own. By the way, Tom and Kari are both some of the gifted, creative artists God is gracing the ARC with. Tom is the author of a novel – the murder-mystery, “Superior Justice.” I read it recently and highly recommend it for those of you who enjoy that genre. Kari is a singer-songwriter. If you would like to order her cd, you can go to her website at: www.karihilpert.com.