In 2016 the Lord revealed in a dream a ministry He was preparing for us to be part of; ‘to build a community led by the ones that need to be led’. This was an unusual strategy! I did as Mary when she heard the message from the angel, received it (let it be according to Your word; Luke 1:38) and planted it deep in my heart, and shared it with only one.
So at this time we were a team of three, the Lord, my wife Win and myself. And during this period we received a challenging ministry name; ‘Encounter Centre’. This was followed by two statements on the form of the ministry and the means; ‘See the Healing – Feel the Freedom – Discover Gods Plan for You’ and ‘through His Love-power and promise for your life’. Whew – thats laying it on the line ! Not only that but this was to be no ordinary church but in fact not to be a church by name at all, and is to be distinctly different. A kinda ‘drop in Community-Hub’!
In 2017 the Lord asked us to start walking towards this dream! The verse that comes to mind is ; Hebrew 11:1-2 (Passion) ‘Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for’.
It was clear our vision could not be realised by a single person or couple but only by a dedicated group. Time to build a team to combine and prepare for ‘our calling’. One couple offered themselves for the cause (had supported us through thick and thin) while God brought us together with another couple that had unwittingly been preparing for 17 years! Our challenge was to build a team with the same heart but with diverse gifts, callings & skills. Clearly a crucial part of God’s preparation & timing (parts of the 5 fold ministry He was calling us to be part of and the fullness of His body He is waiting to return too – as seen in 1 Corinthians 12).
Hearing His word is important but so too is a team’s commitment to ‘a shared call’ or purpose. We committed to regular meetings in our homes. These included monthly training weekends; often out of town (like Taupo & Christchurch). The effort of working through the different issues and understandings drew us together and the way forward became clear through prayer & worship (while waiting on God’s timing).
During this period it also became clear that we needed to formalise our organisation. One of our members had contacts in a Christian Legal firm. This was crucial to the process. Our Charitable Trust status was approved in 2 working days. ‘Surely the hand of God was on this’ as we have heard of Christian organisations taking months, some even years!
Personally my wife and I stepped into itinerant ministry working through various Churches throughout NZ bringing prophetic words to Pastors, key leaders, individuals, groups and congregations. Other members of our team were also involved in different aspects of ministry. Throughout we continued meeting monthly for training weekends.
We will end here today with this prayer which comes out of Roman 8:32
Romans 8:32 (TPT)
For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.
Father I know that you offered up Your Son as a sacrificial gift for all of us, ones that know and those that don’t know You. So that Your will that not one shall parish would now have everything needed for it to be fulfilled May this three part message inspire, encourage and provide a way for others in the ministries You have appointed for them. May it through You be the fuel to continue and walk towards the victories You have placed in front of them.
Here is your Challenge or opportunity for today !
1. To spend sometime thanking the Lord for the ministry His has appointed and birth you for !
2. If you have not received your appointment, then today is the day to ask the Lord to show you it ?
3 Spend sometime in worship, praising Him for all you are about to see (Hebrew 11:1)
4 Ask Him to increase your FAITH ! Say Lord as the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
5 Ask the Lord what He is asking you personally to plant in way of a seed offering ? If/when you receive His direction ! Ask Him where to plant it ? ( if it is into our ministry below is bank details.
6 As you plant your seed or offering ask the Lord for Him to water your seed or offering , as per His word. One planted, One watered; but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)
7. Thank You Lord for your provision ! As per You word if we are faithful to give it will be given back to them (Luke 6:38) A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” AMEN
Father I thank You for your children the ones who are called by Your name ! Help them,provide for them and re fill them to be able to be effective in their ministry to a current generation amen
The Encounter Centre 03-0481-0007448-000 (if you require a tax receipt please let us know)
Blessings,
Craig Patten
Prophet & Team Leader
